Our Trip out West

This is us starting out on our trip to the Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone. We had a blast! This photo of us in front of an iron memorial resembling Crazy Horse was taken at Custer's Last Stand in southeast Montana.

More to come.....

The Homecoming Party

We surprised Adam with a homecoming party on July 1st. He thought we were just going over to celebrate my dad's birthday (June28th), but when he drove up, he saw all the cars on the street and said, "Who's house is that?" I laughed and said, "haha, Sorry honey. I love you." Adam goes, "Is that my dad?! What's he doing here?! And Shelby too?! ha." And those sweet eyes of his misted up and got all red. We had about 40-50 friends and family. Thanks for taking pictures Mrs. Pat!
And here is a picture of Adam when we first got back to our house from outprocessing in Gulfport. Lots of smiles :)

It's been waaaayy too long

I have not posted since the end of May. Wow! Summer flew by.
-school ended
-trip to the mountains
- getting ready for Adam to come home
-going to get Adam in MS!!!
-family came in town for the 4th
-long road trip out west
-hand surgery
-Adam's new job
-job searching
.....did I forget something? Oh, the reintegration phase. Well, that part of deployment is just now hitting as we have slowed down and gotten in a routine of things.

Thus, I have had time to read, clean and get stuff done. I have decided to update my book list, so check it out on the top tab!!! and post the rest of my new year 2011 resolutions to resolve.
We'll see how it goes.
-V

Homecomings

Our homecoming is coming soon. The countdown has begun!!! Well, actually it started a few weeks ago.

I haven't been one to keep up with the time past or upcoming. To be truly honest, I'm okay with that and it's been much better to only start counting when I can see the end of the tunnel. Yay!!

Last night, I watched Suprise Homecomings on TLC and just watched the youtube video pasted below. You'll have to click on the link since my video won't upload well on here. Be sure to watch the little girl and Santa Claus at minute 1:30ish. Grab a tissue.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSMlIM9zLio

Memorial Day: a day to remember

Alabama National Cemetary

Truck from Vietnam war

The way I have spent the day to remember the fallen the past two years has been to attend the Blue Star Salute presentation at American Village in Montevallo. It is a great place and beats any bbq or other Memorial Day "tradition." This has been our tradition and I'm proud to be part of it. Thank you for serving.

Right before the chinook took off. We missed getting to go inside.

In memory of the fallen and support of our troops currently serving.

Levon enjoys his stay

I have enjoyed keeping my sister and brother-in-law's dog this weekend. He really enjoys the back yard. After church it was just too hot to go run around outside so we came back in and worked on some tricks. (And I found out where Levon's old bone from August was and that you can't walk barefoot out there w/ the all the stickers). I will have to post a video clip on my pictures website. :) He's since taken a nap while I emailed and is now out enjoying the breeze in the shade. And my feet still sting.........

....a few hours later, Levon waits for me "sitting down," yes sitting down, as I come in from the movies (Water for Elephants was pretty good). That doesn't last long. As soon as I step foot in the den, Levon jumps up in excitement and goes outside to play for a short while. As we settled down for the night, Levon came to my aide, as a sweet dog should, and nuzzled his head under my dangling hand. Sweet dog. He enjoyed watching the end of the National Memorial Day Concert with me and is now passed out on the floor asleep (see pic below). Guess someone likes to stick to their schedule?!

I think it's safe to say that Levon is enjoying his stay with Auntie Valerie.

P.S. He and his collar are clean and fresh; now that was a sight to see yesterday! Now if we could only do something with that breath.

Friends and family lunch

Making taboleeh is no piece of cake. However, I now have a greater appreciation for all of those who have made it for our holiday lunches in the past, or food festivals or Tuesday night dinners for that matter. What is a lunch at Aunt Tricia's on Easter, Christmas or Thanksgiving with out taboleeh? Incomplete. Let's just hope mine turns out alright!

That's A LOT of onions. What do you do with left over green onion? I'm taking suggestions.
Parsley from the backyard. That's A LOT of parsley!! Next time, I'll take a before and after picture of the bush. And the best part was what I used for outdoor lighting to pick it tonight.....think "Waterboy."
Packed and ready to go for tomorrow. All but the dressing is made and chopped (minus Aunt Tricia's fresh mint). Don't worry, there are 4 more lemons for the juice.