Ben made it back from patrol safe and sound this past Monday. Noah and I were able to go to the pier and watch his sub pull in. Because of security reasons, we were not able to take any pictures. Ben is home, but we won't be seeing much of him for a few weeks due to business on the boat. We are so thankful to have him home!
I have learned the secret to a happy boy: being dirty and wet. I guess we live in a perfect place for that.
We spent a very merry Christmas in Prescott, AZ with Grandpa and Grandma Howe. The days were sweet as we played, laughed, ate goodies, read stories together, took walks, went shopping (without the boys!), and made memories.
Grandpa and Grandma treated us to a magical and fantastic ride aboard the Polar Express in Williams, AZ. It was a one hour train ride including cocoa and cookies, X-Mas caroling, reading the Polar Express book, and meeting Santa. It was a ride Noah (my train fanatic!) will never forget!
Our first day of snow came a few days ago. We woke up to an even better blanket of snow this morning and have enjoyed it's beauty and even getting out in it. Noah and Winchester have had a ball mostly just tromping around in it. Hudson however has not enjoyed the snow as much because he doesn't care for his mittens and has discovered that snow and bare hands aren't a good combination. He has enjoyed looking at the snow from the warmth of our home much better.
Ben left for his final patrol on the USS Nebraska this past Friday. Last weekend, we grilled t-bone steaks in our wood stove (a Selph family tradition) and opened presents. It was a sweet time together with our boys before Ben had to leave.
We had a wonderful last few days together before Ben had to get underway on his last patrol. We headed off to one of Noah's favorite parks where we caught a fabulous view of Mt. Raineer. It was a good day and we cherished Ben's last bit of spare time together.
This year we are decorating early due to Ben's upcoming patrol. Hudson is loving the lights on the tree. He and Winchester both are difficult to keep away from grabbing the ornaments!
The boys enjoyed romping around the X-mas tree lot finding not only all sorts of trees but lots of mud too! Noah must have picked out 8 different trees that he thought would make the most perfect X-mas tree.
Great food, wonderful friends, and most importantly... a great God who has blessed us in so many ways. We are truly thankful!
It was such a treat for Uncle Kenny and cousin Mollie to visit us for our second Thanksgiving together from California. We had so much fun exploring around, making a giant ginger bread house, watching movies, playing Mexican Train, and eating lots of great comfort food!
