Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Remember the Alamo!!!



After all the graduation celebrations were over we still had the weekend to spend in San Antonio.

Our favorite place to go is the Riverwalk and the area around the Alamo. We ate, we shopped we walked and we talked. The weather was beautiful after the freak icy weather of the day before. It was amazing to see how much my son had grown and matured in the short time in the Air Force. It was great to see him still goof off with his little brother Adam. Seeing him with his girlfriend Jamie was a treat too. They are really in love!! We had an amazing time with him and being back in San Antonio again.

We stop at this historic old hotel (1859) called the Menger. It had some amazing antiques and Christmas decorations. So here is a partial family Christmas picture. Adam, Abbie and me. And for you Joe, ( step father) Abbie and the Nutcracker.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Jimmie's Graduation



Jimmie has just finished his Air Force Basic Training and is ready to graduate on December 5, 2008. Abbie, Jamie and I are going to fly to San Antonio, Texas to see him. He has been gone for 7 weeks and I don't know who misses him more; mom or girlfriend !! We left on Wednesday Dec. 3rd and managed to get there, rent a car and get to the hotel. That was a major accomplishment on its own. I don't do well out of my comfort zone and being the responible adult on this trip was making me a little panicky. Driving in Texas is quite an experience on its own. By the second day I had made friends with Texas turnabouts. I got lost everywhere I went but these turn abouts were great for getting me back on track. We were never late and always got where we wanted to be so I'd say it was a success. Thursday morning....early... we headed out to the Base for the Airmans Run. The is a 1.5 mile run where you first get to see your son again. If you are lucky! 300 bald boys wearing exactly the same thing run past you down the street. They all look the same!! Later that day was the Coin Ceremony where they received their honors and got to wear their dress blues. Finally after that we got to hug and touch Jimmie !! (Hoping Jimmie never reads this) I swear it was as good as the first time I ever held him 19 years ago!! (and he had the same amount of hair both times!! ) We got to see his dorm, his shiny latrine and spend the rest of the day with him. Of course we had to share him with Danny and Karie ( my ex-hubby and his wife) and we had a wonderful time. Next morning it was the official graduation ceremony. It was cold. It was VERY cold!! It was 32 degrees with a windchill of 22 degrees. Graduation was 2 hours long, outside and very windy. Of course we Californians didn't have anything more than sweatshirts to wear. Jimmies flight got to be Honor Gaurd so it was easy to pick him out of the hundreds of new Airmen standing....freezing out on the Parade ground. Here is a picture of my Airman standing in front of the plane he will be assigned to. Yeah Jimmie, we are so proud of you!!

Monday, December 1, 2008

10 Labradoodles


Molly really came through with the puppies!! She had a total of ten curly little fuzz balls, 6 girls and 4 boys. If you don't know about Labradoodles I have just started another blog all about them, http://lancasterlabradoodles.blogspot.com/ . Doodles are large dogs. A cross between a labrador retriever and a Standard Poodle. Why??? Doodles are extremly mild mannered, smart and hypo-allergenic. They were originally "create" in Austraila as Guide dogs, Service dogs for people with allergies. Even as puppies they are very calm, mellow and devoted dogs.

To learn more about what makes them so special check out the other blog.

We are Having Puppies!!

Our adorable Standard Poodle Molly is under my desk having ( very soon) here first litter of Labradoodles !! I will update later as our new babies arrive!!