Diets

I took Abbie and Roxanne to the vet Saturday for shots and their annual check-ups.  What was supposed to be routine turned out to be eye opening in a hurry!  Both Abbie and Roxanne are overweight.  I can't say that I am surprised that Abbie is, but not Roxanne.  They are both on special prescription diet food...which is code for expensive...and I have to take them back monthly to weigh in.  So far they LOVE the food.  (Kacey is jealous of their food and thinks that she needs a little too.)  Obviously they have been hanging out with their mother a little too much.  They certainly seem to be getting into the swing of this deployment...dieting and all.  They should be new dogs by the time Taris gets home.  Here is hoping for reaching goal weight!

Abbie

Roxanne

Their new food

The Wharf at Orange Beach, AL

I went to my first concert at The Wharf in Orange Beach, AL.  It is an outdoor amphitheater.  We had awesome seats given to us from a vendor.  (Did I mention that I love my job?!!)  The concert was Jason Aldean.  I had to google him before I went...I haven't been listening to a lot of country music these days.  The concert was great and I had a great evening.  I needed to get out of the house and it was a perfect escape.  I didn't take a ton of pictures.  I did get to sneak in the fancy camera.  I am still waiting on a certain someone to send the pocket digital camera that I left in Italy and never made it in the massive box of extra clothes sent home by you know who.  (It has been two months and I know that the thing hasn't even been mailed yet.  I guess I will just have to buy a new one!)  Anyway, here are a few of the pictures I took.

Our view on our way to the concert

Adding steel boom to the pass in Perdido Key

Clay Ford want on stage as an opening act for Jason Aldean.  SO not my
favorite act.

The concert broke the record of number of people at any concert at The Wharf.
Former record holder...Kenny Chesney.

LSCU Orlando

I work for a local Credit Union.  I am officially the Operations Manager and Compliance Officer.  I had the opportunity to go to the annual League of Southeast Credit Unions conference in Orlando with my boss (the President).  We had a great time.  We arrived on Wednesday and headed home on Saturday.  I learned a TON and as soon as I get some things settled in the compliance area, I can't wait to present my ideas and get them (hopefully) implemented!  I didn't take a ton of pictures because I spent most of my days in class, but here are a few.  If you ever find yourself in Orlando and are NOT there to go to Disney, I recommend the JW Marriott or Ritz Carlton.  (They are actually connected through a walkway.)  Next time, I am going to the spa!

JW Marriott

One of the fountains

Part of the lobby

The orchid display in front of the hotel bar

Me...with the orchids

Headed to the pool.  The hotel had a lazy river that connected all of the pools.
It was awesome and SO relaxing.

Can you see the golf course?  It is in front of the forest of trees.

The rinky dink non-stop flight from Orlando to Pensacola.  This plane had 39
seats...but NO bathroom or beverage service.  Is that legal?  The flight should
have been cheaper!

Me...trying to survive the plane ride.

Pictures from Far Away

I received pictures from Taris the other day.  I checked with him to see if I was allowed to post them on the blog.  So with his blessing, enjoy the pictures that I have been begging for him to take.

Taris with a crew.  Mason saw this picture and wanted to know where the
rest of the plane was?  So I had Taris send a couple more.

For Mason...the front of the plane

A member of the Afghan National Army Air Corps

Visiting Abilene

For Memorial Day, I headed to Abilene to see the family and finally meet my newest nephew.  It was a whirlwind trip, but I had a super fun time.  I was in Abilene on Saturday and Sunday and went home Monday morning.

Of course, we stopped at Harold's for lunch!

Enjoyed home cooked family meals...

Caught up with great friends...

Kera and I

Played with Sassy. Rae and Mike's dog that will probably run away from home soon if they continue to add more humans to her house!

Rae and Mike used to live behind us at 750 1/2. They lived there when
they first brought Sassy home and Abbie and Sassy would play through
the fence.

Played with the kids...

Mason loved showing off his gymnastic skills on
his trampoline that Rae and Mike brought back from
FAO Schwartz in NYC.

Mason loves playing with blocks at Grams and Pops
house.  So many good memories...we grew up with
these blocks.  Glad to see that they are getting some use.

Kendall loved playing with Mason's toys.  Mason loved
sharing, until he realized that she was going to put
everything in her mouth!  The next time Kendall came over
Mason told Rae that she needed to get out the wipes
for his toys.  He is SO her kid!

Kendall chewed on anything she could get in her
mouth.  Turns out she was cutting three teeth!

Mason showed me his NEW sand in his sand box.  He is all boy.  He also had
to show me all of his rocks.

Kendall loves her tea pot

Mason loves Cassie.  She is so patient with kids and
doesn't lick and run like Sassy.

Of course, I came to meet my newest nephew...

Tucker Alan Perkins
Isn't he a cutie?!

Tucker Alan

It is amazing how much one little baby can change in one week.  He looks SO different.  He has a healthy appetite...he seems to be taking after Mason and sleeps when he isn't eating...but he sure is fun to watch.  Mason seems to really like him.  I think that it is because Tucker can't move around and take his toys yet.  They will be best buds in no time.  I didn't get a lot of quality shots, but here are the ones that I am willing to post.  I miss him already!

Maw-maw and Tucker

Auntie E holding Tucker

Aunt Xis with Tucker