This table was in the B & B Keith and I went to. The legs are from a Bull Moose that the owner's father had killed back in the 50's. At the time, it was the second largest killed Bull Moose in North America. Talk about using every part of the animal.

Side note: This morning it was 12 degrees with a wind chill of -4 degrees. It is so cold it takes my breath away.

Keith surprised me with a trip to a Bed and Breakfast in Grafton, Illinois (pop.850). It is the building way up top. It overlooks the Illinois River and Mississippi River where they meet. The whole front is windows and has an incredible view. The eagles migrate here from up north and we saw plenty of them.
Our suite was called the Delta Queen and it was beautiful.
This is where we had breakfast, the view was breathtaking. The glass table was a little scary!
The B&B had a game room and Keith and I played some pool. He won every game though I thought I played ok. The room had lots of antiques and some crazy stuff in it and we spent a great deal of time looking at everything in the room
We enjoyed this sunset from the game room before we went to dinner at the Mississippi Half-Step. There I had some of the best blackened catfish ever! The restaurant is in a very old house and very quaint. This was one of my best Valentine gifts ever! Thanks, honey.

Keith made a trip to Dover, DE this past week to scope out his new home. This building above is being renovated and will house his new squadron.
Here is a picture of the base. Yes, that is snow on the ground. It started snowing while he was there and the temperature dropped rather drastically. The base does seem prison like, Keith said the buildings are a drab brown.
Here is a picture of Monster Mile, the Nascar racetrack in Dover. Dover has about 30,000 people but every June and September that swells to about 200,000 because of Nascar. Keith did see the downtown and scouted some apartments. There are some very old Victorian and Colonial districts there so I am looking forward to going.

HOLLA!!! We love you mom!! We are so proud of your dedication to your family and school. You are a role model and we look up to you. Good luck during this semester, not that you need it, you're one of the smartest people we know!

Here is Opal frolicking in the snow.....last weekend - ice, this weekend, -snow. I am so ready for some warm weather.

Hey! Just wanted to say hi from 37,000 feet. Go Saints!!! We were in Chicago where they did not appreciate me wearing John's hat in the terminal. I hope the Saints kick the Bears butt!! It was also 18 degrees, wish you were here : ) John wanted me to add "Go Colts" and I said I would until the Saints and Colts play, then it's time to drop the Colts.

I don't even know what to say about this. He is FREAKY!!

Happy BIG Birthday, Kyle. You were such an energetic little boy. Not much has changed!!

I love the energy you bring to your own life and to ours. You don't do anything halfway. When you put your mind to do something, you do it well. I love the intensity and passion you have when you play sports because it shows how much you love the game. You are smart, funny, witty and very clever. You constantly remind me by example to give my everything to what I am passionate about. I am truly blessed to have a 17 year old like you..........you make me proud! I love you with all my heart, Mom.

It was 16 degrees today when I went to school.

this is the parking lot at my school. The snow was really coming down but it stopped by midmorning so by the time I went home, it wasn't so bad thank goodness. But it was still cold!

We braved the cold and went to the Arch today.
Christine and Keith went to the top of the Arch in this little egg car. There was nothing to see from the top though because the weather was so foggy.


Christine and I went see Kyle at KFC. He was so happy to see us!

This is from the ice storm that hit today. This tree froze in the shape of a cross. It is so beautiful. So far we have power but we are supposed to get another wave tomorrow.


Since it was so cold, Keith, Christine and I played games. Here we are playing Mexican Train, a game we learned at the Halle's camp. We also played Trivial Pursuit and Texas Hold'em. And of course, we ate..... and ate.

Christine, Keith and I went see Jerry Seinfeld tonight at the Fabulous Fox Theater. He was really funny........at the end I was having a hard time breathing cause I was laughing so hard. And the Fox is such a beautiful, opulent theater, I just love being there. I don't know what the rest of the weekend will be since we are expecting another ice storm. We will just pray to keep our power this time.

Happy 30th Birthday, Neal. I just want to tell you again thank you for serving in the Navy and wow, it is hard to believe you are 30! Have a great day and I love you.