What a terrible blogger I have been! I promise to get all caught up throughout this week. I am downloading my camera onto the computer now and will have updates soon...for those of you that are still checking in on this thing! Hope all of you had a wonderful end to your 2008 and have had a glorious start to 2009! More to come...
This past weekend, we had some friends over to the house. We ate and played the best new game...Pictionary Man. I bought it on a whim, but it was so worth it. It was so much fun and we had the best time. I know what you are thinking....games on a Saturday night?? Well, I am here to tell you that we are bringing back staying in and hanging with friends. If you have someone on your gift list that you just can't figure out what to get...let me recommend Pictionary Man...the commercials don't do it justice!!
Kathleen Marshall and I
Taris and I...our only picture together
For those of you that might follow football, you might realize that this game was back on October 4th...that is how far behind I am right now. Anyway, being in a Navy squadron, this is the second year that the guys have gone on a cross country to the game. Since it was in Colorado Springs, CO this year, my friend Kathleen and I (along with Jackson) made the weekend trip out there and me the boys. It was a whirlwind trip! We left the Pensacola airport at 5:30...first flight out. After a small layover in Atlanta, we made it to the Springs around lunch time. We had quite the adventure at the Denver airport...that is where we landed...then drove to Colorado Springs, went to the Academy gift shop for shirts for the game, and checked into the hotel. We had a great weekend. Air Force lost the game, but it was a great weekend get-a-way.
After the game
Outside the stadium
The marching band...wings!
My sisters, Alexis and Rachel, came to visit. Of course my only nephew was there as well. We had a great time...went shopping, to the beach, and just relaxed. I am amazed at how BIG Mason is!! At the time of his visit, he was 9 months old and is already in 18 month clothing! I guess that he takes after his father. I am waiting on the pictures from Rae to get here, but until then, here is the first picture of them that I have. They flew here and brought so much stuff, that my trunk was overflowing. I had to put the stroller in the front seat with me and the three of them squeezed into the back seat. Enjoy! I promise more pictures.
First attempt...Mason's eyes were closed
Much better
Back at the start of September, Taris and I had the opportunity to go on a Marriage retreat sponsored by the Navy, exclusively for IP's (instructor pilots). The retreat was at a Marriott Resort in Panama City Beach, FL...about 2 1/2 hours from Pensacola. We had a marvelous time and loved the Panama City area...a great place to visit. We learned a lot...how to communicate better, the importance of being friends, and speaking each others love language. One of the rules for the weekend was that we couldn't watch any television all weekend. If you know us, you know that is hard for this family...what a nice change...I loved it! My favorite part was on Sunday...after the church service and group photo, we had two hours to create a gift/craft for our spouse and write a love letter that would be mailed to us in about a month. I put Taris' gift to me on the fridge and we just got our letters in the mail on Thursday. I was so excited. Anyway...pictures from the trip.
Shell Island...a private island...amazing sand and beautiful water
Taris while we had the afternoon for a date
Me in the warm water
In case you aren't up on your current weather...it is a busy hurricane season for the gulf. It's my favorite time of the year...I love the anxiety of should we pack up or not. Anyway, to add excitement to my parents coming to visit, we have a hurricane...a rather big one...coming this way. Life is an adventure. We will keep you posted.
