Long time, no posts. . .

I thought I would throw some photos of our boating adventures in since I haven't actually blogged in a while.  We'll see if I can keep it up.  We bought a boat and the truck to pull it at the beginning of the summer and I've been learning to fish and catch lobster since.

Here are the dogs on the boat.  Of course, they are outfitted with the latest safety equipment.

Tina and I on the boat (don't worry; someone else is driving).

Otto would rather sit in the driver's seat than hang out on the deck.

Hammie in for a swim with Air Force friend Jeff.

A rather large claw on this guy.  As of June 30th, I had harvested 45 lobster.  Since then, I've lost two pots and picked up one lobster.  I'm pretty sure the pots are being poached now. . .  Ah, well. . .

Finally, here's Tina driving the boat.  It is currently in the shop, but is running fine.  I've learned a lot about outboards since we got the thing.  One of the things I've learned is that they need early maintenance to ensure you make it back to the dock.  I've been out about twenty times.  Tina has joined me on about six or seven of those outings.  So far, so good (knock on wood).

~Josh

No Naples. . .New Video

Well, to make a long story short, Naples has fallen through. Too complex and painfully boring to explain. We'll see what else pops up. In the meantime, I'm posting this video of Hammie and the Habanero sauce. He's a pretty funny guy who can't say no to handouts, but he's getting smarter about the hot stuff. You'll have to look at it sideways, but it is pretty comical. It's the way he reacts to hot sauces. . .

Naples?

I received word from my detailer that I am penciled in for a billet in Naples, Italy. Tina and I have some decisions to make. . .

~Josh

Flying Snow Dogs Video

Here's video of the dogs in the snow. We used them to knock down the two foot drifts in the backyard. No animals were hurt in the production of this film.

~Josh

Renewed Focus. . ?

So, last year, I decided that I would stay up on the blogging a little better and it worked until about mid-Summer. The last entry that we had was pre-Ireland trip. Since then a couple of things have happened. . .the trip to Ireland. . .orders to the Naval War College. . .a cross-country move with several visits along the way. . .a new home. . .Thanksgiving. . .snow. . .Christmas. . .snow. . .

Here are some photos of the journey. We'll see if I can keep up a little better this year. More to follow.

Tina and I atop St. Paul's Cathedral in London.

A mini-reunion headed through northern Missouri.

The boys are getting along. This picture was not posed. I promise.

Marble House in Newport after the big snow. Photo courtesy of Tina and a borrowed Hummer.

Christmas Dinner Table

More to follow.

~Josh

Ireland

The route is planned. . .

~Josh

Some Old Friends

I was lucky enough to reconnect with Larry Ray Smith, one of my roommates from USNA, and John Wagonner, another friend from the Academy. We had the opportunity to throw back a few beers and smoke a few cigars. I'm always amazed at how far we've all come. Larry just started working on his Master's up at NPS and Wags is biding his time for deployment number 10 (?) with the teams. I value the moments I have with good friends. It's always good to reconnect.

"A better part of one's life consists of his friendships." ~Abraham Lincoln

Peppers

The Boys

I finally got around to taking some pictures of the dogs that weren't taken on my phone. Enjoy them; it is rare to find Otto and Hammie so close together. Otto is still a little leery of the little monster who is desperately trying to make friends with him.

-Tina