Veterans Day Celebrations

Bill and I didn't participate in the Vancouver Veterans Day ceremonies or parade this year since he was working in the morning and we headed up to Puyallup to celebrate Tim and Samantha's wedding.  But we did celebrate in our own way the next weekend.

I was pleased to see pictures of my family and what they were doing for Veterans Day as well.  Tom spoke to all the 5th graders at Maddy's school.  So fun to see him sharing his experiences as a navigator in the Air Force with a new generation.  Sherrill and Jeff went to the Wright State University Veterans Ball and it was fun to see pictures of them in their dress mess.

I got an unexpected surprise of Suzi and Terry traveling down to Portland on a whim.  So I went down to join them for breakfast on Saturday morning.  Fun seeing them two weekends in a row!  That evening we had our annual Veterans Day celebration with Jeff and Julie at Willamette View Assisted Living community.  There were ten of us that enjoyed dinner and the evening together.

He's Home

 Tom has been deployed for the fourth time in less than three years.  He left this time in August.  Thankfully technology gives us a way to keep in touch.  And he can actually call us which is wonderful.  He said that he was able to get off base more this time with the way his schedule worked.  Doha has some great shopping and he enjoyed some restaurants in the city.  He also got to rid a camel this time.

He got home a couple days ago.  Just in time for Veterans Day.  Wish that I could be there to see him and welcome him home but Maddy has that well in hand I am sure.  Glad he is back on U.S. soil at least for a little while.

Wedding Day

I have known my friends, Suzi and Terry, since I first got to Ft. Lewis back in 1984.  We all worked together on Ward 13 back then.  A long time ago.  Long before any of us planned on getting married.  I have always been treated like family by Suzi's family.  I met her parents, sister and brother way back then too.  We have always been included in birthday, graduation, and holiday celebrations.  So happy that they could come to Tom and Maddy's wedding last year and that we could participating in the marriage of their son, Timothy.  Suzi and I were to be a part of each other's weddings but the Army stood in the way of that.  Happy that we can go to the weddings of our children any way.

Timothy and Samantha wanted to get married at Rattlesnake Ridge with Mt. Si in the background.  Unfortunately the weather on Saturday was pouring down rain.  They did have a tent in the middle of the field that they got married in but it was still pretty darn wet.  Bill and I weren't able to make it to the actual ceremony but we went to the reception at Meeker Mansion in Puyallup.

Charleeann flew up from Arizona and David, Noreen and Sarah came down from Alaska to attend the nuptials.  Sally and her family live nearby as well as Suzi's mom, Ann so they were there as well.

The reception was very nice and the venue was as well.  So happy to be a part of this life event.  Congratulations and best wishes to Timothy and Samantha!  Wishing you many years of happiness!