3 1/2, 18 months old and Where are We Going.....

Today Lillian is 3 1/2 years old, wow, hard to believe!! She measured at 39 inches (grown one since 3 years) and is weighing in at 31 pounds, about 2 pounds more than her one year check up. She is loving school and comes home everyday with something new she learned. William had his 18 month check-up yesterday and he is weighing in at just over 25 lbs and is 34 inches tall (grew another inch since 15 months!), that leaves him in the 90-95% for height and between the 25-50% for weight. They said he is doing great and commented on his verbal skills and all the words he can say. Overall the kids are doing great! Follow the link at the bottom for more pictures!

Where are we going???? Well, the monitor came back with 2 spots Camp Lejeune, and 1 spot Okinawa. Now, any other time we would jump at an opportunity to go out of the country, but Okinawa is not our top choice for Battery Command time because it doesn't have firing batteries, that being said, thankfully one of the other Marines who has fulfilled his command time stepped up and took the spot for Okinawa. So...that means.....while our hopes for heading some place different and new may be gone, we will be heading back to Camp Lejeune upon Bill's graduation on March 16th 2010. We are very excited about returing to our friends and familiar surroundings!!

For LOTS of pictures from Colorado, and 18 month and 3 1/2 pictures of the kids:

http://lexiandbillsoucie.com/photos/main.php/v/family/September+2009/

Home From Colorado.......

As you can see the kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves at Auntie Allison's and Uncle Will's!! Especially in their dogs crate =o) We had a great time visiting and getting away for a few days. The half marathon was an interesting event, and a very good learning experience. Aside from the uncontrollable elements (temperature began at 85 and by the end of the race was 90!) and the road, which I didn't know was a dirt/gravel road almost like running on sand in some parts, which I was not conditioned for, and of course the altitude (which I knew about!); this was also NOT a flat course but had more hills than I would like to remember!! That all beign said the race was not run well, but that is on the promoters and organizers, and with all those things we all did really well!! I came in just over 2 hours at 2:01 and am very happy with that for my first half marathon. I am also very happy to have another chance in just over a week and a half, and should have a much better experience with that one (never thought I would say those words!)!

Berry Picking in Colorado

Yesterday the kids, Allison, her son Charlie and myself all went to this fabulous berry picking farm with my sisters Mommy group. The kids had a blast picking strawberries straight from the vine and William enjoyed eating as we walked along. I think he ate more than we picked, so we definitely made out in the end. The farm was incredible with all their fruit and vegetables as well as flowers, herbs and animals! It was also all organic to boot! Enjoy the pictures and I will post more when we get back to Oklahoma!

Lake Elmer Thomas and Mt Scott

Today we took the kids to Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Park which has a lake, swimming area along with a water slide. Lillian shocked up wanting to go down the slide, and then again by not wanting to stop going down the slide!! William eventually began to enjoy the water slide, but nowhere near as much as his sister!! After a few rumbles of thunder ended our swiming we headed to the top of Mt Scott and walked around for a few minutes until the rain began.

Here is a link to some more pictures from this past week and weekend:

http://lexiandbillsoucie.com/photos/main.php/v/family/Oklahoma2009/?g2_page=3

USMC Devil Dog 10k Run

Saturday morning the kids, Bill and I ventured onto base for the annual race the Marine Detachment puts on aboard Fort Sill. Bill graciously pushed the kids in the double jogger so I could put my 110% effort into the race. He was my pace car and set a pretty fast pace, but we kept it and I finished with a personal best and was able to reach a personal goal finishing with a time of 47:54!! I also finished 4th female overall (running against other Marines and Soldiers) and 4th female in my age group. So, I am super happy. This is a picture of the final sprint to the finish compliments of a good friend of ours who had already finished her 5k. Now we are gearing up for our half martathon in Boulder Colorado in less than two weeks!!!

Bill Checks Into FACCC and William Gets A New Bike

This past Thursday Bill began the check-in process for the Field Artillery Captains Career Course here at Fort Sill. He was able to get most everything done before everyone left for the Labor Day weekend 96. He will officially begin classes this coming Wednesday! William we decided needed his own bike and helmet after tiring of the numerous fights over Lillian's very pink and purple bike (Bill felt William needed a "boy" bike). William is very much enjoying his new bike and helmet! More pictures and posts to come!