Do they get any cuter than this?

Hey all you Vets!

Check out this free offer in honor of your service!

Applebee's salute to the Military this Veterans Day

Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants invite all active duty and veterans to one of 164 participating restaurants nationwide to pull up a chair for a delicious meal and heartfelt thanks this Veterans Day. With gratitude for their service and sacrifice, active duty and veterans will eat free at participating locations on Veterans Day (November 11, 2008) during regular business hours.

Veterans and active duty with proof of United States military service will be able to go to one of the participating Applebee's and select one complimentary entrée from a selection of delicious favorites: a savory House Sirloin, hearty Riblet Basket, zesty Fiesta Lime Chicken®, a juicy Quesadilla Burger or fresh Oriental Chicken Salad. All the traditional sides are included.

"It's an honor to host an event that helps the neighborhood come together and say thanks to our veterans and active servicemen and women," said Mike Archer, President, Applebee's Services, Inc..

Proof of military service includes:
* U.S. Uniform Services Identification Card
* U.S. Uniform Services Retired Identification Card
* DD214
* LES
* Citation or Commendation
* Photograph in uniform
* Veterans Organization Card

So relieved... and tagged?

I am so relieved my week of training is over and I passed my test!
I am so relieved that the election is over and I don't have to hear anymore political ads on the radio and TV!

Aside from the above note not a whole lot is new with the exception of having been "tagged." I'll admit it took me a little while to figure out what that meant, but it appears I am to list 7 things that you may not know about me. Hmmmm.

1. I am registered as an independent and strongly believe that I am for the right person not the right party.
2. I am about to become Six Sigma Green Belt Certified! (Hence the training)
3. I remind myself daily that I am a Christian first. When people act inappropriate or anger me in the office my technique before reacting is to remind myself to act Christian like regardless of how the other person is acting. I find this very helpful and comforting and I am able to be kinder to people who don't necessarily deserve it, but the kindness is often returned with something positive and then I can feel good that I am leading by example.
4. I have always wanted to be a nurse and wonder why in college I did not go that route. I have still not ruled out the possibility of going to nursing school one day.
5. I can't stand clutter. I become slightly OCD around lots of "stuff." I can deal with messy or dirty, but clutter gets me!
6. My sister and I shared a room for our entire childhood.
7. I find this task much more difficult than I expected. I am relatively private.

How about seven things you probably know about me?
1. I love dogs
2. I like to decorate and sew
3. my sister is my best friend (next to Mark)
4. I cut off all of my hair to donate to locks of love
5. I love the beach! and dream of a beach house someday.
6. Sam and Bailey are our kids
7. I am from Massachusetts originally

Details

Our trip to the Bahamas was very relaxing and the beaches were absolutely gorgeous, BUT the hotel / TimeShare that we stayed at was a dive! We did not let it affect our trip and most days we enjoyed relaxing at the on-site beach. We did snorkel one day at a beautiful cove and it was incredible. I forgot how much I love to snorkel- but also forgot the MW does not so much love it. He was a good sport though.
Back to the hotel- the rooms were decent size and relatively clean- the dilemma we faced was that the furniture / appliances were old. Our shower actually screamed like an airplane taking off when we used it. It made for quick showers since the noise was barely tolerable. I overlooked it and continued enjoying my vacation until one day I was in the shower and water stopped coming out of the faucet! Soap in hair I began to pitch a fit. Our sinks were dry and the shower was too. So, this went on for TWO days before we were moved to a new room (our last night). Well our new room's shower did not scream at all and I had wished I pitched a fit days earlier. I just did not want to have to get worked up while on vacation.
All in all it was a great trip- and now we laugh about not having running water- and to top it off- the day the water ran out MW had been at Happy Hour and thought it was very funny we had no water- then he preceded to shower at the beach shower (shorts on) with shampoo and all. Meanwhile I made a point of speaking very loudly to hotel workers about not having ANY water in my room so other guests could hear.
The island itself has very little to see, but the beaches are great. It is not a place I would visit twice, but it was nice to get away!

Finally photos

West Point Trip:

Group photo on campus
Bus ride to the game

At the game- Army WON!!!!

Anne's wedding:

I have this photo from 6 years ago for my wedding, 1 year ago for Alicia's and now for Annes! I love it. I don't have them electronically or I would post all for comparison.

Bahamas:

Are only photo of us! How pathetic.

No words to express it...

While we are all overwhelmed with love and joy....

Little Romeo is going through an adjustment phase.

She is here!

I have some catching up to do from all of our recent travels, but first and foremost, Gabriella Grace has arrived!

I missed her arrival during my recent travels by a mere 4 days, so I am anxious to meet my newest little family member. She was born October 16th and is a healthy GOOD baby. She likes to sleep which pleases her mommy and daddy very much. Without further ado I present my niece:

Already Daddy's little girl.
These photos were taken when she was just hours old. She is now rounding out her first week and I am anxious to see more pictures. You can be certain that in the coming weeks there will be many photos of her!