Safe and Sound- Welcome Home!!!

After 15 extra long months, Bridget is finally home safe and sound from Iraq. Sean missed the big homecoming ceremony but he made it in time for dinner that night. It was supposed to be a surprise but a reminder popped up on Sean's Dad's blackberry (to remind him that his oldest son was arriving in 2 hours?!) and Bridget saw that. At least I wasn't the one who ruined it as Sean thought I would when I was IMing with her during her layover in Ireland. Anyway, she is back and enjoying great food, great company, CENTRAL MARKET (do NOT forget my tortillas, Sean!!), and a real haircut. Now she needs to go buy a car and probably a lot of clothes. She is going to live with a friend who has a full load of household goods until she moves to DC this summer, after which she will have to buy some furniture of her own. A good thing she didn't have anything to spend money on the past 15 months... It sounds like she may even come visit us next weekend since it's a 4 day one. I'll have to start thinking of some fun stuff to do around here... I bet she is anxious to cook! I may have to put her right to work.

ps I think the photos are from a phone, hence the quality. I do see the good camera there so I look forward to more shots soon!

Texas Style Weather

It was less painful to stay home this weekend since we had a nice break in the temps, 70s and no wind yesterday, shocking. So we played outside of course. It is very hard to take photos when the kids are running non-stop, but I tried. Notice the frisbee in mid-air by chance in one shot. Megan was at a party elsewhere, I wasn't just neglecting her.

Best Layover Ever

I just chatted with Bridget who was enjoying half her ration of beer in Ireland before catching her next flight to the US. Yes, she is out of prison, I mean, Iraq and headed home after 15 months!!! There is going to be a lot of celebrating going on in Austin this weekend and I am so sad to miss it but will get to see her in DC next month. I'm hoping for some photo updates from the FIL when they see her and will post them if I get 'em.

Speaking of real bombs...

In Sean's quest to get medical licenses in every state he had to show up in person in Arkansas before their medical licensing board. So, he met with the man whose SUV was blown up by a bomb this morning. According to the media no one has any clue why the head of the medical licensing committee would be a target. Hmm... as Sean said, let's start with the people who have had medical licenses revoked recently... We get newsletters from a lot of these state medical boards and they all list various offenses people have done to get their licenses taken away. A lot of drugs involved...

Shook with Freedom

We are pretty sure our street takes the brunt of the bombing sounds and vibration from Ft Riley as we are up on a ridge on the southwest side. Today was a shaking day and somehow Patrick napped through it and as usual I was just happy it is practice bombing and not someone aiming at us (also happy to not be out there doing the bombing as it's chilly). A friend calls it "the sound of freedom". Anyway, I came home from an hour of shuttling kids and found this scene. It's enough to make me double secure the new painting above the fireplace. It's oil on glass which sounded cool at first but now it makes me very nervous. I was also happy to not hear this commotion, I'm wondering if Jen or Nancy heard this fall after a big boom? And do you think a more dangerous piece could have fallen off the wall?!

I don't know where

He gets his laptop obsession... I am way more happy to see that Megan has a new found interest in having her room nice and neat. I had a good long laugh when she was complaining bitterly that Anna and Patrick messed it up just 2 minutes after she cleaned it. Yes, welcome to my world. I don't think it will take much convincing to get her to move into her own bedroom downstairs at some point.

Just wait until she can babysit

But for now I am happy when she entertains him during the witching hour.