Love my new addition(s)!!

This is the BEFORE picture...without my NEW fatty!

Kai wanted in on the "action"...silly boy!

Can you spot my lil' (new) fella....

(and the new update that Santa himself gave 'da Grubbs!)

My new Santa "baby"....gotta love him!

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Okay peeps....sorry for the delay...I'm on vacation and I'm being lay-to-da-Z!

About 2 months ago...we knew we wanted to take a family Christmas trip...we thought about using our frequent flyer miles....or possibly getting on a MAC flight...(those military flights which are pretty free!...but you don't know if you can get on....pretty much fly by the seat of your pants) So a few families were interested...but the thought of not really knowing where and when we were to go was such a hippie way of doing things...so Kent said...lets just play it by ear...and see what happens....so I said, "Okay..!"...so the Saturday after school was out...we got up at 4:00 am...drove to Kadena Air base...and waited with the Fisks...(the Leggio's couldn't come b/c Adam had to work...and the McCarty's were all sick!)...we got in line...checked in...submitted our paperwork...and waited....we were offered a plane that was going to Iwakuni...but opted on not taking it...we wanted Yakota...so we left...went to eat breakfast....went home....took a long nap...loved on Foster (who was pretty pouty/happy we were back...Aki our summer dogsitter was on standby..she is toooo cool!)...then headed back ...and waited to see if we were gonna be called...it was like a lottery...and Kai...was such a cutie....while we were waiting...Marti said...Kai I'm so glad your parents brought you....cause you can help push the strollers...and Kai replied...I brought the hope too! He was HOPING and praying we would get on the flight! He was VERY optimistic...along with his mother :o)!!

I was in the process of getting some flamin' cheetos out of the vending machine..when over the intercom....they called: GRUBBS.......Kento raced to the desk...and accepted 4 seats to Yakota...then immediately after they called: FISK.....so all eight of us got on the flight....the pilot who was flying the C-130 ...added 15 more seats to the plane...so 25 seats were available total...the Pilot was definitely VERY kind to do that!

Needless to say it was our first time to fly on a C-130...pretty awesome exp.!

We got to Yakota...and checked in...and the adventure begins....and pictures will be followed soon...we are trying to head back tomorrow.....wish us luck!

Love and Hugs to everyone..and we hope everyone had a VERY VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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Part 2

Don't forget to pause the music on this page...before you click on play below!

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Sophia singing Christmas Wishes...;o) Part 1

I'm laughing b/c this is sideways...we can't "drive" our camera...but will try to upload the second part....yep you're gonna have to tilt your head on that one too! But don't feel tooo sorry for us...he he he...a good friend whos daughter was in the entire program...videoed it all...and with a MUCH NICER camera! So we will have that as a keepsake! ;0)

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a sneak peek of our Christmas photo shoot...

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Sophia Bella ....the soloist....keep it in the family!

So...I fibbed earlier about blogging about Thanksgiving...he he he

I actually got a gig at Bechtel for one of their Music teachers who just had a baby...I'm gonna be her fill in during her maternity leave....which is a saaaaa-weeeet job...b/c as you all know...I LOVE to sing...even if it is out of TUNE!

So these past few days I have been learning Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Silent Night in Japanese ...along with Japanese sign language ......so I have had the pleasure to work with the Infamous Melba Brown (who Kent knew from Panama)...who is such a Lovely woman to work with...LOVE her......with an abundance of style and expertise! I have gotten to see how Kai and Sophia interact with their classmates...which makes me smile inside...but they know that I WILL NOT baby them...give me a hug sure...b/c all their classmates will follow suit and who would ever deny such LOVE!? I will gladly take a hug! It seems I'm more strict with my kids during class time...BUT....that is a little mute...b/c they are one of the kids who like to follow the rules....*WHEW*....glad that is genetics!! he he he

Anyhoo....Sophia was selected to sing a solo during the Bechtel Christmas program....and we are so ELATED......her memorization and pitch is really really good....I am a humble gal..when it comes to my babes...but I get chills listening to her sweet voice......I do! ;o)

Kai is so encouraging and it is sweet to hear him chat with her about her gig! ;o)

Anyway...you know I will record the solo....with a tear in my eye!

And also being a mama....I have posted a picture of a dress that I WANT to buy....so I need to get my rear in gear and get on it!

Just had to share!

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Homeboy and I during our date night excursion to one of our OLDEST FAVORITE Japanese/Italian restaurants:

Mintamas!

Excellente!

A lot has happend since I blogged last....I have fallen into the FB pit and I have just relied on that avenue to post pictures....etc....

Bad..mama...baaaaaad mama! :o)

So I will get my rear back in gear...and start blogging fo' reals!

I will start from Thanksgiving day....

So until then....have a BLESSED week!

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Soooooner than L8tr ;o)

I will update soooooooner than l8tr!

*cheers*

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Daddy and Mommy had some GOOD TIMES

this weekend...doing what we love...with the people we love!

Sometimes we get so wrapped up being busy "parents"...that we lose our own downtime!

But this weekend we made up for it!

Me and my home girls did a 5k run for Breast cancer this morning...while daddy had the kids up at Bechtel for the Ult. Fris. Tourney.....then mommy met them up at the tourney...and watched daddy and team play a wicked/fun game...then I took off to the beach with the kiddos...and had some mommy downtime with some of mah' girls! The water slide and beach was a entertainment buffet for the kids!

A festive and fun Okinawan day!

Ultimate Frisbee tournament Champions....Boy time....GOOD TIMES!

Girl time at the beach with the kids...GOOD TIMES!

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Thank You!

Thank you ALL for serving in the military and fighting for our freedom!

click on ==> : Oooh Rah...Semper Fi *

(Thank you, Dad!)

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*pause the music on the lower right :o)

Happy Birthday, Sophia LuLu Strawberry Oatmeal Kentina MooMoo PhiPhi Bella Grubbs

Sophia is our September 11th baby....and we welcomed her with open arms and "NEW" beginnings!

She also shares her birthday with Mimi and Papa's anniversary!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to such a BEAUTIFUL couple!

WE LOVE YOU TWO!! ;o)

Such an exciting time...after blowing out the candles!

Sophia and Mrs. Holloway...her Kindergarten teacher....gotta love 'em!

One of Sophia's favorite sitters...Logan!

Girlfriendz...gotta love sweet girlfriends!!

Emma and Willow

Soph wanted a barbie theme...I was gonna go vintage...but saw this picture and thought it was fitting! ;o)

Happy Birthday Sophia-chan ;o)

~Sassy-n-sweet~

The weather was BEAUTIFUL and the day couldn't of been better...celebrating with friends a VERY important date....of humbling proportions (9-11) to new beginnings (Sophia's birth)....

Teaching in a military environment...you feel such pride being around all the men and women who serve the military...and how much they give for our freedom!

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School is in full swing in Okinawa!

Sophia Bella Grubbs

It is your year to shine big girl!

How proud your mama and daddy are of you....you will NEVER know...but we hope to provide all the hugs and kisses that you need.... to somehow understand!

Such a BIG transition in our household...

From me being a mama 24/7 for many years to me being a mama of two elementary kids...just makes me proud...they are polite...lively...and humorous lil' people that I have ever met!

There has been a lot of happy happy....but of course...with the first week of school and the first week of kindergarten this week....we have a lot of tiredness in the house...and sometimes...Mr and Mrs. grumpy pants show up...he he he...but we try to keep it real...and suck it up...and go to bed EARLY!! :o))))

It is hard to say goodbye to summer...but knowing that the holidays are fast approaching...we are game for the festivities to begin!!

Sophia started Kindergarten today.....and we were so happy that she is a part of the Bechtel family....finally...he he he

Finding the perfect "first" day outfit...was fun to find!
I fell in love with her mudd pie lunch sack.....

I foo foo'ed up her back pack

Daddy and his Bella!

um...I think Daddy is stealing my signature move! *ha*

proud mama and her LuLu!

hydrating before school

Okay baby...er...I mean big girl...You better have your listening ears on...and marsh mellow toes in check...

and off you go....

on our way to baseball practice....getting a power nap in!

Such a swell of the chest...could only be the pride we have for you, Bella!

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Daddy bought Sophia her Kinder backpack...:o)

The last coupla' days left in WA we were busy packing up and getting ready to travel....

Kento calls me from Safeway and said, "Honey...I found a "cute" backpack for Soph...should I buy it...?"

I told him to keep the receipt and we could always return it.

Inside I TRULY was giddy that Kent was taking his time out to help with the back to school shopping....so I decided that NO matter what...Soph was gonna LOVE the backpack b/c her daddy picked it out!

But of course I had to girly it up! I had to bust into my crafty bins to get crafty! :o)

I'm getting excited for my lil' sweet pea....to enter her next phase of her life...

Baby girl...I LOVE you...and I'm proud to be your mama....you CRAZY mamacita!

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Sophia swinging and timidly running...;o)

Sophia's turn! ;o))

Kai swinging and connecting....;o)))

Daddy filming....mama cheering!!

So much fun to watch...this is the first time for Kai and Sophia to play baseball...b/c we are usually coming back from summer vacation....but this year...we signed them up knowing we would miss the first few games...but we want them to be exposed...and it is Daddy's favorite sport other than volleyball.....so he is happy!!

We put Kai and Sophia on the same team...and so far it has worked out!

Guess what!?

We're baaaaaaaaack home after a (bittersweet) WONDERFUL trip!

A lil' bit lagging....3/4 of us were up and eating breakfast at 5:00 am....which is slightly unusual....but we did all go to bed at 7:30 pm....

We are getting back on track...
Excited for the year....and to get a routine going again!

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Mimi and Sophia planned a Tea Party for some special friendz!

We got gussied up and met some friendz in town for a SPLENDID tea party!

Sophia was giddy as a school girl all week....and made sure to let brother Kai know that it was for girls ONLY......you could see the pure joy in Sophia's face...it was just a pleasure to watch!!

We all decided that it will be an annual event!

Tally Ho! ;o))))

Good times!

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As we close the last 24 hours of our Southern tour...I found my wedding dress which was stored in my sister's garage! Yay! Kento and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary on July 1st...so it was a bit "fitting" that I found it...I was thrilled I "fit" into it...but I know it prolly would of fit even looser if I would of taken this picture the 1st day we arrived from Okinawa....he he he

Yay what a treat! :o)))))

Oh....how sweet that LuLu wanted to try on the dress too!

She was SOOOOO excited!!

She was giddy with excitement!

Sweet baby girl!

Gotta LOVE our sister sister! :o)))

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