Let the Christmasing begin (is that even a word?!)...

We have begun celebrating Christmas already! This past weekend we hosted Andy's parents and had a fun weekend spending time together and enjoying our new Wii and Guitar Hero. Thanks, AG and Debbie!! We have already started to waste countless hours challenging each other on the Wii sports games and Andy has convinced himself that he is a rockstar. (and, for the record, even if he isn't the real thing, I am still his groupie!). There he is, the ROCKSTAR himself!!!!

Andy even showed his mom how to play! She was pretty good =)

We have also already celebrated Christmas with our dear friends, the Liegl's and the Steinfort's. This is our fourth holiday season in Charleston and we feel so blessed to have such great friends to share in the joy. The children have begun to dictate our holiday plans together (i.e., early bedtimes, no babysitter!), but we have still managed to get together and enjoy one anothers company!

Race looks dumfounded by Molly Paige's new airplane toy! haha.

Gracie shares her best reindeer smile!
Uncle Andy reads to our godchildren (Grant & Grace)

We do hope you will be spending this holiday season with ones you love, whether it be family, friends, or both! If the snow and ice allows us, we will be in Indiana for Christmas day. Your prayers for safe travel plans would be appreciated! ;) Ho, Ho, Ho........time for more Christmas baking around here!

A Left Seater joins the family

CONGRATULATIONS to Andy!

He is home from his trip and is officially upgraded to 'Left Seat' in SOLL II. In fact, he is Left Seater #81 and has special new patches to boot!! In his words, he is "as qualified as I can be in the C-17" (as far as upgrade qualifications go). Now, everyone could always use more experience, and he would be the first to admit that. However, he is now a member of an elite group of pilots, in fact only 80 before him have earned this title, and I am very very proud of him! Way to go Andy!

While Andy has been working on acquiring new titles and qualifications in the C-17, I have been working on a new project myself. Well, actually we are both involved in this adventure, but I have been carrying the majority of the burden lately, so I count this as my "new title and qualification"!

Since the majority of my blog-stalkers include family and close friends, this is not new to you; however, this public aknowledgement is a big deal to me (as I am sure all of you know...). So without further ramblings, I will just say it.......Andy and I are going to have a baby!!!!

We are 15 weeks today, making us due on June 9th. It has been a very exciting time for us thus far, and we anticipate that it will only get better! Since I know my mother is awaiting another belly shot, I will put the latest one here for your viewing pleasure! The "baby bump" (actually, it feels more like a pooch, but 'baby bump' sounds much more glamorous) is getting harder and harder to hide. I hope that I will eventually look pregnant rather than like the girl who didn't know when-to-say-when with the chocolate milkshakes!

In other family news, we got our Christma tree today!! Yes, we are aware that we may be some of the last in America to do this, but we have busy schedules to work around!! We have the decorations complete and it is finally starting to feel like the holidays around here! I suppose now that we have the tree, I should start my shopping.....(everyone does always say that I take after my dad!!)

Duke v.s. Purdue - Part II

This update is a bit overdue because Andy and I both left out of town the day after the BIG game and I have just now gotten time to upload our picture. The game was utter disappointment on my behalf (and Andy felt a little sorry for the Boilers too, even if he won't admit it). My Boilers couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, as they say in Indiana. Most would like to attribute that to Duke's smothering defense, but I will just chalk it up to a bad game ;)

The hollering between us was kept to a minimum, but Andy's screaming at the TV was in its normal obnoxious, sometimes angry, and slightly irritating fashion. He knows my thoughts on this topic, so don't start thinking "ohhh, she is using this blog as a platform to jab at her husband"! It is as if he thinks the Duke team can hear him through the television (which they may because he is SO LOUD!) and would rather take his advice and criticisms over Coach K's. Unbelievable.

But, I have digressed. Enjoy the photo taken just before tip off......while I still had something to smile about!!

A house divided...

PURDUE v.s. DUKE........

Beginning at 9pm tonight the claws will come out and the marriage vows will be pushed aside. My passion runs deep for my mighty Boilermakers and Andy is (as some would call it!) obsessed with Duke basketball. I feel for Vegas who will be subject to listening to the cheers, shouts, and verbal jabs that are sure to be flying back and forth through our living room. Oh, who am I kidding.....she will probably be hiding under our nightstand by the time the first whistle even sounds!

Any ideas as to what our bet should be?!?!

A new face...

My friend Jennifer (see 'The Baker's' in my blogroll) tipped me to a great website to help keep some variety to our blog! I know I was getting tired of the boring layout that we had for so long. Well, have no fear...... www.thecutestblogontheblock.com is responsible for our new winter look! wohoo!

Thanks, Jen!

Andy the pig catcher

We celebrated Thanksgiving early today with Andy's squadron at a great place in the country called Peaceful Way. A gracious family opened their farm to the 16AS squadron for a day of fellowship and fun as a way to celebrate the holiday and to all gather prior to the airmen being deployed next month. We enjoyed a turkey shoot, wall climbing, horseback riding, great holiday food, and the soon to be famous "greased pig wrestling"!!

Andy and several other originally unwilling participants were roped into participating in the pig event so that the commander wasn't out there all by his lonesome. If you refer back to a previous post (or maybe some of you still have it fresh in your minds), Andy was introduced to pig chasing on a recent trip back to Indiana. Although that memory remains a tough one for Andy to make peace with, the skills he learned on that trip served him well today!

The participants had their legs tied together as well as one of their arms tied to their belt loop to make it more difficult. They actually looked like a group of zombies shuffling around out there after the pigs because of their limited mobility. It was quite a site! =) The goal was the catch a greased pig and put a t-shirt on it (head in the hole and front legs in the arm holes!) Andy and Jamil ended up placing third, but they should still be proud of their efforts.

Andy and Jamil are tied up and ready to chase!

Below you will see the time where the pig won and Andy ended up on the ground!

They get it cornered!!

Andy gets a back leg and the pig is officially theirs!! Now what to do with it?!?

It looks like they have done this before!!

Now we have to get the pig all they way over THERE to get the t-shirt!!

I guess we will just have to carry it!!

Struggling to "dress" the pig and beat the other team that is working hard in the opposite corner!

The look of defeat as the other team finishes just before them!

The day wasn't all about pig chasing. We did compete in the turkey shoot and got to spend some quality time with Emily and Molly Paige. While watching Uncle Andy in the pig contest, Molly Paige kept shouting "doggie"....apparently she has never seen a pig before!! We need to get that girl out of the city more often!

Andy looks on and admires my shooting skills =)

We hope you are all having a fun weekend and are getting geared up for the holidays. We will be traveling to North Carolina next week to spend Thanksgiving with Andy's family and we couldn't be more excited!

A night aboard "The World"

We were lucky enough to be hosted aboard 'The World' last weekend to join some friend's parents who were in town on the ship. This ship is unique in that it is a private community where the apartments are owned so that you can travel the world from "the comforts of your own home". You are free to get on and off at your own leisure and can decorate your apartment however you would like. The World docked in Charleston for a few days and that is when we were invited aboard for a private dinner and tour. Wow, was it incredible! We decided that we should start saving our pennies now so that we can experience something this wonderful during our retirement!

You can see details of the ship here http://www.aboardtheworld.com/

The pictures do nothing to capture the glamour of the evening, but I will share them anyways. I felt silly taking pictures during the tour, so there are not many from that. I almost felt like the ship was sacred and I shouldn't mock it by pulling out my camera after every turn we made!!

The main lobby set the precedent for the beauty of the entire ship.

The putting greens on the top deck!

The pool is on the top deck too!!

Andy and a beautiful sunset.
Our private dinner was served here and was absolutely delicious.

After a wonderful night of friends and food, we stayed downtown at a great hotel and our balcony overlooked the Charleston harbor. What a view! We got breakfast served in bed and enjoyed feeling like tourists in our own town!

Back home again in Indiana...

We made a non-holiday trip back to Indiana to share in Purdue Homecoming. I was able to fly in mid-week and get some bonding time in with my family, and Andy made it in late Friday night for the big tailgate weekend! Cathy and Eli were there from Oklahoma; Andy M. couldn't make it due to some AF training he was involved with, and we missed him terribly! The Schers made it as well, although Kaylynn had to miss a soccer game where her team was in the final game of the tournament! Kelly and Eric said they had a lesson about "priorities" and how family always tops that list, but I know that some tears were shed. Lessons are hard to learn at any age, but especially when you are only nine! However, I think the fun times that we all had as a family will make better memories for her than one more soccer game.

I will let the pictures tell the stories of our fabulous trip. There is nothing better than a visit with family!!

Eli got all dressed up in his boots and Wrangler jeans to go to the Pumpkin Patch!

Papa helps Eli pick out his favorite pumpkin!


Kaylynn and Garrett got free rides to the stadium, thanks to Andy and Eric!
Kaylynn measuring the exact distance for her new tailgating game.
Uncle Andy works with Garrett on his throwing and catching skills! (with beer in hand:)

Joemamma even showed up for the day! We realized we hadn't seen one another since he was in our wedding, and that was 2 1/2 years ago! That is WAY too long.

After the game we all headed back to Mom and Dad's and spent the rest of the weekend there. Kaylynn and Garrett had to work with their pigs since they are taking them to a show in Louisville next weekend, and Eli was more than thrilled to help out! Papa loved having his grand kids out the in the barn with him and let Eli feed the pigs an entire bag of marshmallows! I never remember him letting us girls do anything like that! He must be getting soft in his "grandpa years" =)

We hope you all have a great week! Besides election day, it is business as usual around here.

Andy turns 28!

Happy Birthday, Andy!! I asked him if he felt like he was getting older and he said, "no, just wiser"! haha. We are spending the day together at home with no big plans. X-box and football seem to be the priorities at this point. A dinner out together could possibly be in our future, but we will see what the day brings. Happy birthday to my amazing husband! I love you.

Andy with his surprise birthday cake at the Halloween party last night.

Andy and our brother-in-law (Eric) were surprised with cakes, singing and presents at the tailgate in Indiana last week.

The in-laws have begun taunting Andy already for the big game!

p.s. To those that have been asking, I will get the post up SOON from our trip to Purdue! Perhaps tomorrow =)

Also, here is a picture of us from the Halloween party last night. Andy's name tag says "Dr. McSteamy". I told him he didn't have enough hair to try and be McDreamy! (fellow Grey's fans will understand). We hope you all had a great Halloween!

Happy Birthday Jessica!

Girlfriends gathered for a night out on the town to celebrate my friend Jessica's 30th birthday. Jess has been a busy mom over the past year raising Aidan (aka. the "little man") and definitely deserved a night that was all about her! We celebrated with lots of food at Grill 225 in downtown Charleston and then moved on to the wine bar 'Social'. Our friend Hannah even flew down from Delaware to surprise Jess and join in on the party!

Andy originally thought he was included in the plans (..."you mean I don't get to enjoy a night downtown?!"), but he got over the disappointment and was the family representative at a cook-out for his squadron. He ate free hot dogs and I dined on a multi-course meal from a premier restaurant. Personally, I do not have a problem with the conclusion! =)

"Jessica and I peak out from behind the BIGGEST menus ever!"

"Liz and Hannah.....come out so we can see your smiles!"

"Jessica gets a special dessert along with a rendition of Happy Birthday!"

Me with my friend Liz

Andy continues to study and fly for his SOLL II upgrade and is doing well with it, or so it seems. I only have two days of work this week because I am headed home for a visit with my family and then on Saturday will celebrate Purdue Homecoming! Tailgate and football, here I come! Andy can't arrive until late Friday night, but he will be just in time for the tailgate. There will be a cornhole tournament on Saturday morning so Andy and I have already been discussing strategy! Fellow tailgaters....consider yourselves warned!! We are anticipating another Allen family victory! (see previous post!)