Home . . .

From vacation. When we last left off Jessica had just turned two. The following day we buried Corky at my parents in Rimrock. Thanks Mom and Dad for letting us bury him there.

This is going to be along post. So pull up a chair, grab some popcorn and enjoy the novel .

The following Friday, which would have been October 3, we headed for Chris’s sisters in Hanford, California. On Saturday, along with his mom, Tricia’s mother-in-law, and the kids (hers and ours) we celebrated Tricia’s 34th birthday. I wish I could say I was turning 34. Well I guess I could . . .

On Monday, Tricia’s brother-in-law and his girlfriend arrived from Colorado. You may be asking yourself why am I telling you all this . . . well because Tuesday, October 7 Tricia’s husband, who had been gone for 7 months came home. Darren, or as the kids affectionately call him . . . Uncle Frog, is a pilot for the US Navy and had been on deployment since March of this year. Our family was given the unique opportunity to be apart of his homecoming. The experience of the day was amazing. The emotions and electricity that filled the hanger of the Bounty Hunters was awe inspiring.
To witness the fly over and the anxiousness of the children, wives, mothers, fathers, sister, brothers and girlfriends who waited with baited breath to greet their loved ones is indescribable. There were wives holding newborn babies of husbands whom had not had a chance to meet or hold their new little ones. There was an explosion of happiness as each jet landed and taxied to park. There was excitement as we were released and families were finally able to be reunited and begin or find what normal was again.


The tears flowed freely from loved ones as they greeted these American Heros.

















































Welcome Home Darren!!!


After the fly in we packed the car and headed for San Diego for another amazing day of homecomings. Here at the North Island Naval Station we greeted the USS Abraham Lincoln and the “Dads”. Chris’s dad and Darren’s dad has the opportunity to experience what life is like on an aircraft carrier. For 7 days they joined the Navy. . . well not really. But they did get to cruise from Hawaii to San Diego. That afternoon, Jessica was introduced to the ocean. She was not to sure of the sand or the water at first but soon enough she was ready to go swimming. She even go rolled by a wave and wanted to do it again. This child is going to give me gray hair.

On Thursday, we headed for Sea World. The girls had a great time and by the end of the Shamu show, Kristin no longer wanted to be a baby doctor, now she wants to be a trainer for Shamu or for the Dolphins. She also fell in love with the Manatees. As we went for a walk along the beach that evening, Kristin picked up trash (not that there was much on the beach. This is a Naval base and the beach is kept very clean, not to mention it’s not a public beach) and said to me “Mommy, I don’t want any manatees or other animals to get hurt so I picked it up”.



I will add pictures of San Diego next time and write more of our time there.

Happy Birthday

Today is a special day in the Gilbert house hold. Today our youngest, Jessica, turns 2. Can you believe it she's 2 today. I remember the day she was born. I remember every smell, every sound and every sight.

It's hard to believe that she is 2. My heart is sad because she is no longer a baby but my heart is excited to see what she will become someday.

On Monday we get to see just how big she really is. I'm hoping for 22 pounds and maybe a new tooth (that would make 9). We'll have to wait and see.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl. We all love you very much.

The Loss of a Dear Friend and Family Member

Tonight, Chris and I had to make the very difficult decision to put one of our beloved pets down. On Thursday night, our dog Corky, had been showing signs of being in pain and he was very lethargic so Chris took him into the vet today. The vet informed us that he was in the beginning stages of liver failure and that the only thing we could really do was to take him to an emergency vet for IV, and then an ultrasound to find out what was wrong. Unfortunately with liver failure there is not much you can do other than prolong life. Chris and I were faced with a difficult decision, take him to an emergency vet with no guarantee that anything could be done, or end his suffering. It was very difficult but we chose to end his suffering.

The next step needed to be taken was telling our children that their beloved doggy would not be coming home tonight. As a parent there is no harder thing to do than to break your child’s heart, and tonight we had to do that to Kristin. Luckily, Jessica is too young to really understand what is going on, especially since tonight is her 2nd birthday.

Corky was a kind and gentle dog who loved his girls and protected them. He was a good companion and very loving. Although he had his moments that would try our patience, like eating diapers, or barking when the door bell rang and fighting with Cosomo, he was truely loved by all who knew him.

He was a special friend to Kristin and to Jessica and they will surely miss his antics of waiting under the table for food to drop, and his wagging tail when we came home from school. I will miss the way he would lay his head on my lap at night, when Chris was working, and we would watch TV or how he would lay in Kristin's room and sleep with her to ease her fears.

So long old friend you are loved and deeply missed.

A weekend to relax . . .

This weekend was my time to just relax. I had a class scheduled, on Saturday, but it was canceled. And Chris had taken the kids to Flagstaff to see his parents, so this was my weekend to get grades done, the house cleaned, and just plain relax and enjoy the piece and quiet. Only it didn’t work out that way. Have you ever been in a place that is usually bustling with noise and activity and then suddenly it is quiet and you’re alone? Well I have, and it was this weekend. Guess what . . . I got lonely and bored so I packed up the dogs and hit the road Saturday afternoon. Where did I go you might ask? A spa, a friend’s, maybe even to Flag to be with Chris and the kids? Nope, Nope and Nope, I packed up and headed to Mom and Dad’s place in Rimrock. It was nice to visit with them. Don’t get me wrong I love to go there with my family but it was nice to be “the only child” for the first time in a long time. While there I read, watch a movie, laughed and watched the deer come into feed.

On Sunday the girls and Chris came down, along with Larry and Carole and Mimi Pat for lunch.

While there we talked, ate, watched the deer come in to feed, and took Kristin fishing (Jessica went rock throwing) although Kristin didn’t catch anything, other than a tree, she still had a good time.

Kristin thought it was funny to see Mommy acting like a monkey when I climbed the tree to try and untangle the fishing line. There were a few tense moments when I heard the branch cracking under me that I thought I was going to get a bath in Wet Beaver Creek. Luckily the branch held and I was able to get back down without getting wet.

It was a good relaxing weekend, before a very hectic week of late nights and Parent-Teacher conferences.

Mom, Kristin, Mimi Pat, Dad and Larry relaxing on the deck that Dad is building. (Chris, Jessica and Carole are in the house)

Sunday . . .

Today was a lazy day at our house. Both Chris and the girls seem to have colds and after spending money at Walmart, (which seems to be an everyday occurrence around here) we came home and did nothing. The girls and I watched Meet the Robinson while Chris took a nap.

Then the girls and I made chocolate chip cookies (don't worry we washed our hands first). Jessica was having so much fun rolling them out that she was a little upset when I put them in the oven.

All in all it was a great day. With lots of smiles all around.

Now it’s off to clean the kitchen from dinner, straighten up the loft, get lunches together, and all of the other things that need to be done before the beginning of a busy work week.

It’s a Parade

Yesterday Kristin had the unique opportunity to join her about 500 of her closest Brownie Sisters on the warning track of Chase Field. There they walked from one side of the field to the other showing their troop and Girl Scout pride.

After the parade Kristin, her sisters, and their parents stayed to enjoy the game and each others company. Although the Diamondbacks lost in the 10th inning (we left at the middle of the 8th, when we were winning 2-1) a good time was had by all. Kristin and the members of her troop, who were able to come, got to know each other a little better and they socialized with members of other troops too.

Jessica even had a good time. She made many new friends (from Kristin’s troop). For not being into baseball and being in a relatively small area in which to move around and play, she did a really good job.

Daddy even got to come. He had a good time too and he was a big help.

Chris is off . . . YEAH!!

Yep, Chris has started his weekends off and after a very long week at work (seven day’s straight) we enjoyed our first of many weekends together as a family. We weren’t alone though. We escaped the heat and headed north. Chris wanted to be able to see his high school (Coconino) get trampled, mowed over and just plain beat (oh did I say that? I’m an Eagles gal all the way) by the opposing Phoenix team. The next morning we headed to mom and dad’s in Rim Rock where he spent his hard earned money on a new rifle.

Chris and the girls also had a chance to visit with Grandma and Grandpa. Kristin loves to play school with Grandma. She is so patient with both of the girls. Kristin and Jessica just adore their Grandma and Grandpa.

Kristin and Jessica had a great time with Nana and Papa too. Papa took Kristin on the “mini hummer” to get ice for Nana, while Jessica played ball with Cosmo or did puzzles with Nana. Kristin and Nana played games and did crafts together. Kristin just loves playing and spending time with her Nana and Papa.

With Chris off we will be spending more time with both sets of grandparents. Chris has already made plans for several visits. But they both get a break this weekend.