And here is the masterpiece that Grandma created for Caleb! MUCH better than my fireman cake!! 

On the road

The boys loved the Penske truck that held all our worldly posessions! Caleb actually rode in it for the last couple of days of our trip. He loved being so high up and looked so cute in that huge truck. Actually it was a sight to be seen - Joseph, Caleb and Titan all in the front seat of the truck! Joseph said that they got more than a few points and stares!

the gang!

A picture of the Maddry/Zeigler clan before we head our separate ways! It has been wonderful living so close to them over the past year and we made many memories together that will last a lifetime. We will miss them very much!

Our birthday gift to Caleb

Before we left our much anticipated birthday gift arrived for Caleb...a flight suit! I found this company that does them and takes great pride in making kids suits that look like the real thing. It even has his name on his name badge and patches that Joseph got to pick out for him. To say that Caleb loved it is the understatement of the year. His first comment was, "I have been wanting a flight suit my whole life!" And boy does he wear it everywhere! I was thinking that when we got down here he wouldn't wear it as much because it is so hot, but nope he wears it even though when he does, sweat is usually dripping down his face. He wore it to Lackland AFB commissary the other day and got lots of comments on how sharp he looked. He leaned over to me at one point and said, "Mom, people really think that I'm a pilot." It was kinda cool - there was a 1 star there who had a flight suit on and he stoppped to talk to Caleb. Caleb said to me, "Look mom, he has a flight suit like mine!" My Caleb is such a funny boy!

Check out this future pilot! 

Everytime I look at this picture I crack up! This is Caleb's "Blue Angel" smile. He is a nut! 

One of Caleb's birthday parties

Caleb really wanted to have a birthday party with his friends before we left Maryland. This was the first move that he really understood that we were leaving some of his friends, so despite our crazy week of packing and moving I had a party for him at his favorite park. He wanted a fireman theme this year so we had a fireman cake and pinata. Our best friends the Zeiglers came from Delaware and it was nice for Caleb to get to spend some time with Josiah before we moved. Caleb had a great time with his friends!!

Pizza party at the park! 

Joseph with the babies 

Caleb and his buddies 

another picture for the wedding slide show 

Caleb wanted so badly to be the one to break his pinata!  

sweet kids grabbing their loot 

Here is my sad attempt at my first theme birthday cake. It did make me feel better that all the kids knew what it was. (I learned a lot for next time!) 

Joseph got caught with his hand in the pinata candy! Shame on him!! Stealing candy from little kids! 

Poor Luke had a pretty bad virus. He was so sick, but he still looks stinkin' cute! 

Caleb and his 2 best buddies - Josiah & Eli 

Cubby Night

Here are some pictures from Caleb's end-of-the-year Cubbies ceremony that he got to attend before we left. There is a picture of mommy and Caleb, Cubby and friends, Caleb not sure that he wants to go up to the stage to get his award and one of Caleb smiling with his Cubby leader and friends. We are really going to miss our church in Maryland!

On the Road again!

Well, we are all packed and ready to go! We leave in the morning for Texas and I can't believe that we are already leaving the DC area! It came fast and furious. Luckily at the end here we have had help from my amazing friend Amy Z, my step-dad, and my sister. Without the three of them I think that this would have been more painful than it already was! (Amy, I love you like a sister and will so miss spending time with your family! I am blessed more than words to call you friend!!!)
Joseph has spent most of the last 3 weeks studying for his BIG test that covers all he has learned in med school over the past 2 years. He took that wed. and is so glad that it is over! Hopefully there will be no books for the next 2 weeks and then he starts his first rotation - psychiatry.
I have given him plenty of preview of what he may see in the psych ward. I have pretty much single handedly packed this entire house with all of us taking turns getting the worst illness we have ever had. It has been a stressful time for me, but I know it will be so worth it to be closer to my family! Though this last couple of weeks have been so difficult God has really reminded me of what he has been trying to teach me over the last 2 years...total surrender and reliance on Him. There have been many times where I have felt so alone here and in the wilderness, but God has met me there and reminded me that he can provide all I need. That HE IS ALL I NEED. I have grown so much since we left Minot - as a mom, wife and most of all as someone who wants to know God's love. As usual the growth has been so painful at times, but God has always been faithful! I came here as mom of one, who was way too dependant on her husband, full of pride, shame & remorse. I'm leaving feeling like the most blessed woman with an amazing husband, 2 beautiful boys and full of God's grace. And now I am so excited to see what amazing adventure God has in store for us in this next chapter.
I'm not sure how long it will be until we have access to the internet again, but I do have some great pictures of Caleb's early birthday party, our last times with the Ziggy's before we both move & I'm sure I'll have some of our adventures on the road. So peace out from Maryland and we will chat when we arrive in Texas!

We went to an air show a couple of weeks ago at Andrews AFB and it was the first time that either boys had been to one. It was a "boys date" and begrudgingly they allowed me to come and were not interested in having pictures taken on their date (so were pleased when I left my camera back at the car and suprisingly enough no one offered to go and get it for me!). The boys were so excited and LOVED the show. So for the next week (plus) Caleb has been pretending that he is one of the Blue Angels (I keep forgetting what they are called and keep calling them Blue Thunder which is the name of Caleb's bike..Caleb thinks it's ridiculous that I can't remember the Blue Angel's name and Joseph thinks it's ridiculous that I name bikes)! He even made a plane out of a box - with a little help from Dad, but most of it was all him!

Here Caleb is doing his version of the Blue Angel salute that they give the crowd. (I missed the performance of the Blue Angels. I had a headache and went to take a nap in the car.) He is using his police helmet as his pilot helmet, his belt for a seat belt, and one of his drum sticks as a whatever they call those things that drive a plane (how in the world did this chick ever get boys!!)











and this is my favorite...


Caleb loves to wear his Daddy's shoulder boards on his clothes. And check out that salute!!!


For his birthday we ordered a kids size flight suit for him!! I can't wait until he get's it!! He's going to love it. Joseph even got to pick out the patches that we wanted on it.