Destin to go

Assignments just came out for our VML (layman's terms- our time to move) and we are pleased with our next move.

As some of you may know, I've been really pushing for an over-sea's assignment like Italy (especially now with my brother and family there) or Germany. No such assignment was given to us. We are staying state side for another 3 years, at least. So why am I still pretty stoked with the news??

Well... two reasons really.

1.

and 2.Pretty cool, huh?


OK. To clarify:
1. We'll be living in a vacation destination that I am familiar with from my childhood spring break ventures. In the area of the beautiful, white sandy beaches of Destin, Florida is an Air Force base (Eglin AFB). That gorgeous area I will be calling home in about 4 or 5 months! Truth be told I'm not crazy about the humidity and have become quite accustomed to (and enamored of) the dryness of the west but the excitement of living so close to such a beautiful beach definitely wins out.

2. My husband will be switching jets from flying an F16 to flying a brand spankin new F35 (Joint Strike Fighter) which is pretty hot stuff! It's a pretty prestigious selection since he will be among the first cadre of pilots flying the plane, the pioneers. We will be joining up with some of our friends who have been selected to head up the first JSF squadron and I'm excited to get back in touch with some old friends. I sense he is feeling excited and anxious of the news and hopefully the JSF is good to us. We both feel that it is a total "God thing" since he's certain it's not his merit nor anything he's done that has landed him the spot. So without further ado- Thank you God for the coming adventures!

You know it's HOT...

...when playing by the water table just isn't good enough.

Nunez Family Photography

I was asked to do a photo shoot on fathers day of a fun family with fun ideas. It was a quick shoot but I got a couple keepers. I've been working on my photoshop techniques learned from my brother and playing with textures as well as working to grab the best face from different pictures and adding them to make one super photo. Here are some of the pictures that I am proud of.

Round 2

Scarlett is 4 weeks old today and of course I had to capture the occasion. Here are some pictures. I am finding that 1. I am lacking creativity with photographing an infant since I keep pretty much repeating what I've done before and 2. Infants really can't do too much. Oh well- I'm over it. Enjoy the pics.

Lions and Tigers and Bears...

Playing catch up here... Pre-Scarlett, my brother, SIL and the kiddos came to Luke AFB for a spin up in the jet. They were here for nearly a month and we got plenty of hang out time. The boys- Brenden and Riley (born a day apart) were best of friends and worst of enemies all at once.

One of our adventures was the Phoenix Zoo. Most of the animals were in hibernation mode or hiding, but the petting zoo area made it worth it to me.

I'm not in a writing mood so here are the pictures. They can sometimes tell a better story than I can anyway.

Reunited!!

Ahhh.. It's over. All that stress for nothing!

Ya see, back in January when I returned from my Ohio trip and John from the mission trip to Ghana, Riley did not take too kindly to being away from daddy for those 1o days. Not too kindly at all!! It took almost two weeks for Riley to stop running away crying from daddy. He was extremely needy on me and it was rough for everyone. That was only 10 days... this time it was 2 months- and I was worried!! I imagined a repeat of that little boy attached to my hip, only this time I'd have a brand new, totally dependent baby when daddy arrived home. It might have kept me up on some nights, worrying about how that reunion would go.

Well- no more worries! It went AWESOME!!! Of course I was thrilled to see my loving husband's face as our eyes met and he strutted toward us through the airport. And turns out I wasn't the only one bursting with excitement!!! Riley didn't skip a beat! We got him out of the stroller and he ran, not walked, but ran over to daddy to get a great big hug!!!

The anticipation...

Two happy boys!Daddy meeting his daughter for the first time!

Looks like the daddy story time and skyping helped out a lot! Daddy was always in Riley's conversations and on his mind! Phhhhew!


Once home, the play began and they picked up right where they left off!

After the exhausting play (not to mention the jet lag that John had), it was time for a much needed nap. John swooped Ri up in his blanket and laid down with him on the couch. Let me tell you that our son does NOT sit still. The only time that he has really spent time cuddling with me (or anyone) for more than minute increments was when he broke his collar bone. It doesn't happen. However, my little busy body must have made an exception for daddy. He laid on daddy for 20 minutes, eyes open and just enjoying the moment then finally even nodded off.

Pure Bliss!Needless to say, we are so happy that daddy's home! We are now a complete family again and boy does it feel good!!!

Round 1- Ding ding!

Almost a week old... and in my restful state I've been playing with pictures. Needless to say, this baby is going to be well documented via photography! Here are my favorites!!

There is actually a HUGE sibling resemblance... Check out these pictures of Riley I had taken when he was a month old. Sometimes Scarlett makes faces that make me feel like it's actually little infant Riley that I'm looking at!

Anyway- all is well. John is home! And life is perfect!!!