Mini Vacation & Visiting Jared

An image from the Museum

We (Patrick, Kyle, Janene and Joann--Pat's mom) flew to Georgia to visit Jared for "Family Days". He has now finished Basic Training and is doing AIT (Advanced Individual Training) until early September.

He was happy to see us, and we were happy to see him (to put it lightly!) We all wished we had more time for visiting and sightseeing, but all were grateful for the time we did have together!
We are so proud of him, and I know we complain about the heat and humidity, but we got a taste of what Jared does everyday, and by golly we aren't out doing 5-mile runs before breakfast, marching, doing maneuvers with full gear on, and PT out in the weather....rain, humidity or shine. Those Military folks all have a big challenge before them, and I really appreciate them and their tenacity!!

A large Platoon marching by as we arrived to return Jared to the Barracks (the photo only shows about 1/3 of the whole group)


We visited the National Infantry Museum (totally cool history) on base and we went bowling, shopping at Military Surplus Stores, swimming in the hotel pool, and of course, eating! (Jared chose Chinese Buffet twice! HA) And he missed eating steak, so we ate at O'Charleys in Columbus. Great food, an awesome waitress and I'd say the best food we had for the whole trip. We'll go back for sure! ;-)

Here are some photos, hard to pick just a few!!





Mr. Serious


Going back to his Platoon, and chilling on his Ipod to music, a luxury!


At the museum entrance






Surprize!!







Outside the Museum with Grandma

Kyle's Birthday!!

Kyle is 17 today....already! He requested Pizza for supper and chocolate cake of course. He got spoiled and received a stereo for his Explorer that he got just a couple weeks ago. Now to get dad to help him hook it up! ;-)

Passing time while traveling....playing the PSP--a familiar sight with Kyle! :)

Chicken Tractor Pics

We got 1" of glorious rain last night. For a long time, rain would build up and go around us, so am grateful for the rain!!

Here are pics of the chicken tractor. The nesting boxes I got from my mom, they are probably older than me! HA Enjoy!
You see it has a big door (for me!) and a little door (for 'just in case'/whatever.) :)
You'll see their 'roost', one of the smaller trees we cut down.
I put the tarp on for shade/rain and I just step inside, grab the crossbar and gently lift and move! So very handy and the 'girls' love getting to a new grasspatch everyday. (Yes chickens eat grass and weeds/seeds).

Plus they aren't killing off all the vegetation with their high nitrogen poo by staying in the same place day after day!

It is 8 ft X 8 ft square and probably about 7 ft high. We tried to keep it simple and re-used tin, etc that we had on hand.