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This was our first visit to see Santa Clause... What a success!
Sept. 2007
Goodbye 2010
Hey Friends and Family! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Instead of writing a lengthy letter detailing the events of our past year, I have compiled some pictures and created a short video. The photos/videos are in chronological order, and let me tell you... it was crazy looking back through the year and realizing ALL that has happened, and how dramatically my little ones have changed in just 12 months! Here's a quick written overview, and then I promise... I'll get to the video!
We started the year at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina, where Jason finished up his officer training for the ARMY.
In March we drove ALLLLL the way across the country- stopping in South Dakota (to visit Erin's brother's family), Utah (to visit some friends- I know, I know... we couldn't make it to see everyone- sorry), and Nevada (to visit Jason's family).
2nd Lieutenant Jason Rivard settled into his new job as S1 in his Batallion, at Joint Base Lewis McChord, WA.
In May we bought a cute little house in Lakewood, WA.
Jason was deployed to Camp Nathan Smith, Kandahar, Afghanistan in June... and Erin took the girls and split town. The 3 of them spent 3 weeks driving to Reno, California, and back to Tahoe/Reno. Then just a month later they jumped on their first military hop, on a C-17 and flew up to Alaska for free (to stay with Erin's sister).
In October, Jason returned home because of an ear problem called Meniere's Disease, which was causing vertigo and basically incapacitated him. He had surgery on Nov. 12th, and has been doing significantly better since. As far as we're aware, he won't be returning to Afghanistan for this deployment, but who really knows what's around the corner. He's in the Army after all.
So our little family has been enjoying the last couple of months together. We feel so blessed to have each other, and all of our other MANY blessings!
May this new year bring each of you happiness and joy!
Love,
Us.
Jason, Erin, Leah & Abigail Rivard
 | Tony Bennett - Christmas Medley - We Wish You A Merry Christmas Silent NightO Come All Ye FaithfulJingle B |  |
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 | Found at Christmas Medley on KOhit.net |  |
2009
Wow! What a year! It's really amazing how much our path has changed in just 12 months! Just last December we were living in Eagle River, AK. We had just bought, re-modeled, and sold a condo in Anchorage, and were living with my parents for "a month or so", until we found another place. Unfortunately, Jason's job as a pilot for ACE airlines, wasn't working out very well. He had some problems with vertigo, which made flying difficult. Plus the long hours, and skimpy pay, made the job less than enjoyable for any of us. So Jason began looking for an alternative career. In January he signed on with the US Army. We had no idea what we were in for- to say the least :)
January 31 Leah turned 2 years old. Then just 6 days later (Feb. 6th), our sweet little Abigail was born. Abby was born an angel, and has been an angel ever since. It was such a blessing to have a "mellow baby", since Leah kept me hoppin' all on her own.
January 31 Leah turned 2 years old. Then just 6 days later (Feb. 6th), our sweet little Abigail was born. Abby was born an angel, and has been an angel ever since. It was such a blessing to have a "mellow baby", since Leah kept me hoppin' all on her own.
On March 17th, with Abby just 5 weeks old, Jason shipped off to boot camp at Ft. Jackson, SC. Needless to say, my "few weeks" living at my parents' home, turned into a "few months". It was really a blessing to have them there to help with my new baby while Jason was away. We were also able to save up some money, which we desperately needed at the time.
Jason did really well in training, always finishing top of the class. Unfortunately his correspondance was limited to mostly letters, with an occasional surprise phone call. I was always excited when the phone would ring, and be him. Our conversations were brief, but usually filled with entertaining stories about the mishaps of dumb Privates, or idiosyncrasies of Drill Sergeants. He graduated at the end of May and was sent straight to Ft. Benning, GA to begin OCS (Officer Canditate School).
I think it was difficult for Jason to miss out on the girls, but we did fine. Leah and Abby both grew and changed a lot durring that time, and developed a close relationship with one another.
Jason did really well in training, always finishing top of the class. Unfortunately his correspondance was limited to mostly letters, with an occasional surprise phone call. I was always excited when the phone would ring, and be him. Our conversations were brief, but usually filled with entertaining stories about the mishaps of dumb Privates, or idiosyncrasies of Drill Sergeants. He graduated at the end of May and was sent straight to Ft. Benning, GA to begin OCS (Officer Canditate School).
I think it was difficult for Jason to miss out on the girls, but we did fine. Leah and Abby both grew and changed a lot durring that time, and developed a close relationship with one another.
For the 4th of July, Jason was lucky to get a few days off from OCS, and I figured we had been apart long enough. So I bought tickets for the girls and I, and we flew to Georgia to visit him. Our trip was short, but well worth it.
Once again, and unsurprisingly, Jason did really well in his training. He graduated in the top 20 of his class (of around 180). I took Abby with me to his graduation at the end of August, and his mom was able to fly out and meet us. Leah stayed in Alaska with my parents and had a great time being spoiled.
In September the girls and I flew down to South Carolina, where Jason would be temporarily stationed. We lived in a hotel room for a month (which I would NOT recommend), until we found a beautiful little home to rent.
Living in the South has been really fun. We have been able to travel to new places, and enjoy the comforts of temperatures above freezing. Some of the places we've gone in the past few months have been, Myrtle Beach, Atlanta, Orlando/ Disney World, Oklahoma (and the 20hours/5 states between), & Texas.
We actually went to Oklahoma out of assignment, rather than pleasure, but we made the most of it nonetheless. Jason was there for training, for 7 weeks. The girls and I stayed home for the first 3, then drove the 20 hours (in 1 1/2 days), out to pick up daddy and head to Dallas, to our friend's, the Olson's, home for Thanksgiving. We had a lot of fun there, Thanks Jake and Leslie! Then once again I boarded a plane with my girls... this time to... the Turks & Caicos Islands. My parents are serving a mission for our church there (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints). We spent 2 weeks enjoying the beautiful beaches, the wonderful people, the warm weather, and of course- Grandma and Papa! Thanks mom and dad!
Living in the South has been really fun. We have been able to travel to new places, and enjoy the comforts of temperatures above freezing. Some of the places we've gone in the past few months have been, Myrtle Beach, Atlanta, Orlando/ Disney World, Oklahoma (and the 20hours/5 states between), & Texas.
We actually went to Oklahoma out of assignment, rather than pleasure, but we made the most of it nonetheless. Jason was there for training, for 7 weeks. The girls and I stayed home for the first 3, then drove the 20 hours (in 1 1/2 days), out to pick up daddy and head to Dallas, to our friend's, the Olson's, home for Thanksgiving. We had a lot of fun there, Thanks Jake and Leslie! Then once again I boarded a plane with my girls... this time to... the Turks & Caicos Islands. My parents are serving a mission for our church there (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints). We spent 2 weeks enjoying the beautiful beaches, the wonderful people, the warm weather, and of course- Grandma and Papa! Thanks mom and dad!
Now here we are, back together as a family, back in South Carolina. Jason commences another session of training, here at Ft. Jackson, in January, and then we are headed North West. In March we are going to be stationed at Ft. Lewis, WA, where Jason will be an officer in the 42nd Military Police Brigade.
As we feel the spirit of this beautiful Christmas Season, we would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas. I know that Jesus Christ was born a humble birth and grew to be, not only a great man, but the Savior of the world. May we all feel his spirit this time of year, and remember the true meaning of Christmas!
Love, The Rivards
Jason, Erin, Leah, & Abigail
As we feel the spirit of this beautiful Christmas Season, we would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas. I know that Jesus Christ was born a humble birth and grew to be, not only a great man, but the Savior of the world. May we all feel his spirit this time of year, and remember the true meaning of Christmas!
Love, The Rivards
Jason, Erin, Leah, & Abigail
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2007
Leah Loves Santa!
This was our first visit to see Santa Clause... What a success!
The DL on the RC (Down Low on The Rivard Crew)...
Well, here we are.... somehow we ended up moving back to Alaska! We are renting a small apartment in Anchorage, about 15 minutes away from Erin's parents. The cold weather and dark days makes us wonder sometimes exactly WHY we came back, but hopefully we'll remember once summer rolls around.
Jason got a job with a local flight school called Take Flight Alaska. He is a flight instructor. He really likes all of his co-workers, but he doesn't get many hours because of the time of year. Everyone says things really pick up in the summer time. We are looking forward to that, but it seems far away. He has also just recieved a calling in our ward as the second counselor in the Elders Quorum. He is an excellent dad and husband. He is planning on graduating with honors from UVSC this April!
Erin is loving being a mommy. She finished her first year of teaching this May, and graduated from UVSC in April. It was a busy year, but well worth it. Now she stays at home with Leah, and tries to find things to keep her busy.
Leah is the newest member of our family. She is full of personality and keeps everyone hopping. Although her vocabulary consists of only, "mama", "dada", "duck", "uh oh", and screams, she gets her point across very well. She is very intelligent and makes it challenging to stay a step ahead. She will turn one on January 31. Her papa (a.k.a. Grandpa) can't wait for her to turn one so that he can start giving her ice-cream, chocolate, and other sweets. Her grandparents are glad to have her close by. She is taking lots of steps, and will be running around any day.
Well, that about sums up our lives. We hope you are all doing well. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Love,
Jason, Erin, and Baby Leah
PS... Here's our new address and phone:
1500 Russian Jack Dr.
Bldg. F Apt. #25
Anchorage, AK 99508
907-310-3797
Jason got a job with a local flight school called Take Flight Alaska. He is a flight instructor. He really likes all of his co-workers, but he doesn't get many hours because of the time of year. Everyone says things really pick up in the summer time. We are looking forward to that, but it seems far away. He has also just recieved a calling in our ward as the second counselor in the Elders Quorum. He is an excellent dad and husband. He is planning on graduating with honors from UVSC this April!
Erin is loving being a mommy. She finished her first year of teaching this May, and graduated from UVSC in April. It was a busy year, but well worth it. Now she stays at home with Leah, and tries to find things to keep her busy.
Leah is the newest member of our family. She is full of personality and keeps everyone hopping. Although her vocabulary consists of only, "mama", "dada", "duck", "uh oh", and screams, she gets her point across very well. She is very intelligent and makes it challenging to stay a step ahead. She will turn one on January 31. Her papa (a.k.a. Grandpa) can't wait for her to turn one so that he can start giving her ice-cream, chocolate, and other sweets. Her grandparents are glad to have her close by. She is taking lots of steps, and will be running around any day.
Well, that about sums up our lives. We hope you are all doing well. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Love,
Jason, Erin, and Baby Leah
PS... Here's our new address and phone:
1500 Russian Jack Dr.
Bldg. F Apt. #25
Anchorage, AK 99508
907-310-3797
Our Family
Sept. 2007
Happy Girl!
2 comments:
I LOVE the picture of Leah screaming with Santa. Classic! I was surprised to hear that you are back in Alaska. Hopefully you enjoy Anchorage. Erin, you look so good! I can't wait to see you and your husband again...someday....soon?!
Leah is precious. Keep posting more. Love you!
Sarah
how cute! i have a baby picture of me about that same age screaming on santa's lap. i mean really, who is this big man in red?? :) hope you have a good holiday!
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