A Trip in Pictures

The rest of Dad's visit.

 

checking out the huey

with the pilot right before drop

our bellies!

Pensacola food. yum!

 

exploring ft pickens

 

We also did some sushi, Ft. Rucker museum, Mother Rucker's, Dothan Botanical Gardens, and a class dinner. Oh, and a little something called Drop Night.

What We've Been Waiting For!

Since the beginning of UPT the question has always been, what are you going to fly? After a year and a handful of months we finally have an answer. He is no longer a pilot training for the possibility of any aircraft. Zachariah is going to be an HH-60G Pavehawk pilot assigned to the 66th Rescue Squadron at Nellis AFB, Nevada.

 

We could not be more excited to have Zack's number one choice of aircraft. The whole reason he wanted helicopters was to be a combat search and rescue pilot-the main mission of the 60s. We are also beyond stoked to be moving back west to my home state. We have one stop in Albuquerque for about 7 months before we get there, but sometime next year I will be back in Nevada and a heck of a lot closer to home. We simply just cannot wait!

 

 

My dad flew down for Zack's Drop Night. We got to show him good 'ole Rucker and give him a taste of 'bama. It was a wonderful visit and fun to have someone share in the Drop Night festivities.

P.S.-Congratulations to Zach and Scott who also got amazing assignments. And a big thank you to Scott for putting together the best drop night video ever. hilarious!

 

waiting for it to begin

the game they played to see who got their assignment first

zack trying to get the one lonely skittle that made it all the way

nervous face

relief!

SUPT-H class 13-09



new patches

one really happy guy



The End of UPT

Last Friday, Zack had his final check ride as a UPT student. It still hasn't hit us yet. After a long year and a half since we left Seattle, he has successfully completed IFS, fixed wing, and rotary wing training. Just two days until we find out what kind of helo he will fly and where we'll go after Albuquerque.

 

Training ended with night flying. It went really well and was our favorite schedule. We both worked late nights (Zack's much later than mine) and then slept in till the afternoon like teenagers.

 

I wanted to share with you the layouts that Zack's mom has created over his Air Force career so far.

 

Zachariah, we are so proud of all that you have worked hard for and accomplished. This is just the beginning of an amazing career ahead! You are going to make one hell of a pilot...one more week and you get those wings!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Baby Elliott

It's officially a BOY! And boy, oh boy, are we excited for this little man. Every step of this pregnancy makes it seem more real. Now we know we're having a son and we can call him by his name. Originally we were going to keep names a secret...but, as you know, my husband has a hard time keeping his mouth shut with all his excitement. Also, we've had our names chosen for years now so it's hard to not use the name we're so in love with on the baby we're even more in love with.

 

Meet Elliott at 20 weeks

 

Not the greatest profile shot, but this little guy does not like taking pictures. He was so completely comfortable lying on his front that for 30 minutes, pretty much all we saw was his back. We would see his face from time-to-time, but he'd quickly cover it with his little hands. And he would NEVER let us take a peek between the legs. So, somewhat disappointed after awaiting this ultrasound for so many weeks...we gave up. After my appointment with my doctor, they squeezed me back in one more time to see if he had moved. I had sent Zack on a quest to find me pop. During my check up I drank some pop hoping the sugar and the caffeine would make him roll over--he did! We got a good look and a definite answer. This kid is already testing my patience and has a mind of his own. I think we're in trouble...

:)

Baby Boy or Baby Girl?

I am now halfway through my pregnancy, which is unbelievable in different ways. On one hand, I can't believe that time is going by so quickly. On the other, I can't believe we have to wait another 20 weeks +/- to meet our little one. But this week we get a sneak peek and will be finding out what we're having. We can't wait to get a look at the active little one I keep feeling.

 

We have dreams that we're having a girl and we have dreams we're having a boy. We have people tell us "it's definitely a boy," and we have people say "we bet it's a girl!" We don't really have hunches one way or the other...but what do you think we're having?

 

A mini Zack?

 

 

 

Or a mini Rachel?

Hello, Seattle!

I just wanted to share some fun memories from my trip back home to Seattle. It was a quick trip, but time very much well spent. I needed some NW time.

 

Sunday

 

After a long  flight, I made it back to the two-oh-six. Spent time eating the most delicious Tutta Bella dinner with Roald and Haley. Molly Moons followed, of course. Because four of my favorite flavors happened to be on the seasonal menu and I was only going to eat it this once for a long time to come... I ate all four flavors. I should have started this story off with "don't judge," but at the same time...I don't care. If I don't eat all four favorite flavors of Molly Moons while I'm in Seattle pregnant, when the heck am I going to? Per tradition, cribbage followed our dinner outing before I headed off to Centralia.

 

balsamic strawberry, honey lavender, earl grey,  stumptown coffee

 

 



kerry park

 

 

Monday & Tuesday

 

Back home I spent time with the family. Games with the kids, coffee with Dixie, petting the puppies, talking around the table, visiting Ob at work, s'mores at the firepit...you know, all the good stuff.

 

the kids

 

 

Tuesday night back in Seattle I had dinner with Rene and Liz. I told them we had to go to the one restaurant that always makes Zack and I think of them, Red Robin. We ate down at the waterfront and it was just like old times...I laughed the entire dinner!

 

Wednesday

 

My whole day with Alicia! We walked to Starbucks on Alki, went to Pike's, shopped downtown, had dinner, and most importantly caught up. She asked what I wanted to do while I was in Seattle and pretty much all of my answers revolved around what I wanted to eat. So...we tried to hit it all! Doughnuts, crab cocktail, and piroshky's at Pike's and pho for dinner finished off with salted caramel ice cream. Yum. What a great friend to walk around eating with me all day long.

 

 

 

Thursday and Friday

 

Two amazing  days with the greatest kids. I stayed in the cabin, which I am certain will always be one of our all time favorite homes. I got to spend time with Mia, John and Luke taking to and from school and other activities, playing at home and the park, watching Mia's Grease play, spending time at Luke's preschool party, hanging out at the end of the year carnival...we definitely had some fun filled, busy days. I am so grateful for the opportunity to spend time with this family. The kids are getting so big. For over five years now they have just been so special to me. Quality time with them now that we're so far away is definitely precious.

 

john says stripes and stripes matches

 

 

Then, I made my way back to the south with fuller luggage and a rounder bump. I was greeted by my husband and our special company for the week! to be continued...

My travels

I don't want this post to sound like one large ramble of complaints. Every day of this pregnancy has been an absolute blessing. We are enjoying every single day and grow more and more excited. But, while stuck in the Atlanta airport for several hours I just had a lot of thoughts going through my head. Since no one is awake-or if they are they're at church-and I have no one to call to share all the crazy thoughts that seem to tumble through my brain I thought I'd share them with all of you.

Most pregnancy symptoms I honestly believed were made up. Cries for attention, weak women, psychosomatic...you name it, I claimed all the pregnant people I knew were guilty of them all. Now, I guess you could say a different light has been shed.

Just this trip alone...
(Oh, and I'm only on day 2)

-Packing was painful. I'm so used to the heat and humidity of the south that packing for some drizzling June Seattle weather when nothing really fits was a challenge.

-I had a complete moment of pregnancy brain to start off my trip. About 1.5 hours from home I realized my cell phone had been left behind. I didn't know how to contact everyone I'm supposed to see without a phone, nor did I feel completely safe to travel solo without a phone. So, we bought new phones yesterday. Luckily we were up for new ones and had been debating the purchase for a long time.

-Catching a 0600 flight without a nap the day before proved to be more difficult than it used to be. I'm well aware the no nap statement is pathetic.

-Sitting for too long hurts. Unfortunately,
so does walking around with a backpack and purse. In fact, I was winded carrying everything up and down the terminal just once...Oye!

But this trip is, of course, worth every little complaint listed above. I've been needing a break from Alabama-weather, food, people, you name it! As much as we like our home in Alabama, we have the itch to move on. It's a familiar feeling, yet it feels so wrong to have not even 6 months into our stay. Going home to the city my heart belongs to will be a good break.

Yesterday was a good break, too. We spent the day in Pensacola (yes, our third weekend in a row for this streak-we're spoiled, we know) with friends enjoying the beach, games, and delicious food.

In order to make sure I take my camera out this week, my goal is to share a favorite picture from each day on here. Since no one wants to see ATL (it's a depressing sight), my favorite picture to share on this post is one that my husband shared with me.

Hadley giving dad some baby holding practice. Wish I could take them along with me.

Half and Half

I have yet to get through an entire shift of work without someone asking me what I am. Usually people try to open with other questions or by complimenting my blue eyes. On multiple occasions I've had tables straight up take bets on what I am before I come over and answer them. I've even had people go feature-by-feature what is white and what is not...who does this? Oh, by the way, only the asian people at those tables guess correctly.

 

We talk a lot about what our child is going to look like. I'm very much a blend of both my parents. Our baby, however, is going to have the genes for all kinds of combinations. We're getting impatient waiting to get a glimpse of our little one.