Home Again, Home Again

After a wonderful block leave Mat and I have returned home to Ft. Riley safely. After a few delays in our travels we got back home at around 2am Monday morning.

I haven't had time yet to go through and download and edit the photos but as soon as I get to that I will get them up here.

The cruise was absolutely fantastic, Mat and I had more fun that we could have imagined. Cozumel was wonderful and warm. Grand Cayman was fun and interesting. Mat and I went SCUBA diving for the first time there. The water was warm and crystal clear. In Cozumel Mat and I went ATV riding through the Jungle. We got to stop and visit some of the Myan ruins while on our journey.

Visiting family is always a treat. I know that Mat and I always want to stay longer. It was fantastic seeing everyone and we can't wait to see everyone again.

Block Leave

Just wanted to blog a little before we leave on our vacation. On Monday we leave for an exciting trip. We are going on a cruise from Tampa, FL to Grand Cayman Islands and Cozumel Mexico. Mat and I are thrilled to be able to go. We didn't really ever get a real honeymoon so we're excited about this. After we get back from that we head up to PA and visit some of Mat's family then back down to Virginia to visit with family there and do Christmas.

Mat and I mailed off our packages to various locations around the US yesterday so now that that's taken care of and the packing of the suit cases is done we're ready to open the gifts we have for each other and we'll be ready to head out of town.

Please pray that our flights are on time and we make it to the boat without incident on Monday. Also pray that there are no pirates planning to hijack our boat.

Trust me, there will be many many pictures following our trip.

If we don't get to talk to you before Christmas, please have a safe and blessed Christmas. Remember to celebrate it not for the presents and material things, celebrate it for the birth of Christ, the ultimate gift. Merry Christmas.

Our First Christmas Season

As the Advent season begins, Mat and I have been busy getting our first Christmas season ready. Tuesday night we went and bought a Christmas tree and tried to set it up. It had to be tied to the curtain rod for a while b/c it wouldn't stay up straight. Wed. we went and bought a new stand and now it's nice and straight. We have decorated the outside of the house with a beautiful wreath (from OCSC) and icecycle lights. Poodle is reacting just like we thought she would...by eating the tree.

Tomorrow night we are headed out to an event called "Bethlehem Revisited". It's an outdoor walking tour of the nativity. I'm really excited about it. That is something I've always wanted to do.

We also hung a picture in our living room above the couch. Mat picked it out. I really like it.

We still have some things to get done like cards, wrapping gifts and packing for our cruise. I'm sure the next week will fly by and hopefully everything will get done.

Lots has happened

Well this will be a fairly large blog. Since Mat's return home things have been super busy and updating hasn't been a top priority.

Here are a few pictures of Mat's Welcome Home Ceremony...

The large flag that they hid behind until time to come out.

Can you see which one Mat is??? Because I couldn't figure out which one was him.

Here are some pictures of the new car...
2006 Jeep Commander!

Beautiful back end pop up window

6 Cd changer, heated leather seats

Front

DVD player in the back!

I absolutly love our new car!!!

Thanksgiving was amazing! Mat and I's first Thanksgiving together. We had some friends over and really feasted. These are some photos of the things I made...

Classic green bean casserole

The turkey was so moist it literally fell off the bone. Mat barely had to touch it with the knife and then there was just a breast bone sticking up. It tasted fantastic.

Mashed potatoes, gravy, mac and cheese, stuffing, collard greens, cranberry sauce, yams....mmm mmmm good. Lots of leftovers too!

Well that's all for now. We'll update again soon. Hope everyone is well and had a fantastic Thanksgiving.

And now there are 2

Well as you've probably guessed, since we haven't blogged in few days, Mat made it home safe and sound. Things are great here. It's like he never even left. Falling back into routine has proved easier than I thought it would.

Tonight we bought a car to replace the Escort. We bought a 2006 Jeep Commander. I absolutely love it. It's so awesome. DVD player, heated leather seats, sunroof, 2 moon roofs, rain sensing wipers. Just all around awesome. There will be pictures later, just thought I'd update so everyone knows that Mat is here safely. We hope to see you soon.

LAST NIGHT ALONE!

Well the day has finally arrived. The last night before Mat comes home. This time tomorrow I will be lying safely in his arms. Something I've realized during this, our first deployment, that time is an awfully crazy thing. The past 15 months has crawled by...hour by hour, day by day, and so on...but yet today when I look back...it seems no time hardly at all has past. It's crazy.

Tonight was kinda funny. I asked Mat what he wanted for his Welcome Home dinner and he said he wanted Spaghetti & Meatballs, Salad and breadsticks with Angel food cake for dessert (his favorite) Well right as I was about to begin beating the 12 egg whites, my electric mixer blew it's motor. So I ran next door to my nice neighbor Mike and the only thing he had was a hand crank mixer...so I beat the stinkin crap out of those eggs for 15 mins and they were still the consistancy of pudding...so I called Mom and she nicely told me to give it up and go buy a new electric mixer. So I ran to the store and 30 mins later the cake is in the oven baking right now.

Here are a few pictures of the posters/signs everyone sent for Mat. He doesn't know anything about them yet. They will all be a surprise for him when he comes home.

RIP Great White Hype

Well the car is officially sold. Goodbye Great White Hype.

I had today off this week instead of Wednesday. So I ran around all over town running errands.

Short Post today, got lots to do.

Photo of the day:

Goodbye Escort. You've been a good car. We've traveled many miles together. Good luck in your next life.