Monday, January 31, 2011
600th Post!
When I started this blog a little more than 3 years ago, I never thought that I would make it this far - 600 posts?! It's been fun - here's to 600 more!
A Taste of Spring
Yesterday and today were both beautiful! It was in the 60's and sunny. The kids got to play outside all day and we've made great use of our new trampoline. It was wonderful to have a nice relaxing weekend and to spend some time together as a family. Some people like to try to pack in all sorts of fun activities before a deployment but I've found that it works better for us if we try to take it slow and put very little pressure on the situation. Going to the park, riding bikes, and dinner at home are all things that are good for our family. 
Friday, January 28, 2011
Snowday
On Wednesday we had ANOTHER snowday. This winter has been ridiculous - they have canceled school for 1-2 inches at least twice if not 3 times and delayed school at least another 3 times. Thank goodness we don't live in the county because they have canceled school at least twice as often. Instead of adding days onto the end of the year, they are going to make the kids - and teachers! - go to school on holidays! Ugh. This is what our road looked like at about 10 am on the day that school was canceled. See the road? Yeah, me too. Looks pretty clear.
The mess that I have given up trying to clean when they are all home:
Maybe I forgot to brush Emmy's hair since I knew we weren't going to leave the house:
Thrilled:
A little smile:
I had about 5 of these throughout the day - thank goodness for tea!
One good thing about being home all day - homemade rolls to go with supper!
Mmmmm - stuffed shells:
The mess that I have given up trying to clean when they are all home:
Maybe I forgot to brush Emmy's hair since I knew we weren't going to leave the house:
Thrilled:
A little smile:
I had about 5 of these throughout the day - thank goodness for tea!
One good thing about being home all day - homemade rolls to go with supper!
Mmmmm - stuffed shells:
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Burns Night Supper
We had such a good time at the Burns Night Supper that we attended last year, we decided to do our own this year. We invited the troop commanders and their wives in Brendan's unit. They all came, although they were a little leery of the haggis! We started off the evening with appetizers including Scottish smoked salmon. The first course was Scotch Broth followed by Haggis with neeps (mashed turnips) and tatties (mashed potatoes). We finished up the meal with Scottish raspberry trifle and homemade vanilla shortbread. The cheese course was complimented by homemade rosemary shortbread. We made our own Scottish Cream Whiskey, called Atholl Brose, which turned out delicious and was the hit of the evening! 
Josh addressing the Haggis:
The program for the evening that Brendan designed:
Josh addressing the Haggis:
The program for the evening that Brendan designed:
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Body Armor
Brendan had to put the plates in his body armor the other morning because he was going to qualify at the rifle range. Aidan wanted to wear the vest - it is really heavy! He was able to stand it for a few minutes before he got too tired to stand.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Snow Day
Today we had a snow day! All the schools were closed and even Fort Campbell was closed so Brendan didn't have work. It was a really nice surprise to be able to spend the day together especially since Brendan's parents are here visiting before the deployment. It was cold but sunny so the kids actually lasted outside for almost an hour! Both Emmy and Aidan loved their sleds but Aoife HATED hers once she tried to slide down the hill but face planted instead. She got up and started screaming at the sled like it was the sled's fault that she fell in the snow. She was very happy to walk around at the top of the hill and watch the bigger ones sled. 
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Charlee's Birthday Party
I took Emmy to her best friend, Charlee's, birthday party yesterday. It was great - really low key. The kids just played, ate pizza and had cupcakes. I love a stress free party!!
Emmy enjoying Charlee's playroom:
The birthday girl:
Emmy enjoying Charlee's playroom:
The birthday girl:
Saturday, January 15, 2011
159th CAB Ball
Last night Brendan and I went to the 159th Combat Aviation Brigade's Winter Ball. We had a great time and really enjoyed spending time together and with our friends. This is the farewell event for the unit before the deployment that is coming up soon.
We made it home pretty early - 11 or so - and it was a good thing too. Poor Aidan woke us up around 1 in the morning by simultaneously yelling down the stairs for the babysitter and barfing everywhere. Not awesome - at all. The good news is that it seems to have been a one time thing and he was fine today.
Here are the centerpieces for our Squadron's tables. Since Brendan is in 7-17 CAV we did the centerpieces in red and white (Cavalry colors).
Thank GOODNESS there is a line item for Jaeger Bomb's. Seriously? I can't imagine the demand for them is so high!
The Squadron Commander adding to the grog. 
Me and Steph England:
We made it home pretty early - 11 or so - and it was a good thing too. Poor Aidan woke us up around 1 in the morning by simultaneously yelling down the stairs for the babysitter and barfing everywhere. Not awesome - at all. The good news is that it seems to have been a one time thing and he was fine today.
Here are the centerpieces for our Squadron's tables. Since Brendan is in 7-17 CAV we did the centerpieces in red and white (Cavalry colors).
Thank GOODNESS there is a line item for Jaeger Bomb's. Seriously? I can't imagine the demand for them is so high!
The Squadron Commander adding to the grog. 
Me and Steph England:
Monday, January 10, 2011
Cataclysmic Snow
I was planning on posting all these awesome pictures of all the snow we were supposed to get last night. But this is all we got:
Do you see the snow - right there at the edge of the woods??
Pretty sad , right? Emmy's school - along with the entire county and most of the state - was canceled for today. Aidan's school and all of Fort Campbell was on a 2 hour delay but he was sick last night so he didn't go to school. It actually worked out OK - I had a meeting at 11:30 on post at Brendan's building and I managed to get both girls into hourly childcare and I brought Aidan with me. He took a nap in Brendan's office and played his DS while the meeting was going on. It actually saved me a lot of driving back and forth across town!
I also want to confess that I am totally the reason why we didn't get the snow that was forecasted. I bought sleds for the kids yesterday AND finally found snowpants for Aidan. Between the two, it was a guarantee that the snow was going to miss us.
Do you see the snow - right there at the edge of the woods??Pretty sad , right? Emmy's school - along with the entire county and most of the state - was canceled for today. Aidan's school and all of Fort Campbell was on a 2 hour delay but he was sick last night so he didn't go to school. It actually worked out OK - I had a meeting at 11:30 on post at Brendan's building and I managed to get both girls into hourly childcare and I brought Aidan with me. He took a nap in Brendan's office and played his DS while the meeting was going on. It actually saved me a lot of driving back and forth across town!
I also want to confess that I am totally the reason why we didn't get the snow that was forecasted. I bought sleds for the kids yesterday AND finally found snowpants for Aidan. Between the two, it was a guarantee that the snow was going to miss us.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Barsanti Dedication
Aidan's new school is named Barsanti Elementary School after MG Barsanti, a highly decorated veteran of WWII, Vietnam and Korea. Among other honors, he was awarded 7 Purple Hearts and 5 Silver Stars!!
On Friday the official dedication of the school took place. All of the kids were so excited to sing their songs and be part of such a special day! Here's Aidan sitting in the middle of his class and other Kindergarteners:
The opening remarks by COL Clark:
MG Barsanti's daughter spoke about how her father was born into a poor Italian family in a humble mining town. He spoke no English until he started school and through hard work and perseverance became one of the most highly decorated soldiers in American history.
Unveiling the plaque:
By a show of hands - all the students who have a parent deployed.
If this war isn't touching your life everyday just remember the children who get up every morning and go to school while their father or mother fights for our freedom.
On Friday the official dedication of the school took place. All of the kids were so excited to sing their songs and be part of such a special day! Here's Aidan sitting in the middle of his class and other Kindergarteners:
The opening remarks by COL Clark:
MG Barsanti's daughter spoke about how her father was born into a poor Italian family in a humble mining town. He spoke no English until he started school and through hard work and perseverance became one of the most highly decorated soldiers in American history.
Unveiling the plaque:
By a show of hands - all the students who have a parent deployed.If this war isn't touching your life everyday just remember the children who get up every morning and go to school while their father or mother fights for our freedom.
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