Children's Wildlife Refuge Hike

This morning the kids, Bill and I went to the Wildlife Refuge bright and early and participated in their weekly nature hike. It was great! Both kids were able to walk on their own, although William needed a little help on the hilly/rocky parts and the whole hike was about a half a mile long. Lillian was a pro doing it all on her own and enjoying it all the way! Afterwards we enjoyed a great breakfast at a local diner and then everyone had a nap!

This week we got a lot done with unpacking boxes and settling into our new house. Things are really coming together out here. Unfortunately we had some significant things damaged (home computer, Stickely jewlery box, kids trampoline, easel and others) and a few items including our silverware, Christmas ornaments, and the iron are missing. But, I have taken a few deep breaths, and got our claim submitted to the moving company so hopefully sooner than later they will send a claims adjustor out! Lillian had a great first week of school and thsi week she has a book fair and school pictures. I have also found a great pre-preschool program for William that offers a curriculum structured program with songs, arts and crafts, playing and more, 3 times a week for 2 and a half hours each day. I am super excited and when we visited he just wanted to get down and play with the kids, so I take that as a good sign!

Give me a few hours and there will be pictures under the link below! Enjoy!

http://lexiandbillsoucie.com/photos/main.php/v/family/Oklahoma2009/

Lillian's First Day of School

Lillian had a GREAT first day of school. She was dropped off without tears, FABULOUS. Had a full day of learning, tracing her name, playing, eating lunch and loads of other stuff. She was so excited when we picked her up and couldn't stop talking about her day. It made me smile from ear to ear!! Here are a few pictures o her and her classroom and cubby. Enjoy!

Bill, William and I got the house put together with everything we brought with us as well as got electricity and water today, yeah! We have been told we will have our household goods this Wednesday so I am very excited about only 2 more days without furniture! We are borrowing a pack and play, crib mattress and air matress from our friend January (Thank you!) until our things arrive. Tomorrow I think we will venture onto base and get our insurance switched and do some commissary shopping! Bill is VERY excited about all of that!

Our New House

I have yet to get a front shot of the house, but here are some other ones.. The kids love the bath-tub in the master bathroom as you can see. Not going to lie, I am also pretty excited about it. Althought the backyard is definitely a highlight for all! All in all not too bad, and in a great neighboorhood so we absolutely cannot complain. Anyone who wants to visit is more than welcome!! =o)

Settling In....

Today we took the kids to the Wildlife Refuge which we all enjoyed. We saw some buffalo up close and personal as you can see in the picture. There is also a shot from a nearby town of Medicine Park where we enjoyed some lunch. The other picture is from our backyard and you can just about make out the buffalo that was grazing in the distance. They do come in closer, but of course it was the middle of the day and hot when I took the picture! I have a bunch more pictures, but am having some trouble getting them onto our website via Bill's laptop, but will keep trying!! Enjoy!!

We Made It!

After a long couple days in the car, an impromtu stop in Oklahoma City due to no hotel rooms in Lawton Thursday night. Friday morning we arrived in Lawton! All in all it wasn't too bad, and the kids, the cats and mommy and daddy all are doing ok! We found a house through ReMax rental company. We had two to choose from and went with one that has a great backyard that looks right onto a Buffalo ranch. Not kidding!! The kids got to see their first buffalo!! =o) Sold it for Bill and I! It does only have one "great room" but makes up for it with a covered patio, fabulous master sweet, and kitchen!! For 6 months it will be great! I will post pictures of it all soon!!

Georgia!

We had such a great time in Georgia spending time with Bill and getting to visit our friends the O'Connors who are now stationed there. Lillian (and William) had such a good time palying wtih their daughter Kathryn, and Lindsay and I had a great time shopping without our kids for a morning!
The kids and I had a few quality days with Bill before he hurled himself from an airplane yesterday (twice!). Both jumps went very well and he had successful landings. He is completing jumps 3 and 4 today and will continue with a few more Wednesday before finishing up Friday and heading back to North Carolina that evening after graduation. The moving company came and did their pre-moving walk through last week and felt we needed an additional day. So they are now beginning to pack our house on Friday the 14th which is very quickly approaching! Monday will be another packing day and Tuesday they will load the moving truck with Bill, the kids, the cats and I hitting the road on Wednesday the 19th. It is very bittersweet at this point, but I think we are ready (I know Lillian is, she keeps asking "are we moving to Oklahoma today?"!).
More pictures: http://lexiandbillsoucie.com/photos/main.php/v/family/August+2009/

New Bathing Suit

After much debate, a psychotic episode in Target, and some hesitation from daddy; Lillian did get a new bathing suit. It wasn't the "strappy" bathing suit (bikini) she had originally asked for, but a "neck" (halter) bathing suit she found. I must say it is cute, and her daddy approves!! More pictures:
http://lexiandbillsoucie.com/photos/main.php/v/family/August+2009/

Making Cookies

The kids and I made chocolate chip cookies this week and they were great helpers! I believe their favorite part came at clean-up time =o) We needed to use up some items in the pantry so a large double batch was in order and the extra helping hands came in handy! Only two weeks left, yeah!
Bill has finished his first full week at Jump School and this week begins the 250 foot tower descents, don't worry, they have already covered landings! He is doing well otherwise, slowly readjusting to being on an army base just in time to head to Ft Sill. I finished painting all the rooms back this week and am doing my best to get things organized for the movers! We are getting to crunch time and so excited about that!