Oh CRUD!

Crud- if you didn't know- is a huge deal out here at Luke AFB. Quick explanation for those unfamiliar... It's a game developed by the Canadian Fighter pilots back in war time played around a billiards table (or snooker table). The cue ball is the only one you're allowed to touch and then you try to hit the object ball with the cue ball to either hit it into a pocket or hit it light enough that the object ball stops on the opponents turn.. I'm not going to go into details because there are A WHOLE BUNCH of rules.. If you want to know more, click here.

Anyway, although it's a fighter pilot thing, the wives put on tournaments twice a year to see which squadron wins bragging rights. Friday night was the night. We put our warrior paint on. And... We came in second place out of 9 teams. Not to shabby- of course I am totally competitive so I wanted first, but it was a success none-the-less. Our squadron had enough girls to have two teams- which boils down to more play time for everyone! Both of our teams held their own and did quite well! I even overheard someone talking about our second team claiming that "they MUST be the 'A' team" since they were getting their butts kicked by our girls!! Not bad considering the majority of our players were brand new to the game and we only had a months worth of practices!
Here's our two teams- missing two girls :(The Championship game was intense and we were playing a team we barely lost to previously so it was our chance to retaliate. Our success was of course the whole team but Suz stepped up and single-handedly carried the team! The retaliation efforts didn't happen, but some drama surely reared it's ugly head and showed up right in the middle of our game. I was the victim of some HORRIFIC referee calls... Seriously- my feet were absolutely cemented to the floor and I lost a life, not for a moving block because he knew I wasn't moving my feet, but because the girl couldn't get around me... How is that my fault??? Anyway, I lost 2 lives for that! I need to change the subject now since I'm getting worked up just thinking about it. So then an argument broke out, as it often does in Crud.. The guys teach us to just start yelling stuff and hopefully the ref may get confused and call in our favor. There was yelling and a cluster of grown women, and next thing you know my friend, Terri is on the ground screaming! It's ok- she got a massive charlie horse/leg cramp. But it sure didn't help with the already tense game. Hopefully a good time was had by all and the grudges can be kept to a minimum. It's just Crud... That's what I cash it up to and to be honest, I don't get offended if someone knocks me to the ground- good on 'em! I think all the girls will be returning for the next tourney so wish us better luck next time- in March!
Riley also got to experience his first Crud Tournament! He, along with some of his "friends" came sporting his Squadron Onsie, complete with his "call sign" on the back.


My friend, Carrie took great care of Riley while Mommy was busy kickin' butt! She stayed for a while, made sure he got fed, calmed him down for bed time and then handed the job over to John when she and her baby boy went home!Thanks to all who came out and played and all the supporters! It was fun!

Monkey-ing Around

Life has finally normalized after the wonderful visits.. I'd like to say the visits were for John and I but I know the truth. Riley was the real "visit-ee." We'll take what we can get!

One of my college roommates, Kelly came out with her husband, Kevin to hang out and catch up! The boys got along famously while Kel and I reminisced about the good ol' college days! She got to meet Riley and I got some big news from her- totally exciting! We stayed busy while they visited with a hike up the White Tank Mountains, quail hunting, hung out at West Gate, and a trip to the mini-zoo that's 6 minutes from my house (maybe that's what is responsible for the smell of dung in the evenings). How cute is this baby monkey? I think I have a thing for monkeys especially since my husband is one... At least he does a darn good impression. Time went way to quick and before I knew it, it was time to drop them off at the airport.

9 Fine...

No- not 9 Fine Irishmen.. but 9 Fine glorious hours of sleep last night!! Well- for Riley anyhow. I woke up around 5 (which is the approximate time he's been waking up) and was in and out of consciousness for the next two hours anticipating his awakening, until he started stirring around 7. When I went in to get him, he had a BIG smile for me! VICTORY!! What a beautiful morning- I did the happy dance with Riley when we got up!!
I started singing that Wizard of Oz song- the one that is in the IBM green commercials. If I was at all gifted with video editing or IT stuff, I'd alter this video to match my needs, but just imagine that the girl is talking about getting the first great night of sleep in over 2 months instead of the green plan!!! I swear the birds are happily chirping outside, the squirrels frolicking in the yard and everything is in bloom!!!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqkgiCjlvvU

Festivities Weekend

As another B-course graduation came and went, where brand new fighter pilots enter the fighter community and see what the Air Force is all about, our life here at Luke AFB was a flurry of activity! John and I (and Riley too) made an appearance at the last student party before graduation- themed a Toga party. I got a little creative and made Riley his own lil Toga to wear and put his Jesus sandals on.. What a trooper! Sure, in this picture he doesn't look happy but once we got to the party he calmed right down and slept through it. Must have been the rhythmic bass sounds and vibrations that did it.

Plenty of festivities were held on the day of the graduation.. Breakfast at the Squadron, Spouse Taxi Rides, Simulator flights, and the whole Petting Zoo experience for all the proud families that came to town. I took advantage of the events and was able to get a taxi ride in an F16- manned by none other than my darling husband!! The spin up was so much fun, as me and 4 other women were carted around to different briefs and fittings, ensuring that we were dressed and prepared for the ride (ie: that we wouldn't accidentally push the "Eject" button). We even got to do the "com" (communications) between our "flight" as well as to the tower! That darling husband of mine even let me steer the jet while we were doing the slow speed taxiing to get to the runway. The high speed taxi only lasted maybe 5 seconds, as we lunged forward, accelerating rapidly after John hit the afterburners. Just as we were starting to really cook, it was time for the brakes and the ride was over. What a tease!!! What an amazing opportunity though. Sure makes me jealous of all those celebrities that get the real rides- raging around in the sky! That may be the only thing I can think of that actually makes me wish for fame.

Then it was off to the airport to drop Grandma off and back home to get all dolled up for the graduation ceremony. Riley came with (we pretty much drag him everywhere with us), which made the simplicity of enjoying the ceremony and dinner a thing of the past since it's little more complicated when you've got to worry about the baby's feeding time, trying to get him down for a nap in the car seat that makes him irritable when we're not moving in the car and just socializing with my adorable little leach. I missed a good part of the ceremony (and missed my hunny getting an award from the students), as I sat in the ladies room feeding the boy then walking around outside the hall waiting for a good time to rejoin. We did the after party at a local bar until it was Riley's bed time. Wheeeew!
So best of luck goes out to the graduating class as they prepare to head off to their first operational squadron!

My Fav's

You may have noticed the amazing pictures in the Left bar by Carrie Fay. Well I got the whole slew of them today to browse through and they are ALL amazing!! I was referred to Carrie Fay by a friend of mine who works with her at a local church. She doesn't have formal training in photography but you'd never be able to tell by her knack of picture taking! Carrie Fay came to our house and was the sweetest, most pleasant person and has turned this hobby of hers into a fund raiser to enable her and her husband to adopt a child. She took a couple hours out of her Saturday morning to spend with us accruing a number of photos of our new expanded family. We are so thankful and appreciative of her time and energy working with us! Here are my favs... (It is near impossible to narrow them down but I did my best!) Thanks to both Christine and Carrie Fay!!!

Security

Sleepy

Snoozy

Weary

Comfy

Snuggly

Bubbly
Lazy

Fuzzy

Earthy

Pouty

Heavenly

Tiny

Crabby
Mighty
BrawnyHealthy

LuckyMushy

Lovey

Happy

Grandma's Visit

Time comes and goes so quickly! Grandma (John's Mom) came to visit and spent a week and a half with us. She got plenty of opportunities to hang out with her new grandson since John and I took advantage of her visit by taking a date night, as well as allowing me to go to the gym a number of times without carting around Riley! Time flew by and before we knew it- Poof! She was flying back home- but left us with a sparkling kitchen! We all really enjoyed the time we got to spend with her!! Thanks Grandma... for everything!

Riley's 6 weeks old!!

Well I'm just over 6 weeks old now! Man- the last 6 weeks have flown by! I have grown from the 9 lbs 4 oz since I was born to now a whopping 13 lbs!!! What can I say- I'm a hoss! I can add responsive smiling, cooing and grabbing on to my impressive resume. Although I try to be an equal opportunity grabber, my favorite thing to grab is of course Mommy's hair. I even occasionally find that darn hand of mine long enough to try sucking on it... It's most successful when I just suck on the fingers or thumb, but it's hard work singling those guys out and most of the time I'm satisfied with the whole fist. I've been rockin' the tummy time and the reps I've been putting in have been paying off! I can hold up my big noggin pretty well now and am head banging much less. Mommy's bags under her eyes are getting smaller.... I'm trying to help out by giving her some beauty rest at night. I can stretch the night time sleep up to 7 hours, but I don't want to spoil her so I usually keep it to around 5 or 6 hours. Days can be a different story... Lately I've had lots of toots which makes me cry since I'm trying to keep them in. Mom says that now is the one time in life where it's absolutely acceptable and even encouraged to let them out- but I don't know.. Maybe I'm just embarrassed to pass gas so I continue to cause myself discomfort to gain social acceptance. So that's me in a nutshell.. Now check out how cute I'm continually getting!! :)

Daddy's trying to calm me down.

I love giving smiles- especially in the morning and while my diaper is being changed

Hmm.. I'm not sure about that black thing Mommy keeps putting in my face. (camera)

Maybe it's okay after all. I'll just give a teaser smile.Daddy is so captivating!!