Adios Week 5... You were not so terrible!

Week 5 is over... Week 3 of Basic...

No one is sad to see week 5 go. We will celebrate next weekend when week 6 is past us and we are over the hump, the half way point if you will.

This week Michael did land navigation and obstacle courses. He was an all star at both to no ones surprise. He really enjoyed the land nav stuff as it reminded him of boy scouts and hope it is part of his real job. Land nav & flying helicopter... hmmm they don't seem to be in the same job description but you never know with the Army. Michael also did his first ruck march. He said he was good 3/4 of the way through before his feet really started hurting him. Apparently the warm weather boots are not his fav and he was going to sneak the cold weather boots the next day and see if he can get away with it. Have not yet heard the result of that. Also, Michael is very proud of the fact that he has not been singled out once or caused everyone to get smoked (worked out for screwing up). The guys that have are on his sh*t list for sure. Last weekend they got to go to a carnival of sorts on post. It was set up by some outside vendor for the guys in basic. Michael enjoyed a coke even though it didn't have rum in it (haha). The next morning they paid for it with just a few push-ups so well worth it.

He is finally receiving our letters and I can tell! The tone of his letters is a lot more upbeat. Sundays are the hardest days for him. Although he enjoys a day of rest and freetime it is boring and gives the guys too much time to think and miss home.

For Ethan & I this week was much better. The fact that we have real communication back and forth I think has helped. Miss Michael like crazy and cannot wait to see him in April. Love you all and hope everyone is doing well!

TTFN,
Ali

Michael's Basic Training Graduation Present

Hello Everyone!

First, I am a planner so I have been thinking about this since Michael left for basic and finally think I has a solid idea for his basic trainign graduation gift. A little cheesy but he is definately going to appreciate it.

The idea is that I gather pictures from all of our friends & family (groups or individually) holding a sign saying congratulations however you would like to say congratulations to Michael. I want these pictures to have your own personal flair to them. For example, I will take a picture of Ethan & Ace dressed in camo with a sign that says Congratulations Dad. I am then going to order a photo book with all the pictures.

So think of how you would say congratulations to Michael and take your picture! Everyone email or text me your pictures by Friday, March 20th so I have time to put them together and order the book.

Please all of Michael's friends or family know.

Thanks!
Ali

Em. alisonlynnmcgregor@hotmail.com
Cl. 801-652-2040

Easy Like Sunday Mornings

Most relaxing Sunday ever. My baby boy is getting so big.

We Love Mexican Food!

Maddi Grace was so excited to feed Ethan rice. Ethan wasn't so sure about it, but played along perfectly.

Just cute!

Look at little E Dog in the background. He looks so concerned.

Close up girls! Kristina & I had a Layers Clothing Trunk Show earlier in the day. How do you like our new shirts!

Meme & Maddi Grace. Maddi sure loves her Meme!

Attention Attention! Ethan is officially WALKING!

Big day on Thursday, February 19th!

Ethan officially took his first steps all on his own.

I picked him up from daycare and his cousins Mailai & KJ were so excited yelling "Ethan can walk, he can walk" as soon as I stepped in the door. KJ set Ethan down and off he went walking across the room. We were all very excited. Hopefully I can get some video of his walking this weekend and will posts for all to enjoy.

Craven the Craisen

Definately my son!

I love craisens, one of the first nights Mike & I lived together he ran to the store super late to get me some. Also, while I was pregnant it is basically all I ate. They are one super delicious snack. So glad Ethan has discovered the craisens! :p

Goodbye Week 4... Really glad to see you go!

So Mike has been away for 4 weeks, 2 weeks in actual basic training.

On the 12th Mike went through the famous gas chamber. He said it wasn't so bad and was glad he wasn't one of the duds who dropped his things and had to go back in to get it. Also, there is hope that Mike's basic training will be shortened to not interfere with his officer school in April. This is really exciting to me and means Ethan & I would be headed to Georgia the first week in April to see his graduation.

Video of Ft. Benning Gas Chamber! (Lucky Mike)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Uz4DDMEh1A

No phone call this last Sunday as I was hoping but maybe this Sunday. Still getting letters daily! Hope everyone is doing well!

Cheers,
Ali

Ethan is so cool ;)

To Each Their Own!

Just too stinkin' cute to not share! This is how Ethan now rides in the cart. He has added his own personal style to a once boring event. Ethan knows exactly where he is going! ;)

Ethan @ MY GYM!

This morning Ethan enjoyed his very first My Gym class. He had a ton of fun and did very well playing with other kids. While we were there Ethan took a couple steps by himself between two big balls. I know walking is coming any second, I can feel it!

Super Spoiled!

As you can probable imagine I was anticipating a very sad Valentine's Day w/out Michael home. Today I was completely blown away by two flower deliveries. Michael sent me the lavender roses, which mean love at first sight. Mike, Michael's Dad, sent me the colorful roses on Michael's behalf.

The flowers from Michael completely took my breath away. I know he had to plan ahead, the card enclosed brought tears to me eyes, and just confirmed how amazing he is. The floweres from Michael's Dad were so incredibly thoughtful I am so please to be apart of this family. Thank you boys for making the Valentine's Day the best.

LOVE YOU MICHAEL SCOTT!

Ali
(I got whispy writing this)

Goodbye Week 3!

Week 3 has ended which also signifies the end of week 1 of basic traning. The above picture is my mental image of how I think Mike is spending the majority of his time.

Ethan & I are finally adjusted to Mike being away but still miss him like crazy. The communication we have is incredible; receiving letters every other day and a phone call every Sunday. I always know I am in for a good laugh when I see a letter from Mike in the mailbox. He is making some good memories and will have some hillarious stories to share with everyone.

Hope everyone is doing well and I will continue to update you on how all of us are doing!

Darling Ethan Moments!

Ethan humored me tonight and let me snap a few shots of us. We spent a long day at the doctors office. You can kind of see his puffy eyes, which look a lot better.

Ethan can text! He loves to pretend with Moms crackberry.

Playing dress up... HAHA! Mom helped to get the jersey on ;)

Too stinkin' cute!

Happy Valentines Day!

Off the bottle!

Ethan is amazing, as if you didn't already know. Sunday night I gave him a sippy cup instead of his usual bottle and he didn't even care. The bottles have been put away and are gone and out of Ethan's life forever. Big day! So proud of him!

New Discovery I must Share....

www.layersclothing.com

I discovered this website and met with a local rep and love their clothes. It is not what you think it is actually really cute clothes by a local designer. Also, everything from their winter collections is 50% off. They are super cute and great quality. Kristina & I will be have a trunk show in the next few weeks. There will also be discounted styles that are no longer on the website. I cannot even begin to tell you how fantastic I think these clothes are.

Let me know what you think & I will keep you posted on our trunk show!

Mike finally started BCT!

I got a letter today from Mike dated 2/3/09. He started basic yesterday morning, 2/7/09, and will graduate in 10 weeks. He sounded good and is excited to finally get the ball rolling. I will keep everyone updated and let you know as soon as I get an address where we can mail him letter.

Cheers,
Ali

Two phone calls on Sunday! I am so super spoiled.

Mike called twice yesterday. We got to talk for about an hour total. It was so so so nice to have communication now. He has had lots of time to write letters so check your mailbox. He is doing really good but has not started basic yesterday. Also, Mike may not be staying @ Ft. Benning for basic. I will let everyone know when he starts and where. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he takes on his first Army adventure!

Ali