~ Saying Goodbye ~

We made it through day one! Now only about 200 days to go.

It doesn't seem like it - probably because Aaron has been gone a lot this year - but this is our first deployment experience. We knew around this time last year that Aaron would be deploying, but no worries it was a whole year away . . . . oh how quickly the year has gone. 

The past couple of weeks have been filled with a lot of tears; however, I am so proud of Aaron and the men he is lucky to serve with. 

My Dad gave Aaron a father's blessing that has brought a lot of comfort for the both of us. I know Heavenly Father is watching over Aaron, Hannah and myself. I know we will both see Heavenly Father's tender mercies throughout this deployment.

I love Aaron more than words will ever describe.

I will miss him and will think be thinking about him every second.

I can't wait till homecoming : )

some  pictures from packing to goodbye

I thought this was so sweet! The Battalion gave each of the kids a battalion buddy teddy bear : ) 

Hannah did not want me in the picture with her and Aaron! Yep, she is going to miss him A LOT!!

~ Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins ~

When the bananas start turning brown, there is only one way to eat them - muffins.

Of course you can't forget to throw in some chocolate chips.

I found this recipe on you tube, and it is by far my favourite.

Here is the recipe for Laura Vitale's Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Makes 12

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

½ Cup of Vegetable Oil

2 Eggs

½ Cup of Sugar

3 Mashed Bananas

¼ tsp of Vanilla Extract

1 2/3 Cup of All Purpose Flour

1 tsp Baking Powder

½ tsp of Baking Soda

¼ tsp of Salt

¼ tsp of Cinnamon

1 Cup of Chocolate Chips

Process,

1) Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Line a 12 piece muffin tin with muffin liners and set aside.

2) In a small bowl add the chocolate chips and 3 tbsp of flour and mix until all the chocolate chips are coated in the flour. Set aside.

3) In a large bowl add the first 5 ingredients and mix until all combined.

4) Add the flour and baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon, whisk until all combined.

5) Fold in the chocolate chip and flour mixture.

6) Using a large ice cream scoop divide the batter into your muffin pan and bake for about 18 minutes.

Recipe By: Laura Vitale

These muffins are so moist and delicious 

enjoy : )

~ Getting Ready For Christmas ~

 

Yes, you read the title correctly. The Craig Family are getting ready for Christmas. 

This is what happens when your husband is set to deploy very soon. I don't mind, because most of you know The Mangerino Family is pretty crazy about Christmas in general. I'm sure my Mum has been playing Christmas music since July, and Kiel and Carla already have their tree up. Silly Mangerino's.

Hannah LOVES Christmas Trees! Every time Hannah sees one in the store she yells, at the top of her lungs, "CHRISTMAS TREE!!"  So you can probably imagine how excited she is to have one in the house : )

She was a BIG help when it came to putting the ornaments on the tree. 

In fact, she has continued to re-arrange them all morning. . . . oh the joys of having a toddler.

This was the Christmas ornament we bought for Hannah's first Christmas.

We are so excited for this Christmas Season even if we can't be together this year. 

Happy Christmas Love Aaron, Jaimie, and Hannah

x x 

~ SeaWorld ~

SeaWorld has a wonderful program for active duty, drilling reservist, and nation guardsman. They get free admission for themselves and 3 dependents once a year. We decided to take full advantage of this offer before Aaron's deployment, and go for Hannah's second birthday.

On the way to SeaWorld, Hannah was so excited! 

She was talking and singing to music all the way there.

The weather was beautiful! 

It wasn't extremely crowded either which was nice.

The only problem with having an independent two year old was she did not want to stay in her stroller. She wanted to run. This lead to a couple meltdowns and Aaron and I looking like the horrible parents that everyone stares at : /

Hannah ended up doing really well and bonus if she is running through the park, then eventually she is going to crash (fall asleep). 

Hannah LOVES animals!

I forgot to take more pictures of the animals we saw, but I did take a picture of this sea lion.

Aaron and I went to SeaWorld in San Antonio last year, and the whale show is in a covered stadium. Yes everyone is sitting in the shade. In San Diego; however, you sit in the sun. It is only a twenty five minute show but you have to get there about twenty minutes early to get a good sit. Which leads me to this picture of a very unimpressed Hannah. A two year old doesn't want to sit for twenty minutes, in the sun, looking at people trying to find somewhere to seat. 

She did cheer up when the show started. She clapped when everyone else did and got so excited when the whales jumped out the water.

At the beginning of the show they ask for all military past and present to stand so we can thank them for their service. I was so proud of my Marine and am grateful that SeaWorld recognizes the hard work and sacrifices they make. 

The funniest part of the show was when the whales splash the crowd. People, clearly, are not expecting to get that wet. At least ten - twenty people got up and started running up the stairs trying to avoid getting soaked. 

There were grown men using their children to shield them from the water. It was pretty hilarious.

Time to break for the most expensive lunch EVER!! 

After lunch, we headed to the pet show. This was brilliant!! 

LOVED IT!!

While we waited for the show to start, we took some glamorous pictures

Aaron decided it would be a good idea to let Hannah pick out a stuffed toy. 

I usually just pick out the $12 one

Hannah, of course, picked out the biggest Shamu whale they had : /

We had a great time at SeaWorld.

Hannah fell asleep before we even left the parking lot : )

~ I am now the mother of a two year old! ~

How is this possible!?

 

I am now the mother of a two year old!

Hannah loves

smiling

being silly

singing

dancing

taking long baths with lots of bubbles

Wreck it Ralph

Tinkerbell

anything to do with Minnie Mouse or Princesses

her best friend Brynn

fruit snacks

frozen yogurt

going to the park

running

and reading books

I love my baby girl : )

~ 3rd year Anniversary ~

Today is my three year anniversary! I can't believe how quickly three years has gone. I remember rushing home because my Mum said I had a letter from Aaron. - he was at boot camp - and screaming at the top of my lungs when I read the words, "lets get married during my boot leave." Ok, so it wasn't the most romantic proposal but I was still very excited. The only down side was I had ten weeks to plan my dream wedding.

With help from my sister, I managed to make and send the invitations, pick the most gorgeous wedding dress EVER!! Find the bridesmaids their dresses - which I think was the most stressful part, trying to get the same dress for four very different girls - we ordered the cake, made the centerpieces, found the perfect tie for the groomsmen, booked the temple, planned the food for the reception, ordered the flowers and everything else that goes with planning a wedding. One thing is for sure I couldn't have done it without her.

On, Saturday September 17th, 2010, at 10am, Aaron and I were sealed for time and all eternity in the Redlands, CA Temple. I will never forgot the wonderful feeling that came with knowing that I get to spend FOREVER with my love. I couldn't have pictured getting married anywhere else. It was worth every sacrifice to know I was gettiing married in the right place, to the right guy by the right authority - Elder Bruce R. McConkie

Our first year and a half of marriage was spent in the beautiful city of Monterey. I couldn't believe that I was a newlywed living in an apartment overlooking the ocean! It was here in Monterey where we decided to expand our little family. We were so blessed to have Hannah Betty and couldn't imagine life without her.

Three years on and we are now living in beautiful Southern California. Aaron is getting ready for deployment and Hannah and I are enjoying the perks of living so close to the beach :) Our three years of marriage have certainly had its ups and downs, but we are still happy, still in love, and still excited to see what the future brings. 

Three years down and many more happy years to come :)

pictures by heather gibbons photography