apartment living

While we are in Montgomery all four of us are in an apartment.  It is the first time I have ever lived in an apartment and to be honest, I was a little nervous about it!  I was sure we were all going to be very cramped, there would be no space for the kids to play, we wouldn't constantly be hearing neighbors, and we would all be sick of each other by the end of the two months.  However, it has been wonderful.  We are taking advantage of spending time together, we don't care that toys usually are everywhere, and there are a lot more outdoor activities that we are able to take advantage of.

Our favorite place in the apartment complex, and probably all of Montgomery, is the community pool.  The kids have become quite the water babies.  They now (with floaties of course) float around by themselves, jump in to us, lower themselves in from the edge, and push off from the steps.  They get so excited at the mention of going to the pool or when they see any of the pool toys.  We have been going as often as possible and the kids are even getting tan lines!

We love being able to enjoy the weather here.  I don't know if we are just too used to the chilly days we left in Minot but we don't seem to notice or mind the humidity!  There is a good space to play in right outside the apartment.  We have taken advantage of it by blowing bubbles, playing with the dogs, rolling in the grass, looking at flowers, and watching for Matt to come home from work.

We also have a great walking area in the middle of all the apartments.  It is a third of a mile loop and great for taking the dogs on walks.  The kids like the walks just as much, if not more, as the dogs.  They ask all day long if we can go outside for walks.  I love that we are able to be active and they want to be outside!

The kids like going on walks more after it rains because they love puddle jumping!  Immediately outside our apartment there is a low spot in the sidewalk and they run to it each time we go outside to see if there is water in it.  I love watching them play and get so excited about such simple things that I would normally avoid or not even notice.  I am especially aware of this when I see the kids play in puddles!

As we drive into the apartment complex there is a field with a herd of cows.  Anyone who has spent time with Bryce in the last few months knows that cows are his absolute favorite animal.  He talks about them all the time, we have so many books about them, and he lights up when you ask him what they say.  We often get to see the cows pretty far in the distance but when they are close to the fence we make sure to stop so Bryce and Zoey can tell them hi.  The kids get so excited when they hear them "moo" and see them in the field!

Overall it has be a great experience living in the apartment.  We are getting in some wonderful family time, the space isn't too tight (although I wouldn't want to live here forever), it is a really nice temporary home, and we are going through this experience together!
.katherine.

road trip to alabama

On May 24th we left Minot and started the drive to Alabama.  We had both cars loaded up with everything we would all need for the next several months, both kids, both dogs, plenty of snacks, and my cousin Amanda!  Amanda flew in the day before to help us with the drive - she was able to be an extra driver and help keep the kids happy but really it was just fun to have her with us and the kids love "A-nana"!

On our way out of North Dakota we made a stop in Fargo at Sanford hospital.  Sanford is where the kids were transferred to from Minot's NICU during the flood.  We spent spend seven weeks in the Sanford NICU.  We have kept up with several of the nurses and Kristie, the lactation consultant.  We wanted to make sure we got to see them one more time while we were passing through.  As soon as the kids saw Kristie they ran up to her with open arms, they must know what a special person she is and how much she means to Matt and I. Kristie loved walking the kids through the unit to see the doctors and nurses.  The nurses always tell us they love seeing the kids as they have grown and we always love seeing all the amazing people who helped us so much during those first few months of the kids lives.

From Fargo we headed south for the rest of the evening and into the next day.  As we drove through all the different states we sang silly songs, stopped to stretch our legs, pointed out all the wildlife, talked about the moon, took naps when the kids were quiet, saw a helicopter up close and made the best of being in such a tight space for so long.  The kids were so well behaved for being so confined for so long.  Some days we arrived at our stops and hotels with half dressed or naked kids but everyone was still happy!

Each night we tried to stop at hotels with a pool.  The kids loved splashing in the water, it was a fun way to relax, and it got the kids tired enough so we could all get some sleep.

On day three we drove through Fayetteville, Arkansas where Matt's sister, Lauren, is currently living.  We had called her at the beginning of our trip when we realized how close we would be and she informed us that she would indeed be home AND Syd and Janet would be visiting.  We quickly made plans to stop by for a few hours on the way but surprise Syd and Janet!  Lauren told us where they would be having brunch and we showed up just as they were getting a seat.  The look on Janet's face when she realized what was going on was priceless (and I forgot to get a photo of it)!  We all had a wonderful meal together then were able to see where Lauren is working and the research project she has been working on.  The kids loved all the reptiles and getting to see Lo-lo, Gaga, and Grandpa.  Sadly, we were only able to stay for a few hours but it was wonderful to see everyone and get a chance to see what Lauren has been up to for the last year.  

During the last day of the drive the kids learned "wheels on the bus", several more animal noises, and to say "cool" when they put on sunglasses.

On day four, May 28th, we got to Montgomery.  We were able to time our arrival so we could get the keys for the apartment and start unpacking that day.  Overall it wasn't a bad drive but we all were very glad to be out of the car and in our new apartment.

.katherine.

leaving minot

On May 24, after last appointments, saying "see you laters", and lots of cleaning we drive away from Minot headed for Montgomery, Alabama.  Our summer was going to be busy for the next several months.  We were on our way to Squadron Officer School in Alabama for two months before splitting ways for 6 weeks (I will go to Virginia with the kids while Matt will final out in Minot) and finally meeting back up at our new duty station: Barksdale AFB, Louisiana.

While we are ready for the next adventure, leaving Minot was hard.  Minot was our first assignment together, where our babies were born, had our home filled with five feet of flood water, met so may wonderful friends, and where we grew as a couple.  I will be honest, I didn't want to move to Minot five years ago, however, it has become home.  It was hard to leave but we are looking forward to seeing what the Air Force and God has in store for us next!

.katherine.