New Years

It's hard to believe that 2011 is coming to a close. There are already things to look forward to in 2012. We start the year with our move to Virginia and looking for a new home. It will be nice to be back in the states, but hate the whole moving process. In the next few weeks we are having our house packed up and will be living with loaner furniture for several weeks. Then onto our trip back to the states with a 2 1/2 year old. Don't get me wrong I love my son, and I love to travel, but traveling with a toddler is not fun! Then we will be visiting family, picking up our new car, and finding a new home. Once things settle down we will be celebrating Braydon's third birthday. Then I guess it will be time for me to find a job. After not working for three years I'm not really itching to get back into the workforce. However, I did just finish my MBA and look forward to putting that to good use.

Braydon via my new video camera

Christmas

Up until the week of Christmas the weather was nice and it didn't feel like the holidays. I decided to make all of my Christmas cookies in 5 days! Needless to say I was in the kitchen every day and made way too many cookies for three people. Christmas Eve we spent the morning with some friends and the evening at home.  On the morning of Christmas Braydon woke up wanting to know what Santa brought him. He got a lot of presents but his favorite is the kitchen that Santa brought him. Well either that or the grill and shopping cart he also brought him!

We enjoyed the day at home in our pajamas and then skyped with everyone! Can't wait until next year when we are back in the states and enjoying with our whole family. 

Santa

A few weeks ago we took Braydon to see Santa. Last year he refused to sit on his lap and it was the same thing this year. We did manage to get him to do some crafts which is more then I can say about last year.

Thanksgiving

This post is coming a little late. Mostly because I've been busy putting the house together for Christmas, and shopping for Christmas presents. I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. We celebrated with some friends and enjoyed Deep Fried Turkey. If you have never had it you are missing out. The past two Thanksgivings we have had it and this year made sure to make an extra turkey so we could have left overs. We plan on getting a fryer so that next year we can be sure to enjoy the wonders of Deep Fried Turkey again!

Looking for a new home

Whenever you decide to move you face the fact that you have no choice but to look for a new home. This is the dilemma Chris and I find ourselves in now. I never realized how much we disagree when it comes to a new home. While I am more modern Chris likes the older looking homes. We are just in the process of looking at pictures online and will narrow down our search once we arrive in the states. I'm already ready to pull my hair out because there are some houses that I really love, then Chris comes and crushes my dreams!

Our New Car

Well after much talking and researching it's with a heavy heart I say I am not getting my Volvo. We have decided to buy the 2012 Dodge Journey SXT.

Don't get me wrong this was totally my decision. While I LOVED the Volvo the price was just not within our liking. Also we really liked the discounts the Dodge was giving us for school, and being a previous Dodge owner. Now our information is being submitted and the car is being built in the factory.  I can't wait to receive it in February!

Car Buying

It's come time for us to buy another car. We have been living with one car for awhile now and realize when we get back to the states this will be impossible to do. Several of our friends have bought either BMW or Volvo while stationed overseas because of the discounts you get buying them. You are able to buy directly from the manufacturer and do not have to pay those dealer fees. I have wanted a Volvo XC90 since we got here, but realized at $36,000 it was not something I wanted to spend all our money on. We liked the fact that it had a third row seat and that the folding of the seats went all the way down for lots of storage. We then decided to look at some of the cars that the Navy New Car sells, and like the Dodge Journey. This has the third row seat and the storage at a reasonable price of $25,000.

Chris had the Monday following Veterans day off so we decided to talk to the Volvo dealer and the Navy New Car dealer. We priced a Volvo XC60 which is smaller then the XC90 and doesn't offer the third row seating. We got a price which we are happy to spend and is $15,000 below MSRP! The Navy New Car dealer wasn't open so we are going to talk to him tomorrow and then make a decision soon. The cool thing about the Volvo is it is made to order for us directly from the factory!

Bowling

Three posts in one day, craziness I know. So the other day Chris got home from work early and we were bored so we decided to head to the bowling alley. Braydon has pretty much grown up their because Chris has been in leagues since Braydon was born. This time we decided that Braydon would get to go bowling. Let me just tell you the kid loved it! He didn't want to stop even after we played two games. I guess this will be a new thing we will do with him. I intend to get him involved with sports when we move home, and it's good to see their is something he enjoys.

Halloween

Usually our family dresses in a theme for the holiday, but this year we couldn't agree on one so we each went as our own thing. Braydon was an aviator, I was a beer maiden, and Chris was Gene Simmons from Kiss. The whole day it was dark and gloomy, but waited to rain until 5pm when the trick or treating started. I took Braydon around while Chris stayed at the house and handed out the candy. Braydon did good until we got to one house. He went up and rang the doorbell only to have a werewolf jump out at him and scare him half to death. This happened a few blocks from our house and so I had to carry him, the umbrella and a full candy basket back to the house. Even with the nasty weather we went through several bags of candy. When we ran out we put the candy from Braydon's basket that none of us liked into the give away basket. We are still going through all the candy that Braydon got for the holiday. We will probably finish just in time for the candy he always gets in his Christmas stocking.

Atumn Fest

Each fall the base puts on a Autumn Festival. The kids all dress in their Halloween costumes and there are rides and games, also lots of food booths. This year was the first time we dressed Braydon up for it and they had a trick or treat lane. He was in his second costume as an Astronaut. Braydon had a lot of fun but was scared to death of any person in a mask. We don't know where this came from because last year he was fine with them. Hopefully he will outgrow this phase. Here is a picture of Braydon with his friend Brayden. They were both space people.

On the second night we went back and let him ride some of the children's rides that they had. We knew he would love the train and also the little merry go round, but were amazed that he loved the swings. Normally he does love swings, but these are the ones that go fast. He rode the train about four times, and the swings twice. All in all he had a lot of fun and we will make sure to take him to a carnival next year when we are home.

Halloween Party

Chris's command through a Halloween Party for the kids of the command. We took Braydon to it and he wowed in his aviator costume.

He even won one of the best costume awards. This is actually one of his costumes for Halloween he has another which he will wear for the Autumn Fest we are going to tonight. Braydon was able to play games and get candy, which he attempted to eat all of last night.

If this is the amount of candy from one night I can't imagine how much we will have after tonight and the actual Halloween trick or treating on Monday.

Back in Sicily - Now a Recap

We are back in Sicily! I know the posts haven't been coming lately, and that's because I've been home relaxing and enjoying myself. Now that I'm back and there is a lot of changes happening soon, I'm back to posting. We've been back in Sicily for a week now and it feels like we have never left.  Some things have changed but for the most part everything is the same.

A little recap on our trip home. Braydon and I visited Uncle Dan and Aunt Kelly in Seattle and had a great time with them. We went on some camping trips with Mimi and Papa. Saw Thomas the Train, the zoo, children's museums, the pumpkin patch, and experienced a lot of new and exciting things. When Chris arrived we went to Kentucky to visit family and Braydon got to spend time with his cousin Hayden who is only 5 months older then him. We also took him to Gatti-land (like Chuck E Cheese) and to see Disney on Ice.

After our fun in Kentucky we went to Norfolk, Virginia to try and catch a flight back to Sicily. We met up with our friends Charles and Shane, their son Zachary and their twins Molly and Austin. It was great seeing them and I really miss spending time with them. Zach was 1 when we left and know he will be 4 in a few months!

Now after being gone for two months we arrived back in Sicily and back to our life here. We only have three months left and have a lot of things going on in those three months. I know because of that that our time will fly by.

Finally In The States

So this is going to be a lons story. On Tuesday the 2nd I decided to try and get on a military flight going to Dover, Delware. I was successful in getting a sit for myself and Braydon. Our plane was going to fly from Sicily to Spain and spend the night then fly to Dover on Wednesday. We arrived in Spain and Braydon and I went to our hotel and got some sleep. Then on Wednesday we went to the air terminal and got ready for our flight. Our flight kept getting delayed because they were working on the auto pilot. Eventually our flight got cancelled and I found out that all of the hotel rooms were booked. Luckily another couple who had a room offered me theirs. It all worked out in the end because they were able to get a room too.
On Thursday I went to the terminal and was told our plane was fixed and we would be leaving that night. They boarded us on the plane where we sat for 1 1/2 hours only to deboard because the fuel pump to the engine was not working. They informed us this would be a quick fix. After two hours of waiting in the terminal they canceled our flight. There was a flight going out to Hopkinsville, KY which is Fort Campbell and 35 mintues for Nashville. The flight had 17 seats available and so a bunch of us waited around to see if we could get on that flight. The flight was carrying about 58 soliders back and so we had to wait to see if they would open the extra seats. We overheard the troop master of these soilders say he didn't want to open the seats and intermingle with us. So Braydon and I headed back to the hotel and had some really good pizza and went to sleep. 

Friday morning came and I was talking to another gentlemen who was also waiting for this flight and he informed me the plane was fixed. He offered to drive Braydon and I to the terminal so I could save money and not get a cab. Then after he dropped us off at the terminal he drove us to the Commissary and Exchange. Braydon and I did a little shopping and ate lunch and headed back to the terminal. Original our flight only had 29 passengers on it, so that meant a lot of room to spread out.  Now our flight was completely full.  I really didn't care as long as the flight left, and it did.

We arrived in Dover at around 9pm. We sat on the plane for an hour waiting on the customs offical. Finally we deboarded and got onto the bus. While we were driving to the customs office, we noticed that there was a plane unloading caskets. Come to find out that a plane had just arrived from Iraq with five soliders who were killed. That puts everything into perspective and the waiting didn't matter anymore.  We had to wait 2 hours for our luggage because of the terminal shutting down to perform a homecoming service for the soliders who died. After I received my luggage I called all the names on the taxi list and no one would come get me.  Finally an Air Force guy called for me and found someone to take me to my hotel.  I checked in and we went to sleep at 1am.

On Friday morning I went to pick up my rental car and drove the 2 hours to Baltimore Washington International airport. Braydon and I checked in, ate lunch and then boarded the plane for Chicago. We arrived early and got our luggage right away. We walked out front and there were Dad and Dottie waiting for us. I have never been so happy to finally be done with traveling. That is until Braydon and I make the trip back to Sicily.

Sesame Street Live

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/thehughesfamily1/SesameStreetLive?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Last year the USO put on a tour with Sesame Street. I was upset because they never showed up to our base. But this year was different, they put on two shows this year. I was so excited because Braydon loves the show and really loves Elmo and Cookie Monster. The show was designed for the military child. The theme was military children and the moves that happen and leaving their friends. Braydon probably didn't get the theme but he enjoyed the characters and the singing and dancing. Can't wait till we move back to the states and can take him to more shows like this.

4th of July / Malta

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/thehughesfamily1/Malta2011?authuser=0&feat=directlink

To celebrate the fourth we decided to head to Malta, which also happens to be where we spent the fourth last year. Our flight was scheduled for 5:15pm on Friday night. We got to the airport to find out our flight is delayed till 9:30pm. We received vouchers for food from the cafe and went to wait. While we were eating we noticed the board change our delayed time to 11:30pm! We got told the plane was delayed in Munich. Finally we ended up leaving at 12:45am!!!!! We arrived in Malta to see that our car service was still there waiting for us. We headed to our hotel and got checked into our room and all went to bed at 2am!

On Saturday we slept in and I had a massage and pedicure scheduled for later in the day. After that we headed to the pool and then into St. Julians to have dinner at Hard Rock Cafe. Sunday was pretty much spent the same way of pool and food. We had an early flight scheduled for Monday morning so we tried to get to bed early.

We traveled back home on Monday. Our car service was scheduled to pick us up 2 and 1/2 hours before our departure time. Since Chris didn't want to get picked up at 5:30am, he lied and said our flight left at 9am. They were to pick us up at 6:30 am but got their 15 mins late. Then we traveled all over the island to pick up three more people. All the while we kept looking at our watches hoping we would make it to the airport on time. We did make it on time and the flight actually left a little early. When we arrived in Catania we had to wait about 45 mins for our luggage.

After the airport we headed to the store to get food for the week, then home to all take a much needed nap. That evening we enjoyed a barbeque and a game of corn-hole with some friends.

My Graduation Pictures

A few weeks ago I had my friend take pictures of me in my cap and gown. I didn't want to go all crazy with graduation portraits since I usually don't even put them out. They are nice to have though so we set a date and I brought my cap, gown and degree.  Here are some photos from our session. I think I may even put some in frames in our house!

You should see the other guy!

So this morning I woke up to see this face. Braydon had gotten a scratch on his eye last Saturday when he ran into a chair. Then on Wednesday night he got a mosquito bite above that same eye. Last night his eye looked a little swollen but we figured we would just watch it to see if it got worse.  This morning it definitely had gotten worse! He couldn't open his right eye at all! I took him to the ER and we saw his pediatrician. He explained to us that he had gotten an infection from the cut on his eye lid. We were prescribed some meds and sent home. Tomorrow we have a follow up and if it doesn't look any better we will go back on Sunday, and if he still isn't any better he may be admitted to get an IV inserted. Here's to hoping he gets better soon.

London

Last night we got home from spending 3 full days in London. It was a great trip but the travel part was the worst! On Thursday night we left for London, we had a connection in Rome and we got delayed for 45 mins longer then expected. That wasn't bad, the worst part was when we finally did board the plane we were told we would be waiting an additional 2 hours on the plane before we left! After 45 more mins we finally left for London. The flight was good, but when we landed we sat on the tarmac for 45 more mins before we actually reached the gate! After we got our luggage we headed to our hotel which said on the website was only 5 miles from the airport, this was not true it was much further. But it was alright because we were near the tube and would have easy access to the city.

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/thehughesfamily1/London2011?feat=directlink

Friday was our first full day in London. We took the tube into the city and saw Piccadilly circus, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar square, and the original Hard Rock cafe. On Saturday we opted for the Hop on Hop off tour bus and saw Big Ben, Parliament, the Tower of London, the London Eye, London Bridge, and Tower Bridge. We also did some shopping and lots of walking. Sunday we decided to take Braydon to the London Zoo. Sunday night we tried to have dinner at Planet Hollywood. We got there and had to wait 20 to 30 mins, which was alright. After 30 mins had passed and I started noticing a lot of people just coming in and getting seated right away I knew something was up. Finally Chris went and asked the hostess and they admitted they forgot about us and sat us right away. We were sat upstairs and had an overwhelming smell of fish. They brought us a high chair and it wouldn't fit Braydon. Knowing that he wouldn't sit in a seat for an entire meal, and being annoyed with the wait and the smell we got up and left. Instead of searching for a new place to eat we went next door to Pizza Hut and got sat right away. Now I know why I've never been to Planet Hollywood and why the one in Chicago closed down, those people don't know what they are doing!

Monday was our travel home day. We had an early flight out of London and a layover in Milan. Our layover was the worst part of the whole day. We spent six hours in Milan with a toddler who wanted to run around and no stroller. Apparently when you check your stroller at the gate you do not get it back until the end of your trip! Finally we got to Catania and collected our luggage only to find out that our stroller did not make it. It went to some other country and we would not get it until tomorrow! Feeling frustrated we left the airport got Braydon home and into bed and finally relaxed. Then in the middle of the night I got sick and neither Chris nor I could sleep. Lucky for me I when I finally did get to sleep Braydon decided to sleep in and so I was able to get some much needed sleep.

This week is a busy week for us. I have my graduation rehearsal on Wednesday, graduation on Thursday, bowling night Friday, a photo shoot on Saturday followed by a children's birthday party and then a going away party. Looks like Sunday will be the day to finally get some sleep and cleaning done.

2 Year Doctor Appointment

Today we took Braydon to his 2 year well baby checkup. We had to fill out a questionnaire that asked basically how he was developing. He scored average on the test and that was good to hear. He now weighs 36 lbs and is 37 inches tall. He is in the 99% for his weight and 97% for his height. At the two year mark he will now be checked for his body mass index (BMI). I'm used to hearing this for adults and it figures if they are at a healthy weight or overweight. Based on the way I'm reading the chart Braydon is considered underweight???? The Doc told us not to put too much into this chart at this young of an age, because Braydon looks very healthy. We all laughed at the fact that Braydon is bigger then all of his friends his age. He looks as though he is ready to go into kindergarten now!  The good thing about this visit is we found out Braydon was done with his shots at 18 months.  He doesn't need to get anymore until he is four!

Braydon 2 year photos

https://picasaweb.google.com/thehughesfamily1/Braydon2YearPhotos?feat=directlink

Last month we had Braydon's 2 year pictures done by a friend of mine. Braydon didn't want to sit still during the photos he wanted to play with her son. We did the best we could and after a bunch of treats and toys we called it quits. The album features some cute pictures of Braydon but I just wish he would have smiled more. But really what did I expect from a 2 year old. 

Braydon's 2nd Birthday

Wow it's really hard to believe my son is 2 years old already. The time has flown by and he has changed so much since his first birthday! We had a party at the house for some of our friends and their children. Our gift to Braydon was a bouncy house. A neighbor has one and he always stands in the yard watching the kids play in it. Turns out this was a huge hit with him! The theme was airplanes because Braydon loves them and always points them out when he sees them in the sky. Braydon had a blast and he got lots of presents too. Most of his gifts were either cars or trucks since these are two of his favorite things. Braydon played and played with all of his friends and was so upset when it was time to go to bed. All in all it was a great day and a great birthday!

Easter

The base held an Easter Extravaganza on Saturday and  see those bunnies up there, well they scared Braydon pretty badly. He didn't like even being in the same area as those guys. As soon as he saw them he dropped his basket held his arms up and cried.  We managed to settle him down enough for him to hunt for some eggs. After the experience just looking at the bunnies we didn't even attempt to have his picture taken with them. We went home and after his nap we colored some easter eggs.  Braydon believes that in order to achieve perfect color you are supposed to throw the eggs into the cup! Sunday we started the day by enjoying Braydon going through his easter basket.  He got lots of candy, some cars, two coloring books, a sippy cup, a stuffed bunny, and more candy.  We had to hide the basket in order to get him to even eat his breakfast.  Later I made a ham, some twice baked potatoes and corn on the cob.  All in all it was a nice relaxing Easter!

What makes you uniquely you?

Hmmm another tough question right off the bat! What makes you uniquely you?  I could choose the easy answer and say my tattoo makes me uniquely me, but lot's of people have tattoos and even some have butterflies in the same spot. 

I believe that it is my ability to get along with everyone.  I am friends with people who are all over the place from gothic to preppy.  Also I think my photography skills are something that makes me unique.  I learned photography in school and I spent my first year in college studying photography.  I wouldn't say I'm the best but I think I have a good eye and I enjoy what I do.

Day 1 – What age do you miss the most?

Day 2 – What makes you uniquely you?

Day 3 – A photo that makes you happy

Day 4 – Something I hope to do/a confession

Day 5 – Write a blog thanking someone who has made your heart come alive.

Day 6 – Post a YouTube video

Day 7 – What is your most embarrassing moment?

Day 8 – Something you hate about yourself?

Day 9 – What virtues do you value in yourself?

Day 10 – What is your perfect date night?

Day 11 – Post a recipe.

Day 12 – Write about what wears you out as a woman

Day 13 – Write about something you would like to change about yourself for the better.

Day 14 – What is your parenting style?

Day 15 – What do you wish for?

Day 16 – Write a letter to your son.

Day 17 – Write about 3 things that make you happy.

Day 18 – Describe your personality.

Day 19 – Write about your favorite comfort food (we are women- we ALL have comfort food!)

Day 20 – Write a letter to your husband to encourage him

Day 21 – Write about your most vivid childhood memory. Post a picture of you taken over ten years ago.

Day 22 – What did you do today?

Day 23 – What are your strengths?  What are your weaknesses?

Day 24 – Do you want more children?

Day 25 – Who is your role model as a woman?

Day 26 – What do you hope your grandchildren will say about you someday when you are gone?

Day 27 – Write about your dreams and goals as a beautiful woman!

Day 28 – Write about your insecurities as a woman.

Day 29 – Your day, in great detail

Day 30 – Write about "a day in the life of me."  (Pics are great!)

Day 31 – Your favorite quote

Wordless Wednesday

What age do you miss the most?

I would have to say that I don't really have an age that I miss. I love my life right now with my son and my husband. But for the sake of this project I'll have to think of an age......I guess that would be 18. I know this probably sounds like an odd age to miss since most people miss when they were really young.  I miss 18 because I wish that I would have gone away to school and lived that experience. Instead I lived with my parents and worked while going to school in downtown Chicago.  I don't necessarily regret this choice I just wish I had the chance to go back and change my decision.

Day 1 – What age do you miss the most?

Day 2 – What makes you uniquely you?

Day 3 – A photo that makes you happy

Day 4 – Something I hope to do/a confession

Day 5 – Write a blog thanking someone who has made your heart come alive.

Day 6 – Post a YouTube video

Day 7 – What is your most embarrassing moment?

Day 8 – Something you hate about yourself?

Day 9 – What virtues do you value in yourself?

Day 10 – What is your perfect date night?

Day 11 – Post a recipe.

Day 12 – Write about what wears you out as a woman

Day 13 – Write about something you would like to change about yourself for the better.

Day 14 – What is your parenting style?

Day 15 – What do you wish for?

Day 16 – Write a letter to your son.

Day 17 – Write about 3 things that make you happy.

Day 18 – Describe your personality.

Day 19 – Write about your favorite comfort food (we are women- we ALL have comfort food!)

Day 20 – Write a letter to your husband to encourage him

Day 21 – Write about your most vivid childhood memory. Post a picture of you taken over ten years ago.

Day 22 – What did you do today?

Day 23 – What are your strengths?  What are your weaknesses?

Day 24 – Do you want more children?

Day 25 – Who is your role model as a woman?

Day 26 – What do you hope your grandchildren will say about you someday when you are gone?

Day 27 – Write about your dreams and goals as a beautiful woman!

Day 28 – Write about your insecurities as a woman.

Day 29 – Your day, in great detail

Day 30 – Write about "a day in the life of me."  (Pics are great!)

Day 31 – Your favorite quote