Birthday Parties & Train Rides!

This past Saturday we had a fun filled day. Nathan's best little friend had her 3rd birthday. She had a bowling party on base and the kids loved it. They got to bowl, have pizza and cake, who could ask for anything more when you're three? It was a great time and the kids truly enjoyed it.

 The neat thing about having your kid's birthday party at the bowling ally is that they set everything up and its very affordable. At Tyndall they supply the decorations, 2 lanes, a few pizza, unlimited drinks, and a gift for the kiddo.

the birthday girl

The cake...it looks great from a far....

for some reason Nathan was obsessed with the water fountain...at least he was hydrated right?

After an afternoon of bowling we headed to Bristol, Fl to go to Veterans Memorial Railroad to ride on one of their trains. They have the cutest small trains ever. They have an actual live coal steam engine that we waited in line forever to ride, but it was def worth it. Our little man was so excited over it! We really enjoy going to this little railway and is def better than any Thomas train ride we've been on so far! We will def go several more times while we live in Florida!! And its not too far so def a must see/do if you're in the area!

There was a live Santa show along the ride

Various displays and lights

A live Nativity which was beautiful

the other engine that was running that night as well

the engine we rode

Nathan is convinced that Santa comes and takes little kids toys (I still can't figure out why he believes that) so Santa left him a special gift in the car.

Tyndall AFB to love it or to hate it?

As with all new assignments you never know if you're going to love a base or hate it. When we initially learned we were moving to Florida my first instinct was to hate it. I mean we NEVER wanted to live in Florida EVER. It was one of our top five places we never ever wanted to live and guess were we end up! It figures right! I seriously have like the worst luck in the world! Ok not the worst but when stuff like that happens it sure feels like the worst!

It has been about 19 months since we've been here and I have to say the town is a little smaller than I'd like but it is slowly growing on us. Granted this is not where we want to retire and spend forever but its a decent right now this is where we have to be spot.

I really liked it when we got here. I thought it was going to be amazing and then of course I got over the new and honey moon stage. Had to go through the meeting of people, making new friends, figuring out who was full of shit and who was worth being around and all that really makes you dislike a place. Like seriously dislike the place having to wade through drama and just pure bullshit to find the few people who are actually worth knowing. I am happy to say that I have found my few people which make my time here so much better. Now that we've gotten over that hump I don't mind it here.

We're not those people who don't leave base and think our whole life is revolved around base and base life alone thankfully. We like to get out explore and so far we love Tallahassee. We've driven to Alabama and Georgia for various events. We've found a train place in Bristol, FL for our little man. I mean yes we have to drive to find somethings to do but we don't mind it at all. Little man is an amazing traveler, he loves getting out and doing new things, so it all works for us.

I will personally never understand the ones who don't wander outside of base life. Some of my most favorite people from past bases have been locals and you can't find them if you limit yourself to mil people only, but to each their own I guess!

Now that we've learned the area, found things we like to do, and have a house all of our own we're ok here. We're happy in our own little world but I think we could do that anywhere we're sent as long as we're together!

Changes, Changes, Changes...Isn't that what life is all about?!?!

A few months ago I posted that we were moving to Texas and although I would have been excited to move there and live we had a change in plans and will be staying in Florida! Its both a blessing and a disappointment but we're happy to be staying. It would have been a lot of time away from my amazing hubby and we'd have one unhappy little man!

On a great note though we bought a house! We are officially home owners and we love it so far! We bought a brand spanking new house and its pretty freaking awesome if I do say so myself! I just got a new phone and as soon as I can figure out how to post them on here I will!

And guess what its the end of the year and the holiday season! I am thrilled we're in our first home and we get to spend Christmas here! We are having some of our military family over Christmas day and it will be awesome like normal :) Making ham and sides and yummy desserts and we're going to get nice and fat and it will all be worth it! LOL

We haven't finished the Lego  table but it will be done soon! Apparently I don't know how to sand properly and you have to use at least three different types of sanding paper before you can paint! I would have just scrubbed off the old stuff and slapped on some paint and apparently that is WRONG, so I am still impatiently waiting to learn to do it the "right way" LOL. It will look faboulous in the end though I'm sure!!

We have lots of activities coming up that I will definitley post about :) I know many of you have probably been wondering about my amazing little guy who is turning into such an amazing and smart big guy which is heart breaking :( Pics will soon come after our weekend of fun stuff!

Our Home!

We decided after much discussion that we would live on base. Moving is freaking expensive and needing furniture and not having to put deposits down on a base house made it the obvious choice. At this base there are SEVERAL different areas of housing all being built at different times so there is old housing, new housing and everything in between. We opted for older housing and we're actually so happy that we did. Our neighbor is quiet, we have the bay literally behind our home, we have the most amazing trees in our front lawn, and we just don't have to bother with all the kids and traffic that the newer housing areas deal with since everyone wants to live there. Our home is small, but it forced me to go through boxes that we haven't opened in years from previous moves. We don't have a garage or a laundry room but those aren't things that will kill us. We're happy with our choice even if others think we're crazy but hey we're pocketing part of our BAH and they're not so yet another plus in our column! Here's our house :) Don't judge, its cozy and perfect for a little family like ours!