Almost Christmas!!

Wow!! I can't believe that Christmas is just days away. It seems like the month of December has just flown by!! We have been here at Fort Benning now for almost 3 weeks, and things have improved since we got moved to our new hotel. I will spare you the details, but let's just say our accomadations at first were less than comfortable (think, crappy dorm room with frat boys screaming at 5am instead of 11pm). Now we are in a hotel on base that is much more "hotel-like". We have a bedroom and a living area with a small kitchenette. We have a two burner stove, microwave and a toaster and most importantly (not that we need it anymore) we have AIR CONDITIONING!!!

Our activities have been much the same over the last week or so. We've gone to the pool, seen Santa Claus and visited local area activities, including Hollywood Entertainment- an indoor theme park. We went putt-putting and Harbin had a blast riding on some of the small thrill rides. Catherine got to ride her first carousel, and even Scott and I got to join in the fun (more fun if we were about 20 years younger!)

Catherine has been growing and progressing so much since we got here. Her comprehension is so impressive and now I can tell her to go and find her juice/paci/baby and she will go find it. She has picked up sign language since we were down here and uses "please" and "more" all the time. She can do th esign for "eat" but I don't know that she has quite figured out when to use it. I have been trying to teach her "thank you" and she does it like she is blowing a kiss. So pretty much thank you and I love you are the same right now, but that's ok. She has really enjoyed the full length mirror we have in our hotel. She loves to "find the baby" and give her kisses!! (Harbin enjoys himself in the mirror.)

Harbin left Tuesday to go up to Chattanooga with my in-laws. My mother-in-law sets up a huge train display under her tree at Christmastime and she wanted him to be able to play with it some. They are going to bring him back on Friday and babysit both kids so Scott and I can go and celebrate our 5 year anniversary.

It's hard to believe that I am in my second trimester, but this pregnancy just keeps trucking along. I thought it would go slowly, but I am amazed that I am already 13 weeks pregnant!

Well that's all for now. I will wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and will post pics as soon as time allows me after Christmas morning.

The mom.

Christmas at Fort Benning

We've almost been here a week now, and we have found lots of fun things to do around the base. Fort Benning has everything you could need and the kids and I haven't left the base grounds since arriving Sunday evening.

On Monday morning we headed over to Scott's work and the kids (really Catherine just watched) played in the huge sand piles out back. Behind Scott's unit building, there is a "land mine detection training pit" (aka volleyball court). Three HUGE piles of sand had been dumped on the pit and were yet to be spread out. Harbin had fun climbing the hills, getting buried in the sand, and shoveling the sand around. I forgot my camera, but we were able to get a few shots on Kyle's (Scott's team member) camera. I just don't have them yet, so maybe in the next post I can include them.

Tuesday we went to storytime at the post library. It was a bit different than storytime at home, and was super special because Daddy got to join us for his FIRST storytime ever!!! Harbin enjoyed the books and craft and quickly picked out some books to check out (note to self- 3 books is NOT enough when you are in a hotel most of the time!!!).

Wednesday, the kids and I hung out at Scott's office. That evening the guys got the projector going and we ate dinner and watched a movie in the rec area above his office.

Yesterday was probably the best day for the kids. In the afternoon we went to the playground at the elementary school. School had just gotten out, so there were tons of children everywhere. Catherine slept, but Harbin loved having all the playmates. Last night was the Christmas Tree and Menorah lighting ceremony at the church. The military band played Christmas music and the middle school choir/drama team preformed. Harbin was glued to all the instruments in the band. Catherine lost interest after the first speaker started. The best part, however, was when Santa Claus came in on the firetruck. At first Harbin was a bit nervous- he didn't want to see Santa, but thank goodness for long lines. We waited long enough to sit on Santa's lap that he warmed up to the idea. Actually he did GREAT. As you can see from the picture, though, Catherine did not. She was so cute, but utterly terrified!!!

Well that's about it for now. Until next time, we will just be hanging out around the hotel and Scott's office, finding things to do on base that will entertain the kids!!

The mom.