No Place Like Home

Found some older pictures Taylor took from the top of their ridge at home. There really is no place like home...

4 years ago...

Taylor asked me to marry him... :) (well actually he proposed in June...but I won't be here, so I'm posting now) He proposed on Lake Michigan...closest we could get to a beach...haha.

He made this sweet Build-A-Bear, it has a sound chip of his voice in it. It says "You are always in my heart and I love you very much"

Beautiful ending to a perfect day.

Retired veteran of USMC under fire...

So, I saw this on FoxNews a bit ago and couldn't help myself from posting this. 1, it's insane. 2, someone has wayyyyyyyy too much time on their hands.

DALLAS -

Frank Larison is a disabled veteran with more than 14 years of service, including more than a year of combat duty in Vietnam.
The 58-year-old former Marine now finds himself under attack by his Dallas homeowners association for displaying seven decals on his vehicle supporting the Marine Corps.
“To me, it’s being patriotic, and it shows that I served,” the veteran told FOX 4.
The board says the decals are advertisements that violate HOA rules, and must be covered or removed.
Otherwise, the homeowners association for The Woodlands II on The Creek — where Larimore has lived for eight years — says in a letter it will tow the car at Larimore’s expense. The board also threatens to fine him $50 for any future incident.
Larimore says the decals, ranging from the Marine emblem to Semper Fi slogans, aren’t advertisements for anything. “You can’t buy freedom,” he reasoned.

Click link to read more: http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/HOA_Asks_Vet_to_Remove_Bumper

I seriously hope those crazies come to their senses. I can understand if they don't want signs or stickers all over the house/yard. But c'mon, his vehicle??

Why walk down the steps...

Now we know why the chicken crossed the road...

Mt. Fuji, Japan

Mamaw had never visited Mt. Fugi. In her words it was "majestic".

Mamaw is totally cheesin' it...haha

Dad eating a live, mostly raw fish. He has a video of it on his plate still wiggling...ewww!

Marine Corps Museum

We went to the Marine Corps Museum this morning. I really enjoyed walking through it. It was a bit bigger than I realized.

Cute Mavi pics...

Mavi laying in the floor last night...one of his more peaceful moments.

National Air & Space Musuem

Taylor, Austin, Wayne, and I.

Some Japanese bombers...

Boeing, along w/ the Air France Concord.

Enterprise space shuttle.

If you have a chance to go to this musuem (the one at Dulles)...I highly recommend it. It was really neat.

Season 8 American Idol - Kris Allen

I was sooooooo excited when Kris Allen was anounced as the season 8 American Idol. Kris is so talented and was the underdog the whole season. I'm also excited that he is a "true" musician. He was always playing guitar or piano. Congrats Kris!!

Webcam fun...

So I purchased a webcame so I can talk w/ dad while he is away. I actually haven't tested it by calling anybody. But it takes pictures...haha. This could be bad.

Tokyo, Japan

This is actually in Kyoto, Japan.

Kyoto again..

Mamaw's parents gravesite.

Overlooking Tokyo.

bikes upon bikes...dad say's this is the main transportation of the locals.

Dad (and I honestly can't remember if this is his uncle (mamaw's brother) or his aunt's husband.

Mamaw, dad, and her sister Sueko.

I told dad he had finally found his long lost twin.

They return to good ole east TN in June.

Prom 2009

No I did not attend prom this year, but my handsome brother did. Just wanted to post a few pictures. He looked so good and his date was beautiful! Thought they looked great together.

Marine Corps Band/Iwo Jima Reenactment

Here is a MUCH better video...link below..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TeAsWpWVl0

This must be from Saturday night because there was no fog at all.

VA Arts Festival 2009

Taylor was able to be a part of the VA Arts Festival this year in Norfolk, VA. He was in the International Tattoo program. He and 5 other guys re-enacted (spelling?? sorry!) the Iwo Jima flag raising. I was able to get a video...but we were so far away from the front of the stage, pictures were near impossible. I'm hoping the website will post better pictures/video. They performed along side the Marine Corps band Quantico. The band was amazing. Actually the whole show was amazing. I'm very glad I fought 3 hrs of traffic and made it with 4 minutes to spare. It was well worth it!!

Video of flag raising (oh and sorry, me and another wife were cheering them on...haha) And I was so upset at all the fog...that's why I'm hoping someone post a better video.

Another video of the Civil War band...I didn't realize until after the show, but Taylor said these were all highschool kids. Very talented. They were one of my favorites. You know how I'm partial to drummers...hehe.

More Civil War band..

Last but not least, the Marine Corps drum line...