Easter, space shuttle, and family

Sarah checking out the space shuttle launch

Sarah's Grandmother Ruth and Step Father Gary at the launch.

Riley can't believe how many eggs the bunny left.

Riley fixing his ride with his new tools.

Roxanna is a little bored.

Hello everyone,

There's no time to blog, I'm having too much fun with the babies. Sarah and I met her family at the beach right across from the base to watch the launch. It was pretty over the ocean. Their mission has been a success and the shuttle has docked with the space station. Roxanna is a very good baby with a few fussy times but no colic. Riley is way into dinosaurs, his dogs, and going places with his Daddy.Right now Grandma Ruth, Sarah, Roxanna, and Riley are napping. Benjamin is doing his duty as honor guard and has two services today. Lauren and Gary are hanging out watching TV. Last night I babysat and Benny, Sarah, and Lauren watched Hot Tub Time Machine. They said it was funny. I ventured out to Walmart this morning to buy a few things and spring break is happening down here. I haven't went on one walk with Riley but that changes tonight. The weather has been wonderful. Love to All. Rudi

Springbreak in Florida

Hello everyone,


Finally, I have met Roxanna Lillian Smith and she's a cutie! I arrived on Friday night and it's been wonderful spending time with the kids. Benjamin is back on Honor Guard detail and attended two grave side services on Saturday and one is scheduled for Monday. It looks like a busy week. Sarah looks and feels so much better now that baby Roxanna has arrived. Their house is so cute with Easter decorations and Riley has attended two Easter egg hunts this year. Today is Easter Sunday and Roxanna is a month old. Riley woke up to find his Easter pail next to his door and had to gather Easter eggs from throughout the house. The Easter Bunny also left fun filled baskets for him and Roxanna. Sarah's Grandmother Ruth, sister Lauren, and stepfather, Gary arrived today and we had Easter feast at Cracker Barrel. Tomorrow morning at 6 am we are all going to watch the space shuttle from the beach across from the base. All systems are good as of right now.
Katie will be arriving from Tampa tomorrow afternoon to visit for one day and leave on Tuesday for Cincinnati. Most of my time has been spent holding Roxanna or playing with Riley and life is good. Today I actually took both kids to the playground and thankfully Roxanna slept in her little seat for all the fun. Riley picked flowers and dug in the dirt. Happy Easter All. Love, Rudi

Riley is 2 years old!

Great sweater fron Nana.



Sidewalk chalk is cool.

Riley checking out Katie's wheels.

Riley and Grandpa getting their tootsies wet.

The Christmas presents are riveting.

Benny, Sarah, and Riley

Die hard Bengal fans.

Sarah takes good care of both her babies.

Taking a story break from putting in a new gate.

Daddy likes Riley's new big boy bed.

Yeah!!! 2 years old

Benny and Riley downtown Cincinnati in November.

Hello everyone,

I didn't get a chance to update my blog while in Florida. It was a busy time down in the Sunshine state. We left Portsmouth around 12:30 p.m. on December 24 after making a short stop at second street dairy bar for a footer. It was a real blur of a visit at Moms but it was nice to see Ernie, Linda, Larry, David, and Jason. I was sorry that we missed Jake bearing some Christmas goodies from the Halsteads. That drive was stretching out in front of us and we were trying to make it to Florida for Christmas.

We arrived at Patrick AFB around 2:30 a.m. Christmas morning so we made great time. It was great to see the kids and Riley still remembered us because they had just been up for a visit in November. He loved his Christmas presents and the candy cane tucked in his stocking. Sarah and Benny went all out on decorating for Christmas. The inside and outside was decorated so festive. They have three Christmas trees! We had a very nice dinner and a quiet evening to recover from our trip.

That evening Sarah mentioned her throat was scratchy but the next day was feeling pretty good, just a sore throat. I babysat for the sweetest boy in the world that evening while Ben, Katie, Benny and Sarah went to the movies, they saw Sherlock Holmes. They weren't too impressed with the flick. Sarah woke up the next morning with a straight up cold. It seemed to have settled in her chest. Since she is seven and half month pregnant, there's not a lot of medicine she could take.

The next evening, she was having trouble breathing and had to go to the ER. She was suffering from throat spasms due to the constant coughing. The Doctor was able to give her some cough medicine and she is better but still sounds congested. Riley came down with the same cold as soon as we left and Sarah said he is a snot machine but is feeling better. I'm glad we missed that.

Riley turned 2 on January 5 but we celebrated this big moment on January 1, 2010. Good thing, because he was so sick on his birthday. It was a great visit and we'll probably be going back in March after our little girl is born. Love to all my family, Rudi