Bless me!

I couldn't risk forgetting this so I had to get on and post it immediately. Tonight in family prayer it was Macks turn and I usually crack up at least once during one of the boys prayers but never multiple times. So Mack's prayer tonight starts out fairly typical but then the good stuff, you know the stuff that is really in his heart and that is always my favorite. "please bless me to do back flips on the trampoline when I am bigger, help me when I turn 8 to become a Baptist, (by far my favorite line I have ever heard in his prayers) and help me not to get pushed down the stairs like I almost did by Creed today that would really hurt, and bless me to be nice to Creed and be a good big brother when I am older like a Dad. (not now mind you, but when he is older)
Anyway too classic of stuff that I knew if I waited until after all my sunday dishes and everything was done I would forget. Thanks for indulging me!

He's a looker!

We liked this one with his mouth open. We thought it looked like he was talking. And NO he isn't very mature. That is not a mustache on him its the cord brushing against the top of his lip.

Cam and I had the opportunity to have a mini date this morning while a friend watched the boys. These days we take what we can get. We went to the 3-d ultrasound of the newest Shirley. We were never given the opportunity with the first two to have this type done. So this was a first for us. The pictures were really fun and it is a strange sensation watching the baby move at the same time you are feeling it. Our verdict is he looks like Creed, but you know these things can be very deceiving. Having this ultrasound and these pictures is making it seem all more real that this baby is coming sooner rather than later, whether I am ready or not. So time to get ready!

LOST:

Has anyone seen two missing baby teeth? We are pretty sure Mack swallowed the first one and I am not willing to wait and look around for it in the toilet. So he is out of luck with the tooth fairy on that one. The second one fell out last night in bed, luckily Cam and Mack did find that one. This morning he was very excited about his money from the tooth fairy, so excited in fact he gave half of it to me and half to Cam. I guess money doesn't talk with this kid.

Picture Overload

We have had a fun filled week. When it hasn't been raining we have tried to sneak in some of our favorite activities. Last week Reptile gardens was a huge hit with my boys. I knew they would love that place. The croc show and snake show was a huge hit also getting to pet the giant turtles was "totally cool" as Mack would say.

Last weekend was the "Volksmarch" once a year they allow people to actually hike the 6.2 mile trek to the top of Crazy Horse to get a better view of the progress they have made. (to be honest I don't think any progress has been made since we were last there when Mack was a baby) However, Cam and Mackguire along with some friends decided to give it a whirl. What troopers for those kids to hike and walk that far. They were beat!

Also this week we enrolled Mack in a week long basketball camp. I know as parents (especially ones that love sports) we are total slackers when it comes to spending time teaching our kids how to play them. So this was Mack's first real attempt at the sport. I am not going to predict the next Michael Jordan because he by far was the kid out there who could have been voted the kid most likely to join the chess club. But he really enjoyed it and by the end was even making baskets. So hopefully his Grandpas and Uncles won't cast him out of the family yet for not having game.

Then as a congratulatory prize after his last day of camp the boys have been begging to go to dinosaur park. Its a park at the top of one of the highest hills in Rapid that has 4 different dinosaur statues that the boys can climb and play on. They can see the brontosaurus every time we are down town and have wanted to get a closer look. I knowing that the climb up there covered at least 100 stairs going straight up (well that's what it feels like when your pregnant and wearing wedge shoes) wasn't going to be easy and finally decided that waiting for Dad wasn't going to happen as soon as they would like. So the attempt and accomplishment was made. So we can hopefully check that off the list for awhile.
All in all a fun week playing with all the neighbor friends and enjoying our beautiful area.


this turtle at Reptile Gardens actually would lift its head to pose for all the pictures. It is over a 100 years old.
The boys petting a baby crocodile
Mack peeking out of the dome into prairie dog village to get a closer look.

Top of crazy horse mountain with some friends
Mack making his basket
Riding the triceratops
Creed is a little more cautious about climbing on things
A view from the top, isn't it pretty!

New accomodations

Our humble abode!

So we really don't have anything exciting or new to post we are just busy trying to get settled in our new place. Its called Dakota Ridge and is considered base housing but it is not on base its leased housing down town in Rapid City. This housing existed when we lived here before it was just a long waiting list. This time around there was no waiting list so here we are. Its a wonderfully weird kind of community. Just imagine (all you non-military people) living in a neighborhood that was strictly for those that worked for your same company. Your boss lives across the street, co-workers are your neighbors everyone leaving and coming home at the same time for the most part. There are lots of new faces but plenty of ones we recognized from before. Its fun.

So far my kids love the new digs, especially because it has stairs, (one of Mack's requirements) and having so many friends and kids to play with all the time is so fun for them. Kids are everywhere! It is a very quintessential neighborhood in a way.

We have been here for almost a month now and can say we have probably had only 3-4 dry days. I hadn't realized we moved to Seattle. So once the rain stops we will have so much to blog about because there are so many fun things to do here in the summer. So stay tuned.....

"OH SNAP"

Those are the words that came out of Mackguire's mouth, along with the swinging arm while snapping his fingers. Followed by "I thought it was a girl." I think he was more shocked then disappointed that his sibling radar was off. Cam and I took care of the disappointed looks for him, and Creed just sitting there I am sure wondering why this creature on the screen is being called a baby. I think it kind of frightened him, he stayed by my side the whole time.

So there it is. For some reason the Lord wants lots of Shirley men on this earth and do you blame him they are great guys.

Of course we were hoping for a girl, that goes without saying. However, Cam and I do know that for people who were never expected to have kids we really can't complain about 3 healthy and happy boys. I just know this gray patch of hair on top of my head is going to spread to like a fierce virus.

As for names Mack had Sunshine Lollypop picked out for his baby sister, so in a way I guess I am glad to dodge that bullet. We asked him after the appt. if he had a boy name and he couldn't think of one at first. Later on though he said Caden. We told him that name was taken by his cousin already but he said that doesn't matter we can have two. Which should be a huge compliment to his cousin Caden who is always so good to him. So at least Cam and I don't have to worry about Sunshine Lollypop!

Sorry for the wierd graphic picture, I just thought the three male statues was fitting and applied somehow.

Watch out South Dakota WE'RE BACK!

I can't believe that we have returned to the birthplace of my boys, our future child and our dog for that matter. It is such a peaceful feeling being back, in many ways it feels as if we never left. I pulled in after 6 days of being on the road (we had some detours and took our sweet time getting here) and it felt similar as to when I pull into my birthplace of Rexburg. HOME! I guess we planted longer roots here in our 4 years than we originally thought.

Last night after we pulled onto base we drove by our old house to see if it was still around or if it had succumbed to the wrecking ball. Sure enough it was there and looked pretty sad and dilapidated. The new houses are almost done so I think the wrecking ball is coming soon. Mack didn't really remember the house, after all he was 2 1/2 when we moved. He did like hearing about it though and me pointing to his bedroom window. We aren't sure if we are living in base housing or venturing on our own again. So for now we are living in the temporary housing available on base. We will keep you posted.

We miss our friends and life in California but look forward to starting our Airforce life again.



our pathetic OLD house!

one of our detours was in LA for Cam's brother Kimballs graduation

Our farewell bonfire with some friends (not the warmest day)

some of our die-hard friends who braved the cold