Kira Leonna’s blog

Today was my birthday and we had so much fun!  I knew something must be special so I woke up in an extra-good mood.  I was in such a great mood I wanted to share it with Daddy, so we woke him up early, too!  Mommy put on my fancy dress and took a bunch of pictures (as she always does), then we had some breakfast.  Fruit-loops and chocolate milk is my favorite!  Mommy and Daddy brought out my presents and I had a great time ripping the paper off.  I even helped Daddy put the batteries in my punching-penguin.

After all that excitement we went to Wal-Mart to pick up another present (thanks Grandma and Grandpa Woods!) and of course I got all kinds of oohhhs and aaahhhs about how cute I looked.  I waved to everyone in the store, just like the princess that I am...haha.

Mommy really wanted to take some family pictures at the park, but I was so tired that I slept right through it all.  Of course, that didn't stop her from clicking away with the camera, but nothing ever does, and it was a nice walk anyway.

Once we got home it was time for another wardrobe change and some more playing.  We ate dinner and then took some more pictures out in the backyard.  Daddy threw me up on his shoulders and we ran around screaming like banshees!  By then it was almost bedtime and I was so tired from the exciting day that I went right to sleep and had some good dreams about all the fun we had.

Our next adventure is coming up soon when we go to Missouri for a visit.  I can't wait to see everyone again!

Daddy, Mommy, and I went to the beach this weekend and I finally met the ocean.  There was so much to do, but all I wanted to do was crawl right into the waves!  Well, I wasn't too sure I liked it at first, but I saw how much fun Mommy and Daddy were having and I knew they wouldn't let the water carry me away, so I decided it was definitely time to have some fun.  The sand felt really funny on my feet and it kept sticking to my hands.  I tried to eat it, but that didn't taste very good at all!  We also played in the pool at the hotel and walked around the shops by the beach, but most of our time was spent splashing around in the waves and playing in the sand.  I can't wait until we go again!  Maybe next time we'll take the puppies with us, too.

We've been so busy lately I haven't even had a chance to write about it all!  Daddy loves his new grill, and he was finally able to mow the yard (Mommy felt bad that the grass was so high, but Daddy says he likes mowing, so it all worked out okay).

We're having a party this weekend so everyone can come over and enjoy the grill and big yard.  Hopefully there will be a lot of kids for me to play with!  Then we're going to the beach and I'm going to get to feel sand and salt-water for the very first time.  I'm sure Mommy will take a thousand pictures, so I'll write more then!

Mommy and I got all dressed up today and drove to post.  I could tell she was excited, but it was hard for me to be very happy when I was sitting in a hot dress, tights, and shoes that were squishing my feet.  We went into a big room and saw a lot of people holding signs and taking pictures.  They all seemed very anxious for something to happen.  I heard a loud voice coming out of the speakers, and Mommy said Daddy was going to be a little late.  So we ate some lunch, watched a video, and sat in the car where we could have the air conditioning on.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, I saw a big airplane come near the entrance and a lot of people started filing out.  Mommy started taking a ton of pictures, so I knew Daddy must be in that crowd of people somewhere.  They all marched in, the band played, we prayed, and then everyone started going crazy!  There were people running everywhere and finally I saw my Daddy come towards us.  He gave Mommy a big hug and then he gave me one.  I got to hold on to him for a little while, and of course Mommy wouldn't stop taking pictures, but I was just so excited I didn't care!  I loved looking at him in pictures, but it's even better to play and laugh in real life.

Daddy said he had to leave for a little while, so Mommy and I waited with the other families until he was released.  Then we were able to go home at last!  He really liked the finger painting I did for him, and also liked his surprise gas grill from Mommy.  The doggies were so happy to see him, too!  Finally, we're together again as a family should be .

I've posted some pictures of the house now that it is almost finished.  Kira was in bed, so I don't have any of her room up, but everything else is there (though it's backwards since I uploaded them in the wrong order).  Of course, there are no pictures or painting on the walls except the few in the office and kitchen, but I'm waiting for Mark to help me with those.  :)

ETA:  (edited to add) There are two pictures of Kira's room up now, too!

Mommy and I had a nice, relaxing day.  We ate some ice cream, played with the puppies, and talked on the phone to all the grandmas and grandpas.  After dinner, we drove down to post to see the fireworks.  There were so many people there!  Before the show, we walked around the carnival area where there were games, rides, and a concert by the 82nd airborne band.  On our way back to where the fireworks were supposed to be, I fell asleep but it wasn't long before I was jolted out of my nap by loud bangs and flashes of light.  I was a little scared at first, but Mommy picked me up and pointed to the sky where I saw all of the beautiful fireworks.  Of course, being Mommy, she took a ton of pictures even though I would have been happy just to watch the sky ;)

Great-Grandma (Gi-Gi), Grandma Toni, Mommy, and I drove half-way across the country with a big Penske moving truck and made it to North Carolina on June 20th.  It was a long way to drive, but we had so much fun!  I hardly even fussed, and the puppies were such good travelling buddies.

The new house was all ready for us and we all worked hard to make it look pretty for when Daddy comes home.  I like the living room and my bedroom the best!  All of my toys are there and I've been sleeping in my own bed, in my own room like such a big girl!  Mommy comes in the morning when I wake up to take a little nap with me and then we go for a walk with the puppies.

We've already met a lot of the neighbors and they are so nice.  One lady has three little kids and the littlest boy is not much older than me.  I like her daughter the best, though, because she has curly blonde hair that she lets me play with!

It won't be long now and Daddy will come home to see how much we have gotten done.  I can tell how excited Mommy is and it makes me happy to see her enjoying the new house so much.  We both get a little cranky sometimes because we're tired from doing so much, but that's okay because we make up for it with lots of cuddles and kisses.

Grandma Pam and Grandma Toni are getting webcams so we can visit on the computer and I can't wait to see them!

Oh, and I've also learned how to get out of the big bed safely and how to go up and down the three little stairs in the hallway (thanks Grandma!).  Gi-Gi taught me how to clap when we were still in Missouri and I took my first steps toward Grandma Pam when she and Aunt Elizabeth came to help pack.

I also got to see Great-Grandpa for a few days (I sure did love sitting there talking with him--he's such a good listener!), and Grandpa Ron even came to help Mommy load up the truck before we left.  Miss Ciara stayed with us for a week with my best friend Laira and we had so much fun!  Mommy will post some pictures of us at the waterpark and the pool.  We also got to see our Springfield friends a few times before we left, so I got to see DJ (there were other little girls I got to play with there, too!), Mike (my buddy), Kelli, Clayton, and Danny.

It was so nice to be around family and friends and learn so many new things from them; and I'm sad that we're so far away now.  But, I know how exiting it will be to meet Daddy and get to play with him, so I'll try not to be sad about missing everyone.  I guess this means we'll be making lots of trips back West and I'm excited for everyone to come visit and see our new home!

Grandma Pam, Grandpa Ron, and Uncle Tom cane to visit for the weekend!  We played Putt-putt golf, went to the arcade, and had a great time hanging out at home.  The miniature golf was quite an adventure because of all the stairs, but Tom and Grandpa were able to tote me everywhere in the stroller.  After that, Mommy shared some of her chocolate Andy's Frozen Custard with me because I was in a cranky mood and that sure helped cheer me up!

There were so many noises and flashing lights in the arcade, but I got to watch Grandpa and Tom in the batting cages, I rode on a metal horse, watched Grandma and Mommy play skee-ball, and helped them win tickets that they exchanged for some pretty bracelets for me.

After all that excitement I was worn out!  Now I'm just staying busy helping Mommy pack up for the move.  She doesn't seem to think I'm helping too much though, since I keep pulling clothes out of the boxes, but hey, at least I'm keeping myself entertained!

Grandma, Mommy, and I went to North Carolina to look for a new house and even though it seemed like we would never find the perfect home, we found one!  It is in a really pretty neighborhood with a huge back yard for the puppies to play in and it is close to work for Daddy.  I'm going to help Mommy pack up everything here so we can move next month.  It won't be too long and Daddy will be home!  I'm so excited to see him again!

I even got to go on my very first airlplane ride.  There were all kinds of interesting people to look at and talk to, but once we got settled in our seats all I wanted to do was eat and take a nap.  Mommy says I was so good during the whole trip.  Even when we were in the car for hours at a time, I just played with my toys and slept.

It will be so sad to say goodbye to everyone here.  I will really miss all of the friends I've made and the family I've gotten so close to, but I know we will get to visit often and I'll see them in pictures and on the webcam.  Only a few more weeks here and we will be making the long drive to North Carolina.  I can't wait!

We're leaving tomorrow to go find a house!  Hopefully we'll also get to take a little detour to the beach and Kira can see the ocean for the first time.  We'll be back in a few days to post lots of pictures.  See you then!