Ken & Katie

A long awaited visit!!

2010-11-17T00:30:00.000-08:00

As mentioned before, Ken is off on training, and has been for the past 2-3 months. In about 3-4 days I'll be flying down to visit him for one of his graduations, and will be able to see him!! I am so excited I am hardly able to stand it! It has been really hard to have him gone... it seams we got to talk more when he was deployed! However, this time I know he is not being shot at. It makes it easier, but just in a different way. After this first graduation, he'll have to stay put for another 2months to finish his training before coming home for good. This week is just perfect in timing.... We just had an anniversary, there was veteran's day, a few birthdays are right around the corner as well as Thanksgiving. Seeing him is just what I need to get me though these last 2 months! I can't wait!

ROME & VENICE 2009

2010-10-14T17:01:00.000-07:00

We landed in Rome on Easter Sunday, the feel in the air was simply wonderful. Ken did a out-standing job planning our month long Europe trip! We were in the ancient city 4 days before heading to Venice for a few days. We had so much fun! It was hot in Rome, and just lovely in Venice. Very different experiences in both places. The landmarks and places were amazing in Rome, but in Venice there was just fabulous shopping! I only wish we could have bought more art in Venice. Just wonderful time, go if you ever have the chance!

The above are from Venice, just beautiful. Below are Rome images.

It is just amazing how old some of these landmarks are! Mind blowing!
The pieces of art are priceless treasures!

Ken inside St. Peters Basilica, and people rubbing St. Peters foot!

Ken touching ruts from the original road in the ancient Roman Form.

Moses, can I say more?

yum... roman water!

Ken tossing a coin in the fountain, I guess this means we'll be going back!

I've got some explaining to do.....

2010-08-17T11:11:00.000-07:00

OK, ok. I know its been a REALLY REALLY long time since I've posted. All I can say is that I am going to TRY to do better. That's all you can ask for right? Well, since my last post -- a lot has happened. Let me try and do a quick synopsis in chronological order....

1. Moved back to TN & miracles made it possible to get our apartment in order.
2. Ken came home from Afghanistan!! (& in time for my birthday!)
3. Visited Ken's family in AL, TX, & LA! What a fun time!
4. Ken was Honorably discharged from the Army... YES, now a civilian!
5. We went on a belated honeymoon/celebration trip to Europe for almost a month!
(Italy, France & the UK!- It was so much fun!!-more on that later. promise.)
6. We moved away from Tennessee for the last time- back to the Northwest.
7. We've been living in my parents basement for OVER a year....WAY, way to long.

I've been working the past year at a store in our mall, and Ken has had a few different jobs. Also the past year Ken and I have been working in the Nursery at our church.... the kids are really pretty cute! Ken and I have had fun little trips these past 15+ months- to help keep us sane. We've gone to the beach with my family, the Seattle zoo, & the Olympic National Forest to name a few.
Before Ken got out of the Army, he took the civil service test for CBP and passed. After we got settled in the basement, his background investigation started and was completed by the end of the summer. A month later he got a letter stated he was going to be hired from BP, but that he had to wait until there was an opening at the academy, and federal funding for his position. That letter came the end of September 2009- and we've been waiting ever since for him to be called up. Well, the wait is over! HE GOT CALLED UP!!! : ) So, Ken leaves in like a week & a half to go to the academy in New Mexico, where he'll be training for 5 months. After that, I will move down to join him somewhere along the southern border. Right now we're just so happy to finally be starting his career job!
I know I should have kept up the blog, but after a while I felt overwhelmed with past events I should have blogged about but didn't. It didn't help that when we moved here-- nothing was happening... nothing to blog about. So, I just kept putting it off. I have really enjoyed reading my friends blogs to keep up on how they were doing-- but felt I had nothing meaningful to say. I finally just got over my issues of wanting to post about the past and am recommitting to do better about the future. I hope you (any of my friends who have this blog saved on your sidebar) don't die of shock when you see this updated post. I hope to be better, and like I said before, I'll post some pictures of the last 15+ months. :) I hope to hear back from you all! Love ya! :)

The Last FEW weeks...

2008-11-09T20:50:00.000-08:00

Well, I have been slow to update- but not because of the lack of news. I have been really busy! After ken left, :( I drove to Idaho to visit Natalie (& go to her quilting retreat) and was there Tuesday- Sunday. I had SOO much fun being with her, and her family couldn't have been nicer! I enjoyed my self so much that I plan on going next year! Believe it or not, I am going to post more about it on the 'quilted sisters' blog --so check it out!

So someone had a wig there and let me try it on. Needless to say, when I showed Ken, he thought it was for real- and my mom... my own mother didn't even recognize it was me! Fun times. Since we were so close to Rexburg, we went to this restaurant where they make burgers the size of a dinner plate- my first time there. It was interesting to watch them actually make/cook it. Sadly so pictures. But this big guy feed 4 of us ladies. Yum-o!

So, after driving the 8 hours home on Sunday, that next day my dad and I started our "Sprinkler Blowing Outs". We did that for 4 LONG days of about 88 homes. Starting at 7am and going till about 7pm. After work, we would come home, stand in front of the fireplace, eat dinner and fall asleep while 'relaxing'. We had a fantastic week-- but I was glad when it was over. That weekend after the blow-outs, Dad and I did some raking of the leaves (played in them too! had a great video but it wouldn't upload :( ) Anyway, now its the week of Halloween.

That Tuesday-Thursday I went to visit my Aunt (on Ken's dad's side) and Uncle, so then again I was out of town. Anyhow- I had so much FUN with them! I didn't want to leave! I was there for some family research, and it was a very successful trip! I got to know that side of the family a little better and felt a stronger connection to them because of it. THANK YOU GUYS!

So I came home the night before Halloween and put together my costume. Can you guess who I am? I'm a fishin' girl! Sadly I forgot to get a picture with my fishing hat. It had gummy worms and flies, and hooks all over it. I went to a costume party, and made a stop along the way. Here are 2 of my best friends growing up. Boy do we have stories to tell about each other... and the scars to prove it. It was lots of fun getting together once again. Fun times.

Well that next week was nothing but painting. Dad and I prepped the downstairs for painting by washing the walls, removing light fixtures, plug faces, painting the ceiling, and taping around the ceiling after it dried. After that was done, we started on the walls. We had to move everything away from the sides and pile it in the middle. Good thing we are getting new carpet down stairs because it is now shot. Paint drips, and re-texture spray is all over. I have been pushing dad to try and get a few things done around the house before I leave for TN again. November isn't a good month for remodels either. M&D are out of town every weekend (and most of the week) except Thanksgiving. So truly I only had 4 days to get whole face-lift thing going. We did it, for the most part. Now it is no longer mauve downstairs, but a light tan.... nice and neutral.

I had never really painted on a large scale like this-- that I could remember. I think maybe 12-ish years ago I helped paint it mauve. Anyway it was a good learning experience. Thanks pop! Now we will see how much I really learned when I paint the main bathroom the same color.

HE'S HERE!!!! Ken's R&R

2008-10-27T21:19:00.000-07:00

He came home! He's back!! I have to say, it was the best 3 weeks I have had in the past 9 months! It was just heaven! I was able to surprise him by meeting him at the gate! Right after he got off the plane-- he could see me... it was wonderful! I, of course, started crying the moment I saw him. All that weekend, before he landed, I was so emotional that I would cry at the drop of a hat. I was pacing the gate area waiting for his plane to land and once people started exiting the ramp I had to get a hold of my self-- just my luck he would be the last person off. luckily he was just in the middle. That was one of the best hugs/kisses I have ever received. This pic is right before we left the airport.

During ken's deployment he has been longing for some good NACHOS. So this is him about to dive into a delicious hot plate of nachos in seattle. This other adorable face came out while we were walking - taking advantage of the beautiful weather.

So, Ken landed on a sunday... and that monday we went to visit my brother and his two adorable kids.... I think matthew had a good time. I know Ken just loved spending time with him on our 2 visits. This was Ken's first time meeting Hailey, and I think she let him know who was boss.

This was one thing Ken wanted to do. Go to a Mariner's Baseball game, even if they sucked it up this season. We were there the the 100th loss. Definably part of M's history- just in the wrong way. However, we made sure to have lots of fun! We had great seats 16 rows up from our dug-out.... so it was great to see the players life size.

While we were visiting my parents, Ken and I went to see Eagle Eye thanks to Dave & Valli's b-day gift to Ken last year. We got our tickets and even had enough money left over for some treats! It appeared to be that we would be the only people watching... but alas, 4 other people walked in at the last moment.

One of Ken's favorite memories of his R&R were playing with all the kids again and meeting the newest babies. He just loved it! The kids got good use out of him... doing puzzles, jumping on the trampoline, feeding birds, playing board games, reading stories, playing with cars, playing catch, and a bunch of other stuff. He just loved it--

Isn't that a cute little tongue? Well, we were visiting my other brother, and it happen to be his birthday.... so we went for some cake. But they remembered that Ken would miss his birthday, so they dedicated this ice-cream cake as Ken's b-day cake and gave him candles to blow out. It was really sweet, and we even sang to him... "welcome home uncle ken, welcome home uncle ken" to the birthday tune... it was really sweet and Ken even got a little moist in the eyes over it (a first for me- i think).

The last week of R&R we hooked up with Ken's brothers John (from CA), and Andrew & Beth. We had a fun night of mexican, and guitar hero. Oh, and did I mention that we also got to meet Chuck and Sophie? Some of us got to know them a little better than others.... namely Ken.

Andrew & Beth's little dogs love their uncle Kenny!

We spent the last day together- just us and it was wonderful. After being in the mountains for 9 months, Ken wanted to go down to the water and be on a boat!! Can I blame him? Well, what better city to do that than Seattle?!

Here we are just enjoying the lovely boat ride with seattle in the background. I sure do love you babe!!!!

We had fun walking along the beach, and taking our water taxi to the downtown. Once there we had some yummy sea food. Another thing ken hasn't had in a long time. I, with the help of my honey ate an entire dungeness crab. It was so delicious!

He even got me flowers from pikes place (thanks love). They were so beautiful, and had this fun cabbage flower in the middle. I just had the time of my life. So these are some of the fun things we did on r&r. But, there was so much fun in the the little things as well. Things like snuggling on the sofa watching TV, or making food together, or brushing our teeth together... knowing they are just around the corner. Oh I LOVED every week, day, hour, minute, and second that I got to spend with my honey! I can't wait for him to come home in the next few months. The day he left it was so-so lonely. I had started to expect him to be there... on the sofa, or in the kitchen when I turned the corner and when he wasn't there... it was a hard thing to be reminded of.... and be reminded of again and again. Boy we are both exited to be out of the Army and never have deployments again!!! But, during the deployments--the R&R sure is fantastic!!!

Family BEACH Trip!!!

2008-09-07T23:17:00.000-07:00

The Family Reunion was sooo much FUN!!!!

We (my side of the family) all go for a week and just play in the sand, the waves, and the dunes. There were 15 adults and 13 kids, 2 houses, 7 cars, and an endless suply of sand. The only bad day weather wise was Sunday, and we ended up compeating in our indoor "Family Olympics" [Congrats T&V for being the winners this year...all I have to say is watch out when Ken is finaly able to come! :) ] Because I was still working, I was only able to hang out at the beach Friday-Tuesday. I had such a fun time seeing everyone & being able to just relax. The only thing that could have made the trip more fun was if my 'muffin' could have come. I missed you so much Ken at the beach- I know you would have had soo much fun as well... I know, next year.... Well, here are some pictures that my brother Todd took with his nice new camera and a few at the end that I took. I am sure you can tell the difference between them, his look really good! :)

So Ken could remember what I look like. :)

Here is most of the family on the last day.

Some of the kids playing. From morning to night its all play!

A sunrise & a beautiful day to fly a kite!

The view from out our houses.

Some more kids playing.... and bedtime isn't bedtime with out a story!

The kids had soo much fun in the waves! And so did I!

A Licence to KILL.... mosquitoes!

2008-07-05T13:37:00.000-07:00

OK, here I am at work. To the left I am checking some water with my dipper to look for Larva. Some areas don't look like there is water- but sure enough there is. To the right, I am treating an area with a blower- a work 'life saver' on large areas. Lots of fun I know! This is my 6th summer working here so don't trust me when I say it's fun! Below is a picture of a larva sample and an abandoned pool in back of a foreclosed home. These types of pools are like the hot hang outs for mosquitoes (the Vegas of the mosquito world). So for all you who have decorative ponds or whatnot, keep and eye on them and clean them out every week! : )

We have been very busy at work because the rivers flooded and created lots of water pockets that have been breeding this past month or so. Also, this past week was SOOO HOT!!! in the high 90's and 100's! I have a great tan, but it is limited to my face, arms and a small triangle on my neck/chest (cause of our button up shirts!) Needless to say, I look funny when I go swimming!

Tae Kwon Do

2008-07-05T12:43:00.000-07:00

So, here I am (don't I look tan?!) receiving my White Belt (below) from that days instructor. I also had to recite the student creed in front of the class. I was a little nervous about that, but did alright. I had asked someone to record a video clip, but somehow it never turned out-- sorry Ken! When I advance to a Gold Belt in August I will make sure that it is recorded. I try and go 6 days a week. This sure has made this past week really busy!!

When I started classes I hated them! I was really crappy at all the moves and felt so inadequate. However, that changed the third day when we were paired up, and I got this awesome partner. He gave me really good tips and encouragement, and now we're buddies. You maybe asking your self 'what made you sign up for Tae Kwon Do??' and I'm about to tell you. Well, a friend at work is a Purple Belt, and said I would have fun if i joined. I thought she would be in class with me, and I had been looking for an exercise partner, so I decided this would be my chance. I told Ken about it and he was SOOO excited, so I couldn't not do it. The next day, she told me that she actually wouldn't be in my class because she needs purple level classes. Oh how I wanted to not sign up so badly...but because I already told Ken, I decided that I would for the summer special. It didn't help that the first few classes didn't go well. However, I really enjoy class now & especially since I've made a few friends!

God Bless America!!!

2008-07-05T11:03:00.000-07:00

HAPPY 4th of JULY!!!
THANK YOU TO OUR MILITARY!!!!!! God Bless you and your families!!!

Well, we had a wonderful national birthday! It sounded like Ken had some good July 4th fixin's. We both had BBQ chicken, and corn on the cob. He also had ribs & pork n' beans while we ate watermellon and fruit. I say 'we' because I had guests! Jared, Kristine, baby Paige, Ma and June came over for dinner! The weather was just perfect all day!

Paige just had the cutest outfit on! Look at her socks! Little flags on the ends! She was just adorable and I love when babies fall asleep while holding them! Or does that mean I am an awesome aunt?? : )

More Meow Machine and Its Magical Art

2008-06-22T02:47:00.000-07:00

The Meow Machine is how i roll when days are slow at Bagram. I was fortunate enough to get this guitar for free and I've decided to decorate it with whatever comes to mind. Click on each picture to see it more closely. I particularly like my Darth Vader the most.

Crump Visits

2008-06-19T07:28:00.000-07:00

Cory dropped by and paid me a visit before he flies onto Kuwait for his mid-tour leave. He's excited about seeing his wife and is looking forward to relaxing a bit. He posed with my guitar the "Meow Machine". Thanks to Marc and Kathy for the Bic markers so that i could decorate my melodic six string.

The New Girls in the Family

2008-06-08T23:54:00.000-07:00

The new girls and their mommies... (L to R) Paige & Kristine, Hailey & Jill, and Morgan & Nicole. We all got together over Memorial Day weekend, had so much fun but, lots of stinky diapers! It was great, Morgan started crawling! Man, I love being an aunt!! Too bad Ken couldn't be here, he would have loved holding the babies! (click on the group pic. & look at Paige... & her famous frown!)

These 2 girls are only abour 4 weeks apart!

Finally, more girls in the family! Now its 6:7.

Crazy about Paige Nicole

2008-06-08T23:02:00.001-07:00

It has been wonderful to have a baby near by! Paige is growing so much! The first image is the day she was born. Now she is 6 weeks old. I still haven't changed her diaper, but I am working my way up to that. It isn't like I have never changed one or anything, i'm just not in the mood to. Boy she likes to eat though! And sleep.

I've been hit, I've been hit!!

2008-05-10T09:08:00.000-07:00

Well, as you can see, our car has a boo-boo.

I was looking for something to write about and post here, but not this... I will have it towed again to a body shop on Monday, and then be in a rental till this is taken care of. In case anyone was wondering it was NOT my fault. The lady who hit me wasn't looking when turning into a grocery store and made too wide of a turn, thus crunching into our car. She felt extra bad when she found out my husband is deployed, and that this was a new car we got for our wedding. Both of us were sad about our injured vehicles; we of course were both OK.

By the way, I have been working this past month at Mosquito Control again. It has been wonderful to have a job again and to (of course) be getting paid! The weather was cold for a bit, but is now heating up so we'll be busy soon. However, the skeeters are already out- I've been finding them! I'll add some pictures of them when i pick my new camera... That's a whole 'nother post!

Kabul From the Air

2008-04-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

These photos were taken on an escort mission from Bagram to Kabul. The top photo is the Grand Mosque of Kabul under reconstruction. The second photo shows an ancient neighborhood in the center of the city. In the third photo you can see a lot people gathered around a blue mosque atop a hill. The people of Afghanistan were celebrating Nau Roz, the new year, by flying kites, having picnics and awards are handed out to artisans and farmers for their produce. Progress is being made!

Fast Rope Training

2008-02-28T07:06:00.001-08:00

This is a style of insertion that the 101 st. Patfinder company may have to employ. That's Ken on the rope.

A Lull in Training

2008-02-26T00:57:00.001-08:00

Miller took this photo of me during a break in sniper training.

Ready to Go

2008-02-26T00:57:00.000-08:00

Somehow I don't make this look cool.

Ken's "Hootch"

2008-02-16T03:08:00.001-08:00

Baby Orangutan, Hand & Foot

2008-02-13T00:52:00.000-08:00

I intend on covering the walls of my room in pencil drawings.

Pathfinder Company TOC

2008-02-13T00:47:00.000-08:00

This is the Pathfinder command post.

Ken's Room in Bagram

2008-02-13T00:43:00.000-08:00

This is where I'll be living for the next 15 months. Not too bad.

Ken's Soviet Hat in Kyrgyzstan

2008-02-12T23:46:00.000-08:00

I bought this Soviet winter hat while in transit at Manas, Air Force Base in Kyrgyzstan. The fit is a little tight but I don't intend on wearing it too much.

New Beautiful Things!

2008-02-09T20:52:00.000-08:00

Oh look what my baby also sent me! A BEAUTIFUL

bracelet! I'll enjoy wearing it everyday hon as it reminds me

of you! I sure do LOVE you and enjoy your calls everyday!

Please keep them coming!

It is by B.B.Becker & says: "There are no goodbyes for us.

Where ever you are, you will always be in my heart.

~Mahatma Gandhi "
Today I went out with my mom and found some cute fabric

and also found some coupons so we saved some cash too!

Arn't these colors so cute?! I am going to try this cute blanket

pattern with the fabric on the left. I think it will be darling!

An Early Valentine!!

2008-02-05T23:36:00.000-08:00

Oh, my baby loves me!! He sent me flowers!!

Much to my suprise, I found out someone sent me flowers!

Guess who?! Oh I do love that feeling! I guess they were supposd

to be delivered ON Valentine's Day, but I'm glad they were early...

And Oh did it have the SWEETEST card attached...

My baby can melt my heart when he tries.... I LOVE YOU HONEY!!!

Home Just In Time

2008-02-03T01:11:00.000-08:00

We got home Friday night from traveling,

there was freezing rain Saturday... And this is what we woke up to on Sunday- 7 1/2 inches!

...Last Sunday that is....Just a message for my love!!

The Drive Home

2008-02-02T17:34:00.000-08:00

The roads were all great considering... we made great time...

we did spend many hours in the car. Our first stop

was Independance MO, then Narth Platte NB. However,

inbetween we visited all the Church sites we could

and enjoyed it. I loved Winter Quarters...

perhaps because it was winter- but we did enjoy Wyoming alot.

The whole trip could have taken a total of 4 days

but we stayed a few with family so it was like a week.

The Winter Quarters Temple in Nebraska

Far West at the Temple site.

Us in Wyoming- you cant tell but the entire back seat

is packed to the brim with our plants & stuff. This also

wasn't the first state with snow.

Seeing My Baby Off :(

2008-01-18T19:29:00.000-08:00

Me & My Baby- Humm... a man in a uniform!

A Last Picture Together- Us at his company HQ

This Red Eye Won't Come Out!

Tennessee Christmas

2007-12-15T12:50:00.001-08:00

Ken & Katie wish you a Happy Christmas and Merry New Year!!!