A Balmy 99 Degress in Montgomery, AL...

...but that might actually not end up being the most memorable part of the experience.

Our time in Montgomery has been surprisingly busy. Believe it or not, I didn't have high hopes for the southern Alabama base, but it's proven me wrong. They've been so accommodating when it comes to us spouses (something that definitely takes some getting used to after feeling so unwelcome during those Academy days), and they try really hard to keep the Lts entertained. While we've been here, I attended a spouse orientation for the program, a base-wide Heartlink* orientation, and a spouse forum, in addition to participating in a lot of the flight activities.

One of the first things we did was go to military appreciation day at the Montgomery Biscuits' field downtown. Military appreciation was established through cheap beer and hot dogs, and everyone had a great time. I even watched Andrew in the dizzy-bat tournament held after the 7th inning. He lost, but I feel pretty certain that the other team cheated...

I was allowed to hang out next to the dug out to take pictures while the guys spun around!

One of the things I've really enjoyed is being able to watch combatives. The guys all go down to this covered turf thing (a huge relief from being in the sun), and learn about hand-to-hand combatives for a few hours some mornings.

Check out that intensity!

We've also gotten to watch the guys play Icarus, a completely made-up sport played with different colored dodgeballs and with Air Force named parts (i.e., they try to knock down the other team's "bases", "comm nodes", and "AOC", all conveniently represented by various cones). The idea is to teach them about real life battle, I think, though I don't know how effective it is in that respect...but it's been fun to watch!

Check out the calves on #78. Ow-ow!

Flight 406 even got matching shirts for the spouses to wear with corresponding nicknames! I know, it's precious. So while Andrew has his "Yada Yada" (what can I say, the man has his opinions), I have "Lady Yada". One of the pregnant wive's husband's is "Baby Daddy" so she, naturally, got "Baby Mama". An Lt dubbed "The Benjaminz" got his wife one that says "It's All About"-get it?? :)

Displayed on the lovely AF hotel bed...

They have a tournament on Thursday, so that should be a good time!

I actually think I might miss the program a little when we head home. But, ya know, just a little.

*Heartlink is the incredible nationwide spouse program the Air Force has set up. I learned so much, and I definitely plan on going to another one when we get back to New Mexico. At this particular orientation, the commanding colonel's wife attended, along with some other "vets", and spoke to us. Her husband even came by to shake hands and give us some coins of our own! Not to mention all the little freebies we got from the organizers and speakers...man, do I love cheap free stuff.