"Season's Greetings.... is for terrorists. We say Merry Christmas"

It comes and goes so quickly, but Christmas is over and Hayden has already begun listing what he wants for next year!

We were lucky enough this season to have all the Fultons in the Pacific Northwest. Hayden had lots of quality time with his Oma & Opa, cookie decorating with Mommy and Auntie Ali, wrestling with Uncle Gosh (Josh).... and Daddy had lots of time to relax ;)

We tried making christmas cookies with fun cookie cutter shapes, but they all expanded and distorted so much we had to get a little creative with the decorations!

As per tradition, Hayden wrote a letter to Santa to leave out with the cookies we made. His writing isn't half bad for a 5 year old (aside from a minor G / S slip). Santa apparently agreed because he not only had Blitzen leave a hoof-print on the bottom of the letter (that smelled suspiciously like chocolate), but he left Hayden a cool indoor hockey set, complete with nets, sticks, and pucks! I don't know who enjoyed it more.... Hayden, Daddy, or Uncle Josh.

We had a wonderful time with family, but missed all the rest of you. We hope everyone else enjoyed their holiday as much as we did ... snow and all!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

5 year Wedding Anniversary

Five years ago Katy and I were married in Concord, MA. We have been together for nine years now and since we met so young I thought it would be funny to post a picture of us together freshman year of college. Here are some throwback photos from when we first met. And yes, they are both from Sorority/Fraternity Socials.

Oh Boy, It's a Boy!

After an hour-long ultrasound appointment and a very stubborn baby (he apparently doesn't like having his picture taken, just like Mommy), we have confirmation that baby number 2 is a BOY!

As Hayden put it, "Nobody is going to put the seat down for you, Mommy." Even though he's been talking about a baby girl, he was very excited to hear the news saying, "Cool! That's exactly what I wanted."

If activity in the womb counts towards anything, our second son is going to be headstrong and super active. He kept flipping and kicking while the nurse poked and prodded to get the good shots. The picture above is a simple profile shot... it may just be us but he looks a lot like Hayden. The picture below shows his acrobatic skills and has lifted his foot over his face.

He is currently the size of a cantaloupe and around 14 ounces. With ten fingers, ten toes and what the nurse described as really long arms, the baby is still on track for a February 5, 2011 birthday.

From Hayden.... awesome.

"Everyone:

Here's something that I'd like to share with you and it's from tonight. I finished my Kidz Love Soccer and we did lots of fun stuff and lots and lots and lots and lots and a lot of fun stuff. My favorite part was the bowling soccer kicking so you all have fun and good luck and enjoy the movie!

Oh, and the movie is me playing soccer. I'm fast as a jet plane. The end is me scoring a goal and people cheering for me... you can cheer for me too.

Have a great day and I hope you love the thing that we're sending you (he means blog). Enjoy all your stuff! Bye Bye."

seriously... This is verbatim from the little dude himself.

Sincerest apologies for the recent silence from Keeping Up With the Regans.

Hopefully watching this completely one-sided water fight between Patrick and Hayden will make you laugh enough to forget how forgetful we've been!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mothers Day to all!

We would be remiss if we didn't take this opportunity to thank our mothers, their mothers, and the mothers before them for everything you have done for us and will continue to do. Patrick and I have learned so much about being good parents from each of you; it is with your help that we have worked to raise little Hayden.

Now, as a "Happy Mothers Day" from Hayden....

Hayden and Mommy shared an afternoon at preschool for a Mothers Day Tea. There were lots of songs, lots of laughter, and even more cupcakes. Each of the kids made their moms some lovely painted rocks and adorable placemats (mine said "My mom looks so pretty when she goes on dates with daddy and "I love it when my mom cooks mac and cheese") :)

Welcome Home!

It's official. All of I Corps has returned from the sandbox. It took a series of redeployments, lots of time in limbo (aka Kuwait) and countless posterboard signs lovingly colored with "Welcome Home " but Ft. Lewis families are once again complete.

We recently had the opportunity to celebrate the year-long campaign and the safe return at the Courage Ball this past weekend.

Union Station, downtown Tacoma, was set-up beautifully to host about 700 soliders and spouses from I Corps for dinner and dancing. Of course we left before the dancing, although this time it wasn't because of Patrick, but rather to relieve the babysitter.

One of the Army traditions that I find most amusing is The Grog Bowl. At formal army receptions it is customary to make a unique, yet delicious beverage for the soliders to enjoy. This particular Grog consisted of maybe 9 different types of liquor (i.e. sake to represent asian allies, vodka for the Cold War and cinnamon schnapps in remembrance of some other event). Utterly unappetizing, right?

Unfortunately for those who drink it, after the alcohol is added it starts to get interesting. At this year's Courage Ball, various Sergeants Major added their own spin. Addition one: water from the Tigris River. Gross. Addition two: dirty, sandy socks from PT in Baghdad. Downright disgusting. Even worse? The JAG office all decided they absolutely could not leave the ball until they all tried it.

Hayden's Life Plan

As per our usual Friday night -at least since Patrick has been home- we were sitting on the couch watching tv when Hayden suddenly begins explaining to us his plan for the future. Mind you, he's wearing a GAP bag ("parachute") and had been jumping off furniture ("out of airplanes") all night so it's kind of hard to take him seriously.

"Mommy. Dad." he says.

"When I get older, I'm going to do a wedding to a girlfriend. Dad you can carry our rings." Kids say the darndest things. Then he continues to talk about how Mommy will play the piano and adds, "but don't forget the words for the wedding song."

I asked, "Hayden, what wedding song has words?"

"You know, " he said. "The one with the 'dun's."

After a couple moments of confusion, we finally got it and all started singing the march down the aisle... dun dun dun dun, dun dun dun dun.

It really doesn't seem like it, but he knows what he's talking about most of the time (even when wearing a plastic bag)!

Rest and Recuperation... sort of

We met in Boston for Patrick's R&R over the Christmas holidays. Although this time should have probably been spent sitting on the couch, we took advantage of the time and visited with lots of family and friends in Boston, New Jersey, and New York. Here are some of the more memorable moments...