Some Alaska pics....

Denali National Park, did you know only 30% of the people actually see Mt McKinley?? It's so big it's usually shrouded in clouds.

Yup....camping!! The hot springs were super hot (and felt amazing) but the outside temps held steady in the mid 50's.

Mylittle red squirrel boyfriend...he loved the ritz I gave him!  He scared the crap out of me as I sat on the picnic table, he came onto the table behind me and touched my jacket.

Inside Santa Claus House....my mom would have passed out over all the Santa themed goodies in here! I kinda did too!

On the way home from Fairbanks. I am in awe of the scenery here, it's simple beautiful! Mother Nature did some of her best work here!

Melissa and I taking selfies with her daughters phone!! 

A rainbow...those are the mountains you can see from Melissa's front window.

More pics soon....

Off to Alaska...

As I write this from 36342 ft up in the air and going 537 mikes per hour, somewhere over southeast Alaska, or Canada, I cannot tell clearly on the small video screen in front of me ....I am still totally fascinated that humans have made  tubes with wings that can fly!  Much less access the internet while doing so!

Today has been a long day...and I still  have a couple hours of flying and then an hour drive to Melissa's home.  And then we plan to get up early and begin this adventure!

Today though was a good day, I got to accompany Arrielle and the girls to MJ's 2 year doctor appointment.  It was good to be Arrielle's second set of hands and help sooth MJ when she got a little scared.  Our oldest princess is exactly 3 feet tall and weighs just a couple ounces over 27 pounds.  

I wanted to spend some time with the girls before I left, so when we got back to their house I held a dozing Roslin on my chest and sipped a latte at the same time...I was a happy camper.  MJ played with her toys and watched her mommy and her Nana (Arrielle's mom) do a couple chores while they had a free moment.  Time ran out,  I got a hug and kiss from MJ and set out for home and my last couple errands before Lee came home to take me to arch the airporter.

Now, I am blogging on a plane!  Hoping that as I listen to my iPod,  I don't start singing out loud!  

This picture makes me so happy, even though Mahoney squeezing Roslin.  MJ adores her little sister.  And yes, MJ is covers in Doc McStuffin tattoos, on both arms and her chest.  Silly princess!

365 Days....

Wow! We left Humboldt a year ago today! Arriving here at 2am the next morning.  When I look back, I think I should have been more scared!  We had no jobs, only an idea of what we wanted to do.  All we knew, was that Mahoney was there at the other end.

A year later, we both have jobs ( both with affiliations to the Navy, which we find ironic), love the neighborhood we live in, and we not only have MJ but, we have Roslin too!  Everyday, I feel blessed.

A year of changes...and I don't like change, but I have actually become more adaptable and more at peace with different situations.  Maybe I am finally maturing...gosh, I hope not!  

We have seen others forced out of the military that have not been so lucky, in this situation I have noticed that attitude is everything. Forrest Gump's mom was right, life really is like a box of chocolates....if you get a yucky one, just move on and try another.

We are celebrating one year of being home with a family dinner tonight, Mason and the girls will come over and we will feast on burgers, and some birthday cake for Mason who turns 24 tomorrow!

Good times!

Halfway Through....

Summer that is!!!!  I feel like the first half of summer has just flown right by!

Most importantly our family has grown, with the addition of Miss Roslin Elizabeth!  

Her birth ranks up there as one of the most amazing things I have ever witnessed.  She was born at home, surrounded by family and an amazing team of midwives.  She is completely adored by her big sister.

She checks her out everyday, checking her toes and hands and pointing out all her parts.  She also will make sure Roslin is covered...MJ is very into swaddling her baby dolls and toys right now.  Last night, (in the pic above) Roslin stirred, and Mahoney started to rock back and forth...she is a natural at being a big sister.

This summer has been busy and exhausting.  I have my Mahoney Mondays, which also turned into midwife Mondays the last 6 weeks of Arrielle's pregnancy.  I have been working a lot more than I usually do.  I have not had a weekend day off in a month...and that day was for Shawn's graduation.  I seem to see Lee in passing lately, I also have not seen my dad in a month.  I have horrible wife, daughter and friend guilt lately.

Next week, we will have been here a year already.  I can hardly believe it, it's been pretty amazing...even with the guilt, busy times, excitement it's been pretty wonderful. Best part is there is more to come!