Our Little 50s Kids on Halloween

We had such a blast on Halloween! Taylor was a "poodle skirt," if you asked her, and Cooper was her 50s counter part! They were darling! We went trick-or-treating in Laguna Niguel with their cousins Maya & Teagen... to begin the night. We then met up with the Dixon/Wilmoth families in Long Beach, and Taylor and Cooper were able to trick-or-treat with their cousins Cressa, Kreeley, and Ginn. I think Taylor got the hang of it by the end of the night when she went trick-or-treating down our street, going up to each door ALL BY HERSELF!

The Big Hunk!

Taylor's ready to dance!

Taylor, Cooper, Teagen, & Maya

The little guys!

The big girls!

"Trick-or Treat!"

Happy Halloween!

Happy Harvesting!

So, we went to the "puckinpach" (yes...all one word) last week. Taylor LOVED it! Taylor had a blast in the petting zoo, rode her very own elephant and train rides, and even rode her very first pony. Cooper loved walking around the BIG pumpkins. It was quite a trip! At the end, Taylor picked out the perfect "puckinpach" (which is what she now calls all pumpkins)!

Fall trip to Lake Tahoe

We were very fortunate to be able to slip away after Scott's crazy month away and Cooper's birthday party. On Sunday morning (after the party), we drove up to Lake Tahoe with the family. We met Lindsey and the Hustead gang up there for the week. The girls had so much fun together (although I'm sure Taylor wore on Maya's nerves after a few days of wanting to do EVERYTHING she was doing). Poor Cooper had 100-102 degree temperature for the first few days, and wasn't much fun for Teagen (or Mommy & Daddy through the night). But they did get to play toward the end of the week! Even though it was a long drive, it was fun to spend time with Scott and the kids. We even got a date night while Chad and Lindsey watched all the kids at the house. It was quite a treat!

Daddy taught Taylor to fish for the first time!

Cooper's first breakfast in bed (a family tradition).

His favorite, waffles! Poor Cooper...not feeling great on his birthday...had a little help with the candle on his cake!

Cooper couldn't quite make it through his birthday day!

Daddy and Taylor checking out the view from the deck.

Taylor had to do her "homework" every day, just like Maya!

Eating again?!!

Our day at Sqwa Valley (a little windy)!

Daddy & Taylor on the Kayak

Cute beach babes!

Taylor's first time tubing!

Kendra & Lindsey Tubing

Scott & Lindsey "surfing" on the tube

A beautiful day on the lake!

But NOT such a calm LONG ride back! Thankfully the kids were asleep!

Wish we were still there!

Happy First Birthday Cooper!

It was a wonderful beach, bug party! It was so much fun to have all our family and friends come celebrate such a special little boy. As you can see below, Cooper especially loved his first taste of cake! Taylor's highlight was either feeding Cooper his cake, or the party boat she enjoyed with Daddy, Uncle Fletcher, and some of her friends! Thank you to everyone who spent their Saturday at the beach with us!

Scott, Kendra, Taylor & Cooper Dixon

Scott is home!!!!!!!! Yay!!!! His homecoming was amazing! We waited for him at the station, as they were stuck in "wonderful" 91 frwy traffic. We had a little picnic while we waited (for about 2 LONG hours). When they drove up, we cheered as each truck drove past! Taylor was SOOO excited, she RAN to greet him when he stepped out of the truck! They were practically inseperable for the rest of the night! Cooper and I walked (kinda ran) to greet them, and Cooper also went right to him, and did not want to let go! Scott was so excited to be back. He keeps saying, "I love this bed"..."I love this couch"..." I love living here".
Thanks again for all your support. As soon as the pictures are sorted, we will get those up!
Kendra

YAY!!!!!! Scott is coming home! He left Houston this morning, and plans on arriving in Long Beach on Friday evening! What a happy day!

Well, as I'm sure you are all aware...the storm passed through Texas, and did remarkable damage. Scott was on lock-down through the night (in the Houston convention center). There was a bit of evidence from the storm during the night... A vent blew off of the roof, leaving exposed flooding in one of the hallways... They also lost power at one point, which led to the generator kicking in, which then turned on ALL of the lights in the middle of their "slumber". Once the storm passed and day broke, it was "hurry up and wait," in the words of Scott. They were finally sent out to Beaumont, then Port Arthur, and to their final destination of the day (which was actually very late at night), Orange, TX (right on the border of Louisiana). Tonight they will be staying in a High School Gym in Orange, where they will be able to shower and sleep with about 50 service men/women...and NO AIR! It sounded to me that although they covered a lot of ground today, the did not have to utilize any rescue relief. He said that the town was eerily vacant. He said that the water level was extremely high. They did respond to a call of 9 people stuck in an attic, but once they responded, the family was not there, and had left a white flag in the window.

If nothing else, this has been a hectic day of nervous communication, a tremendous day of relief that Scott and his team are safe, and a hopeful day... that there is an end in sight for their needed services. Scott does not yet know their assignment for tomorrow, but of course, I will keep you informed. These updates are kind of like therapy for me! I can't thank you enough for your thoughts and prayers!

XOXO
Kendra & the Kids

I spoke to Scott this afternoon, possibly for the last time before the storm...as we anticipate phone service to be down. He is still in Houston, and will stay in the convention center through the storm. It is possible that he could be deployed through the day, before IKE hits, if needed. He is in a team of 4, and is very ready to "help some people," as he told me! If he is not deployed before IKE passes, they will remain in the building until winds come below 50 MPH. They will then go out and patrol their assigned "area" until further directed (which I believe is Galveston...about an hour south of Houston..which is all over the news now!). I'm not quite sure when I will receive more information, but will send out an update as soon as I hear.

Thank you SOOO much for your thoughts, phone calls, and prayers. The kids and I have gone to Laguna Niguel to see Roxi Cheer at the Dana Hills Football game tonight, and will go to Escondido for the weekend to stay with Lindsey and her family. So, we will be busy...hopefully to keep my mind off of the storm (ya...right)!
LOTS of love! XO
Kendra (& the Dixon family)

Scott has moved to Houston, TX

Sleeping arrangements in Houston, TX

Sleeping arrangements in Houston, TX

The National Guard's Arrival

Scott...trying out the hummer!

So here's the latest...
Scott's team has moved to Houston, Texas. They are currently staying at the convention center next to the Astrodome. They are there with about 100 service men/women (yes...all sleeping in the same room, with some of their vehicles as well). They will have a meeting tomorrow to find out their next destination, and hopefully their destination while the storm hits land (projected Friday night/Saturday morning). Please continue to keep Scott and his team in your thoughts and prayers this week, as well as all of the families being evacuated in Texas.

Taylor, Cooper, and I are still hanging in there. Starting to get a bit more nervous as this next storm approaches land. I will continue to keep you updated as I hear more from Scott.
Thank you,
Kendra

Scott's Louisiana Swift-Water "ADVENTURE" Update

So, Scott has set up "camp" in Alexandria, Louisiana (80 miles north of Baton Rouge). They are currently sleeping under the stars. They have not yet been given an assignment, but have been training in the local rivers with some of the other teams. They are currently awaiting hurricane IKE's path, and it's degree of strength. It is possible that they will be sent to IKE if it has a significant effect once it hits land. It is also possible that they could send him home any day...which will then be a 3 day drive back to Long Beach. Although missing home, Scott is having a great time. He is enjoying this time with his team, "playing" with all his new swift-water equipment, and the day-to-day excitement of "what comes next?". Their 7:30 am meeting each day gives them the "plan" for each day, but not much beyond that.

As for us here, we are doing just fine. Taylor asks "Where's Daddy...oh ya, work?" about 5 times a day. She gets to talk to him each night, which they both LOVE! I'm working on keeping Cooper off of his feet so that he doesn't take his first steps while Daddy is away(Scott keeps asking if he's walking...I think he's a bit nervous he'll miss it)!!!! I'm doing fine as well. To hear how much Scott is enjoying this experience really helps me to stay positive! I am really proud of him!

I'll keep you posted if anything changes!
Love,
Kendra

Maggie Brothers/Joel Buckley Wedding Celebration

What a beautiful day...what a beautiful bride. Everything was perfect! Maggie's wedding took place near Snohomish, Seattle, on acres of farmland, under a floral archway. It was breathtaking! Not only was this day so special for Maggie and her family, but it was special time (long overdue) spent with our friends and their families. Here are the photos celebrating Maggie's marriage to Joel.

The girls on the Town for Maggie's Bachelorette Party in Las Vegas!

We were handed tickets (in the lobby of our Las Vegas hotel..Mandalay Bay) to Gnarles Barkley, who happened to be playing at the pool! This is Bree and me at the backstage party.

The rehearsal & rehearsal "BBQ" was followed by a bride's party vs. groom's party softball game.

Maggie's groom catching a fly ball.

We had so much fun getting the venue ready the day of the wedding.

Scott and the kids had a special day together too!

Maggie & Joel met right before the ceremony to take pictures
with their dog, Marley, by their side!

The ceremony was breathtaking...and a little teary-eyed!

The reception was so much fun! It was full of eating, drinking, a candy wagon, cupcakes, and lots of dancing!

The kids had fun with our friends too!