Laundry never ends

I have been wanting to take this picture forever... Our laundry saga embodied in my poor slave children. What better day than Halloween? They make such perfect tortured souls. :)
I hope everyone posts some Halloween shots in the days to come.

Happy 34th Bday, Dr. Mike!

Wow! It is hard to believe that it was 34 years ago that you appeared on the scene, Mikey! He and Joey love to cook together as shown in one of the pictures. The other show Mike taking a dare from Joey as to how many of the "steroid" marshmallows Mike could get in his mouth. You are constantly amazing us as to the things that you do and accomplish! Hope you enjoy your special day so many miles away! We love you! We miss you! Happy bday, kiddo! Love you much and much! Dad and Mom

The End of an Era~kinda...

Our very last game of Bison football was last night. Sam's team played CMR and unfortunately, we lost. So there won't be anymore Wingerters in a Bison football uniform...after 15 years that seems a bit weird!
Good job during a tough season Sam. You have handled this season with style and grace...probably a lot better than I would! You make us proud every day and we are so glad we are your parents!
Love ya~ M & D

Jen's Christmas List

Here is Jen's list for cousins/siblings:
Kindle
Gift Cards (ITunes, Target, Kmart, Old Navy)
Movies/TV shows (Harry Potter 6,7 (parts 1 & 2), Horrible Bosses, Hangover (1,2), Will and Grace Season 6-8
Cute shirts (M) - Molly can pick those
Size 5/6 shorts
Knife sharpener (kitchen knives)
Books (2nd & 3rd book for) Hunger Games series, "C" is for etc, new John Grisham book, new American Bible - revised ed
Ipod - nothing new or fancy, just one that is bigger than 3GB
Cute jewelry
Soccer cleats size 10.5

Happy 30th Ben!!

Happy birthday to Benjamin James! 30 years ago he came kickin' and screamin' into the world...well, not really! He was very quiet and subdued. That didn't last long tho. That first killer smile hit our hearts about 2 weeks later and he's been flashing it ever since!
We actually celebrated Ben's big day in Great Falls on Saturday with lasagna and chocolate cake. Nick came home from training, Miranda and the kids were here, Grandma joined us for dinner...It doesn't get much better than that!
Hope your day was great! Love you tons~MOM

Happy Anniversary, Abe & Diz

It's number three for A and D! I wonder what great trip they're taking this year. The first one was NYC and the second one was Paris. Anyway, I hope it's a great time for a great pair.

Chicago Moores Christmas List

Well, our list this year is pretty much the same as our list last year. And every year. We like herbal tea and dark chocolate and wine and homemade baked goods. Abe likes U of M stuff and Diz likes extra large ND tshirts to make dresses out of. We both like stuff that you made. If you insist on a donation instead of giving us riches and presents, we like food share. Thanks and we look forward to seeing you at Thanksgiving!

Christmas list update

Hello family!!! This post serves two purposes: to provide a Christmas list so that I will not be harassed by the individuals who have me, and also to give you all an update on life in Guam. First the update. Things have been going really well here. It is hard to believe that it has almost been a year since I stepped foot on this tropical island. I must say, when I first came here, I was not sure that I made the right decision, but looking back, I am so glad Molly was sitting right next to me when the detailer called---I don't think I would have ended up here otherwise.

Work is going well. I do a wide range of legal work and I never know what is going to walk through my door. I have actually been out on 2 different ships since I have been here on the island. The first was two weeks after I arrived. I went on the USS FRANK CABLE (AS-40) for about a month and was the defense attorney onboard for all of the sailors (all 2,000 of them). Then, during the summer months (June-August), I was onboard the USS ESSEX (LHD-2). It is piered in Sasebo, Japan. I was the staff Judge Advocate for the Commodore and the Deputy. Basically my role was to create liberty policies for when the ship pulled into port, and also provide advice on Rules of Engagement and Environmental law issues relating to the Great Barrier Reef and other areas around Australia. Unfortunately, our ship never made it to the Land Down Under, but it was an amazing experience that I feel lucky to have been a part of.

So the command definitely makes sure that I stay busy. I am putting on LT next month (Mike will be here for a few weeks and is going to pin the bars on me). I was going to have my name put in for a deployment, but that has been temporarily put on hold as one of the other attorneys in our office (we have 3 total) is heading out to Afghanistan in January. That doesn't mean I am out of the clear, but that does mean there is a better chance I will be back in MT for Shannon's wedding.

So social life---since I know that is what you all care about. I do anything that will take me outdoors. I love the hikes around here (I have been to countless waterfalls, explored caves, and to the tops of "mountains"), I bike when I can, I have run a half marathon, a triathlon, and have done a couple of open water swims in the ocean. I also LOVE diving. I have really gotten into it. I am currently working on my dive master, which is basically one step down from an instructor. I don't think I will become an instructor, because then I have to do paperwork :) As a dive master I get to teach the class without the hassle, so why would I create more work for myself? Anyway, the diving out here is absolutely amazing and I have seen some pretty cool stuff. I have a couple of videos on facebook, and when I tried to post them on here, I couldn't. Hopefully someone who has facebook and is technologically savvy can figure out how to get them on here. They are a video of an eel swimming around and then a short clip of a nurse shark I saw last weekend. Pretty sweet.

I have included a couple of pictures. One is of me diving, the other is of me at the Navy Ball. Basically it is an event to celebrate the Navy's Birthday. Everyone gets dressed up in their whites....eats dinner, and then you get to watch as slowly officer and enlisted alike get tipsy and try to keep their whites clean---it is quite entertaining.

Anyway...that is about all I have from here. People are more than welcome to come visit :) Molls will be here over Christmas, and I cannot wait! I will hopefully see most of you next summer.

So now on to the list (don't worry mom, I will make a different one for you). Pretty simple: donation to Wounded Warrior Project, ITunes gift card, Target gift card, pictures of family, something cool to hang on my office wall.

That is it. Hope everyone is doing well and staying healthy. Love you all.

Love always,

Jen

Chi Town

Last week I spent 4 magnificent days in the Windy City! It was more than I had hoped for and I completely fell in love with Chicago. The weekend was packed with the ND game, marathon viewing, walking around the city, taking an improv class at Second City, and catching up with Abe and Des. They were, of course, AMAZING hosts and made my visit so memorable. I am heading back out in April for about a week to check out more of the city and take a 3-day improv intensive at Second City. I am really excited. And then...THE BIG MOVE!! I plan on moving to Chicago June 1st! I really can't wait for this next step in life. When I was out there, I just KNEW that Chicago was my city, no doubts about it. I really appreciate all the support I have been given over the years with my dreams and goals. Wanting to go into such a competitive and unstable industry is completely daunting, but it's been a lot easier with all the positive reinforcement I've been given. So now I just have to wait...COME ON SUMMER!!

Below are some pictures from my weekend. I think one of the best things about it was the XL ND shirt Des was able to wear as a dress. Yes, a dress. Oh, and Abe and D, I don't want a thing for Christmas. You're help out in the city is enough for me. Love you all!

Schulte Family Post

Family Movie - (We have Cars, Pinnochio, Over the Hedge, Beauty and the Beast) - G rated please :)

Book of activities to do as a family - or a cookbook (we have the Sesame Street one)

Donation to:

Florence-Crittenton Home: www.florencecrittenton.org

Montana Military Family Relief Fund: http://dma.mt.gov/familyrelieffund.asp

Helena Food Share: http://www.helenafoodshare.org/janda/index.php

Something homemade :)

The first wish list

John's list: a happy family, something you made, family photo, ceramic knife like the one Abe & Diz gave me (I chipped it), donation to Helena Food Share, Lost & Foundation, or Habitat for Humanity.

Okay ... So

This is the plea for everyone to post their Christmas lists. I think in order for the person who needs to purchase said gift to know what you want each family needs to post individually. So like Wingerters should post for those in the house and then individuals should post. Do you know what I am sayIng? I am afraid if we post under comments people won't get them.
This is my Christmas post! I would like a donation to Angel Fund in Helena. This is my baby and I support it totally! Thank you!

Christmas Drawing

I apologize to Nate for posting over his post but I am getting grief for not getting this up. Meghan was chomping at the bit to get names drawn so she could get her lists going. She, Molly and I drew one afternoon with Tyson's help. Below are the Givers and the Receivers. The first name is the Giver and after the slash the Receiver. I did have last year's list and we made sure no one had the same person that they did last year so I don't want to hear that "I had that person last year". No whining allowed in Christmas drawings!! :)
First I will do the cousins:
Rika & family/Nate Moore
Abe & Des/Molly (I think a month of living with you suffices for a gift!!)
Hannah & family/Mike
Bri & family/Sam
Mike/Nick
Matt & family/Randa & family
Joey/Madison
Meg & family/Jake
Jen/Bri & family
Molly/Ben
Nate/Hannah & family
Shannon & Birch/Joey
Randa & family/Abe & Des
Ben/Matt & family
Jake/Shannon & Birch
Nick/Jen
Sam/Rika & family
Madison/Meg & family


Now for siblings/spouses:
Connie/Mary
Bill/Jan (you lucky devil)
Jan/Jeanine
Marc/John
John/Connie
Ann/Bill
Tom/Jim W.
Jeanine/Jimmy
Mary/Marc
Jim W. /Ann
Jimmy/Tommy

Now it is up to everyone to get wish lists posted and help everyone out! This can only work if you help the process!

Sunday Night Dinner

Thought I'd share a couple of pictures I took last night. As most know, Joey is my roomie at my new house and last night we cooked a gourmet Italian dinner (homemade pizza) for my mom and dad, Miranda, Emma, and Isaac. It was a good time. It was Miranda's first time at the new digs, as well. This also is an open invite for anyone to come crash with us and we'll even make you dinner.

Dinner

Front of house
Co- Chef Joey
Emma and Isaac in my sweet pink infused camoflauge treehouse. Yes, it came with the house.

Boston or Bust

Looks like I'm heading to Boston in April. Thanks to those of you that got me thinking about it. Now I guess I have to do it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

The Moore Blog turns 6-years-old today! Kudos to keeping this thing going for that long. I love reading all the posts and comments. It's been a great way to keep this family connected! Here's to another 6!!

Back in Montana

Well,Grandma made it back to Great Falls relatively unscathed. I'm thinking she had a good time in Boise. Here are a few more pics.

She enjoyed taking Lark for walks.
The ginger bread man was in the Botanical Gardens.
The big cross sits on a bluff called Table Rock. It is lit at night and can be seen for miles.

Matinee

Grandma's four day visit is coming to a close. She's going to need a vacation from her vacation to recover. Pictured here we are about to enjoy the viewing of the 25th anniverary celebration of the Phantom of the Opera. It was great to see the production on the big screen and hear the music through the theatre sound system.