The Troops-Random Photos

It's been awhile since I have posted....here are some random pictures of the Tucker Troops.


Lucey is all set for the cold wintry weather we have been having. FYI--She has snow pants and boots too.....this day was just a-run errands-day.

Some quiet time to kick back and relax.

Andrew, Christian and Adam's first snow day on Dec. 8th. Andrew and Christian were up early and ready to shovel. When you're 11...it's sooooo much fun. Adam is still in bed of course. On a side note....Doesn't this look like Grant Wood's "American Gothic"--hee, hee. I mean ho-ho-ho!

When you're two, house hold chores are sooooo much fun. The back pack is a must these days.

My handsome Adam.

Dec. 1st... Thank you to the Butler's who sent early Christmas presents to The Troops.....The boys knew what they were and were eagerly anticipating this day. These calendars are so fun, cute and delicious too.

Andrew is bundled this morning for a cold walk to school.

Christian.....My Happy guy!

Check back soon, I'm working on updating my blog (Nov. journaling....) we have been so busy and my lap top gave out. I have had to download my pictures on to our desk top. I'm trying to adjust. This may be a blogging no-no but I'm going to go back and post the original dates to my entries...you will have to scroll past this entry to see my new posts.

I love this time of year and we are focusing on all of the many blessings in our lives...especially Lucey and what a gift she is to our family. I hope you too are feeling blessed during this Holy Season.

Love,

Beth

My Boy Scouts

Andrew and Christian are new Boy Scouts. Today they got themselves ready to sell wreaths for their troop fundraiser. I did not tell them to get ready or prompt them to be responsible to do their part. They, on their own, wanted to go sell their wreaths because they have enthusiasm to do so. They are so excited about scouting. I'm thrilled that they are self-motivated. It hasn't always been that way for my guys. It's been a journey in maturing (and we are still working on this). I pat them on the back today and say, "good for you guys!"


The boys practiced how to stand tall and speak up. They rehearsed what they were going to say and they worked out a sales plan. Adam helped them too and went along with them for safety and a bit of reassurance. "Thank you Adam, for encouraging them."

Lucey wanted to be in a picture too...."Peace!"

While they are out....I'm registering Adam for the ACT...There is always something that needs to be attended to. This is important for Adam and he has been taking time on the weekends to prepare for this exam. Life is exciting and the boys are growing up. They have their areas of interest and responsibilities. It's such an exhausting time rewarding-busy time in our lives right now. There are days I do miss those little years when Adam was 5 and the twins were in their exersaucers spinning around and giggling...it was busy looking after them but it really was a very simple time. Those years went fast. (Now I sound like an old Mom.) What a blessing to have Lucey in our lives....it takes me back to those years. I really appreciate more now than ever, sitting on the floor and reading, doing puzzles, counting, colors and watching a little one learn. Preparing a little one for the real world....thank you Lord that I'm trusted to do this all over again.

Company Comes

We had the pleasure of having the Bilslands come and stay overnight with us. It was a quick visit but Jeanne and I managed to get in a lot of visiting time. Just what we needed.

Jeanne's daughter, Megan, is 4....she is beautiful....such a beautiful complexion.

We live right next to the "Big House." That's what Leavenworth is known for. I took our guests to see the buffalo that roam in the fields near the penitentiary...unfortunately they were in the far field and we really could not see them. We did stop to take a peek at the look out point.

Here it is....it was the largest maximum security federal prison in the United States from 1903 until 2005. It is now a medium security prison. Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly, and the Birdman of Alcatraz, Robert Stroud are an example of famous inmates who were imprisoned here.

I could not get a good picture of the kids....it was so windy and bright. Here is the best shot. Jack(Jeanne's son) is on the far left, Andrew, Christian holding Lucey's hands, and Megan.

Jeanne and I--

"Thank you Jeanne, for traveling to see us....I really enjoyed our time together."

An Elegant Pumpkin

I had a few Halloween decorative pieces around the house. I'm not a huge fan of Halloween but I do want to make it fun for the kids. I was more than happy to pack Halloween up and send those few things back to the basement shelf.

I'm hosting Thanksgiving in my home this year and I'm looking for some new, festive arrangements that are fresh and elegant.

I found this simple yet lovely pumpkin here. I'll let you know if I manage to reproduce something similar. In my spare time of course.

Halloween Fun

Last night, our small cul-de-sac of 4 families spent the evening together. Thank you Tanna and Ken for hosting such a fun gathering. We started out at their house with yummy food and warm sugary drinks for the kids and some adult variety for the older crowd. After we ate, the kids and a few of the parents went trick-or-treating. There are so many houses filled to the brim with families here on Ft. Leavenworth....so much candy was brought home last night.

Here is Lucey before getting on her costume. She has her Hello Kitty basket ready.

Adam was off to a dance this evening dressed as a "classy pirate."

I prepared some fun foods to take...."mummy dogs," "witch's hats," and "cheese fingers." Yum! Click on the photo for a close up....

Between our 4 homes we have 16 kids. This is a picture of a few of them. Don't they look great!

Lucey and Whitney....

Our neighbor's dog was dressed just like Tanna.... How fun.

Our Weasley Twins are off to get some loot.

Lucey is not sure of what is going on but she is enjoying herself.

I have one tired bunny on my lap.

We enjoyed sitting around the fire chatting and laughing with our neighbors. What a fun evening!

The Character Parade

Today, Andrew and Christian went to school as Fred and George Weasley, the identical twins in the Harry Potter Book series. This week was Red Ribbon Week--A Campaign against drugs....you can learn more about that, HERE. Every day during Red Ribbon Week they do something fun. Today, the kids chose a favorite book and went as a character from that book. The boys were so excited about their costumes. They enjoy being The Tucker Twins but they couldn't wait to go on parade as the Weasley Twins.

I dressed Lucey up in her bunny costume that she will wear tomorrow night. It didn't take her long to understand the whole idea of dress up. She was the bunny from Pat The Bunny.

It was a very chilly morning. Lucey and I walked to the school since I knew parking would be limited. I was a little late thankfully....the older kids did not come out until the end. Andrew-Left, Christian-Right.

The school mascot, Torres, was dressed as Aslan from The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe. He is the sweetest dog. The children light up when they see him.

Our fun morning quickly went south when Lucey fell face first into the pavement as she was walking to the stroller. She was bleeding right into the white bunny face (Spray and Wash worked wonders). I scooped her up and ran back into the school where the school nurse was standing. She jumped into action with her gloves and gauze. It took awhile for the bleeding to stop. Lucey was crying so hard that the blood was pooling in her mouth. A Popsicle finally made her calm dawn and the bleeding to stop. Poor thing had a fat lip for Halloween. Her lip looked much worse on the inside where her teeth punctured her lip. I felt so bad for her. She does get off balance easily and I try to hold her hand when we are about and about. I was in a hurry and let her walk on her own. Live and learn.

To Florida and Back

On October 18th I flew to Tampa, FL for 4 days to meet Ron at the USAREC Leadership Training Conference. Nana and Papa came to watch the kids. I organized for a week so Mom and Dad wouldn't feel too overwhelmed by our crazy schedule. It was a busy time for them but they all managed very well. Lucey was attached to my Mom and felt very comfortable with Nana taking care of her. Thank you Jesus for the answered prayers. Thank you so much Mom and Dad---Ron and I appreciated the time away and knowing the kiddo were in safe hands.

Tampa is a beautiful city. Ron and I had time to ourselves the first night. He took me to a spectacular seafood place where we ate wild salmon and huge, hand picked scallops. They were sauteed to perfection. After the first night....we had a very busy schedule. It was worth all the hard work getting there. I had a busy pace but it was nice to not have to worry about anyone but me.

Dinner At The O'Connell's

What a treat to spend the evening with my Auntie M, Uncle Paul, Cousins Paul and Chris and their beautiful families.

We had delicious food and great fellowship --"Uncle Paul, I need to get your garlic potato recipe from you!"

I saw my cousins quite a bit when I was growing up. Now that we all have families and we move around so much, I don't get to see them as often. What a great time we had.

"Aunt Marianne, you still look beautiful even with your eyes closed....it's a great picture." :-)

My Cousin Paul and his wife Stephanie gave Lucey wonderful gifts. Our favorite-- A Mel*ssa and D*ug puzzle and a sweet book....I'm not going to write the author's name...I'll mispell that for certain. It's one we love! Thank you so much! A child can't have enough puzzles and books especially if your name happens to be Lucey.

We have to have that group shot with the kiddos....they grow up so fast. Paul's daughter was so good with Lucey and entertained her the entire time. Their son and our twins are close in age so they had a great time talking and catching up. Paul--your kids are wonderful!

I'm really trying to be sensitive to anyone not comfortable with having their names and faces posted on our blog. I totally understand. "Chris, we really enjoyed visiting with you and Emily. Adam especially had a great time catching up....BTW what were you three whispering about any way?" Just kidding. ;-)

Let's get together again soon!

PS. Happy Birthday Jennifer! We toasted you and Grandpa Orlando this evening!

M.I.Z --- Z.O.U!

Ron and Andrew spent this evening in Columbia to see a Mizzou game together. Last month Christian saw Illinois play Mizzou in St. Louis with Ron. A few weeks ago Adam went to a Chief's game with Ron....it's Andrew's turn. They had VIP seating too. Even though Mizzou lost, Andrew called me and told me what fun he was having. Ron's job is so busy; he is really trying to steal time away with each of us.

Andrew is ready with book in hand.

This was work for Ron--that's why he is wearing the uniform. It's still fun getting to rub elbows with the Mizzou organization.

"Have Fun!"

More Soccer...

Soccer season is coming to an end. I think there are three more weeks of games left. It's been a tough season for Adam's team. They continue to play hard but I know deep down they are ready for it to come to an end.

A random shot; Adam is somewhere out on the field--in white. I'm hoping for a zoom lens for Christmas...just in case a certain someone is reading this blog. Craig, you may want to give Ron a little help with this one.

It was a chilly, crisp day. Lucey brings her books everywhere. Okay, soccer and astronomy. Whatever, it doesn't matter, she loves all books.

Time to run.

I recently heard someone describe an angled bob haircut as "soccer mom hair" is this true? Is that me? That's fine...at my age, it just doesn't matter what people think.

This is what matters...being here supporting Adam and and having my kids close to me.

Lucey is a Daddy's girl.

I'm sitting here contemplating a few things so I'm just going to put it out there....

We can watch our kids in any activity and truly enjoy it because they belong to us and we are proud of them. Our kids have never been the "star" of anything they have done. They just give what ever they are doing their best shot. That's all we ask of them. I have heard parents complain that they were bored watching their kids and that they would rather be somewhere else than at that certain activity...now that I have kids of my own, I just can't relate to that at all. Our boys have been in concerts, plays and have played sports-- even the little things like giving the daily announcements at school....I love being there...I love cheering them on. It's a privilege. Since most of you blog about your families, I know you can relate.