Backing Up to Last Year

Yes, people, I'm still alive and kickn'.

Life has been busy and it was nice to take a break from blogging for a few weeks.

However, now there is much to catch you all up on.  So let's start with the month of November 2011, shall we?

We spent Thanksgiving this year with Jed's dad up at his cabin home in the mountains.  This was Jed's first time seeing his dad since before he left for Iraq, so in a sense, Thanksgiving was a bit of a homecoming for those two.

The kids checking out a high-definition movie.  Pretty cool.

Chown' down.

We were joined by lots of nieces and nephews.

 Joe and Julie's family was there too, along with Jed's half-sister, Samantha, and her family.

Mo and Tom, thanks for the wonderful day at your house! 

Shortly after Thanksgiving, Jed had a birthday!!!! 

What an OLD man.  Seriously old.  That guy is only one year away from DEATH itself - he turned 39 years old.

We had a little get-together to celebrate.  Jed's so old now, even the kids have to help unwrap his gifts.  :)


My parents came.

Jed's mother and grandparents were of course there too.





What was my gift to Jed?  Well, it's what any girl automatically knows to give her husband.   A nice, expensive, top-o-the-line EO-Tech sight for an AR-15.   Can't take a chance in letting any bad guys get away, you know?

Quite honestly, I really suck at gift shopping for Jed because he always wants some kind of tactical gear or what-nots that I am completely clueless on.  Not to mention he is very particular when it comes to these kinds of things.  So I just tell him how much money he has for his gift and he goes and buys it himself.  For us, this works.  In fact, really well - Jed always knows what he wants and I don't know enough about whatever it is to buy it.  He takes all the stress out of it for me.

I love marriage.

So Happy Belated Birthday to the OLD MAN.  :)

Later that week, Jed and I were required to travel to Park City, Utah for a 60 Day Reintegration event for all soldiers who have recently returned from a deployment. 


Sounds like fun, right?   In reality, it consists of  two very long days filled with classes from counselors, military leaders, and therapists telling you what you went through on your deployment and that you're normal to come back different and make sure you don't become a drunk, or develop violent or suicidal behaviors.  Of course, by the time the classes are over everyone IS feeling violent and suicidal for having to sit through all of that.  As for our group of friends, we spent time in those classes honing our gaming skills on Ipods, Iphones, etc.....   Since I don't have anything as fancy as that, my friend, Kelley, taught me how to crochet.  She says I picked up the basics quickly.  It was fun learning, but by now I have completely forgotten how. 

The perks of the trip were unlimited, free food (buffet style), our beautiful rooms we were set up in, and when we had a little bit of free time to hang with other soldier buddies and their spouses.  The last night we were put on a ski lift that took us to the top of a mountain.  Once there, we were shown to a nice lodge restaurant where we gorged ourselves with delicious food and desserts.  Afterwards, a group of us got together for a movie night and treats. 

Good times, but I am very glad we are done having to sit through any more of those classes.


COMING UP NEXT.....DECEMBER!

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day was filled was lots of family, food and fun.  Since we had such a large number showing up, we reserved our church building for Thanksgiving dinner.   

This year we celebrated the day with my dad's side of the family.

Among our group were my grandparents, several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

 It's been fun seeing our families grow year after year.

Rigdon didn't wait for the prayer, he was pretty hungry and dug right in.

 Aubrey.

My cousins' kids - I am finding it hard to keep up with all of their names since I don't get to see them very often.

Aubrey playing Ring-Around-The-Rosies with the little ones.

Connor and Rigdon.

There is a gym in the church building where we played some basketball...

...and a few games of "Lightning."

Don't let my Sister-in-law, Lisa's pregnant body fool you...she was whooping up on everyone.

Ah, my favorite part...DODGEBALL!  My Uncle Kevin's setting up the game.

Waiting for the word "go!"

And the madness begins!

We played several games for about an hour.  Wow, by the time we were done I was feeling like I had just gotten done with one serious workout.  (I guess that means I need to do a tad bit more in that department.)

Little Rigdon enjoyed the games too.  Surprisingly, he only got hit once while wandering back and forth between the teams.

Lots of spectators enjoying the game too.

I am so thankful (among many other things) for family and friends.  Life would feel like such a barren wasteland without those relationships in my life.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving too!

I had to quickly add this in too....I am so grateful for my wonderful neighbors and ward members!  They have fixed my back door, installed my mailbox (a new requirement by the city post office), shoveled our driveway, cleared snow off of my vehicle, stopped by to see if there is anything they can do.  I know that if there is ever anything I need, there is always someone there to offer.  It is a huge relief to have many caring people watching over my famly while Jed is gone.  Thank you to all of you!

Thanks so much, Shannon!  I owe you big time for this!  Can you imagine me out there trying to install a mailbox into the sidewalk by myself?