My Favorite Decoration

Just before Tom came home I was able to finish (with the help of my wonderful friends) a project I had been working on for a few months.  It didn't really take a few months to do, just a few hours but somehow I could never get a round to finishing it.  Now it is my favorite decoration in our home and I wish I had done it sooner.  The picture has been up for several months (and part of my blog for even longer), but I finally got the vinyl lettering done a couple weeks ago and didn't post it then because I didn't want Tom to see it until he got home.  I love the saying...my friend saw it somewhere but it read "Land"  instead of "Home".  It definitely fits with the picture perfectly.  I love it!

Guess Who's Back?

Wednesday I was able to take a trip to St. Louis to pick up Tom.  It was so great to be together again after so long.  We were able to stay the night and then came back to Rolla on Thursday afternoon and reunite with the kids.  They were so surprised and happy.  I only got them on video, so we will have to see if they will upload.

My first glimpse of Tom at the airport in St. Louis.

So happy together!

MWC Swimming Championships

Last weekend I was able to drive down to Oklahoma City to attend the Mountain West Conference Swimming Championships.  My niece Annie swims for the University of Utah and I have lived away from the family for so long that I have never been able to see her swim.  I took a much needed break from our kids (thanks to Rachel) and took my friend Kari along for the ride.  We had a great time watching the events, shopping, eating, staying up way too late, playing cards, and even seeing a movie (a rare occurance for me).  Annie did great coming in 3rd in the 100 breast, and 2nd in the medley and freestyle relays.  All in all the weekend was a great success.

Kari and I pose in the stands between events.

Annie gets ready for the women's freestyle.

Annie soars into the pool during the women's freestyle relay.

The U of U swim team sings the fight song at the end of every evening.

Annie and I after the meet ends Saturday night.

Joe (my brother), Julie (his wife), Jane, and Annie at the team dinner at Earl's BarBQue after the meet ended.  The team rented out the whole restaurant and we filled it.  Yummy!