Merry Christmas

We hope that your day is merry and bright, and that you enjoy your celebrations of our Savior's birth!

SNOW!!!

What an adventure we have had the last few days!
Early this week the weather man predicted light snow for the weekend…it got bigger and begger as the days went on.
Friday I spent my afternoon hunting down ice melt. I finally found out that Pitkins (Ace Hardware) was getting a truck in with a fresh supply of ice melt, sleds, and shovels at 7pm…so after dinner Pam and I went and ran some errands and then headed to get the ice melt at about 8:30. We got there to find a line through the store, and no truck yet. They employees were very nice, and so we waited. Mike came to wait with us, but had to stay in the truck because they locked the doors. At 11pm we headed out with ice melt and a new sled for Isabella. On the way home Pam was ahead of us and was sliding about. She got stuck and so we used the 4-wheel drive on our truck and pushed her car all the way up the hill. She made it to our house and she stayed for the night.
Saturday we woke up to a “Winter Wonderland.” Lots of snow, and it was still coming! So we got in the truck and went to Costco…it was great, no one was there! We also hit Wal-Mart, and then headed home. In the afternoon we had to go get my brother Eric because he had flown in from London, and then trained to D.C. We spent a lovely 4 hours in the car…not an experience I would like to repeat.

I-95 North...we sat for 2 hours to go 5 miles!

We finally found this problem...it was the first of many...we bailed to Rt. 1

This is was Southbound looked like the whole way!!!

Today Mike and Eric shoveled a lot and Eric went on his way to be with his family. Later in the afternoon we heard some funny noises outside and we found our road being plowed by these!

It was a great weekend to be “snowed in” that ended with dinner at Tammy & Ken’s house.

Enjoy the pictures!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

I love this season! We had a great Thanksgiving, and it was so nice to have Mike here for it! We had a quiet day and then had everyone over on Sunday for dinner.

We have gotten our Christmas tree up and it looks amazing. I like to sit in the room with all the lights off except the lights on the tree and listen to all the great music. I love it!

Today made the season even better! We got our first snow. It’s so beautiful, and I just wanted to sit in front of the window and watch the world turn into a marshmallow.

It would have been better if it were a weekday, but I’ll take the snow anytime!

Veteran's Day

Some people fly this flag for months and years of their lives. This is the symbol family members display while a loved one is serving overseas. They see this everyday knowing that a person they love is in harm’s way. They display this so that we can all live free under this flag.

So today I say thanks to those who have served, those who serve and those who will serve for securing our freedom. This sight always makes me tear up…it something that I respect, and brings joy to my heart. I hope to continue seeing it for the rest of my life!

On a totally different note…Happy 234th Birthday Marines!

What a Weekend!

It all started out “normal” with some added rain, but the end of the weekend was the BEST! At 1:30 am on Monday morning Pam, Tammy, Ken and kids all accompanied me down to Marine Corps Base Quantico. We got to the gym and took our spots. At about 2:30 they marched in.

After a quick command there was a rush in the room and there he was…my husband is BACK!

He found me long before I could find him in the crowd of Marines dressed alike. He is home from Iraq and gets to stay home! No going back anytime soon!

Isabella was very excited to see her favorite uncle…

…and then we showed off her new brother Bryce. Isabella kept touching his face and pointing to him and saying his name. It was really cute!

After the hellos and many, many hugs we got our stuff together and went home. The first thing that Mike wanted was a hot shower…he was also a fan of properly functioning toilets. After we ate a good breakfast we crashed…that was about 5:30 am

This poster has a picture of all of our families...I wanted everyone to be there.

Lunch was at his favorite restaurant, El Charro, and then we grilled a tri-tip for dinner. It was a great first day, and it is WONDERFUL to have him home!

Tonight we went to the ward Halloween party and surprised everyone. It was fun to see the looks on people’s faces.

Thanks to all for your thoughts and prayers while he’s been away!

In Case You Were Wondering

• I started my 6th year teaching at G-F this September.
• Mike is still gone.
• I still miss him.
• He has several more months to go.
• I still have good days and bad days.
• The work on the house has not made much progress.
• School is going well; we have had a very smooth start this year.
• The temperature in Iraq is cooling off…now they’re in the 90s.
• I don’t like living alone.
• I like having the whole bed to spread out on though.
• If I had 4 more hours in everyday I’d get A LOT more done.
• Mike and I talk a couple of times a week.
• He found a friend at church there that we knew here in the singles branch.
• I email him everyday, he emails me almost everyday.
• The base he is at has lots of Army coming in…the locals know it…they aren’t afraid of the Army.
• Mike likes letters, but I haven’t been a good pen-pal since school started.
• Mike has a busted lip from training…I’m still waiting on pictures.
• He’s been gone for almost 11 weeks…it’s hard to believe!

Back to School

School started this week…I should say that students started this week…I went back on August 31st. Things went very well! It’s hard to believe that I’m already back in school. I feel like we just got out for summer.

This year it feels almost surreal to be there. I fell back into the routine so easily its as if I never stopped. I’m teaching the same classes as I have for the past 3 years, so it’s nice to feel like I have a firm grasp on the subjects.

My students seem good. I have several “younger siblings” from past students, and I’m keeping the tradition of having siblings during the same year. Most years I have siblings…not always in the same class or even the same grade, but this year I have 3 sets I think. I enjoy the siblings because they will rat each other out all the time…not usually about school stuff, but about things they did at home or who’s on restriction. It’s entertaining.

I’m hoping that things continue as smoothly as they have been! Here’s to a great year!

My Garden

I grew up with a garden next to my house. When we were little we would help pick whatever needed that day, when I got a little older, we had to help prep whatever had been picked (snap beans, or pod peas). This year while I have access to a great garden plot (thanks dad!) I decided that I should take advantage.

The biggest thing I have going for me is tomatoes! This is what my plants look like every 2 days! It’s a bit insane.

I also grew corn. It’s done for the season now, but was good…even some critters thought so—they stole a couple of ears and left the cobs for me.


I did zucchini, and got several at the beginning, but it has kind of stopped producing now…maybe it needed a few weeks rest.


I have green beans. They are growing like crazy! Next to the tomatoes these are my biggest producer.

I also have green and red bell peppers! They are starting to come in, and they are sooooo good!


My watermelon plant, which I thought was dead, has now sent vines across a good part of the garden, and has a melon on it.

I did cucumbers, but this is what I’ve gotten so far…this is only the second one all summer…not normal for this garden, but I’ve got plenty of other things to work with.


A garden this size has a lot of work that comes with it. I have realized that weeding is not my favorite thing in the world! I also have realized that sometimes you get surprises in your garden like these…

…yup more tomato plants! These have grown from seeds from last years tomatoes…I know that because I didn’t plant this variety.

So, if you want tomatoes or green beans…I just might know where you can find some.

Where in the world is Mike?

OK, so LOTS of people are asking for details about Mike, so here we go.

Mike is stationed at a base in Baharia, Iraq. He is on a security force there and works 12 hours a day! It’s really hot there, and he gets to wear extra clothes so that he won’t catch on fire…really…not because he will spontaneously combust but for safety reasons which I don’t totally understand.

Baharia is in between Baghdad and Al Asad



He works the “night” shift and he said that its 110+ degrees outside in the dark—FUN! Luckily he is inside while the sun is up. Other than work he is busy finding ways to get things done. This base is quickly loosing it’s amenities, so some of the simple things that we all enjoy will be gone soon. He was so glad to find that laundry services were still available this past week!
He called me the other day and was telling me about where their communication stuff was. He was in an old bathroom…the sink basin had computers on it, and the stalls had phones in them now instead of toilets…interesting! They also don’t have regular chairs, they use ammo cans. He was a bit uncomfortable while we were talking because he got the short can.
All is all he is doing well. He doesn’t get bored too often, but is running out of things to talk to the guys on his shift about…12 hours of conversation a day with the same people gets tough!
He would love mail if anyone is bored and wants to send him a letter! Here is his address: (this will change in mid-August…keep watching for the new one)
Sgt. Mike Barton
Task Force East
Unit 77500
FPO-AE 09509-7500

I’m doing OK too. Thanks to all who have asked!

Mike in Iraq

Lots of people have asked how Mike is doing, so I thought I’d post a quick update.

Mike left for Iraq on July 11th. His group landed at Al Asad Air Base at about 11pm on Sunday. After some briefs and chow they got to sleep. We have talked almost every day and he seems to be adjusting well. Al Asad has pretty much everything that a person could want with the exception of family (he told me the other day that he had Pizza Hut for lunch). The heat is proving a much harder thing to acclimate to…the forecast for this week is 110º or higher! Fun for them!

Part of the group he went over with, including Mike, have been moved to a different base right now. They are closing the base and so they are slowly loosing amenities. He is getting busier now that he has training and work to do each day. He only gets mail when the mail plane comes, which is every 9 days. He also said that he is hoping to be assigned night shift.

All in all he is doing well. I’m doing OK too. People have been very supportive and I’m blessed to have such great friends! Keep us in your prayers, and thanks for the support!

Mike's Send-Off

Because it’s the military, Mike didn’t leave until Saturday. Because Saturday was my cousin’s wedding, I was tackling this good-buy thing alone. Because I have great friends, Abe and Sarah came with me so that I didn’t have to be alone!

The base hosted a send-off party, so we ate some burgers and dogs and took some pictures, and tried to hold everything together. Everyone has asked me how I’m doing…so here it is. I’m doing OK. The 24 hours leading up to the final good-bye were the worst. I cried a lot! But, I’m doing good right now. The water works start when people come and ask me if I’m OK with lots of sympathy in the tone they use…I’m grateful they care, but it kinda sets off my tear ducts, which then makes them feel bad…so if you’re gonna ask, try to put a little pep in the delivery:) Thanks!

We were in the newspaper on Sunday.

When it was getting close to time to go, I ran to my car to get the posters we made, and I came back to see the Marines in formation. Mike told me on Friday that once in formation there were no more good-byes allowed. THAT’S WHEN I LOST IT!!! I had a million thoughts running trough my head… ‘I didn’t get one last hug,’ or ‘I wanted to tell him that I love him again’ or ‘Where was the 5 minute warning!’

They got last minute instructions and the CO (Maj. Meelarp) said a few things to the crowd and then they were told to load up the busses. I followed the line and went and said my final good-byes then. I didn’t care if he was going to get yelled at or not! (lots of others were doing this as well—I think they missed the “last call” too). Then they loaded the busses and were off.

It was an emotional day or two. I was sad that he is leaving, but more proud than I think I have ever been…not just of Mike, but of all these Marines he is going over with. They are a volunteer group; they are well trained; and they are all willing to go so that others can stay home with their families a bit longer.

I miss Mike, but he called me today from Germany, and sounded good. I’m sure 7months will go fast, but keep us in your prayer anyway...thanks!

Melissa and Adam's Wedding

My cousin got married on Saturday. Although I had to be in two places, my siblings got to go to the ceremony and I met up with them at the reception. They looked so happy, and Melissa looked gorgeous!

Here are some pictures from the reception and the dancing that followed.

Congrats Melissa and Adam!

The Garden

My dad has had a garden for longer than I have been alive. So this summer I wanted to make the most of the ready space available to me. I planted tomatoes, corn, zucchini, watermelon, and green beans.

Well, my tomato plants are taking over the world. They are LOADED with green tomatoes. The other day I went out to check on them and see if any were ripe. My niece, Isabella, came out to “help” me. We found 4 ripe tomatoes! Two had been eaten by bugs, and the other two looked great! I handed them to Isabella to hold while I checked on everything else…and do you know what she did? She took a bite out of BOTH of them!

Oh well…there will be many, many more to come!

Much too much!

I have more pictures from California, and as soon as I find my small camera I’ll post the ones of us kayaking, but until then some other things we have been doing.

We went to the Evening Parade at the Marine Barracks at 8th & I in D.C. We had a really good time except for the whole getting rained on and losing our really good seats part. It was fun to see the guys march and do drills. Isabella (my niece) was really good, but could have cared less about the rifles, she wanted to see the band play.

We had a great time on the 4th of July! We invited a bunch of people over and ate lots of food, and then did our own fireworks show. It was a nice last hoo-rah before Mike leaves this week.

Pacific Costal Highway

Friday we decided to drive up the Pacific Costal Highway. This is a long twisty road that literally follows the coast up California. We hopped on at Cambria and went to see the sights. It was beautiful! The water was such a striking color! We stopped a few times on the way up to take pictures. We saw the elephant seals and the Piedras Blancas Light House.

We went up the coast and enjoyed the scenery.

Then we got to Big Sur! It was such a change from the stark landscape and beaches that we had been looking at. I got to see the redwoods! This is a first for me! These trees are amazing, and I’ve been told that I really haven’t seen the BIG ones…but these were pretty cool!

We stopped to take pictures at the river. There was a great little bridge, but it had a gate on it. Conveniently there was a hole in the gate, so I went through and took pictures…then a car came…oops!

We ate a late lunch at the river in. We were on a deck looking at the Big Sur River. We saw a couple of kids floating down the river, but the most interesting thing was that there were lots of people sitting in the river! They had chairs and benches several places in the river and you could let the water run over your feet and relax. I’m sure that it would be a very relaxing afternoon sitting there.

On the way home we stopped at several places to try to find a waterfall that is right on the coast. We finally found it, and it was gorgeous! I would love to find access to that beach on another trip.


Then we came home. On the way home we have to pass Hearst Castle. I have been there, or past by, several times on previous trips. Every time I am near I look for the zebras that are kept there. I have NEVER seen them. I began to think they might be a myth, but we actually saw them! There were five of them chilling out with some cows. Then we drove about a mile further and saw about 15 more! It was a great way to end our adventure!