home is where my husband is stationed: September 2012

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Saturday, September 29, 2012

welcome to the toe jam

Here's your chance, do your dance, at the TOE JAM...alright, alright, alright.

Again, we headed to Prairie Berry. Just a small road trip to the Toe Jam and to pick up our month's wine club selections. Tons of fun. I felt like Lucy from "I Love Lucy" the whole time...except the hubby thought I looked like a complete fool. The grapes looked like blueberries and were freezing. Such a cool experience. Too bad Tyler didn't want to join in the fun.

VIP treatment.

Unexpectedly COLD.

This is where I became "LUCY."

Grapes, pre-smash.

These truffles are delectable.

Hello, Fall!

Thursday, September 20, 2012

it's coming...it's coming

Yep...first week of September and it's in the 50's. Yikes. Yikes. Yikes. To my surprised lack of dismay, it feels absolutely amazing outside. Fall is here for us and cute fall outfits can be worn. Boots galore. Now I only need several more jobs and many more paychecks in order to buy fall clothes.

Going home to LA soon and cannot wait to hang out with this little man:

Also, here are our puppies. Growing up fast and now deciding to chew everything. I've lost a couple of cute sandals to their enjoyment. I even discovered our pups, not sure which one, has learned to climb on top of our dining room chairs to grab items on the table and eat. One shoe and Tyler's Visa card didn't make it out alive. Goodness, these dogs are going to kill me or cuddle me to death.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

go, go (go, go), fun, fun (fun, fun)

I couldn't help but sing the Louisiana State Fair's catchy song all week. If you're from Lafayette you remember it well..."Cajun Heartland State Fair, Go, Go (go, go), Fun, Fun (fun, fun)."

We were the ONLY adults in the crazy house. I know we had more fun than some of those kids running around because we're Thibaults and that's how we roll.

Tyler's favorite ride...the Germanfest tent.

Completely brought me back to Germanfest. Had German dancers, musician, and some dark beer.

Doesn't every party have a little part of New Orleans????

Just like Frog Festival!

Tyler and I ventured to the Central State Fair in Rapid City a few weeks ago. I was brought back to my childhood and all those family nights we used to spend at the Frog Festival. Riding the rides and running through the crazy house put a smile on my face. I have a problem with laughing uncontrollably on rides instead of screaming. Tyler and I rode some ride that I don't recall the name of and I laughed for the entire ride. It truly was great fun. However, being an adult and looking at the set up of some of these rides makes me doubt how safe I was as a kid riding the Ring of Fire. Those rides looked like they could have broken any second...maybe that adds to the fun???

My favorite ride!

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

jewel cave lantern tour

Another hit on our Passport was a venture to Jewel Cave. Ty doesn't mind being constricted or confined or crawling in small areas...I on the other hand am a bit claustrophobic. Luckily our tour led us thru open areas. Tyler voted for us to do the tour were you have to crawl through small spaces. Most of the tour voted against that path, I included. It could be kind of cool though to have to crawl. There is some kind of tour where you wear helmets with lights on them so you can see as you army crawl through. No, but thanks anyway.

Tour guide. Adorable outfits.

Walking to the cave. So beautiful.

I'm a little nervous (and so dramatic). Our guide asked several times if anyone was claustrophobic. Tyler told me to keep my hand down.

Funny how Tyler doesn't like heights and I don't like confined space and yet we both enjoyed Jewel Cave. The passes for the lantern tour were around $20 for a pair of tickets. The cave was cool and by "cool" I mean cold. Bring a sweater or cardigan or blanket.

Not cool.

We had to walk down really steep and high steps. I loved it but Tyler was moving pretty slow down the "stadders"...I think that's what it was called...a mix between stairs and ladders.

We only wished we could venture deeper into the cave but instead we had to follow the tour. Apparently, if an earthquake arises we would be safer in the cave than on the Earth's surface. Something about the waves of an earthquake have room to move in a cave and then erupting on the surface. Being that I'm no science teacher, I am sure I messed up that explanation but either way it did seem a bit unbelievable to be safer 1,000 feet below surface.

Heaven's Room, or named something similar, was peaceful, spacious, and amazing. Amazing with the way we had to walk through such tight spaces and then end up in a room so large and open.

Friday, September 7, 2012

hubby turns 25

Happy Birthday, HUBBY!!!

Tyler's birthday celebration began the night before his big 25th b-day at our favorite winery of the Hills, Prairie Berry!!! The Berry hosts several "Summer Bistros" each summer and we were able to make the last one. Absolutely amazing and fresh produce were used from a local farm to create all of these dishes. Some of our favorite wines also made an appearance. It was a small dinner lit by twinkling lights. A local musician serenaded us the entire night which made our celebration that much better. It was perfect and we can't wait to make it to one of their Harvest Bistros.

Thinly sliced beets, carrots, and zucchini tossed with a lemon vinaigrette, Parmesan shavings, and toasted pine nuts. This salad, if that's what they call this delectable treat, was out of this world good. I wanted to lick the plate. Instead I brought home the description so Ty could recreate it.