Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving this year was a big one for the new Richarts. It was the first Thanksgiving I'd spent with my family since 1996 (a banner holiday, as I had the flu and spent the whole weekend in bed). And it was Jeremy and my first holiday as a married couple. Wanting to get some good holiday time in with both families, we spent Thursday with my folks in Virginia, and then flew out to Omaha for the weekend for some classic Richart family hijinks. Some highlights follow.

Virginia:



The tornado that blew through right before dinner.



My green beans coming out of the oven.



Mom singing to the turkey. (Come on, doesn't yours?)


Omaha:



Jeremy and Jamison feeding a new family obsession: Blokus, the best game you've never heard of.



The last leg of the Thanksgiving games at the Richart household: the Thanksgiving cruise to rescue pumpkins from the island.



Glad I stayed on dry ground ...

What we left out of the boxes

Yesterday morning, Jeremy was in the walk-in closet getting ready for class, and he noticed a lot of empty hangers. That were supposed to go into our shipment to Kabul. Oops. Guess we'll just have to stack our clothes on the floor.

At least our stuff is on its way

The packers took our stuff yesterday. We still have over three weeks before we leave, but I am a firm believer in packing out early. Since I absolutely detest the organizing/purging/cleaning process that goes into a pack-out, I figure that, if I get it over with early, I'll be able to relax and enjoy the last few weeks before leaving for post. Jeremy doesn't believe me.

Cooking!

I went to a Jeremy-sponsored cooking class at Williams Sonoma this week. It was awesome - like being right up there in Rachael Ray's face, only this was a man from Georgia (the state, not the country) who was only slightly less perky. I learned a bit about cooking on copper pots and pans (am now desperately wanting them, but we can't buy anything until after Kabul) and about how to make herbs last longer in the fridge (chop 'em up and pour a little olive oil over them - will keep for two weeks). Super fun. Below is a photo of a dinner I made (actually pre-cooking class, but I am proud of it nonetheless). Herbed pork tenderloin, mashed maple sweet potatoes and braised kale with bacon. Yum!

Honeymoon Part 2

During our honeymoon, we went to Luray Caverns, and visited the New Market battlefield, site of a Civil War battle involving cadets from the Virginia Military Institute. Being from Nebraska, Jeremy had never been inside caverns or visited a Civil War museum.

We couldn't resist the maze at Luray Caverns. It's actually kind of tricky and worth a visit if you are passing through.



Then we hit the caverns.



Hmm, maybe better without the flash?



According to our tour guide, a stalactite "holds tight to the ceiling" while a stalagmite "might hit the ceiling." Maybe I'll pull that out at my next Embassy reception. I suck at small talk.

This is a photo of the underground lake at Luray Caverns, which perfectly reflects the stalactites above it.



Then we went back to the resort, and Jeremy put the stupid crown on again.



On our way back to DC, I introduced Jeremy to another great Shenandoah Valley staple - Waffle House.



Then we stopped at the battlefield. Pretty Virginia.

Honeymoon Part 1

Jeremy shows off his ring.


A hike in the hills ...









Jeremy thinks he's "king of the house" or something now. I'd make more fun of him, except ...



... yes, that is me making dinner in my wedding dress three days after the wedding.

And then we played golf.



Jeremy limbered up ...



... and then got the golf cart stuck in a ditch.



But not before I had had a chance to drive it.



Also, I'm really good at golf.



Out, out, damn ball!



to be continued ...

Married!

More photos will follow after we get our professional photos back. These were taken by our friend Tania - isn't she a great photographer?




Taken from the choir loft, during the ceremonial first steps of the married couple.




Also from the choir loft; most of the bridal party is visible in this photo.