Ever wondered how disgusting MRE's really are?

Okay, so William and I had a box of MRE's that stared at me in the face every day when I would open the closet. William had always told me they were gross but I had to see it for myself! We dumped the whole box and decided to open the Cajun sausage with rice and beans, we thought that would be the worst! I tried to make it look appetizing but it just didn't work. William had a bag of individual sides that he and his friends put together of all of the good things that he will actually eat, ie...raspberry applesauce, cookies, chocolate flavored peanut butter, dried fruit and nuts, and some other normal sounding things. Think about it though, you can't feel good if this is all you're eating. William said nobody really eats the main entree, who could blame them. The smell itself is crippling, ugh! I think MRE's should be re-evaluated and packaged separately. What a waste of money...these are actually very expensive!

So here it is, everything that came in this MRE. Oh yeah, the best part...you get toilet paper with every meal, lol! Peanut butter, 2 crackers that you can't hardly swallow they are so dry (I actually ate a little), almonds (not so good...they try to make them good by putting hickory flavor on them but it's overwhelming), cheddar filled pretzels (AKA Combo's), drink powder (like Gatorade, that taste good), 2 pieces of gum, instant coffee and creamer with a heat bag and a book of matches, Tabasco sauce, and a plastic spoon.

My last day in AK; Deployment Ceremony on Sept. 11, 2008

Army Band.

Me and my friend Tanya.

Here they all come, over 4000 troops.

There was a Naturalization ceremony of U.S. Army troops where 20 troops from 13 diff. countries became U.S. Citizens this day.




This is the Battalion William is in; 3-21 IN BN of the 125th Stryker Brigade Combat Team. AKA the Arctic Wolves, how cute!





There was a lot of media present because this ceremony took place the same week that Senator McCain announced Governor Palin as his running mate.





Governor Palin after giving her speech.

Rolling the flags and putting them away until the redeployment ceremony next year.









In over 4,000 troops I amazingly found William and was barely able to take a picture of him. He walked right by me and never saw me. It was like playing the most difficult game of "Where's William(Waldo)" ever!



Governor Sarah Palin spoke at the ceremony. I was able to walk right up to her, great security??? Palin's son is in the same company as William.

On post at Ft. Wainwright after the ceremony. We thought we would take one last nice (not so nice of me actually, my face was puffy from crying so much) picture together before I had to leave. We had a nice long walk back to the company. It was a long and cold day, in the 40's on metal bleachers for at least 3 hours with minimal sunshine.

This is our favorite restaurant in Fairbanks, Brewster's. Our final picture together until William's R & R, whenever that might be.

Family Picture, LOL!

Sorry it's crooked, there may be a few others like this. This was a picture we had taken at Old Sourdough Studios in Denali when William's family visited us in August.

My 25th Birthday/Aug. 31st :-) Drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks

We finally saw a bear in Alaska! I was sleeping on the way home while William was driving and I woke up to the truck rapidly stopping and William yelling "a bear." I was so excited! The black bear cub was sitting on the side of the road eating berries and by the time we turned around to take a picture, it was crossing the road in front of us.

We also got to see Mt. Mckinley pretty well, it was way too cloudy on the way down to Anchorage but on the way back we were able to see both the southern and northern peaks.

We're calling this our Christmas tree for the year!

Mt. Mckinley again.

The leaves are changing color now once you get to the Denali area and further north where we live. It will be snowing by the end of the month (Sept.), crazy!




Beautiful sunset at 10:00 PM, lol! At least it gets dark now, I sleep a lot these days!










Birthday Presents :-) We celebrated both of our birthdays together this year since William will be in Iraq for his birthday in December. We had an awesome weekend and saw more things than we could have ever imagined! Thank you William! You won't see me opening any presents except from my mom. Dad gave me my birthday present (Chili's gift card) while I was in Florida and got me and Kristy a cookie cake, yum! Thanks! However, William had me pick out a custom-made purse that I've been wanting and a laptop. They are both on order. I'll post pictures of the purse when I get it, you're going to love it! Also, thanks for all of the cards and calls on my birthday! We miss and love you all!!!


My present from mom...

Yum, chocolate mints and chocolate covered espresso beans. This should last a while!

William's present from mom...

Antique military toys, really old and neat!

Hubby's presents from me...

Waterproof bags to put inside his military issued bags since they are not waterproof. It is currently rainy season in Iraq.

More waterproof bags, how boring of a gift. Well, I also got him a Nintendo PSP and all of the accessories that he can take with him. And...a new pair of Oakley boots for work. Again, military issued ones are no good!