Happenings in Oregon: Valentines Day 2009

Hi all! I know it has been a really long time and I owe you all pictures from our Disney trip but that will take me a long time to write about and to post pictures of so...you will have to settle with my story about Valentines Day. I started the day with just AJ and I because Kevin was working at the Oregon National Guard Association Conference. AJ and I went to his favorite breakfast spot (Cork's Donuts) and got him a heart shaped donut, chocolate milk, and a heart shaped cookie for later. Then we went home and cuddled on the couch for a bit. Then I had to get us all packed for later so he got his fill of Disney channel. AJ spent the night at Grammies house...he was not sure this was best because as he said through the tears and trembling chin, "I will miss you too much mommy!" It melted my heart but I had big plans with his Daddy and he would just have to brave it through a night with Grandma! Seriously...he loves going there and I know he was playing games with me! As soon as AJ was dropped off I drove to Salem to meet Kevin and we went for a late lunch at the Ram...yummy food and pretty cool atmosphere. Then we went to check into our hotel room (which Kevin's boss paid for...woo hoo) and we started to get ready for the evening. It took me forever and Kevin was very patient. We were attending the Oregon National Guard Ball and celebration of Oregon's 150th Birthday...I had to look perfect! It was a formal affair so it was fun to get dressed up and I was excited to see what everyone would wear. Many of the people actually got dressed in costumes from 1859...lots of women in hoop skirts (glad I did not have one...they are hard to sit down in) and men in the cavalry outfits. The evening started and as I looked around I was amazed! I was sitting just about 30 feet from the Governor of Oregon and many important people in the State Government. I then found out that the gentleman to my left is a Colonel with the Oregon National Guard. It was really neat. The program was very impressive...they had the presentation of the colors, the National Anthem played by the Army band, a special song about Oregon, a Native American blessing, and the governor spoke. When the Governor spoke he was talking about seeing the future of Oregon and he brought up 2 couples to make his point for him...the one couple was celebrating their 42nd Anniversary and the other...the Governor stepped aside and let the young man take over...he was dressed in his dress blues and lookes so handsome and she looked lovingly at him...he told her how much she meant to him and then got down on one knee and proposed! It was so very romantic! (she said yes!) Then there were 9 toasts to be made...they were to the Governor of Oregon, the President of the United States, the State of Oregon, The United States of America, those serving overseas, Fallen Comrades, others I cannot remember and then they asked the men to seat their ladies...once we were all seated they toasted to the ladies! It was amazing to see how they are all trained to be chivalrous and polite men...after spending an evening in their presence I am more convinced than ever that I would be bursting with pride if AJ decides to join them someday! Anyways...here are some shots from the night...