Wreaths Across America

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I am so fortunate to be able to participate in this event each December.  Each year on the same date thousands spread out across the hundreds of federal cemeteries in the US that are the final resting place for our military veterans and their family members (if they wish) and lay memorial holiday wreaths.

Growing up as a military brat and living on and then outside Quantico Marine Corp Base as well as the fact that my dad and brother rest at Quantico National Cemetery this is the cemetery where I volunteer.  I and my childhood friends that is, most of us in the group who attend together, grew up together,  attended HS together and now as we have gotten older, unfortunately have parents resting together here so it makes sense we do this together. It's a surreal site when done, beautiful and sad at the same time.  Laying these wreaths is a honor and now a holiday tradition and I can't imagine not doing it each year.

This is my dad and brothers final resting place.

Ohhh Christmas Tree - Bringing It Home

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Our first tree as a couple.  Guy knew I hadn't had a live tree in many, many, many years so there was no question that our first tree would be live.  We did agree though to buy it since he was recovering from the leg surgery and it made no sense to go hiking for one and cause him pain.We went to a few places but ended up at Merrifield Gardens where they had really gorgeous trees.  I looked and looked, I was a kid in a candy store. Guy didnt even try to have an opinion LOLThen as my facebook posting as we drove home tells the storyYes someone thought they would get my tree but I made sure that didn't happen and we quickly loaded it on the truck and off we went"The tree I liked was being stalked by some other couple. I saw them watching us like a hawk. I turned just for a few moments to glance at another tree and they were standing by the first tree but guess whose truck it is riding home in? I win!!!!"Yes someone thought they would get my tree but I made sure that didn't happen and we quickly loaded it on the truck and off we went.

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Found the perfect one

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Loaded up and ready to come home

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Up next.. Stringing the lights and decorating

Our First Thanksgiving

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It's a very simple rule.. don't let me in the kitchen to prepare the main course of any major meal.  Our first Thanksgiving turkey qualifies for this rule and so Guy became head chef of the day and handled turkey duties while I was in charge of the sides.  This worked out perfectly. 

It was a perfect first Thanksgiving together.  With the boys both working and Devon/Bryan in Germany it was just us two and Shelby.  We had a great visit with her, a nice simple dinner and then she ran off to Jake's house and we headed over to Guy's nephew David's home to visit with his family including Guys brother and sister in law.  Great start to our first holiday season together.

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