Icarus

One of the things Matt's been doing at ASBC is playing a game called Icarus. Let me start by saying it's a little to o complicated to explain completely so I'll just give the broad explanation. It's a dodge ball like game designed to teach the inner workings of war in the air. In other words, you try to beat the other team using the same tactics to beat an enemy at war. For example, the ball is your ordinance (weapon, bomb, gun, etc.) It's interesting and definitely an Air Force type game, but it makes air power war tactics a little more tangible. Plus it breaks up the day:)

Matt's team on the bench waiting to play...it was soooo cold!

Matt and a couple buddies after a small victory (they disabled a base).

Matt is the first yellow guy in line, #48, leading the attack!

Heads up...I would NOT want to be those red guys.

Off they go.

Waiting to begin the "war" (Matt with the red ball).


As we were leaving 2 F-16's came roaring through the base. No matter how many times I see these planes up close, I get so pumped every time! They're so loud and fast and awesome!

The Montgomery Zoo

On Tuesday I went to the zoo with a few other spouses from the ASBC class. It was a really nice day and we had a good time looking at all the exotic animals!

Some of the awesome ladies I've met in Montgomery: Kati, Elizabeth and Emmy. I'm having a blast hanging out with and getting to know the other spouses here. Unfortunately none of these ladies are stationed at Vance with me, but I know we'll meet up again somewhere along the road. I'm learning that in the Air Force you never know who will be at your next assignment!

Spider Monkey:)

Pink Flamingo anyone?

So you might think this guy is a Panther, but the sign said there's no such thing as a black Panther. He's a Jaguar. Regardless of what he is, he is really big. And just sat there all stoic, right up against the bars. Almost like he was at a photo shoot.

A Golden Eagle. This bird was enormous.

Dothan, AL

Last weekend Matt and I visited his Grandmother in Dothan, AL. We had an awesome time with her (as always) and we even got to see her new house. It looks like it's going to be perfect for her! It's a cute one story with 2 bedrooms, a sunroom and a porch. The plot is beautiful and it's close to her church. Her next door neighbors (also the builder) are really wonderful people and she's become quite close with them. All in all, I think she's going to be very happy there!

View out the back window.

We love you Grandma, good luck with your new house! It's beautiful!

Big ol Plane

A big plane (C-130 or C-17 I think) was flying VERY low over my building this afternoon so I tried to get a few pics through my window. It's hard to portray the true massiveness of this plane, but it's still neat to see the pictures.

On Base

There are a bunch of neat things about Maxwell AFB. The best that it's much bigger than Vance so all the amenities are a lot better, commissary, BX, gym, base housing, etc. Another (especially for me) are the mapped out running routes all over base. They have signs that guide you on different mileage runs so you never have to worry about going some where you're not supposed to go! One of the runs takes you down by the Alabama River and it's so nice to run while immersed in nature. Below just some pictures of the birds I saw on my run and the aircraft I ran into on my way to the commissary last night.

These are the weirdest birds I've ever seen. They look like big chickens or turkeys close up, but I think they're some kind of duck. You ever seen them, Mom?

There were tons of these Herons! I count 6 in this picture alone, but they were perched all throughout these trees.

The sun was setting so it was hard to get a good picture (also might have something to do with me driving and taking pictures at the same time), but here's a C-130. It's a big cargo plane and it's really amazing to see it in the air.

There were tons of helicopters (not sure what kind) that flew in last night. They would come in 4 at a time in formation. I'm not sure how many there were in the end, but I'd be willing to bet it was somewhere above 25. Formation flying is the best!

You can see a bunch of the helicopters on the tarmac straight ahead.

Houston to Maxwell, Air Force Base

On Jan. 3 we drove from Houston to Montgomery, AL. It's not too bad of a drive, but we hit some awful thunderstorms in Mississippi and they continued all the way up through Alabama. It took us almost 12 hours, but we made it safe and sound!

I'm a Texan

While in Texas for the holidays I had the pleasure of going through the process of becoming an official Texan. We spent an entire day standing in long lines at the Courthouse and Texas DPS (their version of the DMV) so I could get a Texas license and Texas plates for the Mazda. I'm glad to say it's official now, although, I will admit I was a little sad to surrender my Virginia license:(

Christmas Morning Houston, TX

Here are just a few pics from Christmas morning with the Lund family. We had an awesome time in Houston and we were so blessed to be able to spend the holidays with family. Both Matt and I realize in some of the years to come it may not even be possible to spend the holidays with any family other than the two of us. So anytime we can see family and friends we consider ourselves very blessed!

Dear ol Dad handing out gifts

Manders

I got Matt a mini golf bag. It's great for the driving range. He can throw a few clubs in there, slap the cover on, hop on his bike and head to the range. He could even use it to walk a par3 or nine hole course. Needless to say, he loves it!

Happy New Year 2009!

We spent New Years in downtown Houston. A couple of Matt's friends from highschool, Mike Johnson, Charlee, and Mike Schoetz live in the city and we spent some time with them there. We had a great time chillin at Mike and Charlee's, at Schoetz's party and at the bar downtown. Matt and I did a lot of dancing at the bar and I even learned a few more line dances! Looks like 2009 is gonna be a good year!

Matt and Sarah who was up from San Antonio to spend the new year with everyone.

The boys, Michael Schoetz, Matt, Matt Schoetz, and Mike Johnson. Great biddies since high school!

Aw:)

Sarah, Charlee and Mike.

Matt and Kara, another friend from high school.

The ladies, Kara, Charlee, Sarah, Lindsay, me and Cassie.

Marie and Sarah.

Visit with Becca and Jason!

While we were in Houston Becca and Jason happened to be passing through Dallas. We couldn't resist seeing them! They were gracious enough to meet us in Corsicana, a small town about 30 min south of the city. We ate lunch at Chili's and visited a bakery recommended by the greatest Texan of all, Fr. Z. We walked around the town, bought a few Texasy trinkets and chatted outside a small coffee shop. All in all a great trip and so incredibely nice to see Becca and Jason.

The group. Jason, me, Becca, Matt and Katie (Jason's friend from Dallas).

A favorite saying of mine, I just had to take a picture. It's great advice.

How refreshing to see one of the sisters! Whew!

Collin St Bakery, Yum!

Christmas Dinner

This is one of many awesome dinners at the Lund's house. It's a swedish meal consisting of potato sausage (brought all the way from Chicago), stuffed cabbage, rice pudding, rutabaga mashed potatoes, and a potato based dough sutffed with salted pork and onion mixture (can't remember the technical name of that one). The dark colored drink is glug, a swedish drink made with grain alcohol, other alcohols and fruit. It's cured for weeks or months (I think) and served warm. Very delish!! Thanks for an awesome meal Mom and Dad Lund!

The fam!

Funny story about the potato sausage. Adam got it in Chicago and brought it with him to our place in Oklahoma. Upon arrival it immediately went into the freezer so it wouldn't go bad. Well sure enough we forgot it in there when we left. About 2 hours down the road we realized it. Knowing arriving in Houston without it would mean certain death we tried to figure out what to do. We called as many people as we knew at Vance, but it seemed everyone had already left for the holiday...accept for our awesome friend John! He was able to get in the house, package the sausage ice and all and fedex it to us in Houston! Thank you for saving the day, John!

Vance to Houston

After Matt's trip to Chicago and long drive in the blizzard back to Vance with his brother Adam, we all made the drive from Vance to Houston. We stopped in Dallas for lunch with one of Adam's friends from college, Amy. She was super nice and it was awesome to get out of the car and have a good meal!

In Houston

We've been in Houston since the 23rd and are having a blast spending time with Matt's family and friends. We always have such a good time when we visit Houston and we're so blessed to have been able to spend Christmas with his family. I have pictures of Christmas and New Years, but I have to upload them once I get them off the camera. Stay tuned!