It's snowing in Mississippi!

Yes, who would have thought that it would snow in Mississippi (more than a dusting anyway), it was actually a couple of inches. It is sad to say but that was Bella's first snow. I never would have thought that it would be down here in MS. We got her in September and when we went back to PA for Christmas there wasn't any snow up there! Here is some footage of her and her first experience with snow...she loved it! Todd said at first she didn't want to get off the porch but after that initial step she was bouncing around like a little rabbit.

Here is a picture of our little snow bunny....
Bella's hair is kind of longer and the snow stuck to her hair in clumps. I had one heck of a time getting them off (they were frozen to her), I had to use my hairdryer. It was a mess...luckily by the time we came home from church all of the snow was gone. Although the snow was very pretty I am not ready to have to deal with that every time we take her out to go potty!

Assignment Night

On February 27th they had what is called Assignment Night. That is when all of the active duty guys find out what plane they will be flying and where they will be stationed next. It is a very nerve racking time because they have no control what so ever. Their fate lies in the hands of their IP's. It is based on their performance here in pilot training but you never know exactly who will get what aircraft until that night. Their flight commander had them fill out a dream sheet, that is where they list the planes and places that they would like first, second, third and so on...but there is no guarantee.

The four guard guys obviously did not feel that stress considering they all know where they are going and what aircraft they will be flying. I was however nervous for the active duty people. All in all there were a lot of happy people that night. Obviously you cant please everyone, but overall it was a great night!

Here are a few pictures from that night...

Welcome slide

The wives anxiously awaiting

Jackson and Elizabeth

Todd and I

The girls and Rory

Buddy and Steph

John and Sarah

Group shot

(you will see that Gaither is making a funny face...look at my husband's hand, he is pinching him!)

Todd and Gaither (Friends again...maybe!)

After the presentation we went out to "The Office", a local hangout in Columbus. They have some pool tables and we all just hung out and had a great time! I can't believe we only have two more weeks until graduation and we all have to say goodbye! (at least the guard guys do) *sniff!*

President's Day Weekend

A group of us decided to go down to Destin, Florida over the guy's last long weekend here at pilot training. We rented a house down there that was across the street from the beach. This house was amazing! When you walked in, on the first floor there was a pool table and a big fireplace with a nice TV mounted above it and one bedroom. On the second floor there was the kitchen, 2 bedrooms, a living room, dining room area, and a balcony. On the third floor there was the master suite and a bedroom with two sets of bunk beds. In the house there was a total of four full baths and two half baths. There was also a nice patio out back with a pool and a hot tub. Here are a few pictures of the house (we didn't take very many!)...

Looking into the kitchen

living room on second floor

Pool and hot tub

The weather was kind of dreary/rainy but we had a great time! We used the hot tub a lot, the pool was too cold...to willingly go in...however, a lot of people got thrown into it!

We got there on Friday evening and the first night we just hung out at the house. The next day was Valentine's Day. Todd and I took Bella for a walk on the beach and she got so sticky from the ocean water and sand that when we got back to the house we had to put her in the bath tub and rinse her off. She was not a fan of the ocean. Todd and I had some yummy crab legs at Joe's Crab Shack for dinner and then later that night the girls went out (the guys stayed back with the kids). Here are a few more pictures...

Girls night out

The boys back at the house (and Kelly)

~They really suffered staying back and putting those kids to bed!~

Sunday night was the guys night out but they just decided to stay at the house and hang out. So we all hung out at the hot tub again. All in all the weekend was a lot of fun...unfortunately on Monday we had to drive back and (of course) the weather was beautiful on that day! It was nice and sunny, no rain! It made the drive more enjoyable but we didn't want to leave! Once again, a great time was had by all!

Christmas in PA

It was so nice to go back home for Christmas (other than the long drive)! It was the first time Todd was back for more than a couple of hours since we left last February to come down here. (He was home for his cross country but that was only long enough to get his plane gassed up, brief, say hi to our parents and head out again.) So needless to say this was a well needed break for us.

Bella did great on the drive...she is such a trooper. We were not sure with it being a 14 hr trip, but she slept almost the entire way. We took the truck and piled blankets in the little extended cab area and that was her bed. She sat with me a little but I think she preferred going back there. It was her own little space (and she liked to sit on the console between Todd and I too). Every time we stopped at a red light or gas station she would get up and stand in between us...to see what what going on. She is too funny!

Bella passed out on her bed in the truck (she was using her reindeer toy as a pillow!)

We got to my parent's house very early on Christmas Eve. (My parents said they would leave the door open for us in case they were sleeping) Ha ha...I knew there was no chance in that. They were anxious and waiting! We got there and talked a little and then hit the sack we had a few long days ahead of us. Christmas Eve we went to the Campbell Family get together and church. Christmas day we were at my parents and over at Todd's parents too and then at night we got together with my brothers and sister (and their families). It was so nice to see everyone again.

Todd's family (a pic of the cousins)

My whole family

Bella loved opening her presents...or actually just being allowed to rip up the paper. I must admit, she has been practicing on our toilet paper (see image below) and she was a pro at it. My mom had all of our wrapped presents in one room...on Christmas Eve when Todd and I were gone I guess Bella sniffed out which pile was hers and decided to open one. It was her bag of treats...what a little rascal!

The rest of our time in PA we tried to see as many people as we could. We ate dinner with our friends Erin and Jay, went to Todd's work to say hi, Todd took me for an airplane ride (I was the first passenger since he got his license-we just never had time until now! That is how crazy busy we are down in MS). I got together with my girlfriends from high school and he got together with some guys from work, we had lunch with our friend Cory Dumez and saw his new house and visited with Theresa (his wife). We spent New Years Eve at our friend Corey Taylor and Kristen's house and with other friends from Todd's work...that was a lot of fun! We went up to Todd's aunt's house over on the west shore to see all of his relatives on his mom's side. It was so nice to see all of them...I cant believe how much those kids have grown! We had a get together with my Grannie, Pap, Aunt Nancy and family...it was so nice to see them! I know I did not include everything but we fit in A LOT of stuff and were very busy but we still did not get to do all that we wanted. (sorry if we didn't get to see you over our Christmas break). The good news is we will be home soon and will see you all then!

My fearless pilot prepping the plane

Me with the little beauty we flew in! (Todd prepared me in advance that this plane might look a little "rough" but not to worry! Ha ha...he knows me too well!)

Before we knew it we were loading up the truck to head back to Columbus (it was kinda depressing rolling up to the gate down here). However, we had a great time and soon will be back!

Christmas 2008

Here in Columbus we had an ugly sweater party, which was very fun! We all got dressed up in our hideous sweaters (some worse than others) and we went to Harvey's for dinner. (Yes we wore these in public!) Here are some pictures from that night (take note of all of the smashing outfits)...

Sarah and Jackson

Todd and I

David and Elizabeth

09-06 wives and Erica

After dinner we went to the Gaither's house and had a white elephant exchange. Some of the gifts were rather interesting and pretty funny!! Fun was had by all! Here are some more pictures (at the Gaither's house)...

Anna and Michael Gaither

Matt Reiley

(He opened the gift I brought...If you look closely at this picture you can see Todd's face on one of the elves. I had the faces of the 4 of the guard guys put on the elves, it was too funny!)

Todd and Mike