The Army Goes Rolling Along

Well, I can cross another thing off my bucket list: road trip cross country. It wasn't nearly as glamorous as I imagined but it was exciting! We took the scenic route because we drove to Georgia for Dallas' OCS graduation, stayed there for a week, and then headed up to our new home in Virginia.

Leaving Idaho

The girls seriously did amazing. They loved the unlimited movies and snacks. My sister and brother-in-law, who are awesome, gave us a big basket of snacks and treats that lasted the whole way to Georgia.

And Dallas drove every mile of the trip and pumped every gallon of gas. What a trooper!

Wyoming. Lovely place. Maybe we'll move there someday? 

I was going to try and take a picture of each state sign, but I missed all of them except Kansas. 

Tulsa from a moving car.

Arkansas. We stayed with Dallas cousin's cute family one night there. We pulled into their house at 2 am and we had the privilege of seeing Bracken in his bathrobe.

Driving through Memphis

Amaya passed out on the floor in Alabama. We stayed at the most ghetto motel outside of Birmingham.

Our faithful driver catching some Zzzz's.

I was not kidding about the motel being ghetto. This is the view from our hotel doorway. A cemetery...

...on two sides...creepy...

Alabama. Man do those people love their football! We taught Oaklie to say, "Roll Tide!"

Heading into Georgia. It was the longest drive! And we drove it in 3 1/2 days. Amaya and Oaklie were seriously the best. And we were so lucky that no one threw up in the car!

Playing on the playground in Georgia. Can't beat that January weather!

This outfit is courtesy of "Peeing my Pants at the Park."

Hanging out on our cabin's porch...in January. I can't get over the great weather!

And if you're wondering about the title of this post, we had the privilege of hearing Dallas and his class sing the Army Song at his graduation. I thought it pretty well summed up our drive!

First to fight for the right,

And to build the Nation’s might,

And The Army Goes Rolling Along

Proud of all we have done,

Fighting till the battle’s won,

And the Army Goes Rolling Along.

Then it's Hi! Hi! Hey!

The Army's on its way.

Count off the cadence loud and strong.

For where e’er we go,

You will always know

That The Army Goes Rolling Along.

I'll Be Home for Christmas

We had a great Christmas this year! Here's a few pre-Christmas pictures.

Enjoying the suckers they bought with their Christmas money from Great-Grandma Breedlove.

Gingerbread houses we made at Activity Days.

We call Oaklie the nighttime hoarder. After bedtime, she gets out of bed and gather a variety of items in her bed for a few minutes. Then she falls asleep. Why is still a mystery to us.

Dallas came home right before Christmas! When we were driving to pick him up "I'll Be Home for Christmas" came on the radio. It was very fitting! The girls hadn't seen their dad in almost THREE months! I told them we were going on a drive to pick up a surprise present. They were so surprised and excited when they saw Dallas get off the bus! (He took a shuttle from SLC to Rexburg)

Waiting for Dad to show up.

They were glued to Dallas' side for three weeks. Talk about Daddy's girls. 

Notice the stack of boxes--we moved right after Christmas. It was a blast.

We spent Christmas Eve with the Abrams' family. The girls got to ride Grandma and Grandpa's new pony.

The annual nativity. This year Amaya was an angel and Oaklie was a shepherd. It seems like we always have a new baby to be Baby Jesus.

Christmas morning.

Reading the Christmas story

Coming downstairs

New bikes woo! I got a sweet deal on these online.

Amaya's favorite present was the tea party set.

Oaklie's was her "tricycle".

And dress up clothes! 

Great-Grandma Baxter gave the girls Color Wonder markers and Amaya is still obsessed with them. She worked on this picture for half an hour. It's a princess in a purple dress on top of a tower.

They got this fancy piano from Grandma and Grandpa Clark. It's like a baby Clavinova with fancy buttons and a real microphone. So fun!

It was a long day.

The day after Christmas I had my FIFTH and final surgery of the year to take out my port, do another biopsy, and move a few things back in place :) We moved the next week. Needless to say it was exhausting. Thankfully we had tons of help with the kids, help moving, help cleaning, and so much more. Our family is awesome and were total lifesavers.

Of course I looked magazine worthy the whole time. Right.