Fun with Hugh and Margaret

Hugh and Margaret came and visited for a few days. They got to see what Rich does in his new job as the Commander of the TEC. While they were there we were lucky enough to have an officer graduation. So they got to go to the dinner and the parade etc. Sit at the head table and walk in while everybody else stood. It is quite embarassing. We went to the Smokies and rode our bikes around Cades Cove an 11 mile one way loop. Went to Dollywood and walked around then went to the Dixie Stampede which is really fun. We showed them all the good places to see. We walked around Gatlinburg, and topped off the evening at the redneck dirt track races. It was actully better than I thought it would be. So I hope they had a good time. I know I did. It is so fun to have family come and visit. Here are a few pictures.

Easter Pretties

This is a little late but here are some pictures of the pretty girls and Carter on Easter. We are still having a great time in the Smokie Mountains. Hugh and Margaret came and visited and we had such a great time.

Lovin East Tennessee!

Well we have been here in Maryville/Alcoa now for about 4 weeks. We are loving it. We lived here 25 years ago when the kids were little, and loved it then. The Smokie Mountains are so pretty, and since we have lived in Mississippi for 16 years with no mountains it is so nice to look out and see them. It is so fun to go for a ride up to the mountains again. Growing up in Provo, I always loved going to the canyon. We would go to Canyon Glen where they had a little store that sold pink popcorn. Anyway I am enjoying it so much more than DC. The church here has grown so much. When we were here it was a little branch, now it is a ward with almost 200 people coming regular. Rich is really enjoying his new assignment as the commander of the training school here for the Air Guard. A busy job, but nothing like the work of the job in DC. We went and bought a season pass for Dollywood. We drove up there last weekend and walked around and checked it out. It is a really cute amusment park with a lot of cute shops and rides and little shows going on. They have a real steam engine pulled train that takes you up a little on the mountain. It reminds me of Knotts Berry farm. Really cute. So there is lots of things to do around here. They also have a great walking/bike trail called the greenways. It is so pretty, and you can get on it in several places, but there is one about 2 miles from our house. So I keep busy walking my little dog Katie and enjoying the outdoors.

Last days of DC

Well 5 more days and we will be moving to East Tn. We are very excited but also sad to leave some of the fun of Dc. Not sad to leave the craziness of the emails. Friday Rich had lunch for the people he worked with in the A4 office. We went to Mama Stella's. They have the best lasagna there. It was a very nice lunch and Rich went around the table and told some little thing about everybody. They gave him a really nice picture of 2 P-51's flying. Next Friday they are giving him a little going away at the office. So then Sat we are off to our new adventure as commander of the TEC. Which is the training and education center for the air guard. I am excited because I love Tn, and it is only 7 to 8 hours from home. So next blog will be from Tennessee. Here are a few pictures of our luncheon and our last visit to the mall.

Disney World

Here are some pictures of our fun Disney World family vacation.

Disney World Fun

When the kids were little Rich told them we would go to Disney World someday. The day finally came. Kallee got all the planning organized. She found a house to rent for the week. Storytime Villa. It has 6 bedrooms, a game room and swimming pool. It is all decorated with Disney characters and cartoons. So all 14 of us fit very comfortable. Unfortunately the little kids only got to swim in the pool the first day we got there. Florida had record cold while we were there, but it did help with the lines at the parks. We had such a great time. We told the kids that this was there Christmas present. This is one Christmas present that they will always remember. I think my favorite park was Epcot. They have the world showcase there, where you can go around the world and visit different countries. We went to England and saw the Beatles play. That was really great. Of course it wasn't the real ones but they were pretty good. Despite the rain and the cold it was great. I would love to go back again. Here are a few pictures.

We are moving to Knoxville

Yes, we are moving from DC to Knoxville Tn. Rich got the job he has wanted for a long time. Rich interviewed last week. We found out yesterday that he was selected as the new Commander of the TEC, which is Training and Education Center for the Air Guard and soon to be for the Air Force also. I am excited because we use to live there and it is a beautiful area with the Smoky Mountains. Plus it is closer to Mississippi, only 8 hours instead of 16 to DC. So now I will be able to go back and forth easier I hope. I will miss living on an AFB. And DC has lots of things to see, but we have seen most of it. It has been a great experience, even though I have spent most of the time in Mississippi. The change of command will be the middle of March so we don't have much time to move and find somewhere to live. Plus we are going to Disney World January 31 for a week which we are all excited, especially Karlee. So my next post will probably be about Disney World. Here are a few pictures of Rich when he was over in the desert. The first picture is of him and his Nephew Micah. They were over there at the same time. The other 2 are of Rich.