Thanksgiving:
Was good. We spent it in Maryland with the Family. Nothing really to report but that we ate way too much good food and had fun visiting with the family!
Christmas & New Years:
Christmas was combined with Taylor's pre-deployment leave as he is scheduled with the 26th MEU. All in all we had a great Christmas; it was a bit rushed with getting to everyone's house on time but it all worked out in the end. Plus it snowed so we all LOVED that, especially Allie! Rachel's brother was kind enough to invite us, Rachel and Taylor, to a New Years Eve bash he was having at the Elks. Since we haven't done that in a while we thought it would be fun; turns out it was!
Since 2013 started!
This year started off dim for Rachel and her family. Her Grandmother passed on New Years Day. This was not unexpected for her family but that did not make her pain any less. We all love Nanna more than words and will miss her ever day. There was a lovely service for her and many came to honor her. Our family extends our thanks to those who came and supported us in our time of grief and need. 
To lighten the mood Rachel is happy to report her brother was engaged! They are planning on a September wedding!!! We also experienced what our communication and life would be like with the approaching MEU. It was not fantastic, however, with this knowledge we can better prepare for what is to come. We were also totally stoked for the RAVENS WINNING THE SUPERBOWL!!!!!!!!!!!! 
L celebrated her fourth birthday this February! She had a complete Disney Brave birthday! Thanks to both sets of grandparents who came down for the fun. As well as helping Rachel prepare for it since she had to have a root canal a few days prior. She is still not happy about that! L is doing great with her schooling, though she is still on the waiting list for the public school. She will hopefully get in this upcoming fall since she was re-registered as a four year old. Stay tuned there. Her soccer season starts very soon and she is thrilled about that. She will play on the Bandits this year and there will be four girls this time not just two! 
Our wee man is doing well, talking up a storm and rampaging the house. That is when he is not tormenting his sister or she him. All in all they do get along well. He is ALMOST done teething!!! Rachel could not be happier about that! There are only two more to go then he can have his first dental check up.
As this month closes we bring the next with heavy hearts as we prepare for the coming deployment.
Until Then God Bless.
