I spent a lot of time in the car last week! One Wednesday, hubby and I drove to Panama City Beach, Florida, to visit his parents. He father has Alzheimer's disease and has recently moved into a residential facility. Mrs. Patterson has done a wonderful job of taking care of him at home, but it has become too big a job for one person.

Mr. Patterson is settling in just fine in his new environment. They keep them busy with activities and he is receiving regular therapy. He is very healthy physically but the disease has taken a toll on his memory. When we first arrived, he didn't know who John was but he thought he looked familiar at least.

Mrs. Patterson has rented a condo nearby. She says being on the beach is calming and waking up to this view Thursday morning made a believer out of me.

John and I returned from the beach on Thursday. Friday morning Mac and I headed to North Carolina to visit Barbara and her family. Callum had asked if I had any ideas for his Frankenstein costume, so I did some research and a little shopping before the trip. Callum, Barbara and I worked on his costume and it turned out really well. We didn't put it all together with make-up so I will add a picture to the blog later.

Little John visited while we were there as well and it was good to spend some time with him.

We attended Callum's soccer game Saturday morning. 

Mac and John spent a lot time watching the Internet broadcast of an international tournament of their (current) favorite video game. Mac taught Callum how to play the game and the uncles took Callum to the park for some baseball. 

I don't think Miss Jacquie ever stopped moving. She has a little path around the house and she went round-and-around all weekend. 

Hubby couldn't make the weekend trip as he had committed to taking the Youth caving. He has plans this weekend with the Boy Scouts but I am staying home!

In May, I decided the get braces. This picture is a couple of  years old but it shows how big the gap was between my front teeth.

After having braces for about 5 months, this is what the gap looks like today.

Still a long way to go, but at least I am seeing some results.

Also during the last month, Jacquie has learned to walk. Her mom reports she is enjoying getting into everything. At her last checkup she weighed 16 lbs and 4.3 ounces so she is still a tiny princess. I guess that means she can have a much ice cream as she wants!

Callum is playing soccer this fall and is active in his Cub Scout troop. Barbara is going to school full-time as well as being Den Mother, and probably several other things. I think she is like her Dad in that way.

I haven't posted in a while so I will try to catch you up with what we have been up to.

John returned from his seven-month tour of duty in Afghanistan in the early morning hours of August 2. There was a whole lot of cheering and crying when the whole group marched into the gym.

Then there were lots of hugs. There were eight family members there to greet him so this took a while.

Once his stuff was stowed away in his barracks, he was ready to go. He had slept on the plane but since it was 4 a.m. by that time and everyone had been up all night (and in our case had driven 10 hours that day) we had to put him off until we had some sleep. It is tradition to hang banners on the fence the buses drive by as they come back on post. Here he is with the banner his Mom put up. 

He had to stay on base for a few days but he did have some free time to visit with family and enjoy the beaches of North Carolina.

He spent most of his post-deployment 30 day leave with us in Alabama reconnecting with friends and just hanging out. The three of us attended the Alabama/Western Kentucky game on September 8. We had the opportunity to sit in the skybox owned by Dad's company. I could get used to that!  

Charlotte (a.k.a. Katie) also visited with us for a couple of days while John was here. They left within a day of each other so now the house is empty and quiet again. 

Today in granddaughter Jacquie's 1st birthday. Unfortunately we aren't going to be able to make the party but we have been promised photos.

We sent her a toy picnic basket which seems to have been a hit.

Here are some photos of John. We look forward to seeing him in person real soon!

Callum turned 8 this week. Here he is with his morning birthday cake.

and with some of his presents. Little sister is making her presence known as well.