Yes, we know that it is awfully late to be posting pictures of pumpkins on the blog, but we need to catch up. The last couple months have been very busy and we apologize for the late post. Believe it or not, out of the four years we have been married, we hadn't carved pumpkins together. So here is the product.... guess who carved the one on the right. So, anyway, while Mitchell isn't carving pumpkins he is doing all sorts of honey- do's around the house to keep him busy.




Mid November we were able to get home and see family so that Morgan could have a couple baby showers. She had a great time with friends and family and Mitchell got to go home and visit as well. We really miss home, but Colorado is keeping us too busy to dwell on anything but work. Morgan is still working at Emerson Edison Academy and currently trying to get ahead with her lesson plans. She is planning on working up until the Christmas break and the substitute will start with her kids when the new semester convenes.


Here are a couple of cute bibs that Peyton received from her baby shower. We received all sorts of useful things from the showers. Our families have already spoiled Peyton. We are so thankful that everybody cares about our upcoming addition.

Mitchell has been working on the baby room for a while now, and it is finally complete. Morgan still has decorations to put up, but for the most part, it is ready for Peyton to move on in. Lately Morgan has been having some contractions here and there, so we are anticipating labor to come sometime soon.

Here is Mitchell putting the changing table together after getting the crib completed.

He has been busy at home and even more so at work.

During late October Mitchell went to the field for a three week adventure and was not home on the week nights. The 4th Infantry Division commander believes that coming home on the weekends is going to be the standard throughout the whole division when units conduct long field operations. This has been nice, because there are lots of things to get done around the house. After the three week field time, Mitchell got to come home for a couple weeks of normal day to day operations, but this last week went back to the field for another training session.

Here is one of the Platoon guns that Mitchell sends commands to fire to. There are four Paladin howitzers in the platoon. They are the only self-propelled cannon artillery in the United States arsenal.

Here is a picture of a high angle mission during the last field problem in December.

This is where Mitchell works while he is in the field. SGT(P) Scott (on the left) is Mitchell's direct subordinate and is the ranking NCO (non-commissioned officer) in the Fire Direction Center. SGT Kunhert (on the right) is calling the guns in this picture. He is the only other NCO in the FDC. As of last week, Mitchell and his FDC have safely sent over 300 rounds down range!

Lastly but not least, Mitchell's mother Sherri Was married to Dave Talford when we visited last November, and here is the new crew. On the top row from left to right is Chad, Kim, Kristina, Bo, Malcom, Morgan, Jason and Mitchell. On the Bottom row is George, Graham, Dave, and Mom. We are very excited for a new chapter in our lives and are excited to see God bless this new family.

We know Christmas is on its way. We will be delaying our annual Christmas letter until we can send pictures of Peyton with it as well. More likely than not you will see a New Years letter from us this year. We are hoping Peyton will come sooner or later, for Morgan's benefit. She is getting pretty restless and can't wait to be done with the pregnancy, even though she has had an excellent one. We will keep you all posted as the due date is soon approaching. God Bless and happy Holidays to you all.

September 2007

Hello -

Sorry it has been a while since our last posting. Life has been keeping us busy. Let me catch you up on the latest for the Marks family.

September 29th Mitch and I were finally able to make a fishing trip. The first one of the year. We headed up the S Platte River, where the Brown Trout have been spawning, so they say. Of course Morgan had the only lucky catch of the day. Her second cast out she caught an 8 inch Rainbow, but too small to keep. That catch must have jinxed the rest of the trip, because no one else caught a thing. It is nice to finally get out and see beautiful Colorado. It reminds us a lot of the Cascade Mountains back home in Idaho.

Mitchell finally got a chance to relax with some fly fishing. Work has not slowed down a bit for him and he is still having some very long days. He will be out in the field for two weeks in October, November and December. We are hoping his PRK surgery (that is the corrective vision surgery) date will be approved for December 11. It will be very helpful to get his eyes done before he heads over to Iraq in the Fall of 2008.

These are a few of Morgan's track girls. She has one last meet on Oct 2. It has been a fun season getting to know these girls, but she will be glad when it is over. The extra hour and a half after school makes for a very long day. School has been interesting so far. Her students' have definitely become 8th graders.

We have finally decided on a name for out little one.

Peyton Elizabeth Marks

Our latest doctor's appointment went smoothly. Morgan is right on track to having a very healthy rest of her pregnancy. Peyton's heartbeat is strong and steady. The doctor predicts that she will be about 7lbs at birth. She has been kicking and moving around a lot more now. You can see Morgan's stomach move while Peyton is moving. Morgan has only put on 12.5 lbs since the beginning of her pregnancy. She is VERY happy about that, but soon that should change. We will be home November 9th - 12th and can't wait. We are so excited to see everyone!

Here is Otis taking a nap on the garage door step. He has been battling a case of dermatitis, so says the vet. He has definitely become our problem child. He learned how to push the dinning room chairs away from the table a bit so he could jump up on the table. He is so naughty.

Ellie is still the princess, but not for too much longer. She is doing very well and is loving the cooler fall weather.

I think we bought what is going to be Peyton's favorite outfit to wear, at least until she out grows it next summer. Grandma's pay close attention.

Well I hope all is well with everyone. We miss and love you all so very much.

Take care and God Bless.

Until October!

Mitch, Morgan, Otis, Ellie and Peyton.

It's a girl!

The exciting news has finally arrived. It's a girl! We received our second ultra sound Tuesday night, and to Morgan's surprise, who truly thought it was a boy, we found out we are having a little baby girl. The due date is still December 27th, poor girl.

Here is a picture of her little foot.

Colorado Springs has been good to us so far. We have been able to see a few tourist attractions since we have been here. This is a picture of a part of Garden of the Gods.

1054 Clogger Ln

Fountain, CO 80817

This is our new house and our new address.

Mitch is getting settled into his new position at Fort Carson. He is a Fire Direction Officer with additinal duties of supply officer and arms room officer. They are keeping him very busy, but he seems to be enjoying his new duty assignments.

Morgan has started teaching at a middle school in the Springs. She is teaching 8th grade Reading and Writing and soon will be coaching Girls Track, which starts next week. She is currently at 21 weeks with 19 left to go, but whose counting.

Otis (in front) and Ellie (in back) have adjusted to their new home amazingly well. They love their new back yard where they can run and play at any time they want.