Old friends...well, not that old

So, two friend updates. Our awesome friend Erica is here in Virginia for a Coast Guard Conference. I love that about the Coast Guard...that even though I am not "in it", I have still made friends who are "in it" and who get to cross my path for work. That's fun. Here are a couple pics from our visit on Sunday.



On another note, I miss my cat. I don't think of him every day. He ran off almost a year and a half ago now, but every time I walk through or near the woods by our house, I think of him. And for some reason, I call his name. "Lex." It's not loud and it's only once and I feel a little silly doing it, but I'd feel sillier if I did not. I think it's the not knowing what happened to him that bugs me the most. I miss that old friend.

Just an update

Robin's first trick-or-treat attempt

We've been busy the past few days. Joe got home Saturday afternoon and we headed straight to Trey's (Obi-Wan) 4th birthday bowling party. Can't get this kid to stop saying cheese for the camera.
So, here is my little artist at work. Artistic ability should run in his genes. However, he has been into shooting bad guys and guns, and I think that runs in his genes too. After all, his Papa used to sleep with a loaded rifle as a boy and his Dad shoots real guns all the time at work.



We got a haircut today. Here's a before shot.
during
Here is the after.

Halloween...love the beginning, not so crazy about the aftermath

This was Robin's first year trick-or-treating. Yes, we chose his costume for him, and although it might not have been so original, it just had to be done. When he had the first 2 chocolate bars in his pumpkin, that seemed to be good enough, he plopped right down and ate one on the front step (I'm sure that is common with toddlers). In between mouthfuls of chocolate, he enthusiastically chanted "trick-or-treat" and "thank you", and waded through crowds of kids. This neighborhood was no joke! They even had a projector showing The Great Pumpkin on one of the lawns. So, Halloween started off with a bang. Then, it grew darker, colder, and for some reason, "Scary". By 7:15, everything was now scary...shoot! I should've stopped a few houses earlier. Anyway, we packed it up and headed home. The first thing out of R's mouth this morning? "Chocolate." Two times before bed tonight? "Candy." Luckily our "no's" were not met with that many tears. I tried to hide the fat pumpkin with gobs of chocolate in it, but Robin is no dummy. So, while Halloween was fun in the beginning, I am now left with a 22 month old boy who when asked about Halloween says, "Scary" and is scarily addicted to candy, chocolate in particular.
My Boy Wonder

The very first house...
Yes, that's me in the Wonder Woman costume. Joe bought it and since he was away again this year for Halloween, I figured it should be worn. He is back now, though. Thank goodness. Two weeks may not be long to some, but it's still 2 weeks.

Robin & Obi-Wan
Obi-Wan's younger brother Yoda
When trick-or-treating got old and scary, Robinson opted for sitting & eating his chocolate.