Thursday, February 18, 2010

Back across we go....

In December of this year Brandon graduates from Naval Post Graduate school which mean it will be time for something new. Yesterday we found out he will be working in the Pentagon. That means we will have to trek across the United States once more. AND I know this will not be the last time, SIGH, but we will enjoy our time there. I am excited to go live near all the museums and cultural things that Washington DC has to offer. I know that there will be a ton of things to offer for all of us.

However, this was Brandon's third choice to do a tour in Arlington, VA. His top choice was Sydney, Australia and second choice was off the Island of Sicily in Italy. We really wanted to go out of this country! The thought of living in Sydney was really exciting. Brandon's detailer, (the guy in charge of his next orders), even told Brandon verbally that he was number one for Sydney. That made us really excited. We didn't talk about it much because we worried that if we did, it wouldn't happen. Well, that didn't matter. We didn't get it obviously. Apparently, both of Brandon's top two choices needed him sooner than he could get there because of school... bummer... something out of our control. Brandon needs to graduate!

SO, here we are ready for our next adventure, which is still months away!! I am ready to start looking into schools and the good areas to live. It kinda freaks me out, by the time we leave, Kayle will be in second grade, AAAAAHHHHHH. I am excited for the shopping and good food. It will be nice to even be closer to some friends I made while we lived in Virginia Beach. It will be good for Brandon to work in the Pentagon with the top military guys too I suppose. Although, he said his job will be not desirable I have to be thankful to be with him!


Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Lake Tahoe trip with a 15 month old and 3 1/2 year old



Sounds fun right???? It was at some points but not at others. It was an adventure that Brandon and I will never forget for several reasons. Let me start with our drive up there. We left Thursday afternoon and the drive was great until we hit the mountains and it started snowing, and it is dark. For anyone who knows me I don't handle weather conditions well, even when I am in the passenger seat. Our windshield wipers were acting weird and semi trucks were passing us and kicking up dirt and ice. I was FREAKING out. I was trying so hard to stay calm and let Brandon focus on the drive and I started shaking and could not stop. I get really freaked out, it is silly, but that is what I do. Thankfully we made it to our hotel with no problems.

Friday morning we woke up ready to go hit the snow, we headed to Squaw Valley for the day, excited to see this place for several reasons. One, it is big and fancy and second, the Olympics were held there about 50 or 60 years ago so it has to be cool!. We got there about 9 am and sat in the car for about 30 minutes trying to figure out how we are going to carry everything we needed for the day. Here is what we needed: a baby, a toddler, 2 bags full of random things, my skis, boot, and poles and Brandon's skis boots and poles. Brandon decided to come back for our ski stuff at some point and we set of to figure out where we would sit for the day (because not having anyone to watch the kids we would be skiing separately). I was walking with Kayle while he had Makenna who is getting pretty heavy these days. Brandon took off while Kayle and I were chugging behind. I look up at one point and Brandon is no where to be found! UUGGGHHH I start getting really upset because this place is big, how could he loose us. Kayle and I search for him everywhere and I honestly have no clue where he went. So, we sit down on a bench and just wait. Finally Brandon came out and found us.

Anyways, after we finally get settled, Brandon went back to the car to get out skis and stuff, he put them in our sled and drug them behind him. He said they kept falling out of the sled (HAHA) and had a hard time. I had to laugh at something. We were exhausted and frustrated at the day. Now it was lunch time. Kayle spilt her drink everywhere, fun! Next onto Kayle's ski lessons. She loved it, THANK GOODNESS! Brandon actually got to ski a little bit during her lessons while I watched Makenna nap. Then we left. In a nutshell; Squaw Valley is not the best place if you have little kids, it is way to spread out and hard to manage.

Saturday, Alpine Meadows. We knew what to expect. We put Makenna in the stroller and stuffed as much as we could in that thing and managed to walk with everything in one trip. I went skiing for an hour while Brandon watch the girls. Alpine Meadows has an indoor play area for kids that was exactly what we needed, Makenna and Kayle both loved it and played ALL day long while Brandon and I took turns skiing. Kayle even got to go out a couple times with Brandon and LOVED it, she wanted to go fast down the hill with him.

We left Sunday after a quick trip to the sledding hill. We had fun but I highly suggest going when were kids can be in a all day ski program or day care!