Montana....no more

Yesterday Tim was informed that our family was denied medical clearance to Montana.  Basically, we cannot go to Montana because they do not have a pediatric nephrologist for Micah, (child kidney doctor).  We are a little bummed to know we will not be going there by April or at all, but also understand Micah's needs are being put first.  Ironically, after Micah had a sedated MRI in Santa Barbara last month they were able to downgrade his kidney disorder from a dysplastic kidney to an ectopic kidney, so we are thankful for that. 

As it stands, we will continue to be stationed here at Vandenberg.  Tim's current job ends in April of 2013 so there is talk of jobs here and there for him.  He is a great worker and many people know his work ethic so it is only a matter of time before someone snatches him up, (not to sound braggy about him).  Everything happens for a reason and this is one of those things that was meant to happen this way. 

Both boys do not seem to mind we are staying.  Micah can hopefully have his teacher from 1st grade who moved to 3rd grade this for next school year, and Noah is very familiar with the school Micah attends so starting Kindergarten for him next Fall should be an easy transition.  I also started working up at Micah's school as a fill-in noon duty aide and kinder recess aide so I can continue with that job for myself.

I am waiting for my Christmas cards I ordered to come in the mail and those will be sent out soon.  I hope you have a wonderful Christmas Season with all your friends and family. 

Camping at Wheeler Gorge & Tim's 30th Birthday

Since Tim was turning 30 this weekend it only seemed fitting that it was spent camping.  We went camping in the Los Padres National Forest at Wheeler Gorge, it was right outside Ojai California.  It was certainly in the heart of the forest, our camping area was covered by a canopy of huge mature trees.  We went on a bike ride and then walked and hiked down some rocks to a creek where Micah had a blast catching tadpoles.  All my boys had a great time, which makes me so happy.

My handsome boys 

Noah being a cutie!

Our camping spot

The creek

Jade is a natural-born nature girl and a good swimmer!

Micah man was completely in his element.

Mommy and her boys, love.

A leaf underwater in the creek.

Map reading, something all the boys love to do!  It's a Dillen thing.

Micah with his tadpole.

These were so yummy!

Noah's eye surgey

Last Thursday Noah had strubismus eye surgery, (loosening or tightening of the eye muscles).  So far he is doing great and the eyes look to be tracking and aligning much better with and without his glasses on.  The eye doctor said we will not see the most accurate results till 6-12 weeks post op.  Noah has been a trooper and was really only down for the count the day of surgery.  He bounced right back and has not been phased since. 

Getting ready for surgery, they personalized his pillow and gave him a few presents.

So far this is what the whites of his eyes have looked like, the redness is dissipating now.

They gave him a calming syrup before they got started with his IV and full sedation, the syrup had an amnesia effect to it so he has no recollection of the surgery.  He told Tim the IV mark on his hand was from falling off his bike.  Tim was able to take a couple days of leave for the surgery and I must say it was very helpful.  Tim is much more calm about these kinds of things than I am and Noah enjoyed cuddling and hanging out with daddy.

4th of July fun on Coronado Island

Our latest camping trip was literally in paradise! Tim found us a camping spot on Coronado Island called Fiddlers Cove Marina.  It is part of the naval base so the rate to camp was very affordable, (definite perk of being military).  What really blows my mind is so many families are stationed there, they actually live in paradise!  Really, anything you could ever want to see or do is in this area of CA.

The boys had a blast riding their bikes in the dirt, Noah eventually ditched his training wheels.

Our camp spot.

Cannot beat that view!

Photographers paradise!

Handsome boys.

San Diego does the Big Bay Boom, this year the fireworks accidentally all went off at once, the show lasted 15 seconds.  Major....OOPS, but it looked awesome when it happened!

Noah tried so hard to hang on for the fireworks but ended up falling asleep.

The beach where the Navy SEALS train was right behind us, this is their amphibious machine that drives on land and water.

Both boys have been making good progress on their swimming skills which delights me because I am not a strong swimmer and am very scared of the water.  Tim's parents condo has a pool and Noah pretty much learned to swim, (he only wears arm floaters now).  And Micah....he is so my son, he finally went from a life jacket to donut floaty around his waist.  He went without for a bit but hugged the wall the whole time.  He will get there eventually, he does not do well being pressured so he has to come around on his own.

 

The boys cousin Makenna was able to swim around one evening.

We have been to San Diego a lot of times since moving to California because Tim's parents live there, but we still find plenty of site seeing to do.  Tim's parents condo is in the heart of downtown San Diego so everything is at our fingertips, it is awesome!

One of our favorite places, especially the boys because of Wetzels Pretzels.

A view from the 40th floor of the Hyatt.

Coronado Bay Bridge, we had to cross this bridge to get to our campsite.

Sailboats in the bay as we were crossing the bridge.

The boys were able to spend two nights with grandma and grandpa, they loved that and Tim and I enjoyed the break also.  They loved getting to see their baby cousin Makenna.  And on the last night we were there we went to Kansas City Barbeque, it was yummy.

We went to Tim's parents church, it is so big and pretty, (great message as well)!

This was filmed in the Barbeque place we ate at.

Waiting for the train to cross so we could get back to Tim's parents place.

The boys with baby Makenna.

A day at the beach.

Today we had a great day! We went to Refugio State Beach just a 35-minute drive south of us with my new friend Valarie and her daughter Lily. Valarie's husband works with Tim so it is nice to get off base and do something we do not get to do every day, especially when you have others with you to explore new places . All the kids had a good time and I believe they enjoyed jumping in the waves the best, something my two would not do in the past. It was hard to find a worry in the world relaxing and sunbathing on the beach while the kids played. I guess maybe I need to live at the beach :)

Noah was pretending to be surfing.

I tried all day to catch these birds in flight, I finally did.

Cute kids!

For some reason I love these kind of palm trees.

There is a run off pond from the ocean and the kids played in it for a bit.

Worn out.

Sweet Micah man.