Benny Break

When we travel from MA to Lockport, Benny & Heather are only 5 min. off the Thruway. (Andy is usually at work) It's a great break in our travel but even a better chance to see our family.

We try to time it so Benny's up from his nap. This trip he was a little shy; he stood frozen in the livingroon while Chris & I came in- I guess he figured if he didn't move we wouldn't notice him.

He warmed up quickly and wanted to play. He was enamered with Chris 

who gave him lots of attention.

Soon they were playing with Andy's toys (yep I meant Andy) Benny knew right where they were. Hopefully Andy wasn't watching on the kitty cam.

We had fun. This is Benny posing for my camera as he ran by. Heather has him trained well.

Heather and Andy, thanks for living in such a great spot- we love to visit!

Exploring Massachusettes

A few Sundays ago Ken and I decided to take a drive to check out a MA sight we heard about called the Bridge of Flowers. It turned out to be less than an hour away and what a worthwhile drive. This man made wonder is found in Shelburn Falls Ma. It was an old trolley bridge that the community decided to rebuild into a beautiful foot path. 

We are standing on a street bridge looking at the Bridge of Flowers. 

Here is what it looks like as you enter.

I took so many pictures, these are some of my favorites.

As we explored the city we ran into this natural wonder (geological wonder)

potholes... maybe, but beautiful none the less!

We wound up with a walk down the main street of this quaint New England town. We visited an antique shop and had a lively discussion with the owner about how he hung out with Josh Brolin who was filming a movie in their town. 

Ice coffee & frozen hot chocolate completed a perfect day as we sat outside a storefront making friends with a woman who told us everything we could ever want to know about her dog :)

Life is GOOD!

Avalanche

A loud crash, cats scattering everywhere (remember, we have 3), looks of disbelief... this could only be one thing.

One of the tower-like stacks of boxes in Christopher's room exhaled after standing ridged for so long (boxes who have had no relief for two long years). Yes, we had a box avalanche.

It was God's mercy that this didn't happen while Chris was tucked dreamily in bed or (I can't even say what may have been). As it was, his Xbox and guitar both missed by inches each had their own brush with death.

Chris clearly distraught over this catastrophe.

Ken and Chris- First Response Team! 

How Can My Kids Be So Old!

Danielle and Chris had their birthdays Thursday. 

Is it possible that I am the mother of children 18, 22, and Gabby is almost 24!

I am so thankful that the two birthday kids were with me on this day, especially considering our recent  living situations. Among the festivitoes were dinner at Olive Garden, homemade icecream cake, presents with gabby Skyping in, and a few rousing games of Sorry. (notice the board in the picture below.) How great are my kids that they had fun at home with their parents playing board games on their bithdays?

Joining for a robust round of "A Happy Birthday To You"!

Reunions

When I went home to get Chris I tried to visit as many friends & family as possible (in 2 days)

The weekend started with lunch with Gabby, Chris & Nick at Friendly's. The boys saw a drug deal go down out front and we annoyed a lot of people being loud (ahhh family).

 I stayed with my friend Chris for 2 nights and we had a fun afternoon together of lunch and shopping. 

I also got to visit with Marie, Lynne (friends from my teen years) & my sis Heather one evening at Lynne's house. We had a great time!

Also breakfast one morning with my friend Kathy at Lockport's Tom's Diner.

I also had dinner with my oldest friend (not in age) Diane & my sis Amber. 

I wish I had taken more pictures!!!

Needless to say, I ate alot that weekend :)

I appreciate my friends & family so much and miss them like crazy.

Bringing Chris Home

 Chis is with us in MA now! I went to get him a few weekends ago. He came from a spacious area in the Bixby's basement to this partial space in the third bedroom. Although, the first thing he did was rearrange a little so he could fit his 47in TV & Xbox system. (priorities)

Danielle and Chris have been great about making due with cramped conditions. There's been no complaining. I wish we had room for Gabby, we are all praying we get into a house soon.

USO

I've begun volunteering for the USO, United Services Organization. There main mission is to lift the spirits of the troops and their families. Yes, they are the group who send celebrities overseas to entertain the troops. Since they were not in need of my services in that particular part of their organization, I've been doing things like baking and serving coffee & snacks to new recruits or military personnel coming back or leaving on deployment.

This morning I helped with a Barbeque for a 3rd grade class who were touring the base. 

It was fun. 

It's been a good chance for me to get to meet people, feel useful, 

and become a part of something worthwhile.              

C-5 Perks

Sometimes :) I complain about how inconvenient the military makes our lives, 

but I have to say that there are really many good things that we get to experience 

because Ken is in the Air Force- perks!

Westover Air Reserve Base is home to sixteen C-5B Galaxy Aircraft. 

Last week the Base sponsored a spouse recognition flight in a C-5 during a refueling mission. 

We were in the air for over 2 hours and what an exciting experience it was.

We had to arrive a few hours ahead of time for the mission briefing and clearances. 

Finally, they loaded us in a bus and took us out to the flight line.

Being so close to such an enormous machine was pretty daunting and imagining this big boy soaring through the air is pretty amazing. 

We entered the C-5 into the cargo area which feels like a gymnasium. Ken says they can hold  a few tanks or helicopters. It is the Air force's largest aircraft.

They had us climb to the upper deck to be seated. There are only a few small windows in this area so we just took in the sounds and smells of the experience.

During the refueling process they brought groups of us down the ladder-like stairs and up another set of them to the cockpit to have a look. Climbing during flight and walking across this cargo area was no easy task- kind of like a drunk trying to walk a straight line. (yes, crewmen were laughing at us) They actually had to stop fueling when we were there but we could still see the tanker flying above.

Awesome feeling

So many controls!

This tanker was so close

As were deboarded the base commander and his wife met us with roses and a spouse appreciation coin.  There was a small reception after as well. 

Ken met me there which really added to the feeling that being the wife of someone in the military is truly a special experience.