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