Well, we're planning a send off party for Peanut's brother this Saturday.

His sendoff with the Army is in couple of weeks, so we're going to have a small thing for him to wish him well.

He's headed back to Iraq to do some rebuilding projects.  He's got 18 months, but with FID and what not we're thinking close to 21-24 months.  Which we're happy, we think, because last time his unit was working MP for a prison and doing a few Convoys. 

He's a Sgt, and last time he brought back all 186 of them.  So we're hoping that he does it again this time…as it's less threatening than his last deployment.

I know that this is hard on the whole family…and he's got a two year old that he's leaving behind…which will be four when he gets back. 

The good thing, Webcams and Satalite Internet.  That's what got us through the last time…him being able to get on and talk with us over the webcam.  Best investment we made…which we'll use this time as well.

I know several of the people in his unit…so I'll be sending many care packages over there for them.

Eye Drops
Baby Wipes
Hot Sauce
Gold Bond Powder
Cleaning supplies for their firearms.
I sent Paul some Real Italian Beretta Magazines last time for his M9, as the Mecgar ones they are issued suck.
All the magazines that I've read.
Socks, socks, and more socks.
Big Containers of powdered Gatorade
LOTS of International Prepaid Cell Cards
Lots of snacks like sealed beef jerky, gummi bears, jolly ranchers, granola bars, power bars, etc…
Toilet Paper
Kleenex

And that's just a few of the things.

One of my Marine buddies, he said that he loved Silly String.  When they start clearing rooms, they can spray it into the room….what doesn't fall to the ground…is a trip wire.  He said that it's saved countless lives over there.

Anyway, must like Jen, we would ask that people send some well wishes tp him and his family.

Here he was when he shipped off last time.

And if you remember, I had our town put this up when he came home.

wow…definitely in my thoughts and prayers…

Silly string? Never would've thought about it that way…

will keep in my thoughts, C-ph. 

Thanks you two, we apprecaite it!

We're up this morning.  Today is the day that we're having everyone over.  I pulled my next working in the yard and I can hardly turn my head.

Anyway, I preped two chickens on Wednesday…I plan on fireing up the smoker in a couple of hours to BBQ up the Chickens. 

Paul said that we should plan on having a lot of beer on hand.  LOL!  SO, I guess we're going to be drinking today.  I'll see about posting up some pictures later today depending on my state…or I'll post them tomorrow.

Massachusetts won't let you post pictures? [smirk]

Seriously, have a good time with the family today.  And give him our best when he ships out.  We appreciate his dedication to protecting this country, and freedom for everyone.

hahahaha to funny Fleck..  Good catch.

Anyway, I'm up and everyone else is still sleeping.  We had a good time…didn't get as snookered as we thought…but a lot of beer was drank.  We played this great game called Washers.  I'll see if I have any pictures of this game.  Paul's girlfriend's dad made it.  It's a GREAT game.

I'll get the pictures downloaded a little bit later.

Next weekend is the Army's sendoff.  SO we won't see Paul the rest of this week as they prepare.  Then we'll see them on Saturday for the "sendoff." and that's the last time we'll see them until they get back.

Is it played with 2 boards, each with 3 holes that you have to throw the washers into?  Points for the closest hole 1, middle 2, farthest 3?  Play to 21?

If so, we play that too!  But we call it Washshoes…

LOL! Yea, but we played 1, 3 and 5 points.  Two players in same hole cancels out the points?  This was the most fun ever! I need to make me one of these games.  I've got a pic coming up…

So, here's the Chickens..

Start with this

And this

Get this going

Put these on

Let it sit in this for four or so hours.

And you end up with this

I started this on the side

The chicken was just falling off the bone.  I got the perfect compliment from someone.  She took a bite off the chicken and said that it was "Orgasmic."  IT really did come out very well.

I rubed them with two different rubs.  But they were smoked mostly with cherry, but I used a little peach as well.  They were very good.

Here's Uncle Boo (Paul) playing that game in my back yard.  Yes, I'm replacing the fence, that's the temporary stuff to keep the kids in the lawn.

More pictures

Here's more of us playing Washers.

A family photo

Some shots I'm not proud of..who takes pictures of people eating? LOL!

The end of the night fire!

awww…. that party looked awesome…. I am happy you all had fun

C-ph - you're the incredible shrinking man. Gimme some of that shrinking dust.

Looks a lot like cornhole to me.

certainly looks like a good time!

Fun to be had by all!

In our Washshoes…the 3 holes are evenly spaced on the board…not all at the end.

Funny thing is…I was playing it on Saturday!

It was a good time…for the mood of the crowd.

Everyone knew why we were having this, so it was sad as well.  There were lots of hugs, lots of tears, but lots of good memories as well.

Hadley asked me the next morning when we were dropping Uncle Boo at Iraq.  It was hard to try to explain…and she wanted to know why mommy was so sad.  So we talked a little bit about where it was, and why mommy and daddy are sad, and that he'll be back sooner than it will seem.

When we talked about it, Mackenna asked when Paul was going to Hisraq.  LOL!  When she heard Paul talking about Iraq, she was thinking I raq and when talking about Uncle Boo, it was his raq.  Which made me laugh because that's a pretty good concept of the English Language with having been to school yet. 

There were TONS of picturs taken.  Nicolle's sister has five pages on her Facebook Account. The Pictures will be nice to look at after he leaves.

We're doing a sendoff party for nathan, too.  I hope that it's a fun, happy event rather than a big bummer of a party.  We're expecting a pretty big crowd, so not sure how I'll make enough food for everyone.  Probably do pulled pork sandwiches and shredded buffalo chicken sandwiches, too. 

I think that you will.  There will be a lot of stories and laughs…so expect it to go up and down…depending on who you are talking to..

I have a Buffalo Chicken Dip that people BEG me to make every time we're going somwhere…so if you want that let me know. 

Or hell, I'll just post it.

Grill about a pound and a half to two pounds of chicken on the grill.  WHen its done, let it cook and then shredd with two forks.

In a sause pan, melt two blocks of the 8oz Cream Cheese, one bottle of your favorite Wing Sause, and one jar of Blue Cheese Dressing. Cook them in a pot until it's all melted smooth.

Then put it in a baking dish, mix in the chicken, stir it around and cook it covered on 350 until it's almost bubbling.  Take it out, put on shredded cheese, back in the oven uncovered until the cheese is melted and it's bubbling.

I think that you will.  There will be a lot of stories and laughs…so expect it to go up and down…depending on who you are talking to..

I have a Buffalo Chicken Dip that people BEG me to make every time we're going somwhere…so if you want that let me know. 

Or hell, I'll just post it.

Grill about a pound and a half to two pounds of chicken on the grill.  WHen its done, let it cook and then shredd with two forks.

In a sause pan, melt two blocks of the 8oz Cream Cheese, one bottle of your favorite Wing Sause, and one jar of Blue Cheese Dressing. Cook them in a pot until it's all melted smooth.

Then put it in a baking dish, mix in the chicken, stir it around and cook it covered on 350 until it's almost bubbling.  Take it out, put on shredded cheese, back in the oven uncovered until the cheese is melted and it's bubbling.

Those pictures are great Cph, seriously! Looks like you guys had a good time!