Updates, a New Year and a New Home!

A lot has happened in our lives in the past few months! Morgan got an ear infection, Halloween, another ear infection, Thanksgiving, Trip to Boston, New York City trip to see friends from England, Riley had a Christmas play, home to Texas for Christmas, Morgan turns 1, Morgan sick with pneumonia on Christmas day, Riley stomach bug then pink eye, Daddy sick with horrible stomach bug and unable to make our flight back to Newport, finally back to Newport and preparing for our move to Virginia, Morgan sick again with an ear infection, Morgan learns to walk, pack up our home, say goodbye to Newport, and the girls, Mimi and I head to Virginia (Daddy had to finish 4 more weeks of school). Riley became sick on the way down (flu), stayed one night in DC with Susan, arrived to our new (& beautiful!) empty home, Mimi flies back to TX, Boo flies in, Boo gets sick with flu (Riley still sick), Movers arrive a few days later to unload, Morgan sick (again) with ear infection, unpacking boxes, Boo leaves, unpacking boxes, Daddy flies home on weekends, Valentines weekend, unpacking boxes, playing outside on our swing set, unpacking boxes, Daddy graduates from Newport and drives to Virginia, kids finally healthy and happy, Morgan learns to self-soothe herself to sleep, Riley gets to play with friends she hasn't seen in awhile, and Daddy started work in Virginia Beach.

So, I'm sure I've left out other eventful things but for the most part that is what the McGuffie family have been up to for the last 3 months! PHEW! I've hardly had time to do online banking, much less fill in blog posting. I really really want to be better about this (I know I've said this before!) but I'm hoping to keep up on it. We love love love our home here in VB and are really enjoying being back in the "south" and a warmer area. We enjoyed Newport so much, but those cold wintry days were starting to take a toll on my skin! I don't think my knuckles will ever quite heal from all the dry skin.

The girls are great. Riley is getting so big and continues to amaze us each day with her funny and sassy personality. She loves to put on a show and be the center of attention. Morgan is changing so much and still our sweet little monkey. She is so shy and reserved, but don't let her fool you. She is one tough cookie!! She doesn't let her big sister push her around at all. Things that used to make Riley cry at this age Morgan just shrugs off and moves along. She is so little though, and strange to see her walking. It's so much fun watching these two girls grow together daily. I love my job!!! Even on the harder days! Time passes by so quickly so I'm trying to cherish each and every moment. Daddy finally finished shore duty and is now back to sea duty. I know it's going to be a shock to us after having him home (for the most part) these past 3 1/2 years. But we have been so blessed and lucky to have this time with him! I'm excited to watch him in his job on the ship and also excited for the girls to see Daddy on a ship. Not looking forward to the moments away, but we will get through it. Thankfully we have such wonderful friends and family to help us! We are so proud of him and all he is doing.

We have a beautiful home with plenty of room and would love visitors anytime! We should be here a little longer, so come on out!

Love,

Kelly

Riley, Boo and Pops in Texas at Christmas

Riley & Mimi in TX at Christmas

Me and the girls on the Staten Island Ferry heading into NYC (Statue of Lib behind us)

Riley and her best friend/birth buddy, Ruby, from the UK. They were born 5 days apart!

Me and the girls at the Presidio La Bahia in Goliad before Mimi's Christmas concert

Morgan and Josephine (cousins) born 12/23 and 12/24 2009. One year birthday party!

Morgan and I at my brother's house on Christmas Eve

Daddy reading "Night Before Christmas" to Riley

the girls on Christmas day (Morgan goes to hospital later this day for pneumonia!)

What a life...I grew up probably fishing in the exact same spot on the same lake...so happy she gets to do the same. Love our Texas visits!