Lacey Loves TV!

Our beagle, Lacey, loves watching 4-legged animals on TV. She doesn't care if it's a dog, horse, pig, etc... if it walks on all fours, she is going to watch! Yesterday afternoon Zach was flipping through the channels and saw that ESPN had a dog competition on. Dogs were competing to get the longest jump into a pool off of a dock. Lacey went crazy, of course.. Kahlua? Well... take a look and see for yourself! LOL.

Sorry about video quality - it was from my phone!

School went really well today! I have a stack of papers that I need to grade and I need to come up with ideas for "Tiger Time" because that is what I'm taking over first. Tiger Time is what the teacher calls morning bellwork. They will have math problems that deal with money, time, and place value every day (that I have to come up with) and I have to have a Word of the Day every day too! Yikes.. anyone have any good 3rd grade words?! lol. Google, please! I did the calendar on the bulletin board for September on my own this afternoon and it looked pretty good. :) Well, it's already 5:30 so I guess I will get dinner started and get some grading done! (Gosh I sound like a real teacher - so excting! EEEE!)

-Ashley

And they're off! (cont!)

Zach seems to have quite a short attention span *or zero patience* so I will post the pictures! lol. Last night was a lot of fun and quite the hillbilly experience! There are so many things out here in OK to do that I'd never think of doing in FL... although I'm sure we have them there! The weather today was AMAZING! Zach and I went outside and threw the baseball around and even opened up some windows. It truly felt like fall and I could've stayed out there all day. I hope it doesn't go back to 105 tomorrow, but I'm sure it will.

I go back to third grade tomorrow for whole six weeks. It's going to be like a full time job, but without the pay, of course! At least I already have a day off to look forward to.. thanks Labor Day! Well, the pics are loaded so I'm done rambling

I couldn't get a good shot - they were going too fast!

I have no idea why this turned back after I changed it! Oh well!

This is VanderMolen's favorite type of car that raced. A sprint car!

... and he's only 19 so forget Z's stupid comment!

After 4 tries I finally got a smile out of him! :)

We are grilling out tonight so that is exciting! MMMM! Have a good week everyone! :)

-Ashley

And they're off!

I took a nap last night at like 5pm and Ashley woke me up at 7 and asked me if I wanted to go the races with our 40yo virgin friend Vander Molen! Okay so he isnt 40 but he very well might be the 40yo virgin.. I think it is funny. I was able to negotiate a 7 min massage out of getting up to go. I have never been to anykind of racetrack and here in Lawton we have a dirt track. It had a pretty intense start to it. Our seats were very close to the track and the engines roaring added to the intensity. Vander Molen is from Iowa and knew just about everything there was to know about the racing. There were several different classes of racing to include modifieds, stock-modifieds, and sprint car series. I learned alot being there and might even go again sometime. Next Saturday night is the Lawton Speedway championships so who knows. I will let Ashley continue this post.

Sechrist Out~

Hiking Elk Mountain

Last night I told Z "If you love me you'll take the pups to the park with me in the morning..." and he LOVES ME! lol. We woke up and I decided to make him breakfast in bed (totally needed to butter him up!) and after he showered and shaved his head he decided it was time to go. On the way there poor Lua threw up right as we were making the last turn... Luckily, we know to prepare for this because she gets car sick often so it made it on the towel and not Zach's car! The weather was PERFECT! It was 85 out, with a few fluffy clouds, and a super nice breeze. We had been on this trail once before and really liked it so decided to go on it again. The refuge has soo many to choose from and after we failed last time picking one with no shade we didn't want to take any chances. This trail is actually up a mountain so it was quite the work out! It got pretty steep at some points and the dogs (and the hubby and I) eventually were out of breath. lol.

A cute deer just hanging out!

Zach and Kahlua walking through a canopy of trees. It was pretty!

Took time for an "us" shot!
Beautiful sky!
On the way up... we had gone pretty far!
Z and his baby girl! :)
Z and his baby girl right now! LOL. They are both soo sleepy.
(It's dark in here and this shot was from the laptop camera!)

It was a fun afternoon... and cheap too! (only had to pay for the gas to get there and all the water we consumed). I think I'm going to the "races" tonight. Zach's friend came over a few weeks ago to watch them and I told him I'd be interested in going one Saturday night and he invited me out since no on else would go with him! lol. It's only 10 bucks a ticket, but it starts at 8:30. That's almost my bedtime these days... haha. I'm trying to get Z to go with us, but we shall see. Maybe all it will take is a little "if you love me" and dinner in bed?! LOL.

-Ashley

What the heck is Farmville?!

Happy Friday everyone!! This week was pretty relaxed for me, but crazy busy for Z! Poor thing worked 6 days in a row... 13 hours a day times 6 days = 78 hour work week. I really don't know how he does it! It's going to be so crazy for him when he finds a job after he gets out in December and he only has to work about half of that! (and if he does work more.. that's overtime - which we all know there is no such thing in the Army!!). Next week it will be back to going to bed at 9 for me... Oh ya, yesterday I signed up for the last test I need to take to get licensed to teach. 185$ later. Sigh! Don't they know students are BROKE?! Especially when I took one test in FL and 2 here already.. which means I've paid that price 4 times. Ickkkk! Also, today I met the lady who will be "grading" my teaching in the schools. She's a retired principal and seems pretty scary. LOL!!

Anyway, this week I started playing "Farmville" on Facebook... and it's SO addicting! For the past few weeks Farmville notifications have been EVERYWHERE on my newsfeed! "So and so won an award..." or "so and so just adopted a black sheep", etc. I had no idea what this meant, or what the game was, but after talking to Cheryl (a good friend of mine) I decided to start my own farm. I mean I DO live in Oklahoma now so I guess "when in Rome..."! haha. In the game you have your own farm and you start out with a few squares of plowed land. You have to plant seeds (strawberries, cotton, squash, etc.) and depending on what crop you plant, the length it takes to grow varies... and when they do grow you harvest them for more coins. There are also trees you plant and animals you keep watch of and make money that way. You also earn points to advance to the next level, which unlocks new animals, trees, seeds, decorations, and buildings. It sounds absolutely ridic, but it's actually pretty fun! lol. Zach started his farm 2 nights ago and we're neighbors now! haha.

This is me... in the middle of some wheat that needs harvesting!

I wish I had a picture of Z's bald avatar.. it's so funny and SO him.(...and yes, you totally have to wear overalls in this game!)

Thankfully Zach is off this weekend... no plans though! After getting his brakes fixed, my shopping spree/our trip to OKC, my haircut, and registering for my test we're officially broke until the first! Tuesday can't get here fast enough!!

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

-Ashley

Big BOOMS and Giant Cupcakes!

Although living on a military post has its perks... like living in a big gated community (lol), there are definitely things that I could live without some mornings! Our particular post is known for it's artillery, and therefore it's like one big range with rounds going from one side to the other. I wake up to a shaking house and big booms often. At first it would really scare me, but I guess I've gotten used to it. Most of the time it just sounds like thunder, but sometimes it sounds like an attack, and that's never fun! :) At least the dogs no longer bark or wake up to it because they'd go crazy at least once a week. Anyway, in a few months these sounds will no longer exist in my life... and I might just miss them! Good thing FL is known as "the lightning capital of the world" (and we all know where there is lightning... there is booming thunder!).

Anyway, yesterday I had my student teaching seminar back at the university. Every other student teacher had to be there 9-12 and 1-4, but since I took Classroom Management at USF I only have to go for 3 hours. (wooo hoo!) Yesterday seminar was 9-12, but today it's 1-4 so I "slept in" until 8:30... After I got back from seminar yesterday I spent hours, literally, in the kitchen! I was baking and coooking dinner and baking some more... first up was another giant cupcake! It's Aaron's birthday so I decided to make him one since he thought Zach's was so cool! I'll take it in to him in few hours. I went with a chocolate bottom and a funfetti top! AND I found a really cool idea for the bottom at http://ohsugarcakes.blogspot.com/2009/03/candy-liner-for-giant-cupcake.html. I melted candy to the pan and it molded and worked out so nicely! I ended up having to cut the bottom more than I wanted to so it would fit in, but it looks great for my first time (I think!) It's in the fridge right now because I'm afraid of it melting, but hopefully it can make it to the jail in one piece....

Final product!!

Well, that wraps up my life the past 2 days... the rest of this week will be relaxed, then it's back to third grade for 6 weeks! Eventually I will be "totally teaching"! Ahh. My lessons, my management, my everything!!

-Ashley

Not so Shaggy Anymore!

It had been way too long since my last haircut (DECEMBER!), but being that I live in OK I wasn't sure where to go... I decided Regis in the mall would have to do! I got a wash, cut, and style and I really like it! :) Added a few layers and it's not so dang thick anymore and I just feel lighter (even if I only actually got 2 1/2 inches cut off).

I guess I should've brushed it before I took a pic! :)

Anyway, right after the haircut we went at saw Julie and Julia (as Z decided to mention below!). The theatre is right next to the salon so it worked out nicely! From what I had heard the movie was supposedly great and super funny! I thought it was cute and I'd watch it again someday, but it wasn't as funny as I expected...

Today Zach is working all day so I'm just hanging out at home with the pups! I plan on reading some of my book and just relaxing! Right now The Bee Movie is on HBO so I think I'll go watch it - hopefully it's not too lame! :) lol.

-Ashley

My First Post

I am always hearing Ashley talk about blogging and wanting to blog about this and blog about that. However now it is my turn. I just went with Ashley to see the movie "Julie and Julia" and it was all about a girl who blogs. So I am sure Ashley will be on here later to blog about a blog.

I am getting so anxious to be done with the military. I am down to only 10 weeks left of a five year contract where I never tried to avoid orders anywhere and went and did whatever was asked of me. I am proud to say I have served and wouldnt change it for a second.

I am also looking forward to meeting my favoritist little nephew Caleb. I am planning on a long roadtrip in December which will take me from Oklahoma to Atlanta to North Carolina and then finally to a home in Tampa. I am a little nervous about moving in with the in-laws but we have a healthy relationship and I think it will be fine for the temporary. It is just not smart to commit to a mortgage or a lease without Ashley or I having definite employment. With this being my first blog I will keep it short and end it here. I was just tired of a blog entitled "Ashley and Zach" being ALLLLLLL ASHLEY! I am sure you were too, whoever you are! Much love to the family.

Zach

I Survived Day 1!

To start off with.. I'm up on a SATURDAY at 8am!! I guess that's what you get when you go to bed at 9! haha. The schools around here start on a Friday every year and yesterday was that Friday... Wow! I was TIRED (and my feet hurt sooo bad - stupid heels)! lol. Third graders are a lot of fun, but also take a lot of energy. The kids are great, even though a lot of them come from "bad homes" and live with their grandparents or aunts/uncles because their parents are gone, or even in jail sometimes. I am working in a "Title 1" school which means it is very high in student poverty. Most are on free/reduced lunch and the school gets a lot of government funding end extra help throughout the year. The surrounding neighborhood is pretty poor, but the kids seem t have a big desire to learn and would rather be in school than at home.

All ready to go... apologize for the lighting!
(and a haircut is in the works for this weekend...)

Anyway, my favorite thing yesterday was the "All About Me". My mentor teacher went first and had the students sit around her on the floor while she took items out of her bag and told them she was a real person, with a life, and actually didn't sleep at school all year round! lol. I brought in pictures of my parents/bros, the dogs, my softball glove, and seashells. The shells were a huge hit! I passed around about 6 of them and let them look and feel. Sadly, most of them have never been to the ocean so it was a cool thing for them... The little things us Floridians take forgranted!

I also played the "Name Game" with them! I started with me and was "Mrs. Super S!" and did a Superman pose. Each person had to think of a word to describe them/or they liked (most ended up doing animals) .. and then an action to go along with it... and each time you had to go back and do everyone's name/action. There are 25 kids in the class so we actually didn't get to finish before we had most of them lacking interest. We also named the class goldfish... it was a tie between Goldilocks and Goldie... and Goldie won. Creative kids, huh? lol.

At the school I'm at... I'll call it "C Elem." procedures are a huge issue. We spent 3/4 of the day talking about them and practicing them and practicing them and practicing them! lol. Lunch line, hallway, bathroom, standing up, playground, etc. If it needs explaining.. we talked about it!! My teacher is great though... she has 31 years of experience and has a lot of sayings/ways to do things to keep control of the classroom and I'm definitely taking notes!

Well, next week I'm back at the university every day for "seminar", but will be back in the classroom for 6 straight weeks after! I'm supposed to be thinking of Math activities... that will be my first concentration! Happy weekend to you! I'm hoping to see a movie and get a haircut. Z is off today, but goes back tomorrow.

-Ashley

Currently Reading... Part 2!

I decided to pick up another book at Wal-Mart the other day since I went through TTTW so quickly last week. I wasn't looking for anything in particular, but I came across one that looked interesting and it was in the "best-seller" collection so I figured it had to at least be decent. It's called Firefly Lane and so far, so good. I'm only about 35 pages in, but unfortunately until December I'm going to have little time to relax and read for fun!

Today was a pretty good day! I did a workshop at school bright and early this morning and during that time I got THE call. The call to let me know my contacts had finally arrived at the eye place. Woo hoo! I went and picked them up on my lunch break and stopped at home to make a quick turkey wrap for lunch and put them in! It was so nice to be able to wear sunglasses again and not have to worry about finger prints appearing on my lenses...

The second half of the day went pretty fast. I got to sit in on a meeting with "first year teachers" and their "mentor teachers". I have a feeling I'll be hearing this whole conversation again in a year... I hope! :) After that I helped my teacher with minor things around the classroom and helped plan what activities we were going to do on Friday with the kids. Her hubby brought us in a goldfish and a cool aquarium for him/her/it to live in. We are going to do a "Name the Fish" activity on the first day! I'm excited to hear what the students come up with - LOL.

I have to be at a different elementary school by 8 tomorrow morning for another workshop... and I will be at my school until 6pm tomorrow night because they have a "Popsicle Party" where the students will come find their classroom, meet their teacher, bring in supplies, and it ends with popsicles outside (where I come from this is called an Open House)! Wish me luck - I can't wait to meet the kiddies!


..PS! Happy Birthday to my big brother!! He turns 29 today (old man!)... Love you Justin!

-Ashley

My First Day as a Student Teacher!

Today was the first day back for teachers here in Lawton and being that I'm a student TEACHER I had to go too! I met my mentor teacher last night at a "Mentor Training" (we sat around and talked and ate pizza) and found out I'm actually going to be in third grade for the first half of the semester, not 4th like I orignally thought. She has been teaching for quite some time and seems to know everything - which is great! I have so much to learn and she seems excited to help me get going. I got there around 8:10, but I didn't actually have to be there until 8:30 so tomorrow I can get a few extra minutes of sleep in! lol. I grabbed a banana from the continental breakfast they had and found my seat. We (as in everyone in the school, minus the office staff/janitors) spent the first half of the day in my teacher's classroom. We did introductions and played a name game that was a little embarrassing, but fun nonetheless! The next 2 1/2 hours were spent looking at the intermediate's previous year test scores and coming up with ideas/ways to improve them this coming year. Then we had a lunch break that consisted of beef tacos and nachos - yum! We left the school for a 3 hour workshop on "Curricular Mapping". I was bored to tears, but actually helped some of the older teachers learn to copy/paste and do other basic computer skills! lol. Anyway, I was able to leave when we got back to the school while the rest of the teachers had to stay another 30mins! hehe. :) My 8-4 day was pretty tiring, but I'm excited to see what tomorrow and the rest of the week will bring!

... and I'm totally excited we have TWO! followers now! lol. :)

-Ashley

Pointless Post!

I figured after having to "restart" the blog... a mini make-over would be nice! I can't stand looking at the same thing over and over again so it was time anyway... even though it had only been like 3 weeks! lol.

Saturday was another fun day with Zach! We eventually rolled out of bed and made it to Firestone to pick up Zach's car. We went to lunch and then did a little grocery shopping at Wal-Mart. We then hung out at the house for a little bit and Zach played Xbox while I baked some cupcakes for him to take to work (pic below!). I was going to go see The Time Traveler's Wife by myself that night, but Z was a trooper and went with me! I finished the book that morning and was ready to go see it! Of course the book was a lot better and had so much more information, but the movie followed it pretty well and it was good!

We got back home and Zach went to bed soon after because he worked this morning, but I stayed up because one of his friends came over to watch a few "Sprint Car" races on the big screen. I had never heard of them, but it was pretty cool and he was super knowledgeable so I ended up learning a lot about it!

Tomorrow night I have a "Mentor Training" meeting at the university and I get to meet the first teaching I'll be interning with! She is a 4th grade teacher and actually teaches a few classes at Cameron, or so I've heard, I never had her. The people who know her said she is really nice and good at what she does - so that is always nice to hear. :)

I found this recipe on a blog I randomly came across. It's a cupcake that supposed to look like a watermelon.. how cute is it?! I think the coloring looks better in person, but you get the point! Check out Kahlua in the background... lol :) I got a text from Zach's boss Aaron this morning saying he really enjoyed it... but I knew he would! :)

-Ashley

Oklahoma City Redhawks

Friday night, after being pampered all day, Z drove us back to the stadium to catch the baseball game. We got there about an hour early so we walked around the stadium and spotted a tiki hut in the outfield. I grabbed a margarita and we sat down at a table and just watched the teams warm up. It was very relaxing and the weather was perfect!

Had the place to ourselves!

The stadium was doing something called "The Taste of the Major Leagues" throughout the season. The first half of August was the taste of Fenway so the stadium had a poster of the "Green Monster" in left field, and there were Fenway Franks and Lobster Rolls at the concession stands. There was a sign posted that said the food was authentic and was an exact replica of what was served in Boston. Z had to try it... even though we HATE Boston!!

He got the 12$ lobster roll... and said it was really good!
(I don't eat anything with a shell so I didn't try it.)

The game went GREAT! We left in the 6th and we were winning 6-0, I think... It was a lot of fun and a lot of people showed up to watch and cheer on the team. I wanted to get Moe's for dinner, but it closed at 9 and it was 8:45 when we left, but there is always next time! :)

At our seats!

The mascot was named "Brownie". He was a redhawk? lol.

There are buffalo (live and statued ALL over OK!)

Thanks again for an amazing day Zach!! We really enjoyed having the WHOLE day to ourselves - it had been awhile!

-Ashley

I LOVE Surprises!!

To begin with, I just have to say it takes A LOT! to surprise me. I'm a snoop and I like to pretend I'm Sherlock Holmes! LOL. I am not afraid to admit it... hehe. Anyway, on Friday morning I woke up at about 8 ... and to my surprise Z was in bed! He had told me all week he worked 5 and 2 - meaning he'd have Sat/Sun off again, but he lied! We got out of bed soon after, showered, and went and dropped his car off at the shop to get his brakes fixed. Then we went to Verizon because he had to exchange his phone, and THEN we were finally off to where ever he was taking me.... We drove through a park and I thought maybe we were going to go hiking or something, I was wrong! Eventually we ended up in Oklahoma City, but he took the LONG way to confuse me! He didn't think it would be as out of the way as it ended up being, but it's okay. We enjoyed each others company in the long car ride.

We passed wind mills...

... and went through many small town's "downtowns"!

When we finally ended up in OKC the first stop we did was at the OKC Redhawks stadium. Z got out and bought our tickets for the night's minor league baseball game! :) I was really wanting to go and had been talking about going all week... Then he took me to the mall and just kind of let me loose! I went shoppppping!!! I can't remember the last time I went clothes shopping and picked up more than a random piece here and there. I ended up getting 6 tops and 4 bottoms! All will be able to be worn for my internship this semester. New York and Company had a buy a pair of pants.. get one free - so I only paid for 1 of the bottoms I got from there - SCORE! I love sales!! :) We left the mall and went to Old Navy. It was in a shopping complex across the street. For those of you who don't know - Old Navy is my FAVORITE!! I was so happy and Zach was being so cooperative! He didn't complain once and since we had about 2 hours before the 7pm game he had one more surprise for me...

I had painted my nails in the car on the way up and the roads weren't the smoothest. My nails were looking rough, but I didn't have any remover. It didn't matter though because he took me to get my nails done! He rolled up a chair next to me and sat through it and kept me company. I haven't had my nails done in over 3 years (last time was for my wedding). The whole afternoon was about me ... and who wouldn't like that? I felt to spoiled and adored! Thanks ZACH!!!

-Ashley

... deleted!

Unfortunately... all of my blog posts were deleted on Thursday night. I was really sad because it takes time to type, post pics, etc., but at least I just started in July so there were only about 20 or so that were gone. I now know to sign out of the blog and password protect my computer. I am happy to have most of the posts back up though because every time I post a new one blogger emails me the original copy (this didn't start at the very beginning so some are missing) ... :). They aren't edited versions of the post and I don't feel like going back and revising them, but that's okay - at least I have something up!

Anyway, I wasn't going to start up again because I figured it would happen again sometime, but I decided to just do it! Sooo I'm back! lol.

-Ashley

Chef Ashley??

Last night I decided to browse some chicken (my FAVORITE!) recipes online and found one for chicken cordon bleu that looked easy enough... I knew Z liked it and it had ingredients that I liked so I took on the challenge! It ended up tasting so good! I was very proud of myself and Z went back for seconds and even took some to work to have for lunch today! My dad is the best cook I know and he usually makes his with angel hair pasta with an amazing sauce, but we just had ours with some string beans! lol.

A piece of my dish! :)

This week has been pretty eventful around here... the AT&T guy had to come out for the internet on Tues, yesterday our water was out for like 5 hours and when it came back on it went from brown (EWW) to yellow to eventually clear, two DirectTV guys just left after replacing a pole (the satelite had been out for like 3 weeks?) ... But at least everything is fixed now! I have spent the past 2 days relaxing and reading. The book is amazing and I'm already on page 320! I can't wait to see the movie soon! Anyone have any suggestions on the next book I should dive into???

I'm trying to convince Zach to take me to an Oklahoma City Redhawks game on Saturday night... it's the minor league baseball team. He has the weekend off (again!) and it's my last one before I'm busy making lesson plans and all that good stuff. I'm trying to tempt him with MOE'S.. because we all know he knows! haha. It's not usual for him to have weekends off, especially 2 in a row, so hopefull we'll get a chance to go!

-Ashley

Currently Reading...

It has been awhile since I've read a book for "pleasure". I used to love reading when I was younger, but ever since late elementary/middle school where they forced books of the teacher's choice on you... I stopped reading altogether! I would read almost anything before that happened, but Goosebumps had to be my favorite (what kid didn't like this series?)! While at Wal-Mart last night I was doing a little grocery shopping alone and I decided to treat myself to a book. I had heard amazing things about this book so I decided on The Time Traveler's Wife and read the first chapter last night... I was in bed and Z was asleep next to me so I got out my flashlight and used the light of my laptop screen to show the words. This only lasted about 25 pages before I remembered how my mom always told me "reading in the dark is bad for your eyes!!". Granted, I don't think my eyes can get much worse, but I called it a night and will stick to daytime/lighted area reading. I can't wait to finish and shortly after see the movie! (Z loves Rachel McAdams so I know he'll be ALL for it!) lol. Well, I guess I should go read... :)



-Ashley

A New Home for Juno

Last Saturday, before the rodeo, Zach and I had a day full of shopping. The first place we stopped at was the PX on post. We hardly ever go there, but they have a garden center and Z wanted to get Juno a new home/stand. We had been keeping her (I feel so silly calling a plant a her!) on a chair in the backyard on the porch, but he wanted to put her in the front yard, in a spot where she would be sure to get direct sunlight throughout the day. We found this little stand and Juno is a happy bonsai now and can be seen by all the neighbors! :)

We had yet to cut the tag off...

When we pulled in the drive way the other day their was a rabbit in our front yard and Zach immediately said "I hope that bunny doesn't eat Juno... you'd be surprised at how long their legs are". LOL! He is such a dork...


-Ashley

Refuge Adventures...

Sunday afternoon, just after I beat Zach in a game of MLB '09 on the Xbox360, he told me to "get dressed". I, of course, asked "where are we going?". He responded by asking me if "I wanted to take the dogs to the park." This offer doesn't come around every day, so I quickly got up and started to look for some comfy trail walking clothes (T-shirt and shorts, of course). He got the car loaded up with waters and water bowls and the dogs... and me eventually. Kahlua is not a big fan of the car. She often gets car sick so I sat in the back of the Explorer with her to calm her nerves. Lacey, on the other hand, loves car rides... as long as it's shorter than a 30min trip! She will go back and forth from the front seat, to the back, to the front, etc. Anyway, we eventually made it to the park. This park is a refuge and actually has free roaming buffalo and longhorn everywhere... along with it's own "prairie dog town" it's pretty neat!

So... We drove around looking for a trail and found a spot that had two paths leading in different directions. The first trail looked nice and shaded so we decided to take that one, but it ended up being pretty short so we turned around and went on the other one. This one had barely ANY shade, and it was 100 degrees out. The dogs were panting like crazy and drinking at every chance they had. At one point Lacey and her beagle nose got a cactus pine stuck on her cheek and she was not a fan! I never have to "pull" her along on walks, but she just wasn't having it. We eventually had to turn around and head back to the car. Although it was a short trip to the park, it was fun to get out and go!

The pups and I on the shaded trail!

This is like Where's Waldo? Kahlua style... lol

Zach and I with our dogters... notice ZERO shade on this one!

(There was a buffalo hangning out not too far away!)

On the way home... hot and tired!

I thought I'd add on to the first sentence from this post. Zach always beats me by at least 15 runs in that game.. although I am getting better. This game, however, I beat him by 15 runs, but I guess I should say the only reason why this really happened was because I was playing as a MAJOR league team and he was playing as a MINOR league team. Either way, it's a W in my book!

-Ashley

This Ain't My First Rodeo... Oh Wait, Yes It Is!

We've gone country!!! Lol. The rodeo ended up being A LOT of fun... just as I suspected! Aaron and Bonnie picked us up and we met Tim and Brandy for dinner at a little, local Italian joint called Luigi's. Zach had eaten there a few times while on midnight shift at work, but it was a first for me. It was pretty good... I got the baked ziti and Z shared a pizza with Aaron. After we left we dropped off Bonnie's son we headed to the rodeo (with Brandy and Tim)! The arena was outside and the sun-facing side was filled with basic training/AIT soldiers. Z and Aaron joked about how "back in their day" they would never have been allowed to do anything fun like that. (It seems as though the Army has somewhat recently made basic training a breeze so more people will join because the thought of basic isn't a horror story like before). Anyway, we got to see the "bucking broncos" and the barrel racing and some crazy pin the calf down and tie it up event (that I was totally against!). We didn't catch the bull riding, but afterwords we left and went to Scooters to have a few drinks. I love trying out new things!

Zach and I!

Old man with overalls = happiness!

A REAL rodeo clown!

Barrel Racing!

At Scooter's

-Ashley

Flowers = ♥

Yesterday I texted Zach at about 6:30pm asking him when he thought he'd be home from work and he replied "a little late tonight, sorry". That's nothing new, so I didn't really think anything of it. About 40mins. later he came home, with two bouquets of flowers in hand. :) On the actual day of our anniversary he had brought me home a card (which I always expect from him!) and a package of M&Ms... lol. (Again, he knows the way to my heart - they are my fave!). He said he wanted to get them to me earlier, but he tried calling the local flower shop and ordering them the other day on the phone, but their debit machine was down and since he works 6a-6p he couldn't just go to the store and get them. I didn't mind... like I said before I don't think it's bad to celebrate all week!

I have placed these in the living room on the entertainment center.

These are on my night stand so I have something pretty to=2 0wake up to!

And this is me... just TRYING to be artistic.. which is something most people in my family lack - including me, obviously! lol.

I just find it crazy that I haven't taken this piece of jewelry off, except to clean it and what not, for three whole years... But then I think about my grandparents who have been married for 60 and my parents for 30 and decide three years isn't very long at all, but ya gotta start somewhere! :)

I'm looking forward to going to the RODEO tonight. It will probably be the first and last one I ever attend. lol! Zach and I are going to "SFC H" and his girlfriend Bonnie. They are a lot of fun so I know it will be a great night... I've seen the movie 8 Seconds - so I know what to expect! lol. Expect pictures/details of that soon!

-Ashley

Happy 3 Years to US!!

Happy Anniversary to us! Today is Zach and I's three year anniversary and although he is stuck at work all day... I'm definitely thinking of him and wishing he was at home! I'm hoping we can make it out to dinner tonight, but I know he is exhausted! This is his second day on days and yesterday he had to be there by 4am, but didn't get let go until 8:30pm! Then, of course, the Rays game went 13 innings and he had a hard time going to bed when the game is still on!

This morning I set my alarm for 4am to get up and bake some cinnamon rolls. I thought this little surprise would help him get his day started, but he was too tired to eat and got them "to go". I know they will all be eaten by the end of the day... there are plenty of soldiers at the jail to share with! lol. I also put out his card and a collage of the pups I made him. He seemed to enjoy his "shrine to the dogs" as he called it! His other surprise, unfortunately, won't be delivered until tomorrow, but who said celebrating all week long was illegal?!

The morning set up!

Three years ago today...

Our first dance... Baby, I'm amazed by YOU!

My daddy and I! :)

Our amazing wedding party!

I have an eye appointment today and I'm hoping they don't dilate my eyes... that is the worst (especially when I have to drive myself home), but at least no needles will be involved. LOL! Wish me luck - doctors scare me, but there will!

-Ashley

Changing the Calendar!

Every year my parents get me a calendar for Christmas. The past two years it has been a beagle one... because one of our dogs is full beagle, and the other one is half! Anyway, Z and I were laying in bed last night and I realized it was August and we hadn't changed the calendar yet. I got out of bed and changed it and a few minutes later we heard Kahlua, our puggle, growling. She was on the bed and looking at the wall... at the calendar! She preceded to bark and just wouldn't stop staring at it. Zach and I couldn't help but laugh at her and call her our "special" dog. She seems to make me laugh more than anything here in Oklahoma and I wouldn't trade her, or Lacey!, for anything. :)

Caught in the action!

Looks like Lacey this month... lol

I think it's fun to blog about things that make me laugh... it's fun to look back and chuckle every once in awhile! :)

-Ashley

Uncle Fester?!

Ever since Zach decided to go bald I have told him he sort of remind me of Uncle Fester. Not the nicest comment, but he knows it's a joke and laughs along with me. Today I told him he shouldn't shave so I wouldn't have to see Uncle Fester, but he didn't listen. He actually took the shaving cream and completely covered his WHOLE face and walked out into the hallway and called out for me to look at him...

This is what I saw!

He is so silly!

He sure knows how to make me laugh... and I love him too pieces!

-Ashley

Carnival of Ice

I heard from a friend at school about a place called "Carnival of Ice" here in Lawton. They have Hawaiian shaved ice like a snow-cone and Italian ice's too! I told Zach about it and we've passed it a million times, but after reading the 104 degrees when we got in the car today he surprised me by stopping there before we went to school to fill out some paper work. It's a drive through and there were at least 50 fun flavors to choose from... with toppings as well! I decided on a blue raspberry and cherry Hawaiin shaved ice and he got a watermelon Italian ice. Both were VERY delicious and hit the spot. He ordered a small and finished in record time, but I got a medium and we ended up splitting it because it was so much bigger than I expected! I enjoy trying new places and know we will be back to try another flavor. Zach almost went back on our way home.. hehe!

-Ashley

Dinner, Drinks, and Friends!

Last night, after Zach had worked 5 nights in a row, I was feeling a little lonely and bored being at home alone all the time, but instead of making it 6 nights in a row I got invited to go out by Zach's platoon sgt.! He was having his girlfriend and three of her friends over to his house for steak, garlic mashed potatoes, and rolls... and then they were going to go out for a few drinks at a bar called Scooters. After a text and a phone call by "SFC Heizer" I decided to go have a good time.. and meet some new people! I quickly showered and got ready and his girlfriend picked me up. The dinner was AMAZING, the drinks were yummy, and the company was MUCH appreciated. Conversations with actual people is so much better than talking to two dogs all night. :) I got home around 2 and was happy to see Z sitting on the couch! He got the early out and is now officially off midnight shift! Woo hoooo!

Highlight of my night: A guy in overalls (I have a thing for them) ... ONLY in Oklahoma! :)

My new friend Brandy!

Random! I just thought this was pretty and colorful! lol.

-Ashley

Campmeeting 2009

In 2007 I was able to go to Campmeeting in Georgia, but Zach wasn't. He was stationed down in Guantanamo and couldn't get leave since he had only been down there a couple of months. Anyway, I made Zach's brother John take a picture with me and called him my "stand-in husband". This way, when I got home, I could just cut John's head out and crop in Zachs. It turned out rather well, but Zach wasn't a fan. I put it as my default picture on Facebook and he reported me and I got a warning that next time I'd be banned ... isn't he sweet?! Since I couldn't be there this year Zach took a picture with a little space between him and John... thinking I could crop myself in. Well, the cropping is done and I even gave Zach some hair! I'm not a fan of him being bald, but he likes it, and it's his head so what he says goes, I guess! I just make him wear a hat when he's out in public with me! hehe. The only picture I could find of myself that would fit the picture (which included head to toe) was of me dancing on a cruise ship, drink in hand. Campmeeting is a religous event, but if the shoe fits... Enjoy!


-Ashley

"God Punishes"

Whenever Zach or I do or say something "not nice" to each other, and then something bad/silly happens to the person who did/said it ... we say "God punishes!". Today that line was said... by me! I was in the bathroom painting my nails and Zach was in there shaving before he had to leave for work. He walked out first, but I was right behind him. He decided he'd turn out the light and shut the door on me, and on his way out he stubbed his little toe REALLY hard. I automatically started laughing and said "God punishes!". He went to the ground and it wasn't until he got up that I realized how hard he had stubbed it. The skin was coming off and it was bleeding! We went back into the bathroom and I put some hydrogen peroxide on it, dried it off, and then added some Neosporin. We are out of band-aids and so I put some toilet paper on it to catch the blood and wrapped it in sports tape.

This is the corner he stubbed it on...

Right before the blood started coming! Please excuse the gruesome photo. lol.

All cleaned up and ready to go...

I'm not a big fan of blood, but at least no needles were involved in this medical procedure! Zach is in some pain, but it looks like I came to the rescue today... :) He made it to work and all is well in the Sechrist home!

-Ashley