Crittenden reunion

We were in Utah on "Saturday for the Crittenden reunion, it is always so much fun to get to see everyone, even though it ended up being a very short trip I am so glad we went, and I am very happy Richard was able to get leave (at the last minute) and go with me. This is my Great Uncle Charlie, he is my Grandpa's youngest brother, it was his families turn to "host" the reunion this year, they did a wonderful job.

Here are some of the kids playing games, they are throwing the sponge at one of my uncles, not sure who was they "lucky one" here.

This is my Great Aunt Gloria, I thought she looked very good, especially considering all of the heath challenges she has been having lately.

Here is my cousin (2nd cousin to be technical) Kristanne and her husband Shawn, and I am not for sure who else a cousin I am sure, but which one? Jason maybe?

Kris and Shawn put together a lovely slide show of past reunions, it was really neat to see previous years.

Great Aunt Martha Ann, she is my Grandpa's only sister, here she is telling us some stories about my Great Grandpa Crittenden, that was really fun to learn some new things about him.

Here is my Grandpa and his brother Carroll, not sure why this picture came up bigger than the rest.

My Grandma, it was so nice to spend some time with her.

Me, Richard, Levi and my nephew Sage

After the reunion we headed back to Gram and Grandpa's house to visit, this is Staci on the big rock in their front yard

Rich and Staci on the porch swing

Grandpa telling Rich and Staci elk hunting stories.

The rest of the pictures are in our piccassa album if you would like to see them you can access them from the link on the left of our page.

For my cousins who I know read this (Kristanne, LiliAnn and Alyson, it was so great to see everyone, you all looked great, wish we had had more time to visit)

Moms Birthday

we just returned home from our whirlwind trip to Utah, while we were there we were able to join some of the family and celebrate Moms birthday. We had a cook out at my brother Colts house Friday night, though he is not there yet, he is still in Marine recruiting school in California, his wife Heather is so sweet to always open her home for us to have family get togethers. Here is Mom with her kids that were able to make it home, Kaleb, Tyler, Clint and Me.

Getting ready for cake, that was really pie this year, kaluha pie, fresh strawberry pie and cupcakes for the kids. yummy

Here is Sera with Henry

Staci

Max playing football

Kate and Brathen playing football

someof my brothers with Richard...Clint, Ty, Kaleb, Rich

Mom with the girls Beth, Me, Trish, Heather

Me with my new nephew Henry, this was the first time I have seen him so I was very excited, he is such a happy, sweet baby.

got to love my son

Levi has been bugging me to let him get a "red" mohawk forever now, I would not let him while he was in school and taking ROTC baecause I did not feel it fit with the dress code, but not that it is summer I finally agreed to let him. He is in Utah visiting family and had it done there so I have not actually seen it yet, other than pictures. Here he is at Grandma Bonnie's house with my nephew Sage.
I figure if getting a mohawk is his only "rebelious" moment at 17 we are doing pretty good. He really is a good kid, so eager to please, so helpful and easy to get along with and he rarely asks me for anything, I am lucky.

Going Home

Well it looks like I will be able to make my trip back to Utah for the family reunion after all, I was originally going to go for a week, visit family and friends and have a mini vacation, but then with all the changes at work I knew there was no way I could take that much time off right now, so instead I planned to go just for a couple days and at least see everyone at the reunion, then my boss told me he could not let me go due to some training we had coming up, I was disappointed but I understand it is not a good time with the new airline coming in, however he decided I could go and and do the training when I get back, so now I just need to finalize my flights, and see if Richard can get his leave approved, he is in a new unit now and not sure he can go, I really want him to go with me, but I do understand how the Army works, they get final say...I am crossing my finger though.
This will be my first trip home since I lost my Dad so I am a little nervous about it in general, it will be sad not being able to go home and see him, for that reason maybe just going for a couple days is good.
Levi is already in Utah hanging out with his cousin, Staci will fly in with me, and I do not think Stevie, Sienna or Cheyenne will be coming, they are in Colorado visiting their Dad, I had intended to fly them in when I came but now with the shorter trip I am not sure.
I am looking forward to seeing family, we always have great get togethers, and my MOms birthday will be right after I am there, so I cna celebrate that with her as well.

I love my job....I think

Okay so it is 1241 am, I am at work anxiously awaiting the arrival of my 1006pm flight, major delay,(it is expected here at aprx. 145am) I have been here since 3 I am tired I am here all alone and I am trying to convince myself that I love my job.
So here are the Pro's and Con's I have come up with in the several hours I have been waiting.

PROS
flexible schedule
FREE OR VERY DISCOUNTED FLIGHTS
lots of down time I can use to study while being paid
FREE OR VERY DISCOUNTED FLIGHTS
no gym fees as I get a good workout lifting bags
FREE OR VERY DISCOUNTED FLIGHTS
I work with some pretty great people
FREE OR VERY DISCOUNTED FLIGHTS
Grateful passengers when I find/deliver their bags, get them on a flight, etc.
FREE OR VERY DISCOUNTED FLIGHTS
seeing happy military families when their Dad/husband/child gets off the plane home for leave
FREE OR VERY DISCOUNTED FLIGHTS
if I need to I can bring the kids with me to work
FREE OR VERY DISCOUNTED FLIGHTS
it is a constant learning experience running three or is it four now computer systems.



CONS
crazy shifts
LOTS of delays
bags are heavy
very low pay
half my job is outside and the weather is extreme here
nasty mean disgruntled passengers who are sure it is ALL MY FAULT, their bags are lost, plane is late, they did not bring their tickets etc.
seeing the sad military families when their Dad/Husband/Child leaves to go back to Iraq
Trying to keep up on all the computer systems, FAA and TSA rules.

Well I guess the Pro's out weigh the cons, though as you can plainly see I am sure the biggest reason I work this job is the flight benefits, the amount of money we have saved just in flights alone adds up, and being able to study here at night when it is quiet and there is nothing else to take my attention is a bonus, so I guess for now I will "suck it up" get my second wind, hope the plane gets here soon and come back and do it again tomorrow...oh yea thats right tomorrow is now today!!!!!

Levi's Birthday

Levi turned 17 on the 7th, I just don't know how he got so grown up so fast, I hate that my kids are growing so quickly, I love each new stage and seeing the people they are becoming, but some days I just want to turn back time and have them be little again!
We had a fun day for his birthday, we got up went shopping so he could pick out the outfit he wanted, then he got to pick our lunch spot (we had chinese) cake and ice cream and presents later that night and pizza for dinner. I told him he still gets to pick an outing spot to go, I think we are going to try and go someplace fun while we are in Utah in a few weeks. Here he is blowing out his candles, german chocolate cake of course, his favorite.

Here he is dressed in his new outfit, from Hot Topic...the kids just love that store.

Here are some pictures from our trip to see General Custers house and the cavalry museum (both located on Fort Riley) here are Staci and Cheyenne by the original hitching post outside the home. Up until the 1970's people still lived in the home, now it is set back up as it was when he resided there.
Rich and I on the front porch
one of the bedrooms, I just love the rocking horse and baby pram.
Inside the Cavalry museum, this is the first American flag flown in Japan after they surrendered
a original gatling gun, I had never seen one up close before.