It is hard to believe (and so unfun to say), but Stephen’s time home is quickly dwindling down. When we reunited earlier this month, we both knew it was only temporary. He’s currently on leave and goes back to Germany solo at the end of this month.
In an effort to make the most of our time together, we’ve tried to strike a balance between relaxing like we normally would and squeezing in everything that we want to do. There’s no way of knowing when Stephen will be in Texas again, so we have to make the most of it. So far, we have:
Spent a day with our BFF’s Mark and Mary Beth and Baby Whitley.
It was so fun to see Stephen and Whitley interact. She’s already 4 months and he’s just meeting her for the first time. We spent a day together mostly just chatting, but with a little time at the YMCA pool and then a while lot of grilling.
The first plate of dinner. I ate so much of this grub!
They treat us right! It was a great visit but far too short.
Introduced Geronimo to his cousin Sasha.
Stephen’s younger brother, Ben, got a chow/husky mix not too long ago. We’ve been meaning to hook the doggies up, but could never land on a time that worked for both of us until now. Stephen, Ben, Sasha, Geronimo, and I all went to the local dog park where they pooches and I ran around while the two old men gossiped. Then it was off to Texas Roadhouse where we all ate way too much food.
Trolled around Ikea.
I want a new bed. Could this be it?
Is there any more fun place to kill a few hours? And, if you have will power, you can escape without spending any money. We were not that fortunate: we bought straws and a light-fixture-thingy-mabob.
Stephen got fresh ink.
It means “for their sacrifice” in Hebrew. Pretty cool. It makes me want to get another one.
We went shooting.
Picture courtesy of Bianca.
Stephen bought a few new guns while he was deployed and he’s been itching to test them out. The two of us plus the fabulous Bianca went to an indoor range and shoot the place up. I tried out some of Stephen’s cool guns, but I stuck mostly to the little .22. Big guns are scary! We had a blast and I learned that I shouldn’t make Bianca mad – the girl has impeccable aim!*
We explored the 6th Floor Museum.
On the 6th floor of the Texas Book Depository aka the 6th Floor Museum.
The museum details the life and assassination of John F. Kennedy. It’s a tiny museum, but eery and interesting and well done. It felt strange to look out the window that Lee Harvey Oswald supposedly looked out before pulling the trigger on a $13 gun, killing the president. The whole experience was very moving and I’m embarrassed that it took me so long to make my way there.
It has been so nice having Stephen home. It’s hard not to get attached. I definitely foresee a very messy goodbye when I have to give him back to the Army again. Le Sigh.*
Stephen’s new tattoo is awesome, it looks so great! And it was so wonderful to see Stephen again! It had been such a long time!
The shooting range was so fun! I may have found a new hobby to add to my growing list of hobbies
I went to the Sixth Floor Museum last summer and it was so surreal. It’s easy to forget that such a huge historical event took place right there in downtown Dallas.
Oh and one more thing–Viggle is finally available for Android! I’m a check-in maniac again, yippee!!
Three cheers for Viggle! Best app ever!
I’m obsessed with the JFK assassination now. So much mystery still surrounds it despite all the witnesses and the fact that people have studied it inside and out for decades.*
Sounds fun! I’m also really glad to see that I’m not the only one who sometimes doesn’t bother to put pants on the baby. So much work!
Pants are overrated. Even on non-babies.*
A woman after my own heart.
How the heck do I even respond to all of this without writing a book?!
Are you guys honorary aunt/uncle to baby Whitley? Ben’s pup looks cute and now I need to go research this mix because we want a husky or similar looking breed. Totally agree about Ikea; I want to just move in there. Also agree about the guns; they scare the crap outta me! I really dig Stephen’s tattoo, especially that it has meaning and that he let you share it with us! And finally: I had no idea about the museum but it’s going on my travel destination list! I’ve always found JFK and his assassination to be very intriguing. Maybe cuz I wasn’t around for it?
I’m sad that leave is coming to an end so I’ll just be very mature and pretend it’s not gonna happen for you guys. heh. Enjoy it!
Precious pics of Stephen and Baby Whitley!! Y’all have been buuuusy!! I’m embarrassed to admit that I have not been to the 6th floor museum! I want to go and being a Dallas girl born and raised I should have already gone there. MUST remedy that! Also, just don’t give him back! Keep him! Ha
Isn’t it amazing how quickly the time passes during periods like this!?!?!? I love the picture of G-Mo and Sasha – they look like they are having so much fun! Baby Whitley is beyond adorable, too. And congrats to Stephen on his new ink, he must be so excited!!!
I’d never heard of the 6th Floor Museum but it sounds very interesting. I would love to check it out sometime. I can only imagine how creepy it must felt to look out the same window that Lee Harvey Oswald looked out of… wow…