Welcome Home, Colin!

Colin arrived home (which is currently Camp Pendleton, California) safely from Afghanistan.  We're so glad that he's back, and cannot wait until his visit!  Hopefully the little one comes along in time to meet Uncle Colin!

Colin (and kitten) in Afghanistan.  I will post a more recent photo as soon as he's able to send me one!

Snow Days



 We don't normally see a lot of snow here, so the two significant snowfalls we've had so far this winter were quite exciting.

Kona loves getting attention from Dad Lyons (thanks for putting up with her Dad!).

Kona's enthusiasm is much improved from her first experience with snow.

Flashback: February 2009.

Kona's "rope show" in the snow.  (Performances of the "rope show" generally begin as soon as an "audience" enters the backyard.  Other times, no audience is required).  The barks in the background are Kona's next-backyard-neighbor dogs.

Lauren walks (jogs) Kona.

A fervent tug-of-war ensues.

The battle wages on (please note that Kona has the weight advantage).

Kona walks (jogs) Lauren.

Lauren v. Kona, Round 2.

Clyde steps in to assist, and to place a tape line for Ciala to practice cartwheels.

  Kona always listens to Dad.

Ciala prepares to cartwheel.

 Our graceful girl...

 With the snow days over, Ciala returns to school to present her school project.  She developed an original board game: The Skittles Game!

The McBrides

I have been meaning to post a blog to help us keep in touch with our family and friends, and I finally have.  Ciala and Lauren spent several days with us during the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday and a few snow days that canceled school.  We had fun playing games, watching movies, and jumping on the trampoline (well, myself and our 32-week-along bun in the oven stayed grounded while Clyde, the girls and the dog jumped).  Ciala and Lauren provided tremendous assistance entertaining the indefatigable Kona.  I attempted to capture the antics using Clyde's camera phone, and will post clips shortly. 

We also set up the tripod to take family photos before four becomes five, though the Afghanistan sand seems to have damaged Clyde's camera beyond repair (thus, the unclear photo above is the best we could do).  Clyde came home a few days ago with a beautiful new camera which I cannot wait to use, and I will replace the above photo during the girls' next visit.

Work remains busy for Clyde.  Thankfully, he will not be traveling in the next several weeks as I will soon require his presence to welcome our new little one.  Clyde's current job has him traveling to military bases to meet with various units preparing to deploy.  I recently finished my final course for my M.A. program, and am scheduled to complete the comprehensive exam next week. 

Clyde accompanied me to Babies 'R' Us (despite his aversion to shopping anywhere except Lowe's) in order to purchase the stroller, car seat, playpen and swing we had not yet selected.  Though I planned to take advantage of his parenting experience, and am well aware of our vastly different shopping strategies, I was completely unprepared for the errand.  As I was still reading the features and functions of the first stroller at which we looked, Clyde filled 2 1/2 carts and navigated them to the register.  He looked like a champion supermarket sweep contestant while I attempted to educate myself about the "1-hand gravity fold" and the "180-degree rotating canopy with peek-a-boo window".  I should have known better!

Other than that, it is business-as-usual as the McBride house prepares to be turned upside down in the next several weeks.  I plan on improving my blogging knowledge, an endeavor which will hopefully result in more entertaining updates in the future!