update post

Seems I haven't had much time to blog lately, so here's a short update.
This first pic was taken last year at this time. Robinson will be turning 2 tomorrow and it's always fun to look back and see how different he was. How cute.

This was taken on Thanksgiving. We went to our friends' house...just the 4 of us adults and 2 kids. It was nice and low-key.
Joe & Robin with Darryl & Zoe.
Fun at the park.
The birthday season has begun. Grammy sent Robin a tricycle and some superheroes.
Batman & Superman went to bed with him last night.

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.

refreshed & reminiscent

Many years ago I took my first yoga class. I was fresh out of college, at a job that had nothing to do with my new degree, and was itching to take any kind of class again. So, a friend & I signed up for yoga and photography at the local Community college. Us girls giggled at first as we twisted our bodies into some partner poses. But when I left that room that night, I had never felt so completely alert and completely relaxed. I knew it felt awesome and I was hooked.
And so, eleven years later, with yoga having been in and out of my life (mostly in with phases of out), I am feeling renewed. I am remembering full force how deeply passionate I am about yoga and how much I LOVE teaching. I'm so excited to start teaching again that I had trouble sleeping. I am now one of the yoga teachers at a brand new (gorgeous) studio a couple miles from my house. The grand opening is next month and I'll post its website as soon as I can. I guess I'm just happy and I wanted to share this with you. Thank you.

Ahhh, memories...this was my yoga graduation in 2004...me & some of my mentors...


Shield your eyes on this one, but yoga did help me through pregnancy.
Robin is well. Grammy is here visiting, hence the fingerpainting.

Yesterday we took a trip to the pumpkin patch.

Introducing my new niece...

Priyanca was born on Friday. Look at that hair!

More traveling

Amy was here from Guam yet again! We went up to Williamsburg and Yorktown to see her. Couldn't get this kid out of the grass!

I think there is a resemblance here.
Amy & oatmeal lips
Joe celebrated his 10 year CGA reunion last weekend, so we traveled up to see friends and family of course. I got to go out with my college friends too...so ha! We also got to see Joe's high school buds and all their kids. Here is Joe with Sean & Justin. While holding Justin, Joe asked Robin what he thought about Daddy's new baby. Robin's reply, "Okay." Attempt at jealousy thwarted, Joe.
Cousin Bodhi, fully pregnant Auntie Jenn & ear gripping Robinson.
Yes, the wrench is as big as the Robin.
Back to our old stomping grounds at Bluff Point. This time, no yoga teaching in the grass. This time, rock throwing and stick collecting.
Ahhh, the comforts of a nice hotel room...comfy pillows and a remote control.
So the first event for homecoming/reunion was the Cadet Drill. Why no pictures of this? Robin was more interested in going behind the buildings and playing with trucks. For pictures of the drill, check out Nova's blog.
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Joe, Lauri & Erich
Yay for airplanes!
Both the kitty & Robin were happy we made it home.