First Hair Cut

Paige had her first hair cut this week. On a whim, Papa and I took her at 8pm to Great Clips, so we didn't have a camera at the salon, but we took pictures as soon as we got home. I had Candy, little P's first hair dresser, clean up the back and give her bangs so we'll hopefully avoid having all her hair in her eyes when it's down. Paige behaved pretty well at the salon with me holding her on my lap and Papa feeding her mini m&ms. She eventually got tired of having her hair combed and she REALLY didn't like the hair dryer. But I guess since there were minimal tears and I like the end result, it was a success!

Mail

I just sent a package to Ben yesterday, and it occured to me that maybe others would be interested in sending some mail his way. It's not expensive, and it gets there super fast. The last package I sent got there in 4 days! Here's his address:

SSG Benjamin Reed
D.Co. 142nd MI BN / TF Wasatch
Bagram AF
APO AE 09354

BTW, I'm not trying to solicit letters for Ben, I just wanted people to know how to send him something if they wanted to.

VTC

Here is Paige talking to her daddy via video teleconference (VTC) this morning. Ben got wireless internet to his barracks earlier this week so now we get to talk to him using Skype. SOOOO awesome! Paige was jumping up and down and laughing like crazy when she first saw him on the computer screen, and now when she sees the laptop closed she tries to open it up to see if Ben is there. We really are so blessed to have this technology. Even though he's literally half way around the world, it makes us feel a little closer to be able to talk face-to-face.

Fun in the Sun

My sister, Jennifer, gave this awesome blow-up splash park to Papa for Father's Day. She figured since he likes to play with the babies AND he's going to be spending a lot of time at the River this summer that this would be good for both. Paige tested it out yesterday and it was a hit! If you look closely at the top picture you can see the water squirting out everywhere. All you have to do is blow up the whale, the rainbow, the palm tree, and the slide, and then attach a garden hose, and viola! Instant splash park. A must have for a hot summer with toddlers.

Squatter

This is little P's favorite way to relax. If she's walking around and needs to take a break, she just squats for a second or two. It's funny to me because I think that looks so uncomfortable.

Shack Living

Here are a few pictures of Ben's living arrangements on his deployment. He basically lives in a large plywood shack with 5 other guys, and the shack is divided up into 6 "rooms". Each room is different - whatever you end up with is whatever the last guy left behind. They have A/C but no heat. His climate is similar to Utah County, maybe a little hotter in the summer. He has relaxed grooming standards, meaning he can grow his hair, a beard, and wear civilian clothes. These pictures were taken about a month ago.
Ben's beard. His comrades have nicknamed him 'Wolverine' or 'Logan' because of the way his beard grows in. Maybe he wouldn't want me to tell you that?
Ben's bed. Looks comfy?
Ben's closet.
Ben's desk and storage space.

To Paige's Daddy

I don't even know where to begin. I could go with my idea to write from Paige's point of view, but I have no idea how to do that without it turning out make-you-want-to-barf cheesy or just really really sad. So I'll just say it straight, like I always do. We miss you, Ben. Especially on Father's Day. The fact that Paige misses her daddy is obvious by the way she is glued to the computer screen whenever I play clips of you reading stories, and it's especially obvious by the way she squeals with delight for the entire minute and thirty second clip of the two of you playing "dada get you". Don't worry, I make sure to spend at least a few minutes a day rough-housing with her so she'll be ready for you when you come home. I assure you, she enjoys it. In fact, I laid down on the floor today while she was playing with her farm animals and SHE attacked ME out of no where, laughing the whole time. Although no one can substitute for you as her father, I think we've done a sastisfactory job on the critical points so far. I've compiled the following short list to show that in your absence we are not "ruining" her by making her too girly: 1) She's learned how to kick a soccer ball recently. She's actually a very good dribbler; her knees hit the ball as she walks, pushing it along in front of her. 2) She still rips hair bows off of her head whenever it occurs to her that one is there. 3) She can fake burp (thank you Papa). 4) She loves dogs - even big ones. And 5) she is not afraid to get dirty, likes to eat rocks, and she can hold her own with 'big' kids (Maggie and Andrew who are 18 months and 21 months). However, she is still the cuddly little girl you love that showers open mouth kisses and gives hugs like there's no tomorrow. And she looks pretty in dresses and pigtails and she likes to dance and sing. (That last bit was more for me - to reassure myself that my daughter is not a tomboy).

My Father's Day gift to you (besides the package that I already sent, and the fact that I haven't turned your daughter into a frufru girl) is that I try very hard to help her remember you, and Paige's Father's Day gift to you is that she still does.

Thank you for being a wonderful father to our daughter, and making us proud every day. We love you and Happy Father's Day!

Bed Head

This child continues to have some of the best bed head ever.

Paradise

Here's a short video (2 min 20 sec) of our recent trip to the Colorado River. Man, did we have a lot of fun?! We've been going to the River for as long as I can remember and specifically to the Water Wheel Resort ever since my mom and Ruben married 20 years ago. We were there for 10 days this trip and plan on going back for 3 whole weeks in July! Paige is a true river baby in every sense; she liked the water, the boat, riding in the tube, and playing on the beach. Sun, water, sand, and skiing . . . What's not to love? Big, big, HUGE thanks to Honey & Papa!