Oooooh crawling!

She's up and ready to go! I swear this week it's going to happen. The idea of her crawling is absolutely terrifying but at the same time completely exciting. :) A mobile baby changes everything. She is just growing so fast!
There hasn't been much going on this last week or so but we do have some pictures of our little one to show off:

 She sure is a daddy's girl! She can't get enough of Joey's hats.

Our beautiful girl out and about for the day.

 

Helping Momma make the bed in the morning:)

Ok so this last one isn't of Madelyn but a cool photo none-the-less. This is one of the trails that we take to a local beach here on base. The dogs absolutely love it. I am going to miss this place so much....
Well that's just about it for now. Joe and I are attending our last Marine Corps Ball this week so there will be many photos to follow.
With all our love!
The Marshall Family

Another month has passed! And plans have changed again...

We are no longer immobile! Our little one is on the move and it is crazy in this house!
When we left for Wyoming Madelyn had just become interested in sitting up like a big girl. Just a few short days after that she had it down like it was nobody's business and now she has moved on to lunging, getting up on her hands and knees and when all else fails she just rolls across the floor to where ever her little heart desires. As excited as I am for these amazing milestones, it is a little heartbreaking to see our baby growing up so quickly. At seven months old she has taught me to find the good in each day, (which usually consists of something awesome she did) and to thank God for the beautiful life we get to live. :)
Here's a picture of our little munchkin!

On another note! Our plans as a family have changed once again. Although the military life has blessed us in some unimaginable ways in the past three and a half years, this May we will be calling it quits as a Marine Corps family and be moving back home to Alaska.
Part of me thinks that I always knew we would go back no matter what we said. You can take the kids out of Alaska but you can never take the Alaska out of us!
This journey will come with some struggles and many tests of faith I am sure, but we are prepared and ready to go full steam ahead together.
This coming summer will be spent out at the lodge with Joe's parents where I will work and Joe will help his dad with guiding on the rivers. I will never complain about spending a summer in the beautiful Copper River Valley. Come Fall our little family will be heading to Soldotna to begin Joe's first semester as a full time college student! I could not be more excited for him and this chance that he gets to earn his degree. Another huge thank you to the military for allowing him to receive his education.
That is as far as our plans go right now. We are toying with the idea of Joe joining the Army reserves for some of the added benefits and income but as usual, it is all still up in the air. One thing that I do know for sure: as long as we have each other and our sweet little girl, we can do anything. :)

I'll leave you guys with one last picture of our little one.
Until next time!
With all our love,
The Marshalls

Oh, What a year!

It is easy to say that this past year was one of the hardest and most fufilling of our lives. We endured our second deployment in the first two years of our marraige, welcomed our beautiful little girl into the world and realized that our time in Hawaii is coming to a rapid end. I could go on for days about all that has happened during the last 365 days, but it might get a little boring... So instead I'll recap with photos :) Everyone likes that better anyway!

 

 We began our year by informing all of our family and friends that we were expecting our little angel! At that point we didn't know we were having a girl but were ridiculously excited none-the-less :)

 

Since Joe was leaving for his second deployment in the beginning of April, we decided to get some maternity photos done before he left.

On April 2, 2012 I said goodbye to my love for what seemed like the longest six months ever. Life went on however, and I finished up work at the Child Development Center and started preparing for the arrival of miss Madelyn Grace.

 As my belly grew I knew that I wanted to capture every single moment. Although it is pretty imposible to have a professional photographer on hand 24/7. I loved being able to show Joey how much his little girl was growing from so far away!

 Just five short days later after my last maternity shoot, Madelyn Grace Marshall suprised us with an early arrival. On June 13, 2012 at 11:18pm our munchkin came into the world in style. At 4 pounds 7 ounces she has lit up my life in ways I could have never imagined. Truly the best day of my life.

 Maddy's birth was followed by an influx of family visiting, which was greatly appreciated since Joe was still gone. My momma came for a month, my dad for a week, and finally my grandma closed out the deployment for 2 wonderful weeks. I loved the help but was grateful for some peace and quiet to prepare for our man's return.

 September 25th couldn't have come fast enough. Our main man was finally home with us! Watching my husband meet our daughter for the first time was seriously a moment that will be burned in my memory forever. Such a beautiful time :)

 We were finally able to enjoy our little lovebug together. Here she is on her first Halloween!

 Now we are here in Wyoming, celebrating the end of one year and the beginning of another. There is no better place to be than with family :) Such a beautiful time of year.

 Madelyn's first Christmas!

 Hanging out with her great grandfather, "Papa"

 

Just this past Saturday we celebrated Madelyn's baptism at the Marshall's home church here in Sheridan. It was such a blessing to have such a large amount of family there with us to celebrate. The only thing missing was some of the Petty/Scott family!

 

 Now we are just enjoying the remainder of our vacation here in God's country.

I am so excited to see what 2013 will bring our family. One guarenteed move and certainly many suprises to come. I can't wait to keep you all up to date on what is going on with the Marshalls.
With all our love,
Joey, Amanda and Madelyn Marshall