What a Visit!

The family has returned home after their big AZ adventure and today sadly my vacation ended too, back to work for me. I dropped everyone off at the airport this morning, came home for a quick nap, and then off to work again! Everyone arrived safely back in Illinois to many a wagging tail, their fur-babies missed them all very much! 

Here's a few of the things we managed to squeeze in! 

We grilled...

We visited the Memorial Park downtown Phoenix in front of the Capital Building...

We saw one of the anchors and the signal mast from the USS Arizona...

We found the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine at Tortilla Flats...

We visited the Commemorative Air Force Museum...

We went to Organ Stop Pizza...

We visited with Oliver and Audrey...

 We swam...

We watched baseball...

Gpa and I got on the big screen... no big deal...

They cheered me at the Warrior Dash....

 We saw more WWII Planes...

B-24 (The only one still flying)

B-17

(sidenote: Dad and I have seen 3/8 remaining B-17s still flying)

P-51

I had so much fun with everyone visiting. I love that this was Gma and Gpa's first vacation since my mom was little! We got to see a lot in the time they were here but we have so much more to see when they come back! Hopefully my next big vacation will be to visit NiBo in Hawaii!

I even had the chance to read/finish a book while I was on vacation...

This was the first book I have checked out digitally from my Library. Very convenient to be able to download a book for free without having to leave the house. I actually first came across this book after I saw the video below on a photographer of abandoned places page that I follow on Facebook, and I had to read the book. The book is filled with real pictures the author has found and incorporates the stories of those photos into the book. I have just started reading the second book in the series, and just now discovered there is a third book due out in September. I read this book in two late nights, I couldn't put it down and it left off with a cliffhanger ending so I'm glad I was able to snatch up the second book (also a digital checkout on my Nook) and I just got notification today that Girl on the Train is in and ready for me to read (again, digital check out) Look at me being a reader and all.... well I'm off to finally sleep in my own bed again! (I was an awesome granddaughter and let Gma/Gpa have my bed)

Gma and Gpa have Arrived!

Some very special guests from Illinois arrived safe and sound yesterday! Gma and Gpa are visiting for a week (with mom and dad too) but Gma and Gpa have never flown before! This was their very first flight! 

They even earned a pair of wings for being first time fliers! Gma is already spoiling me and has made some very yummy french toast for us all for breakfast! My kitchen is getting lots of action! Stay tuned for their wild and crazy Arizona antics! 

NiBo's Graduation

Holy moly has it been a long couple of weeks. I think I am finally caught up on my sleep and can function in the world enough to post this update for you all. I have so much to update you on! First things first... my trip home for NiBo's graduation from Army bootcamp! 

I flew home Monday the 17th and was home for 2 days in Illinois. It was actually fairly cold in AZ when I left (though not cold compared to IL) it was a chilly 39°F when I left the Mesa airport. I knew it was going to be suuuper cold when I landed so I made mom and dad bring me my winter coat (which I ended up finding $7 in, score!) The cold hurt my face.

Did I mention it snowed?!

Once I had my feet on the ground, we had some lunch and I visited my friends at my old office, it was so good to see them! Especially you P.Whitty! I got to spend a little bit of time with Gma and Gpa before we headed off for the graduation. Gpa just had BOTH of his knees replaced and is doing awesome! He said he's trying to get all tip top so he can come visit me in the Spring! I can't wait!! I picked up the rental car on Tuesday and went and got my haircut and got to have dinner with some of my friends, then it was back to Small Town for some sleep before he left first thing in the morning.

Wednesday the 19th mom, dad and myself (A.Drama had to make delicious treats for Thanksgiving at work and they couldn't let her take off to come with) DROVE from Central Illinois to Columbus, Georgia to Fort Benning where NiBo was stationed.  It's a 12 hour drive and we left about 9:30am which put us in Georgia (we actually stayed in Phenix City, Alabama which is right over the river from Columbus) about 10pm.

Thursday was NiBo's turning blue ceremony. This ceremony is where he received his Infantry Blue Cord. After the ceremony which lasted about an hour we got to hang with NiBo for the rest of the day! :) 

mom and dad taking it all in

Proud dad moment, pinning on NiBo's blue cord

Friday was the actual graduation ceremony. It took place at the National Infantry Museum. After graduation NiBo had to check in and we ended up getting him for a couple hours that evening to chill. 

He had to work on Saturday so mom, dad and myself checked out the Civil War Naval Museum in Columbus, that was really neat! Dad even took his first selfie with the Water Witch! Lots of history knowledge is held in this small museum. Very nice collection of artifacts prominently displayed as well.

mom and dad out front

The CSS Jackson

After the museum I used Urban Spoon to find us a place to eat that wasn't a chain restaurant and we stumbled upon The Black Cow their menu said they had award winning burgers, so we had to try! Delish! 

We got NiBo starting at 6am on Sunday until we had to leave. It rained almost all day and I'm pretty sure we drove through a tornado. It's been awhile since I've heard tornado sirens. I think I literally experienced all four seasons during my trip home. We also went and saw the movie Interstellar, which was great, I highly recommend if you likes movies that will make you think about it days after you have watched it.

The Army hasn't changed NiBo too much lol

We did get to see a double rainbow after the storms had passed!

We ended up leaving Georgia at about 6:30pm. Dad and I took turns driving and sleeping and we ended up getting back to Small Town at about 7am. We slept for about an hour then drove to Big Town to take the rental car back and then onto the next big town so I could catch my flight home. I got back to AZ about 3pm and ran a few errands and had breakfast/lunch/dinner then passed out about 5:30pm. I only meant to sleep for a couple hours, even set an alarm, but I didn't get up until 1 in the morning, shut off the lights and set my work alarms and then got up at 7am and headed back to work Wednesday morning. Dad has the luxury of taking the whole rest of the Thanksgiving week off! 

I have so much more to catch you up on, so check back and make sure you scroll up and down so you don't miss anything, there is lots to catch up on!