Then we went to the playground in the mall. At first she thought it all was a tad overwhelming! Then she got used to the noises and sights and started climbing and running (as fast as her little legs can run) all over the place!

Hopefully this means she’ll sleep tonight.

Our solution is for Tobin to go ahead and live in the dorms on base while Bristol, the dogs, and I head north to Chicago for the time being.  We’re on a waiting list to live on base.  The wait times are unknown, ranging from the official 12 months to the unofficial 5 months to the rumored 2-3 months.  I’m hoping for 2 or less!

It is probable that Tobin will be deploying in April, so I hope to be living in Minot by then.  If not, Bristol and I will head to North Dakota to see him off.

It’s crazy to me that our time here in Barksdale in almost over already.  The moving company packs us up on Thursday, and we’re planning to drive out of here on the 24th.  It will be a busy 2 weeks!

Bad idea of the day…take photos of Bristol right when she wakes up!  Ah, memories.

Ok, we calmed her down and she’s looking more awake.  Only partially dressed, however.  We had a 50′s themed party for her, so the rest of her outfit is a poodle skirt with a tutu underneath.

No sewing for this mama!  All I did was iron on some appliques to a white onesie, cut a simple felt poodle skirt, iron on a poodle, and cut & tie a simple ribbon tutu.  Easy peasy!

Bristol was a tad frightened of her pokey tutu.  It was better once we got the poodle skirt on.

And these are all the photos I have!  Totally left the camera behind as we had at least 14 adults and 5 or 6 kids in the house that day.  Happy birthday, Bristol!

Opening presents I

Opening presents II

Merry Christmas!  Well, for us anyway.  We opened up all the Bolton presents we had in the house, including presents from Norma Jean.

Bristol was very excited to begin!  ”Where’s my presents, Dad?”

Titus and Rogue were very excited too, but they weren’t quite sure why.

A photo of one of my presents, though this is nowhere near all I got.  Thanks, Gma Norma Jean!

Bristol was a pro at opening gifts!  Good thing since she got so many!  She got a baby doll, a baby doll blanket, a BIG blanket, puzzles, books, and socks, among other things.  Wow!

Part of Tobin’s haul: a shadow box!  We were stoked about this one, since there is a lot of military paraphernalia we would love to display as Tobin collects it.

In Bristol’s stocking was a coloring book and crayons; here is her first attempt at coloring!  As you can see, she has minimalist tendencies, more about precision really than about volume of color.  Look at that little hand in the corner!  Precious.

And once we finished opening gifts, I wrapped a bunch.  Now we’re ready for the Rumley Christmas next weekend!  Sad, none of these are for me.  :)