Happy 7th Birthday Eli!

We've had a lot of partying going on over here!  Our big party was Sunday and we had our own little party Monday morning before we had to return all the fun things.   As much as I love having our friends over, I love having our own family parties even better.  I always feel like I miss everything when there's lots of people around.

Birthday morning was all about snuggles.

and it was time for presents!

Ben made us lattes for the occasion.  I sure do love having him home.

Grandma sent him a knight costume, so that meant we had to go play at castle park. 

When we asked Eli what he wanted for his birthday, he said, "I just want to play with daddy."

Check.

I think he dressed up as 6 different things as they played different games and face paint even came into the picture.  We ended the day with cheese pizza and Star Wars.

Oh, I almost forgot.  We also had to make a stop by Target to get new pj's.

I love how easy Eli makes the best day ever.  Pj's, snuggles, cheese, a movie and playing and he's the happiest little boy.  Also love that he requested shortcake!

Welcome Home/ Happy Birthday Eli Party!

From the day Ben left, the kids have talked about having a party when he came home.  I just let them dream about it and let them have something positive to think about, but never thought it would actually happen.  Then I realized that Ben was coming home right before Eli's birthday and I heard that base gives very generous deals to deployed families on rentals.   They gave us our pick of any bounce house, 4 tables and chairs, a big cooler and a snow cone machine for 4 days, for $75!  There are some perks to military life :)  I may have overcompensated for feeling bad for our kids not having a daddy home for 6.5 months and let them pick the most giant bounce house.  It was pretty hysterical setting it up.

A few ladies from church helped me decorate during sewing club the week before.

7 sign made by Eli

The front door is a perfect example of my life with Alison.  I hung up the wreath and put out the mat. The next day, while I was on a jog, Alison put up a "Welcome Home Daddy" sign that she drew and covered the door and hearts.  She likes to add a little pizazz to my classic look.  The morning Ben came home, Laurel sent her husband over to line our sidewalk with flags and left champagne on our doorstep; just a small example of the love that has been poured onto our family.

Well, this picture is giving me fits, but if you squint, you can see a banner Alison made and signs the boys made.  The kids made stars that are on the table and we added some science to the decoration and made red and blue flowers.

Gwen made the cake and cupcakes.  Aren't they amazing?!
Eli built the napkin holders and a few table decorations.

 And Laurel brought a flag kabob tray...sorry it's upside down.

Snow cone and superhero dress up station:

Our church family was anxious to help us celebrate and made this party so easy.  Seriously.  They brought all the food (Ben smoked pork as the main dish) and helped us pick up all the equipment and even stayed to tear things down.

Right before this picture, Colin said to Andrew, "Isn't this the best day ever?"

I am SO glad Ben is home, but I am not ready for this little boy to be 7.

The kids did laps through the bounce house for hours.  It's a good thing we had snow cones to keep their energy up!

I didn't get all the pictures I wanted, but it was an evening I won't forget.  We certainly have a lot to celebrate and a lot of people to thank.

Ben is HOME!

I'm excited just to type that!  Ah, it's over.  No more counting down days or chit-chat Facetime calls.

This coming home was a night and day difference from the last one...in a good way.  I was given specific instructions where to go and when to be there and what to expect; it was so refreshing.  Waiting all day to get daddy was a challenge, but it also gave us time to get some last minute things finished.  At lunch, I stopped and told these kids how amazing they are and how proud I am of them.  They really are the strongest kids I know.

Alison's thinking, "I really don't want to be taking a picture right now.  I just want to see my daddy."

We decided not to bring signs so our hands could be free to hug.

We went to the Sonoran Pueblo on base, where they had a movie playing and snacks for waiting families.  I REALLY appreciated this coming from our last experience, but we really didn't need it this time.  Just a few minutes from sitting down, we were told to go stand outside because the buses were coming.  

Alyssa (the XO's wife, her husband came home 10 days before and she kinda knew the ropes since she just did this) offered to come snap pictures for me.  It was so nice to not have to worry about capturing the moment and just be able to enjoy it.  Her husband came too and held my bag and helped us figure out the best place to meet Ben.

The last few moments of just us...waiting outside, playing 'Where's Waldo' in the sea of Marines, trying to find Ben.

P.S. Alison insisted that I curl my hair for the occasion.

Ben decided to forgo the bus and just walk over...I love that he's a rebel like that.  In hindsight, I wish I would have let the kids run to him when they first saw him, but I just really wanted this moment:

 

 

 

 

giving daddy lots of kisses

I loved that there was zero waiting, organization/communication, time to just enjoy and savor the moment and lots of people there to help with Ben's bags.  After snapping pictures, a couple of helpful marines loaded up our car and we were on our way back home.

We surprised Ben with a power tower waiting in the garage.  Happy Christmas/Birthday/Welcome Home!

Also good this time, Ben didn't stink!  He had been traveling for almost 2 days and was sweaty, but smelled like curry.  I'll take it!  He dished out trail mix for the kids to snack on while he cleaned up.

The boys were instantly in pj's.  I am so glad I didn't stress about their outfits for the day!  Then it was time for our tradition of souvenirs on our bed.

This was the part of the day that got me.  I thought I would cry when I saw Ben, but it felt like a dream; part of me thought it wasn't really happening and then part of me thought "of course we're together".  As he handed out gifts that he had gathered on his trips out in town, I saw how well he knows us and how much he thought of us while we were apart.  I'll post more later on the gifts, but for now, isn't this girl so pretty? 

Ben started unpacking and showed us all the medals he won while deployed.

I had enchiladas, black beans and guacamole waiting for our first dinner together.  Alison devoured dinner and commented on how long it's been since we've had a meal like that.  I know we're all ready for some good family meals.  The kids crashed at 7pm, the earliest they've been to bed in a long time.  They literally could not keep their eyes open and it just made me smile to see peace and rest overcome them.  Daddy's home.  We made it!