Best 24 Hours in a Long Time

Soooo.... this is the first time in 12 years (15 if you count casual status and pilot training) that Phil and I haven't been part of a fighter squadron.  And yes, I know that we chose this, but I can't help it if we really miss the squadron camaraderie and fun... a lot.  I actually didn't think we would miss it as much as we do.  Anyway, one of our favorite squadrons, the 95th FS "Boneheads", was closed down a few years ago.  And lo and behold... just last Friday it was opened again!  When we were in it it was an F-15 squadron, but now it's being opened as an F-22 squadron.  Phil and I aren't current members of it right now, of course, but in accordance with the squadron motto "Once a Bonehead, always a Bonehead" we went to the opening party anyway!  I was SO excited for this night... to go out with my husband, to be in our old bar again where we had so many memories, to get a sitter at 4:15 and have her feed ALL FOUR kids dinner and put them to bed (which actually went really well!), and to maybe see some old friends and make some new ones.  The "party" was a little "meh" and actually ended way early, but Phil and I and three old friends stayed in the bar and had some cocktails and laughed and laughed and reminisced for several hours... it was so, so great!

The bar is all clean and shiny and new and bright, which was kind of weird... but it looked nice.

We were laughing a little because the F-22 wall decal malfunctioned after a few hours.  :)

There is a nice, new, shiny squadron patch sign in the lobby!

And for any of my Bonehead friends that may be reading this... when some young guy was carrying Mr. Bones out to put him to bed for the night he let Mr. Bones' LEG FALL OFF!  In the middle of the bar! And then he proceeded to walk right through the middle of the squadron patch on the floor.  These young 'uns these days... No respect!  Haha! There was much booing and grumbling over this.  LOL.

Then on the way home we stopped by a hole in the wall biker bar to play some pool.  Oh my gosh I almost got black lung from the smoke smell in there but we had so much fun!  I was a little nervous walking in there... afraid we might get beaten up or stabbed for not being regulars but the people were so nice... a few men walked over and thanked the guys for their service and the bartender brought us free jello shots and thanked us for coming in.  Can't judge a book by its cover!  :)

This picture was taken right after I sunk five balls in a row and WON THE GAME!!  I haven't played pool in years and it was a total lucky fluke, but exciting nonetheless. Haha!

Then the next day was gorgeous and we finally broke out our E-Z-Up tent and went to the beach.  It's taken us a year, but we finally got smart with how to take a baby to the beach.  That pack and play and tent made the biggest difference.

That's Emmett out there... (I think)...

We stayed for five hours.  It was amazing.  There was no fighting, no complaining, and very little bugging mom and dad.  Haha!  Everyone (including Reid) played so well by themselves and with each other.

Davis was periodically fussy, but he seemed to enjoy his view and was pretty content staying in the "sand-free zone".  Phil and I just traded off holding him when he got fussy.

This, however, was a very hard-fought battle, but I eventually won.  :)

Then we came home to pulled pork in the crockpot.  Seriously... best 24 hours in a LONG time!   :)