Patrick's New Digs

After a long (ten 12hr days) and arduous stint at Ft. Lee in Petersburg, VA, Patrick has finally completed his in-processing for active service.  Now he is living in Charlottesville at The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School until February 2009.

After his first week, Hayden and I went to Charlottesville for Patrick's 26th birthday and a quick weekend visit.  The JAG school is up the hill from UVA main campus and next door to UVA Law School.  Patrick certainly lucked out and managed to get a room slightly larger than other hotel rooms up on the 4th floor of the building overlooking the front entrance flag and the hills of Charlottesville. 

Throughout the school, the JAGs cover a series of topics: administrative and civil law, criminal law and legal ethics, contract and fiscal law, legal research and writing, and international and operational law.  They also are given the opportunity to compete for slots in upcoming Airborne or Air Assault Schools, but Patrick is already Airborne qualified thanks to a summer at Ft. Benning, unlike many of the other officers (we always knew he was special). 

Hayden and I will next be visiting Charlottesville for a semi-formal Blues Reception in December and a quick luncheon explaining etiquette for military spouses.  Otherwise, Patrick has the weekends off and will be coming home to Richmond!

Patrick's Room: What I call the bedroom, study, and veranda 

Patrick's Room: Also known as the living room and kitchen. 

View from Patrick's "veranda"

Spidey Does Halloween

Spiderman (secret identity Hayden Michael Regan) truly enjoyed himself this Halloween.... I'm sure the heaping bag full of candy helped. 

Since Hayden is older and more willing to approach strangers with candy, we decided to leave our small neighborhood of townhouses and trick or treat elsewhere.  Hanover Street is just outside downtown Richmond and is known for being an over-the-top spot for Trick or Treating.  Each year, the papers report thousands of kids (and a few creepy adults) descend on the small urban neighborhood.  Houses are covered in spiderwebs, tombstones decorate front lawns, and the streets are crawling with bananas, transformers, care bears, and princesses... costumes, that is.  Most of the houses were hosting Halloween parties while merrily handing out candy.... we did not have to knock on a single door because most of these partiers had spilled onto the front porches (or the families had just learned to sit on their steps and wait).  

 Some of our college friends insisted on Trick or Treating with Hayden, and I thought it would be nice to have a few extra pairs of eyes to watch the little guy.  However, Hayden ended up yelling at Mommy the princess and our friends (a bee, Strawberry Shortcake, a bowler, and Chuck Bass from Gossip Girl) to "hurry up... we're Trick or Treaning!"  All in all, a fun last Halloween in Richmond, VA.  I guess we should plan next year's costume around a raincoat... Maybe a 3 year old Gordon's Fisherman will be patrolling Tacoma next year!

Making Strides

Thank you so much to everyone that helped me with my Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign!!  The event was held in downtown Richmond earlier this month with approximately 7,000 people participating.  I raised a total of $920.... the biggest fundraiser on anyone on my team! I couldn't have done it without the generous support of amazing family and friends.   Thank you all!     

~ Katy

HALLOWEEN PICS COMING SOON!