Here You Go Mamma Bear

Upset that he can't have the camera! Hysterical!
"See my teeth"

I can't believe how long it has been since I typed something longer then one sentence. Crazy how busy a person can get. I got an email from my MB yesterday that said it had been a while since she had seen new pictures of O - and "while I know you have a lot going on..." does it take a guilty note from my mamma to get me to type and post? YES!

Life here is good and I really try to count my blessings everyday. We have had an amazing amount of snow and while the roads are pretty much clear there are 4 foot mounds everywhere. The blue skies have reappeared and my mood has brightened.

O's newest trick is pushing any button he can find (and not just those that are built into his mamma and pappa) he loves the remote control, the phone, the stereo and the TV. Is this just a boy thing? or just a toddler thing? He is not walking yet but standing and cruising and crawling like the wild man of Borneo. He likes to say ba-ba which sounds like bottle - which is a word we have never used - when he says it that usually means water. He knows the sign for "more" which he does for everything. He likes his monkey blanket and the farm book (which I think both Eric and I know by heart..."early in the morning the farmer feeds and milks his cows")

My New Lion Towel!

Thanks Aunt Sandy...I love my new lion towel. xoxo O

Wagon Master

Little O got a wagon for Christmas. Not just any wagon but a radio flyer super de-luxe model - with all terrain wheels and wooden sides. It is a monster wagon - one that I am sure he will get years worth out of play with. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa.

Pictures from the Airplane

We just got back from a whirlwind Christmas trip to Auburn and even though the flight is only 3 hours - holy cow - traveling with an almost 15 month old is exhausting. O is a great traveler but something about missing naps really makes one wish for a "cone of silence" that they could just slip over their kid!

The Cutest Little Turkey in the Bunch

We hosted a great Thanksgiving dinner - a random ecletic group of 9 adults and lil O. Eric cooked a huge 20 pound turkey and as I sit here writing this 4 days after the big day I am eating a turkey sandwich. Probably my last for a while. I am in love with my cranberry recipe - it has earl grey tea in it and is so savory.

What a Beautiful Day!

Today we met with friends and furry friends and hiked to Belly Button for Bella's last hike. It was a beautiful afternoon - cool and sunny with bright blue amazing skies. Once we made it to the top - Eric read his eulogy - we toasted to Bella's life and then sprinkled her into the button. Thanks to all who helped us celebrate!

Ahhhhh...Bella The Wonderdog!

I write tonight with a heavy heart to let you all know that Bella the Wonderdog has died. As many of you know Bella has been coughing for about the last 6 months. We were told it was congestive heart failure and there was nothing we could do for it. She didn't seem to mind the cough and still loved to hike and play around. Over the last 2 days her breathing had gotten worse and she seemed more uncomfortable - she wouldn't lay down to sleep and kept pacing the house. Eric took her to the vet this afternoon and the chest xray showed that Bella had an advanced form of lung cancer. Eric called me at work and I borrowed a friends car and rushed to Gallup. There we hugged and loved up Bella while Orion was sitting on the table with her saying "Bella, Bella, Bella, Bella". We cried and wished her a speedy trip on her next journey. Whenever you read this or think of the Ali Crew please send blessings our way.

Please hug your furry friends extra tight tonight!

Happy Halloween

Way too much excitement for one little one year old to handle...

Updated O Pix

The Foreign Service

The Foreign Service is starting to become a reality. It's strange because I turned my application in in February 2009 and then nothing for months until I got called in for my "oral assessment". How exciting but how terribly nerve wracking at the same time. When we were in Vegas I flew out to DC for the interview and 26 hours later I flew back. It was an incredibly intense experience. I interviewed for 5 hours and after the interview is over, they seat you in the waiting room while they talk about you and calculate your scores. Needless to say, I texted Eric while I was waiting saying "I did horrible" turns out I didn't do so bad! I passed! Now the three Ali's are in the process of getting medical and security cleared. This can take anywhere from 3 months to one year. Once you and the family get cleared you are assigned to an embassy for a 2 year assignment. I was told through the grapevine that the most common first assignments are in either Africa or India - lots of space to think about - that's for sure.