Koda

Wanted to introduce our newest family member. This is My Little Boy!!!! Tim surprised us with his agreement and excitement to have "Koda" join our family. He is a Yorkshire Terrier. We got hime from a family here in Wasilla. His Mom is 4.3 lbs and his Dad is 2.3 lbs. So his is going to stay pretty small somewhere in that 2-4 lb range. He is my little purse dog and goes with me everywhere. Right now he is 7 weeks old and 14 oz. Not even a pound!!! He is a very good puppy and doing really well with potty training.... not that if he had an accident it is very big.... We've made up a little box for him in a laundry basket... to darn cute!!!

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Jordyn's First Steps

Well, finally. Jordyn has decided to take a couple steps. Here is the video. Its August 13, 2009.

July Update

So its been pretty quiet around the Galloway Household this past month. Gillian and Jenna have been having a wonderful time in MN. I can't believe they come home in a week. Where did the time go. We have only had a couple of phone calls with tears, but mostly its chatter about what all they have been doing... and of course they want to talk to Joey & Jordyn more than they do Mommy. The weather in MN hasn't been the best, so that is a bummer, but oh well... they still spent a week at the lake and went out fishing a couple times. Spent a few weeks at the Farm, lots of Jeep rides with Uncle Keith and a couple weekends they were able to play with all their cousins. Gillian attended Drama Camp in Baudette and was in the Wizard of Oz Play. I am sure I will hear about alot more things they did once they get home.

I think Joey and Jordyn have really enjoyed having Mommy all to themselves. I have enjoyed the downtime also. I have started a few projects... tiling the office (Phase 1 is complete), Sanding down some furniture to repaint, and LOTS of SCRAPBOOKING. Our weather here has been absolutely beautiful this summer... record highs. The girls have spent much time outside and in their little pools, on the swingset, going on walks, snowcone making and eating and anything else you can think of as long as it's outside.

For the 4th of July, Joey, Jordyn and I spent the afternoon with John and Tracy and Family. We went up to Hatcher's Pass to Independence Mine and then hiked up to Hidden Lake. We had a wonderful time with great friends. I will hopefully get pictures posted of this great day done soon.

Joey has spent alot of time with her best friend "Tru-Tru" (neighbor Truman). They are 2 peas in a pod, both "Toe-heads" with Blue Blue Eyes, and kissable cheeks. We have had so many laughs with those 2 this summer. If they are not at one house they are at the others. And of course they have "Progressive" meals where ever they go.
As Joey said to Miss Tracy this evening," I haven't eaten at your house yet today." So she ate supper there. Then as Tracy and I are visiting (at Tracy's House) we can't find the kids.. where are they, back at Our House having Cereal, which I tell you they got bowls down themselves and poured it!!!! Oh we laughed and laughed!!!

Joey also had another classic moment today. It is only 60 degrees here, but the neighborhood girls were going to run thru the sprinkler. I was over visiting with Angie (neighbor)when all of a sudden there is Joey... BUCK NAKED... she had gone home to change into her swimsuit and couldn't find it, so she came back over to get me, but didn't bother to put any clothes back on. What a site, that blonde hair and white tushie!!!

Jordyn is such a happy baby, with 5 teeth now. She still isn't walking, but she sure can go up and down the stairs pretty fast. She climbs up to the top of the slide and slides down on her belly, and climbs up on the couch or anything else she gets to. She has developed a fine art of feeding the dogs. She is a true joy to have in the house.

Tim has made it out to Ft. Lee, VI and he just completed his first week of Captain's Career Course. The 2 weeks before that, were pretty slow as he was just sitting out there waiting for his class to start.

Gillian, Jenna, my mom; Arleen, my grandma; Doris, my Aunt; Connie and my Cousin; Jackie all fly up here next Saturday Aug 8. I am so excited for everyone to come. We are going to have a great time.

Gillian starts 4th grade on Aug 17 and Jenna starts Kindergarten on Aug 24 and on that same day, Joey starts morning Preschool. Can't believe my babies are getting so big.

I just bought plane tickets to go out to Virginia to see Tim for a week Sept 3-9. Jordyn will be going with me. Tim has a long weekend Labor Day weekend, so it will work out great. Tim's parents, Paul & Margaret are coming up to stay with the older 3 girls here at the house. They will be getting the kids to school and all their activities. Thanks so much!!!

The Alaska State Fair is the end of the month here in Palmer. Fairgrounds are just down the road from us. Aug 26-Sept 7, so hopefully we will get to take that in and see all the gigantic veggies that are grown around the state.

So keep an eye on the blog and I will continue to update with pictures from this summer and keep you updated on the happenings here in the Galloway Household!

Love to All!

Happy Aniversary - 10 Years

Well today is our 10th Wedding Anniversary. Wow!!!! Once again, we are in different states... so that means out of 10 years, we have only actually celebrated 4 of the 10 together, otherwise we have always been apart!!! That sure is a bummer!!! Hopefully our record this next 10 years will be better!
Tim, I love you so much and I want to Thank you for these past 10 years and our 4 beautiful girls. I can't wait to see what the next 50 years brings. Happy Anniversary Honey!

Memorial Weekend BBQ 2009

Here are pictures from the Memorial Weekend BBQ! It was a Welcome Home Tim/Happy Birthday Joey Theme. We rented a big Bounce House for the kids, everyone bought a side dish to share and I think a great time was had by all. The final head count was 65 people. I'm thinking that this should be an Annual Festivity? What do ya'all think? If we didn't see you this year, I hope you can make it next year!!!!

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Pixie Playdate

My wonderful neighbor, Tracy hosted a Pixie Playdate for the neighborhood girls. Tracy is one of the most artistic, intelligent, artsy-crafty, woman I know. She has 4boys so this was her opportunity to let her "girly" creative juices flow. There was Pixie Crafts, Storytime, and Pixie Snacks. The girls even found pixie dust through-out the yard, so they new that real Pixies had attended the party also. All the girls had a wonderful time. Thanks so much Tracy!

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Early Summer Slideshow!

Well here is a little slideshow of things from the beginning of the summer. Enjoy!

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Tim's Homecoming

So here it is, finally. Pics of when we picked Tim up at the airport on May 7,2009. He is officially home from Iraq.

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Wicket was also so happy to see Tim. Check out her tongue!!!!

Joey's Birthday

Joey turned 3 on May 18, 2009. We went to Hacienda Restaurante for dinner and had a good time. Here are a few pics of her.

I don't have a picture, but she got a swingset from Mom and Dad, that Tim had to get put up that week. That was the first thing on his "Honey-Do-List" What was really cute, was for a few days Joey would ask Tim "Daddy, you put my swingset up today?" Then finally one day she asked again and then brought him his shoes. She wasn't going to take "NO" for an answer. It worked and she got her swingset!!!

Jenna Preschool Graduation

On May 7, 2009 Jenna graduated from the Primary Preforming Arts Academy Preschool. She attended this Preschool for the past 2 years. Along with the educational side of things, they also did Tumbling and Dance. We are so proud of her and can not believe that this fall she will be in Kindergarten. She will be attending Fronteras Spanish Immersion School (same as Gillian). Where has the last 5 years gone?

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Summer Update

I know, I know. It has been a long time since I have truly added anything. I am so sorry. It has just been one heck of a crazy, fun-filled 50 days and I will blog what we have been doing since Tim was home little by little in the days ahead.
Currently, Tim, Gillian and Jenna left this morning at 3am headed for a drive across Canada to Minnesota. Tim did send a text at 6am saying that Jenna had already thrown up... got to love car sickness. So it may be an eventful 5 days in the car for them. Yes they do have dramimine for her....
Tim will be there for a few days and then he alone will continue on to Ft. Lee, Virginia where he will be for he next 6 months attending his long overdue Captain's Career Course. He should be back home for good by the first of the new year.
Joey is a bit lost this morning without her sisters here to play.
Gillian and Jenna are going to spend a month in MN, staying with my sister and my parents. They are so excited to see and play with all of their cousins. They will be returning home via plane, Aug 8th along with my mom, my grandma, my aunt and my cousin.
I am going to enjoy this little summer break with only 2 kids. But I know I will miss my other 2 dearly. I have never been away from them this long. I need to get the house in order and I have lots of projects that should keep me busy.
It was so wonderful having Tim home and being together as a family. We had a huge Memorial Weekend BBQ (65 people were here), we went to North Pole, AK and visited some great friends, we went camping in Seward with some more great friends, and of course tiled the living room floor and most importantly we were a Family. Can't wait till 2010.
Love to all.

TILE PROJECT

While Tim was home we took on a big project and decided to tile the living room. So here it is!!!

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Welcome Home Preparation

The banners and flags are hung, we are all watching the clock as it slowly ticks by... only 7 more hours... (but who's counting) Here is a few pics from our neighborhood. Our friends are just as excited as we are to have Tim come home.

24 Hours and counting

Tim arrives in Alaska in 24 hours 16 minutes!!!! Now that is if the plane is in time!!!

GOOD OLE USA

Just a quick note to let you know that TIM IS BACK IN THE USA!!! He made it back to Kansas this morning. Paul and Margaret (Tim's parents) and Paul (Tim's Brother) were there to welcome him home. He has some work to finish up at Ft. Riley, Kansas for a couple of days but should be on a plane to Alaska on THURSDAY!!!!!

Sneak Peek

I had a friend take some pics of Jordyn... so here is a little preview of her 1 yr old pictures.

LOCAL WILDLIFE

So these pics were taken about a month ago by my neighbor. Yes, it is true, Moose do hang out in the populated areas. The yellow house in the background is our house. More than once, we have been stuck inside waiting for moose to leave the yard.

Birthday Cake

Since Jordyn got sick before she could eat her birthday cake, we saved it and she enjoyed it the next day. We had a good laugh. She wasn't quite sure what to do with it, poke it, pat it, put it in her hair and ears, and finally she decided to taste it.

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EASTER

Well we had a very nice and relaxing Easter. Thusday before, we decorated eggs. Jenna was throwing a fit over her supper so she didn't get to participate, except for her one egg with her name on it. Jordyn just wanted to drink the dye and eat the eggs, but everytime she put an egg to her mouth and tasted that vineager, she didn't like it, so she just sat in the highchair and cried during the process. Gillian was not happy with any of her eggs she colored... many of her responses were " Look at this ugly egg" or "the crayon didn't work". Joey just had a great time and was happy as can be... I don't know why I put myself thru this torture?

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On Easter Sunday, we got up and the kids found their Easter Baskets and also found the hidden easter eggs around the house. We slowly gathered things up and headed over to Kris and Jeff's house. We had and outdoor easter egg hunt and the kids really enjoyed that. Gillian and Noah, both had a scavenger hunt. We enjoyed a delicious meal of Ham and Mashed potatoes. Jordyn loved her potatoes.. I had 3 spoons going of it. She would have 2 in her hands and when she would finally drop one she would scream so I gave her the third one and then the one she dropped would get refilled quickly and wait for the process to start all over again. We all had a good laugh.

Fun in the Mud

Our neighbors have the "ULTIMATE MUD PUDDLE" on the side of the driveway. It truly is every kids dream. With great weather this past couple weeks, the kids decided one day that it was time to test out the puddle.