As I told Dan this morning our life is beginning to reflect a country song:
“There’s a place I know about, where the dirt road runs out, we can try out the 4 wheel drive, it’s in the middle of nowhere, only one way to get there, let’s get a little mud on the tires”.by Brad Paisley

2009 was a year of new things.
Daniel came back from 45 days in Afghanistan 4 days before John Douglas Melancon was born on February 21st. Now I am the proud mommy of 3 boys (oh boy!).
Daniel worked at the Air Guard base this year very much enjoying it!
Eva worked as a consultant for the year, nice to work out of the house but a pain when trying to get paid….but most importantly, Eva is now a PE!!! yea! Professional Engineer am I…and so excited and glad to be too! Any engineer will understand that one.
Cassidy started 1st grade, constantly impressing me with his new reading, writing and math skills…amazing!
Xavier started pre-school in the fall…a year early but he had a few friends that were 4 that were going and since they had 1 open spot he started…he loves it! and he’s learning so much too…
John (Baby John as we call him) is adorable and grew quickly. He’s the fastest grower of them all and also the one who chooses to not sleep thru the night!
In the fall we traveled to Germany! It was wonderful and so much fun. We spent a week in the southern part of the country visiting the Landstuhl/Ramstein area, Muchen zoo, Legoland and Bavaria.
We are very blessed to have wonderful and well behaved children and family and friends. Lets hope 2010 exceeds 2009!!

Cassidy finished pre-K and starts Kindergarten in the fall. He played soccer and scored 2 goals over the 8 week season. He’s big into Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Ninja Turtles, Legos, his hoppy ball lol, and generally playing. He’s not so much into cleaning up lol.

Xavier is a sweetheart with an attitude. He wants whatever Cassidy has and gets upset if he doesn’t get it He got his first black eye by walking in front of a swing (is this a milestone?) He watched almost everyday the bird’s nest over our front door light and was very excited to see the baby birds. He also switched to a big boy bed (blanket by Grams).

Our garden is doing very well. Dan and Jake put up fencing and we 4 (me and Sarah and Dan and Jake) filled it up with dirt. We have tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, asparagus, beans, peas, brocolli, strawberries, lettuce (the rabbits liked that), squash, pumpkins, corn & cucumbers…see big garden!

My rose bushes produced alot! I got a trimming a week for 2 months and I have more I need to cut. And they were big flowers too…yea!

Lots of new pictures…Enjoy

So there are pictures from when the Melancon’s (Grandpapa Natkin, Grandma Melancon, Uncle Ben & Uncle Jake) came down to WV for hanukah, some from when we went to see Grandpa Williams, Grams Moore & Great Grandma Williams for Christmas…Uncle Will joined us although with all the delays his bags did not join us.

Cassidy had his party and those pictures will be up when I figure out how to get them off my camera phone, but there are a few of those as well. Xavier speaks sometimes, screams most of the time and has what my dad would call “Attitude”. Meaning like his brother he’s got himself a temper…which I’m sure he doesn’t get from me…quit laughing

thats it, enjoy the pictures, they are under Pictures/2008-01

EVA

So we had our last night of Hanukah last night, included lots of gifts, candles and latkas. I will try to post pictures again soon.

Love,EVA

We had a lovely visit to NY to see Grandpa Williams, Grams & Greatgrandma Williams & Arnie…and Bernie! We (meaning Cassidy & Xavier) had fun with Grandpa, we wrestled, wrestled…and wrestled some more. we blew bubbles that smelled like ice cream(but didn’t taste like it!), ate A&W, watched Mr. Rogers, saw Grandpa’s cool new room with his weights and punching bags (Cassidy is so strong!)

This weekend we get to fly to Mass. (mommy says no more driving!!) cuz Grandpa Melancon decided to become an angel grandpa …so we’ll see Daddy (woohoo!), Grandma Melancon, Uncle’s Ben & Jake, Grandpapa & Aunt Judy and who knows who else!!  

Cassidy’s job is watering the garden and he’s doing a great job of it. We have tomatoes, carrots, and onions growing. Potatoes, peas, dill, beans started. We have blueberries & raspberries growing too! He’s a good farmer! He has a backyardigan’s bedroom and can’t wait for Xavier to move in

Xavier is growing like a weed. He climbs like one too! (climbs everywhere!!) He’s a happy boy who adores his ba-ba (big brother). The twins (as they like to be called) both have summer haircuts and look handsome…don’t tell Cassidy they are cute! 

That’s about it. Eva’s still at the same job, on her 3rd class towards her masters, playing single mom till end of June and barely staying afloat!!

Dan is almost done (woohoo!!)

Xavier is 1 year old now. He’s 23lbs and a very happy boy. He’s running (not walking!) and is getting his molars. His first word was ba-ba (big brother), then he said da-da, dog, and finally started saying ma-ma, na-na (for the sitter) and here when he hands you something. He just this week starting saying Cappy (their sitter’s dog is names Scrappy).

Cassidy is starting school this fall (already!) and is very excited.  We got lots of snow this winter so Cassidy was lovin’ that! He continues to be a great big brother and likes it most of the time too. He is 34lbs now.

Eva is working on finishing her 2nd class working towards her masters.

Daniel is almost done training and will be home in June. YEA!!  We went out to Texas to visit him and had a great time. The weather was awesome and we all had a great time.

There is probably plenty else that has gone on and I just have forgotten to write it so we’ll add later if we can. Enjoy the pictures once I remember the login and password so I can upload them

Thanksgiving was good too. We got to see most of the Williams side of the family and I didn’t have to cook much at all!! Everyone else did the cooking and cleaning and we have leftovers to last for months!
   

Well, by now everyone knows Daniel joined the Air National Guard. He’s going to be learning to fix the electronics inside the big C130s. Very exciting for him. Other than Boot Camp he should have a relatively ok time of it (other than he’ll be in Mississippi and Texas for a while). On the good side, he gets a good career without the college (which he hates), I can get my masters with the GI Bill benifits, we have great health care coverage (woohoo!!) and we can fly anywhere at a discount (a really good deal since we plan to travel), and most importantly if he is ever called to active duty more than likely he won’t be sent to the middle east and definatly won’t be in any countries we are at war with…just at the airports we take off from fixing the planes.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we have had a mix of summer and winter weather (a few flakes of snow even), but we are ready for winter so bring it on!!

Xavier is sitting upright unsupported, hates to lay down now and has 4 teeth. His prefered activities are watching Cassidy run around, playing with me or Cassidy, eating (he’s a big boy) and sitting and putting anything in reach in his mouth. Dislikes not seeing what is going on and anything within his reach we won’t let him eat! He will take steps if you hold his hands and will probably be crawling soon, he’s already scooching a bit.

Cassidy’s current (and ongoing) interests are Thomas & friends, Bob the builder, trucks, crashing things, planes, and being more active than humanly thought possible. He loves spending time with his brother too!

I’m busy with work, the boys and the house. And yes, we are fine, everyone can stop worrying and asking, we did prepare and plan for Dan being gone.

Hope everyone else is well and we’ll see you all soon. Daniel’s family on Veteran’s Day weekend and Eva’s family for Thanksgiving…