Paint

When we get that itch to decorate and we've decided on that perfect plan, I always think getting it all together will be so much fun and exciting! Travis says the only part he likes is the end result. But after 3 days of painting, and the house being turned upside down, and exhaustion has taken over, even I'm good for a while...well, at least a few months...maybe :) 

Our bedroom now has a wall of Raging Sea, and our bathroom is equal parts of Vulcan Grey and Silvery Moonlight. I know they are equal parts because one was going to be too dark and the other would have been too light. Oh, if only there was something in between...ding! (light bulb turning on over our heads) let's mix them! So we did, 1 cup for 1 cup in our Pyrex measuring cup. Resourceful I know!

Travis was also working on making 1000 flash cards for an upcoming checkride, which we finally finished by the way. He spent most of this time working on that, and came to help only when I needed a boost of energy to carry on. Since I was in there with those paint fumes for a good chunk of time...by myself, I had a crazy realization. For some reason, in my head, painting is a little like running. I start having odd, then weird, and then finally really annoying conversations in my head, and I can't stop! That's why I always run with some tuneage (remember that word?) these days. Anyway, my favorite conversation was about painting around the toilet. I hate the toilet, I don't want to touch the toilet unless I have to! And yet I find myself spending time with the toilet in ways I would never imagine without a paint brush in my hand...Like giving it a hug for example, or cuddling up next to it, just to get every square inch behind the tank where no one will EVER see. It's disgusting! Yuck! I almost want to take a shower just thinking about it! Oh well, I guess everything needs a little TLC once and a while, even if it is a toilet.

RC Airplanes

When Travis isn't flying, one of his favorite hobbies is flying...remote control planes. He's always trying to get others into it because "it's just so much fun!" He can spend hours and hours building and rebuilding these things. He's got six of them hanging up in his room right now! It's been a few months since we've had any wrecks. I think we may be into some kind of record. Knock on wood! 

Fort Smith

Earlier this month, Travis had a long overnight in Fort Smith, Arkansas and I got to go with him. Really it's just an excuse to get in a cheap mini vacation together since the flight for me costs merely pennies and the hotel is free.

That spec of a person you can barely see out there is Travis preflighting the plane.
Turns out Fort Smith has a lot of historic sites to see all within walking distance of each other.
Despite the small distances, we still rode this fun bus for a drive by tour of all the site...it was only a dollar! We were the only 2 passengers on the trip. Now if that isn't a little awkward for the tour guide, I don't know what it. The sweet old volunteer lady in the office asked us afterward if the mic was working for the tour guide. Apparently they were having problems with it earlier. We said, well, since it was just the two of us that's ok, it really wasn't necessary :)
One last picture, seconds before those dark clouds unleased some of the wettest raindrops I've ever experienced...and I'm from Oregon!

Rangers Baseball

The night I got back from Oregon, Travis and I went to a Rangers game with our friends, the Brownings, and Bret, Kylie and Jordan met us there. It was a nasty, hot, humid night (just check out the sweat on our faces) but a really fun game!

Rockaway Beach

One week ago my family and I were in the car on our way to the Tillamook Cheese Factory and then out to the Oregon Coast. This outing is a rather common adventure for our family, but I think we struck gold this time! Rockaway Beach is our (or at least my) new favorite spot to stay. It was a beautiful beach! Great for croquet, sand mer-men, sand half-women-half-horse, and sandcastles. We planned to stay overnight, but the best part was finding at the last minute a little condo with, what did Brant call it...oh yeah, an OCEANVIEW! Our back balcony steps went right out to the sand.

As kids we always played in the ocean, despite the average 50-55 degree water temperature. Well, this time we all got wet up to our knees, but not without excruciation pain. It's freezing! Why did I never notice this as a kid? I guess that's one indication that I am getting older...but not much older...just a little older :)

Poor Travis had to work and didn't get to come, but we thought about him. I even brought him home some sour salt water taffy!

Year at a Glance

A little less talk, and a lot more action! It finally happened...we have a blog! Blogs usually start because of a new addition to the family, or the blogger is just a really good writer. Unfortunately, we don't fall into either category. I just want to stop feeling like I'm stalking all my friends because I know all about them from reading their blogs, and knowing they are wondering if we are even still alive. Well, the answer to that question is YES! We're still alive! 

This is kind of like trying to catch up on my journal writing...where do I start? Since I would like to sleep sometime tonight, I'll try for a quick overview since moving to Texas.  

First Officer Travis: "Ladies and gentlemen, we will be taking off in a few moments. Flight attendants, please prepare for takeoff. "

Friendly Flight Attendant: "Please fasten your seat belts, make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their upright and locked positions, and properly store all of your carry-on item underneath the seat in front of you. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight!"

We moved to Arlington, Texas for flight school. It was a very crazy 10 months of training and flight instructing for Travis. We never knew where he would be or what he would be doing the next day, let alone the next hour. The hardest part was the 11 weeks during training he spent in Florida, not knowing when he would be able to come home. Fortunately I had some heaven sent friends that helped me stay busy. 

Time Out For Fun

We tried to take advantage of any of the free hours we had by doing something fun, getting out and experiencing Texas. We lived just across I-30 from Six Flags, the Rangers Stadium, and the new Cowboys Stadium, which made it nice for a quick, fun outing.

Ft. Worth Rodeo

Six Flags

Rangers Baseball

Never Enough BYU Football

The Linton Boys all met here in Dallas, and took a road trip to Tulsa for a BYU Football game. I'm really good at crashing their plans...so I went too. It was very fun, even if BYU didn't win the game.

Hawaii

In between flight instructing and starting the new job with American Eagle, Travis's parents gave us a much needed break! They were kind enough to take us on their trip to Hawaii. It was wonderful! This is my form of scrapbooking these days...digital :)

American Eagle

The end of November Travis started working for American Eagle, which is American's regional airline. We were so glad that the training facility is here in Texas and not too far from where we were living. They provided a hotel room for all trainees and believe it or not, Travis stayed all but a few night there over the 2 and a half months. The pilots all eat, breath, and sleep their study material so being there created the best study situation...but the hotel was 3 miles from home! Crazy! I may have bribed Travis a time or two to come home for a hot meal:) Hehehe...thirsty? (my family will get that) Most other times I stopped by for an hour on my way home from work while he took a dinner break. One very good perk about being hired when he was, was that we got to pick our base. Our choices consisted of LA, Chicago, Boston, New York, Miami, San Juan, and Dallas. Looking at that list we decided to stay here in Texas, just maybe not Arlington. This is my handsome husband in his uniform, and the ERJ-145 that he flies.