They can fly, they can fly, they can fly!!!

After watching Peter Pan, Maegan was inspired! All Papaw needed was a sprinkling of "picky duts" (pixie dust) from her Tinkerbell wand - or in this case, a poke in the patootee - and off they went!

Amazingly enough, MaeMae never needed any picky duts.....

A Frightfully Fabulous First Trick-or-Treat!

This Halloween was Maegan's first real chance to go trick-or-treating - her first one doesn't really count, we were moving from Texas to North Carolina for her second one and were staying in a hotel in Jacksonville, I think. So this time was a big deal. She'd been talking for the longest time about her costume, and she really really REALLY wanted to be a dragon. Then all of a sudden.....it was all about a tiger!

We were in Decatur visiting Mom and Mike during our month of leave between NC and ID, and we took a trip (or three) to Grapevine Mills..........uh-mazing, as always. I could spend DAYS. We found some precious possibilities at Old Navy. Maegan tried on a dragon (just to be sure) and a tiger......and hated it. I think it was a combination of having an audience that wasn't her idea and the fact that she'd just woken up from a snooze on Daddy's shoulder/her stroller. We put an end to that in a hurry, decided on the tiger for good, and were headed home.

It ended up all working out.....as you can see. The patch is significant, I promise. When we realized that the TIGERS were the OTHER squadron in Mt. Home, we had to make sure Matt wouldn't get ragged on. Since the two squadrons were combined while half of the T-bolts (us) were deployed, we decided Maegan would be a Tiger-Bolt. Hence the costume WITH the patch. It made sense at the time!

Matt left early Saturday morning (He's all settled and safe....thanks for your prayers!), so having a diversion for the coming evening was VERY welcome. We met up with a big group of our good friends on base, and the rest is history! A good time was had by all....and we got some yummy candy, too!

I promise Mommy isn't going eat it all, either.

She's simply ferocious, isn't she?

This captures a bit of MaeMae's confusion

as to why she had to ring the doorbell...and then NOT go in the house!

But she figured it out soon enough!

Now we have a whole year to decide what she'll be next year!

We all had a big time!

As an update....Matt's all settled and enjoying himself. All I can say is praise the Lord for Skype! Maegan and I are in Texas and loving it. We'll be back and forth between my parents, my sister, and Matt's folks in DFW. So chances are we'll be near you at some point!! I'll also be taking up my jewelry-making again soon.....be sure to check out my other blog (www.dressedupdots.blogspot.com) if you need Christmas gifts for moms, sisters, aunts, grandmothers, teachers, anyone!

More later for sure!

****For those of you who are very observant.....you did catch what we did there, didn't you???? Hint: look at all the bigger, bold words in order.....can't wait to see what yall think!!!

WE'VE ARRIVED!

Well, we're here! And it's been a long journey, but we're excited about what lies ahead. And just to give you a glimpse into what we've been up to the past, uh.....2 months? Geez....... Matt graduated B-course at Seymour Johnson on August 22. My parents and his dad came to visit and we had a great evening. He did a wonderful job and really earned the next month of leave we took!

We clean up good!

So proud of him!

With our dear friends, Matt and Sarah

My parents left on August 24th, the packers came on the 25th, they loaded all our stuff on the van on the 27th, and we rolled out of Goldsboro on Thursday, August 28th. First stop was Atlanta, then a weekend visiting Tyler and Susie in Pensacola, and after a night in Lafayette, LA we got to Cypress on August 31st.

Playing hide-and-seek with Daddy at a rest stop...gotta love those stretch breaks!

End of Day 1: this princess is all tuckered out.

With the Thompsons and Kepners at Olive...so good to see them

and worship at our old church!

With the Prices...maybe next time we'll get to see Zach, too!

Maegan and Ella...great friends!

In Cypress.....Matt brought his helmet and G-suit: a HIT!!


We all headed to the Frio River for Labor Day weekend and had a great time just relaxing and watching the kids play.

Rory Jane...the newest member of our family!

Who knew throwing rocks in the river would be so much fun?!

My little family

The fab five!


We recuperated from the first leg of our journey at my folks' place in Utopia - that part of the country is always good for the soul!

helping Nani fill the bird feeder

putting out corn for the deer with Papaw

There's always lots of yard work to be done!


On September 10th we headed to Lake Granbury for a few days, then finished up that week at Dad and Jodi's in Bedford.

Got his Lake Legs back under him....happy man!

First "ski lesson" with Pappy...more or less.

Check out that air!

"swimming" with Daddy

MaeMae and Dawson playing in the rain

Those elastic excercise bands are for more than just excercising!

Loving on Baby Gabey

Then it was on to Decatur on the 18th for a visit with Mom and Mike. I got to have a mini-reunion with a few of my dear friends from A&M that were officers in Phi Lamb with me.

With Abbi and Grandpa at the Ft. Worth Zoo

Riding Daddy's old tricycle, watching Grandpa mow

Riding the carousel at Grapevine Mills Mall.....we did that twice!

Visiting Grandy

Roasting marshmallows at Mike's and my birthday/Matt's early Christmas party

After saying goodbye to friends and family in Texas, it was time for the last leg of our journey: to Portales, NM with the Sulas on the 26th, then on to Denver on the 27th. On the 28th we had the treat of staying with some dear friends in Jackson Hole, WY: Tom and Elizabeth have been friends of Matt's family for years, and it was such fun to see them again.

With Stacy and Jordan in Portales

She's a pro at this traveling business!

Tetons!

With the Jacobsons in Jackson

We arrived in Mountain Home on Tuesday, September 29th, and with us came the wind and a cold front. So our first week here has been chilly, blustery, and wet, but our excitement for the years ahead can't really be dampened. It's very different here - flat and dry with mountains all around - and it's going to take some getting-used-to. But it's beautiful in it's own way and I'm glad to be near the mountains and far away from humidity! It reminds me a lot of West Texas, so it's not too foreign!

not far from Mountain Home!

We went to our squadron's First Friday, took a shopping trip to Boise, and visited our first church here in town this weekend, so it feels like we're on a roll. We found a fabulous house to rent and have even met the family that is moving out.....I don't know who's happier about us moving in, them or us! Our stuff will be delivered on October 16th, so in the meantime we're in the Temporary Living Facilities here on base. But no complaints, cause it's NICE! The Lord has truly provided!

Matt is currently busy getting with in-processing and getting ready to leave. He'll be heading overseas soon, and Maegan and I will be going back to Texas. Not the greatest way to begin your new life in a new place, but we'll manage, and it'll only be a short time until we're all back together in Idaho!

If I've left anything out, forgive me....it's been fast and furious!

Welcome back.....sortof.

I know it's been FOREVER since my last post...August was a CUH-RAZY month in the Roberson household, and September promises to follow suit beautifully. We are currently in the process of moving across the country, as most of you know, so I am beyond thankful for your patience. We are loving every minute of our time with family in Texas. I will be sure and have a BIG update as soon as we get settled in our new home in Mountain Home, ID.

But because I love you all and wouldn't dream of having you leave empty-handed.....

All our love.....

Here she is!!!!

The long awaited and newest Merrell kiddo has arrived, and she is precious. Or maybe I'm just partial.....lemme check......nope, she's precious!

Lorelei "Rory" Jane Merrell

July 10, 2009 (the day after Caleb's 8th birthday!)

6 lbs. 2 oz.

19 in.

Welcome, Baby WohWee! Just you wait til we get our hands on you in September!

Lots. Just lots.

I recently read a blog post by my friend Ally where she said when things are happening she's too busy to write and when things aren't happening there's nothing to write about. I can completely and totally relate! I have a lot to catch up on and LOTS of pictures. So buckle up and hang on. The past 2 weeks have been BUSY!

June 25: Maegan and I flew to Houston to se my sister and meet our new niece/her new cousin, Rory. Crista's been on bed rest since February and just recently was given the ok to return to life as usual. She had a doctor's appointment scheduled for the next day and everyone was pretty sure Miss Rory was going to make her appearance either that day or sometime that weekend. Maegan had a BALL playing with her cousins, swimming, and clomping around the house with LaLa in their princess dress-up shoes. Think I know what's going on Maegan's wish list.

Is she not the cutest pregnant lady you've ever seen??? I am SURE I wouldn't look like that if I'd been on bed rest over 5 months. We did lots of walking - oh, Hobby Lobby, I love you - and had some trips to Labor and Delivery and back, but at the end of our week there.....well, let's just say that I don't think Little Miss Rory is in as big a hurry as we all thought she was to get here. The good news is that every day that little girl gets to cook is a blessing, but we are all beyond ready to meet her. And to say Crista's ready is a gross understatement. Maegan and I returned home Thursday, July 1st, with some good family time under our belts, and now we're all waiting for that certain phone call.

July 3: Matt and I had always said that if we left North Carolina without going back to Asheville (we took our honeymoon there) we'd be very disappointed. So we decided that we'd take a belated anniversary trip for Fourth of July weekend. We got there Friday afternoon, checked into our hotel, and headed downtown.

There's a tiny little park downtown and they have drumming jam sessions every Friday night. All these people were dancing and playing hacky-sack and listening to the drums. It was crazy. And pretty cool. We walked around a while before we found a great little Italian restaurant and then got some ice cream. Maegan LOVED that.

July 4: The next morning (Saturday) we headed out to Chimney Rock. We went there last time but we knew it would be a completely different experience with Maegan. We took the elevator to the top of the rock. The view was amazing.

Lake Lure in the valley

Little Missy can do anything.

Leaping big rocks in a single bound.....check. Sortof.

There was this great little loop trail for kids at the base of Chimney Rock. They had wooden and metal sculptures scattered along the trail for the kids to find and interact with. Maegan was quite the explorer....and very polite. She said "Bye-bye!" and "Thank you!" to every sculpture.

our little nut

MaeMae sitting on the mama bear - check that face.

After heading North up the Blueridge Parkway to let Maegan have a much needed nap, we headed down into the valley for our cruise on Lake Lure.

The buffalo and the sleeping lady - see 'em?

The buffalo is edge of the mountain in the center,

and the lady is laying on her side to the right of that - head to the left,

then shoulders and hips.

And then there's this. The girl loves Nemo snacks and Ariel.

She's really finding her voice. That lovely little voice.

July 5: Sunday morning found us at the Biltmore Estate. We love it. Just couldn't stay away. We were wondering how Maegan would do in the house, but she did great! They had some new rooms open that we hadn't seen last time we were here, so we were really glad we came. Funny thing: we told MaeMae we were going to see a BIG house, and she asked, "Wohwee's [her soon-to-be-born cousin, Rory's] house?" Apparently, Crista and her family live in a mansion. That's what Maegan has as a comparison. Nice.

Here are Maegan and her daddy enjoying some play time in the front yard.

We were waiting for our butler to finish our lunch.

And the maid was making up Maegan's room for her afternoon nap.

We were expecting company later in the afternoon for tea,

so I'm glad she went down easy for her nap.

We had to meet with the gardener to arrage finishing touches on the arbor over the veranda. That really is the best place for afternoon tea.

Oh, the pressures of this charmed life we lead.

There was lots of runnin'...

...and jumpin', too.

Okay. Tell me this isn't crazy. No, I'm not talking about Matt wearing the same shirt now and four years ago on our honeymoon. And yes, he did do it on purpose. If anyone is surprised, shame on you.

First there were two......then there were three!

Me then.....and my sweet little Mini-Me now!

Maegan took her MUCH needed and well deserved nap all during our winery tour/tasting and then while we drove up and down the Blueridge Parkway (South, this time). Did I mention her running and jumping all over our....ahem, excuse me, the Biltmore Estate's.......lawn? We drove high enough to get to the clouds. Amazing.

We drove by the little cabin we stayed in and then found a restaurant we ate at and really liked last time we were there. Then it was back to the hotel for a swim and some good rest, and we headed home Monday morning after breakfast at the Moose Cafe (our FAVORITE). I think Maegan enjoyed seeing where Mommy and Daddy had their "hummy-noon". What a great time remembering and enjoying a new experience at the same time.....and I hated to leave this time, too!!

July 7: Abbi came to visit us while Grandpa was at a seminar in South Carolina. She only got to stay for one night, but we had a yummy dinner, watched a night flight take-off on base, and got ice cream at Cold Stone last night, then met Matt at Krispy Kreme this morning. So I think it's safe to say that we made the most of our time! What a fun visit!

"Abbi, read me!"

Some good mother/son/granddaughter guitar hero-ing.....sah-weet!

Ok, now you're all caught up. And so am I. I think. We'll see what happens tomorrow!

Pedicures, Popsicles, and Pride & Prejudice

The three go well together. If you would have peeked in our window (which is creepy...don't get ideas) this is what you would have found:

It's what a girl does with her evening while her hubby is out and about getting a new name. At least this girl does. And well, maybe not a new one......just another one. May I present Lt. Matthew "Speedy" Roberson.

Apparently one of Matt's instructors thought he took a little too long preflighting one day, and it made an impression. Matt thinks a lot of him, so it was neat to be named by him. Speedy's happy with his name, and I'm happy that he's happy. And, hey, if you're on a mission "somewhere over there" who wouldn't want to ride with SPEEDY?!?!?!

Growing...growing...growing...GONE!

I planted herbs in an egg carton at my last MOPS meeting at the beginning of the month. They're growing.....

Maegan and I had some silly time after her nap this afternoon. She's growing.....

I really needed to get a haircut and do something with this mop. It WAS growing....

...now it's GONE!! Thanks for your votes! I feel like a new woman!

I'll leave you with some more MaeMae silliness:

I swear I don't know where she gets this stuff...... :)