Cici's Pizza

Cutter was excited when he found out he got to go on his first field trip, he was even more thrilled when he found out they were going to Cici's Pizza. I honestly could not imagine what they could possibly learn educational by going to a pizza place, but the kids got to learn first hand what is involved in making a pizza. And even if they didn't pay attention, they had a great time so I guess that is all that matters. This had to be by far one of the messiest field trips I've been on, kindergarteners and pizza sauce just don't equal cleanliness. 

I think we had a total of four kindergarten classes on this particular day. That poor place couldn't have handled it if they had brought all the classes on the same day!

They got to practice stretching the dough and shaping the pizza.

  Thankfully, they already had some dough all ready for the kids to use. Just add sauce.

  He put a lot of effort into that pizza.

Finally getting to eat their finished product!

20 years of Air Force service

After 20 years, Hank is officially a civilian again. Okay, so not exactly. He is still on terminal leave for about another week, but as of December 1, it's all official. His retirement ceremony was held in October right before he started his leave, and we were very blessed to have both our families attend. I'm sorry I didn't take as many pictures as I had planned on. Between having to participate in the ceremony and the tears, my camera was the last thing on my mind. Hank originally planned his ceremony to take place outside, but Mother Nature decided we needed a monsoon that morning so at the last minute everything had to be changed. Red Horse did a great job of managing to still having everything go as planned even with the last minute changes. It was a very busy day and somehow in the chaos I didn't get a single picture of my parents with Hank. :(

Retired Capt. Tim Leno performed Hanks ceremony.

He looks thrilled huh?!

Hank had a little gift for each of the kids for all their years of service and dedication as well.

Notice Sailor's face, she looked like this through most of the ceremony. She seriously cried almost the entire time.

Presentation of his shadow box.

Of course we had to have picture proof that Sonny actually made the trip to Florida, otherwise no one would believe it!

Hank was so proud that his grandmother was able to make the trip and be here for his special day.

Moving Day

Moving is a fact of life in the military. Somewhere in the midst of all those moves you make friends. And if you are lucky enough, those friends become family. Such is the case with the Marquis family. It seems fitting looking back that our journey began in Florida some 14+ years ago while stationed together at Red Horse, and now having it run full circle back in Florida again at Red Horse. Hank and Michael have been stationed together more than once and have been on multiple deployments. They have been there through the good times and the bad times, the fun times and the lonely times. We have watched their girls grow from tom boys to beautiful young women. And through everything the military has thrown our way, they have remained true friends and the best family you could ask for. We sure hated to see them leave, but I know their next great adventure is waiting for them. We never know what the future holds, maybe the military will bring them back to us one day. Until then, thank you for all the laughs and memories. We love you each of you, even the big turd!

Turning 40

I can honestly say I really had mixed emotions about turning 40. I didn't really feel any different, and didn't feel I looked any different, but just the thought of being that "older" age seemed to have some little effect on my mind. Add that to all of the emotional changes we we were fixing to encounter with retirement and friends moving, and I was a little hesitant about my birthday. Lucky for me, we had tickets to the Miranda Lambert concert on my birthday. We were fortunate enough to be able to go with friends and it turned out to be a great night. Sorry for the poor picture quality, I didn't take a camera and my cell phone is rather old.

Justin Moore

  

 

Miranda Lambert