2 Weeks

We're getting there. Slowly but surely this deployment is coming to a close. About half of the guys that Quinn deployed with are already back or are getting in tomorrow. There are another couple of groups heading back today, and Quinn will be leaving in just about a week. So much has gone on within this past year. I've made friends, lost friends, weddings, funerals, lost a job and then found a new one. Beyond that, I personally have changed as well. It has definitely been a learning experience, and I am grateful for having the chance to experience something like this. I know that Quinn did not enjoy his time out there, but whether he likes to admit it or not, he helped make a difference out there and I'm proud of him. We're ready to have him back though. Just 2 short weeks left. Maybe we'll actually have an opportunity to spend a full year in the same state with each other. After almost 4 1/2 years I think we're ready for that commitment! :)

4 weeks

Just about 30 days left...That's all :)

Wedding Weekend

My sister got married on July 3rd. We had a lot of fun. The weather was great and everyone enjoyed themselves. We're happy to add Dan to our family! Congrats Allison and Dan.

6 Weeks

We're starting to wind down. There are only about 6 weeks left to this deployment. I think everyone is ready to be done. I don't have much to say about it. Below is the picture we took the day he left. Hopefully we'll be able to get another one when he gets back. It would be nice if the next 6 weeks went really fast.

BBQ

So I'm planning on having a little barbecue tomorrow to kick off summer. However, it must have slipped my mind that I am in Washington. Summer is the shortest season of the year and of course it hasn't felt like spring so we have even less hope of it feeling like summer. The news said that Alaska has hit 75 degrees 3 times this year already and Denver over 20 times. Seattle...0 We have yet to break 75. Tomorrow was supposed to be 70 and partly sunny (the best that we can get at this point) so I thought 'Great day for some kabobs and wine'. Unfortunately, the weather man was wrong and now we're expecting mid 60's and showers on and off. Despite the terrible change in the forecast, I will be hosting a barbecue. I made a dozen or so mini hamburger cupcakes to try to coax summer out of hiding. Here you go summer. Burgers!!!

Allison's Bachelorette Party

I went back to NJ for my sister's bachelorette party. We had a lot of fun. Of course I got to be the mom of the night on Saturday because nobody else was in any position to focus on what needed to be done. We had a bbq Friday night, went to the beach Saturday and out to dinner and a bar that night. Everyone enjoyed themselves. Next stop...the wedding!

*Getting ready to go out


*Beach


*BBQ


*Little favor table


*Beach house we rented




**A few pictures from dinner and the night out

Sick Bubba

So we have less than 3 months left and I have managed to keep Bubba alive while Quinn is away. Of course he decided to test me Friday morning. I woke up at 5 am on Thursday morning to Bubba throwing up twice on the carpet. I kept him home from daycare figuring that he might have had some bad water or met up with another dog who may have been sick. He ate and was fine and didn't leave me any surprises when I got home from work so I figured he was fine. Fast forward to Friday morning at 4am. Bubba threw up 7 times (in all different places of course) and pooped in the house (which he never does). By the 7th time, within a half hour, I had to take him to the emergency vet. After 3 hours of being there they decided that it was pancreatitis. Apparently he either got something in the garbage that really hit him hard or he had eaten something that was really fatty. I give him peanut butter in his kong toy at least once a week if I have to go out for a few hours. I think all the peanut butter backed up and caused him to get this pancreatitis thing. Needless to say, after sitting at the emergency vet and paying a ridiculous bill, I still had to take him right over to the regular vet so he could get hooked up to IV fluids and antibiotics overnight. The poor thing was such a good sport throughout the whole thing, but when they went to take him at the second vet for his overnight he was standing behind me and didn't move. I gave him a blanket and toy and left him there. I picked him up today and they sent me home with 6 days worth of smelly low fat dog food and 3 containers of pills that I need to give him. After paying another expensive vet bill we are home and doing pretty well. He's been eating and drinking and going to the bathroom. I have to monitor him for the next 48 hours or so to make sure that he's ok. The vet said we caught it quick so he only had a mild case of it which means that he was able to bounce back pretty easily. I'm not saying we're in the clear yet, but he seems to be feeling better. I'll feel better after a week of no early morning surprises. Poor Quinn had to deal with me being all upset and thinking that I pretty much killed his dog. My poor mom also had to deal with my hysterical phone call at 4 in the morning (at least it was 7 am her time). I was sitting on the floor with Bubba throwing up crying and asking him what was wrong and why he was still throwing up. I went to work after I dropped him at the vet for the day and was a walking zombie. I would appreciate it if he could stay healthy from now on or at least until Quinn gets back!!