The 240th U.S. Navy Birthday Ball:

{A Cinda-lella Story}

One evening, as I laid in bed with Charli, I told her I would be flying on an airplane to go see Daddy.  I told her that Daddy would be taking mommy to a Navy Ball. 
Upon hearing this Charli sprang up as fast as she could, eyes as big as ever, mouth wide opened, as she exclaimed... 
"Mommy, you are going to be Cinda-lella?"
After hearing the most adorable thing ever, I told her "Well I guess you could say that". Charli immediately started to climb out of bed stating "We need to go to the punkin patch mommy, we need to get you a punkin to take to daddy so you can have a wide (ride) to the Ball". I couldn't help but smile and laugh at this sweet girl as she truly thought her mommy was going to be Cinderella. I told her to lay back down and we continued to talk. She told me I would be the "most pwettiest Cinda-lella eva" and that I could dance all night with Pwince Daddy if I wanted to! 

Charli was adamant though that I get a "punkin" and she was devastated that we didn't go to the "punkin patch". I put her mind at ease as I told her that Prince Daddy would make sure that Mommy got a pumpkin and would have the most perfect ride to the Ball! 

 *Charli was beside herself when I showed her this picture! ;) 

{Now on to my trip to DC and the Navy Ball}

***

Yesterday, October 13th we celebrated the Navy's 240th Birthday!

Happy Birthday Navy!

In honor of this very special occasion Steven flew me up to the DC area on Friday to attend the Navy Ball! Steven had been up in Virginia for training for 6 weeks and graduated that Friday so we thought what better way to celebrate! I was so excited for several reasons; I was getting to see my man, I was finally getting to go to my very first Navy Ball (I have attended a Winter Ball, A Marine Corps Ball, and a Navy Dining Out, but never an actual Navy Ball), and we were going to see some good friends of ours who were stationed in Charleston with us! I was ready for a fun weekend! 

I flew into Baltimore and Steven and I kept reminiscing about the last time I had flown into that same airport. I was a young 24 year old coming to see a boy who I liked (he was in training in Virginia then too) and it was the weekend we officially started dating! 

Upon arriving to Baggage Claim I was greeted by my now husband standing in the exact spot he was waiting for me 6 years ago with again flowers in hand! 

We stayed at the Gaylord National Resort in National Harbor and had an amazing view! 

We grabbed a bite to eat Friday evening and called it an early night because I was unfortunately really sick. Though we were hoping to stay out and enjoy our time together we laughed because going to bed at 7PM and getting a straight 13 hours of sleep was AAAAAAAmazing and kind of better then staying up late (#parentlife). 

We woke up Saturday morning and grabbed breakfast, along with an all you can drink/build your own Bloody Mary and Mimosa Bar while watching football! 

And then it was time for the main event...

The 240th U.S. Navy Birthday Ball

We sat at an amazing table with friends, had good food, drank good wine, were given the coolest Challenge Coins as keep sakes, met so many wonderful Admirals, and even met and spoke one on one with the Chief of Navy Operations (CNO). 

It truly was a night to remember and one for the books indeed.  

Thank you Steven for serving our country for the past 17 1/2 years and for all that you sacrifice for our family. I had an absolute blast at my first ever Navy Ball!

 So much so that I felt Sauvignon BLAH the entire next day as we drove from DC to Florida ;)

Happy Birthday Navy!

Crew's First Steps:

Today our sweet boy turned 14 months old! 

He is doing so much these days and learns something new every day. He finally has 8 teeth and is a bottom less pit when it comes to eating and milk (the kid drinks 2 gallons a week by himself) and yes I am still nursing (just at night though). He is a milk machine I tell you. He can do "ittsy bittsy spider", he knows what a pirate says, where his nose, mouth, and hair is, and so much more! We still can't help but to compare him to Charli at this age and how far behind he seems compared to her (but she was off the charts early with EVERYTHING). Though it is taking him a little longer we wouldn't have him any other way.

 But yesterday, at 13 months 29 days, our big boy decided he was going to surprise us with a little something... He took his first steps!!! 

We are so incredibly proud of him and we are even happier that Daddy happened to be home for the 36 hours that he decided to do it! 

We love you Crew Benjamin! 

Keep learning, growing, and doing everything your own way! 

October One:

Happy October Friends! 

I'm not sure how October got here so fast but it did, and to be completely honest I have been ready for it for some time. Probably because it means it's our last full month that Steven is away. Whatever the reason I am just so excited to be back home and able to celebrate the holidays with all of my family and friends and to take our babies to all of the fun and festive places I grew up going to!

So I wanted to kick off the month by sharing some festive Halloween decor! We are currently living with my parents as we are in between our moves and I have been itching to start decorating again. If you know me or have been following along long enough then you know my passion and love for decorating. Thankfully my mom and I have almost the exact same taste (with just about everything) and she loves my style so it was a no brainer for her to give me full reign this year and decorate until my little heart is content! 

And well, that my friends is what I have done 

I started decorating on October One! 

*I free handed the pumpkin in about 10 seconds on the chalkboard and made the Bat Branches again this year! 

*Notice the pillows... See we have the Same Style! Though I will be stealing her pumpkin plaid pillows when we move since they are what I wanted last year but they were sold out EVERYWHERE! ;)

Happy Decorating! 

Charli's First School Open House:

Happy Monday friends! 

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. 

Our weekend was great and we are counting down the days until we get to see daddy again! Yesterday was a first for us and was definitely something too special that could not go without recognition...

We had Charli's very first Open House for school! 

Charli was so excited to show me (and Nana, and even bubba) everything she has been working on at school, where she sits, what she plays with, how she has been the door holder, line leader, flag holder, and where she goes every Wednesday for chapel. We even got to sit in chapel and experience what the kids do each week and the songs and prayers that are said! Can I just tell you how my heart just burst as I sat there watching our sweet girl sing along and do every hand motion to each song and say each prayer (swoon)! 

We couldn't be more proud of our little girl and everything she is learning. Her teacher has said nothing but good things about Charli. How much she loves her personality, her attitude, and her intelligence. She has been amazed at how smart Charli is and everything she already knows. Her teachers exact words... "Charli is incredibly intelligent for her age". 

Some other things her teacher said about her that I want to always remember and look back on...

"Charli is always SO happy and excited for school"

"Charli always has a good day"

"Charli is SO funny" (my response: Yes, girlfriend has jokes!)

"Charli is seriously a hoot!"

"Charli gets along with everybody in her class! All of the girls and even all of the boys! It is so funny because everyone ALWAYS asks to sit next to or play with Charli!"

Every single thing positive and every single thing a mother wants to hear about their child.

A few of the things Charli got to show us at open house...

*Top left: My First Day of School- My name is Charli; I am 3 years old; My favorite color is blue; My favorite toy is my doll; My favorite food is pasta; I like to play blocks with my family.

*Top right: Family

*Bottom Left: Who is in my family- Daddy, Mommy, Bubba, Puppy, Bogey Bear, Me (Not sure why she called Bailey "puppy" , hahaha!)

*Bottom Right (my favorite): Self-Portrait- I have blonde hair with a little bit of dark stripes and a bow, and I like to wear my fancy necklace! (this is how her teacher said she described herself as she was making it, haha!)

Charli is excelling and enjoying preschool and her daddy and I couldn't be happier! 

We are so proud of you honey, keep up the good work! 

Boys Will Be Boys:

Boys will be boys

With the things they will do

Constantly moving, climbing

And getting into...

Not just every drawer and cabinet he sees

But things like the toilet 

And even dog pee

Why must the trash can

Bring so much joy

Or playing with dog poo

As if it's a toy

Why must gross things

Bring him such bliss

We never had this problem

With his big sis 

But whether or not

He's dirty or clean

We wouldn't change our boy

For anything! 

Charli's Chapter: My First Dance Class:

From Charli's Chair:

Singing, Dancing, and Performing

Is my favorite thing to do

And now that I am old enough

My mommy just knew...

That starting me in dance

Would be the perfect fit for me

And I think it's safe to say

That everyone agrees

Some leotard & tights, ballet & tap shoes

I have a bun in my hair

And wear a pretty tutu

So tonights my big night

I'll be leaving in a few

Tonight is my official,

Dancing debut!

***

Until my next adventure...

Thanks for stopping by

xoxo charli

Official Stander Status:

Happy Friday Friends! 

I am happy to report that finally, at 13 months old, we have an official stander!

Let me back track a minute and first state that Crew has been pulling up to standing along with walking along the furniture or walking while pushing something for a couple of months now. But this week was something new... On Monday he decided he was going to go from sitting to standing all on his own! He didn't do it again until Thursday and has done it about a dozen times today and you can tell just how excited he is about it too!!

Charli started walking at 11 months but never went from a sitting to standing position until around 15 months and here Crew can go from sitting to standing before he can even walk. Just one of the many things that continues to make my two uniquely different from each other and I wouldn't have it any other way! 

I have a feeling with this new little trick, he may just start taking some steps! 

Only time will tell! 

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! We sure will as we have a very special someone coming back home for a couple of days!!