We missed you daddy!

Sloan and Daddy having some fun

Q and Daddy playing soccer

Surprise at the airport

Shopping trip: note Q's wallet and Sloan's purse

A game that Q and Nicki made up .... we popped about 20 balloons and there were clues inside!

Q would go to school every day telling Mrs. Gilbert, "My dad is in China, for an entire week." I showed him a map of China and where it was in relation to the US and he said dad is far far away...it then reminded me of the truth so we kept very busy the entire week! CC and Uncle Brad came to visit from St. Louis, a special shopping trip with Aunt Jodi was planned, and I even had girls over for some mexican and margaritas. However, there wasn't a second that went by that we were not thinking of our daddy.

Actually, as we are going to surprise Aaron at the airport, Q turns to me and asks if we could MOVE to China soon! I thought ok, he's getting the move thing, we have been talking about it a lot, reading books and showing him things that we'll do together as a family in Chicago, however...I too am just getting excited about the Chicago move....I told him let's take one MOVE at a time, and maybe one day, but I love your curiosity Q....we can learn more about China if you want ....we've always called him Curious Quinton and I'm happy he's living up to the name!

Daddy, we're so happy your home with us here in the USA, and thrilled you were able to experience a new part of the world again. Thank you for working so hard everyday....We love you so much!

Sloan's 18 months

Just one of her dress up days!!!

Sloan has really blossomed these past couple of months. She is definitely already portraying her feminine characteristics. Putting on any shoe that's in the house, trying clothes on and off, most of the time not where they SHOULD go, watching mommy apply her makeup, carrying a purse around everywhere she goes, and all the other thing us crazy girls do. She is speaking a lot, with her favorite words being "yep" "please"and "thank you" I just love her innocence and her sweet gestures from kissing and hugging, to admiring her brothers every move. It's amazing how they learn and interact at such a young age.....It's been wonderful to watch! We went to her check up at the beginning of the month, but with all the craziness going on, or I should say all the craziness in my purse (seriously, it's way, way, way too BIG, I can NEVER find anything) I have misplaced her digits for her 18 month check up.

What I do remember...she is 40% for weight, and 80% for height....ok, I'll get back to the specifics when the sheet reappears....

Sloan, you continue to amaze us with your developments, we are so thankful for your energy and your health! Love ya!

****Dec 13th...I knew I would find it, or should I say Sloan found it!**** Her digits read: 33 inches for height and 24 lbs

Love and Respect

Aaron and I attended a marriage retreat weekend at our church with 2500 other people. At first we were a little uneasy about attending with all the craziness going on in our lives of selling our house, buying a new one and travels in and out of the country, but we decided to attend and we're thrilled we did....it was amazing! The presentation was so inspiring and it sure did make me think about our marriage and my day to day interactions with Aaron in this crazy world of life!!!!

A story that the pastor said when he opened the session.... A woman goes into her closet and says, "I have nothing to wear" which ultimately means I have nothing new to wear...a man walks in his closet and says, "I have nothing to wear" he means, I have nothing clean to wear.... woman and men are wired differently and neither are wrong "just different", no one is perfect and by just understanding that before reacting can safe a lot of effort. (oh how true!)

A simple concept that was the premise of the session:

Wives need Love and and Husbands need Respect (Ephesians 5:33)

"Without love she reacts and without respect he reacts"

It truly was an amazing experience. If you have a chance to ever see this couple present, do it!!!! Aaron and I plan to better adopt some of these principles to continue on the journey of what I love so much....being married to him ( see look at me....love, love, love , I 'm playing this role well!!!)

Christmas already????

Before the picture....

There was a holiday open house this past weekend and we decided to head up for some family fun. Santa and Mrs. Claus were anxiously awaiting for boys and girls to sit on their laps. Q was so excited to meet Santa and later asking if that is what Santa always looks like? Sloan on the other hand was so excited to see some new faces UNTIL I handed her over ...hence the entire family pic with Santa.....just had to share. I love all these moments that will remember forever!

The leaves...

Fun Fun Fun

Q's getting soooooooo tall

My pink cutie

Q soaring in the air

Over the past few weekends, we've enjoyed playing in the leaves....it feels like the changing of the trees happened so fast this year! Fall is my favorite season...the kids sure enjoy it too!

A little tip....

Did you know that a spoonful of jelly takes the hiccups away every time? Why? I don't know... just try it! I love my mom....still learning something from her all the time.