The last few months have flown by. From July to November the family has been busy. Lisa has been traveling the country and Rich has been traveling Europe.
Even with all of the work and school we were all still able to play a little at Disney to finish off the passes we started in January. Grant and TJ both went on upside down roller coasters for the first time as well as Grant's first (and second time on Tower of Terror)!
We managed to get up to the mountains for a nice retreat at our friend's cabin in Boone, NC. We hiked a through cow pastures in the rain. TJ saw a HUGE snake that absolutely scared him to death. We drove to Grandfather Mountain and climbed to the swinging bridge with an awesome view of the Carolina Mountains. The next day we went up to Elk Knob and hiked for a mile up to the one of the best views in the state.
Lisa traveled to Reno for the Disabled American Veteran's convention and spoke to about 3,000 people - she got to use a teleprompter too! Lisa did a great job and looked like a natural up there on the big stage. All this while her cell phone got stolen, and with some great detective work by Rich, was found, and later recovered! But that is a story for another time!
Rich traveled to Ukraine and Poland to visit with his Soldiers. He really enjoyed Lliv, Ukraine, spending two nights in the Beer Theater with the coolest brass band he's ever heard. Rich returned to Poznan, Poland, during a much nicer time of the year than last December. Eating on the square and walking downtown at night were the highlights of his trip. He even went native and purchased a satchel/man-purse!
Grant continues in Y-Guides for the second year. The Saber-tooth Storm Troopers are back! We visited a local farm for a Fall Festival. After a tractor ride and corn maze he showed his patience and engineering skills by getting this golf ball all the way to the top of this maze! A-maze-ing!
TJ has started cotillion practice. It is a chance for him to learn a young man's manners when being in public and around young ladies. TJ gets to dress up and he loves it (despite his grumblings to his mom). He looks very handsome in a sport coat and tie.
Sam continues to love the university experience - thriving in both her classes and ROTC. She is proud of both - and deservedly so.
That is what is going on here. Pretty soon Rich will run the NYC Marathon, Thanksgiving will be here, Lisa and Rich will travel to Germany, and then it is Christmas!
