Young people in Pope County embrace time with Uncle Sam

Story

Kenneth Bradford, left, a Vietnam veteran who served in the U.S. Army from 1969-1971, and George Dugan, a retired teacher and former member of the U.S. Army Reserve from 1965-1971, stand in front of the Pope County Historical Society offices Friday, Dec. 16, 2005, along the main street in Golconda, Ill. Dugan indicated that young high school graduates have few choices in his city. Last month, the National Priorities Project showed that Pope County ranked 12th in military recuitment of 18- to 24-year-olds. (AP Photo/James A. Finley)

Father and Son Time

Prior to my brothers wedding I spent 2 days hanging with my Dad. I had a great time. It has been several years since just him and I spent a day together talking. I got to see his daily routine of crusing Golconda, stopping by Pelcha's Auto Parts, buying a few scratch offs at EZ stop, and making the daily run to Paducah and/or our hunting land in Alexander County. We had planned to hunt, but there were not ducks in currently so instead we drove around Horseshoe Lake and had lunch at Mack's Diner in Cairo, IL. Cori and I are considering moving back closer to home in the next couple of years so we can spend more days like this with our family.

My Bro's Wedding

Just got back from my little brothers wedding. Gordon married Jessica (Jessi) Taylor whom he met at Murray where he played baseball. Jessi is a L&D nurse at Barnes Jewish Hospital in STL. Gordo is in PT school at SLU. They got married and had their recpetion at the Four Rivers Center. Cori and I had a great time. I got to see a lot of my old friends from High School and most of my Dad's side of the family. After the reception, we headed to the Silver Saddle. It only took about 2 minutes before some drunk was trying to start a fight with Doug, Clint, Brian, and myself. Pretty rough crowd in there that night. I took my 3 ibuprofen and a multivitamin before I went to bed and woke up feeling like a million bucks. Most everyone else seemed to be hurting a little. I forgot our camera, so I don't have pics. If anyone does, please email them to me. As I recieve them I'll post a couple.

Blue Sky Basin

Got my first day of skiing in on friday with Ty and Steve. We hit Vail, where they had just opened Blue Sky Basin. I was suffering the first run due to some Vegas residual. We skied tree runs all day. My legs are still sore. Ty and I were breaking in some new sticks we got. We both have the 179's. These are pretty sick.

K2 Seth Vicious

PERFORMANCE: Expert
DIMENSIONS: 130/98/118
CONSTRUCTION: Torsion Box
FEATURES: Twin Tip, Triaxial Braided, ABS Sidewall, Tip/Tail rivets
SIZES: 169, 179, 189

Later we got the girls and went and watched Syriana. Cori hated it. I thought it was good. Ripping a fingernail off does hurt, I know. Does have a lot going on in several story lines, so you have to pay attention to understand how it all relates.

Satuday - slept in and got a 1.5 hour bike ride in. Later went to our neighbors for a christmas party. Several glasses of Champagne later, I was ready to sleep.

Sunday- legs still to sore to ski so did Christmas shopping instead. Oh what fun. Watched Narnia later. Cori liked it. I was a little disappointed. It was too kiddy for my taste.

Las Vegas

Getting ready to head to Vegas for the next week to attend Midyear. Can't wait to spend the week with 15,000+ pharmacy nerds. No really, it is usually a good time. Normally I would be excited to go, but at the moment I'm traveled out. I've flown at least once, sometimes twice a month since last May. For anyone expecting a Christmas present from me, better hope the dice are hot.

Natalie & Tyson

Cori and I spent the rest of the weekend at Natalie and Tyson's wedding in Peoria, Il. We had a great time. Got to catch up with some old friends and make new ones. The wedding went great and the reception was a blast.


Tyson wondering what he just drank.


Cori and Natty


Drs. Tyson and Natalie Brooks

Thanksgiving

Cori and I spent Thanksgiving with her parents in H-burg. We had dinner at the White Lace Inn with Cori's Dad's Family. We could have probably picked some better wallpaper to pose in front off.

Later we watched the Broncos beat the Cowboys and then played some Texas Hold'em. Unfortunately my shades were no help and Meagan took us all down. It ended heads up with her against her boyfriend Chris. The end shot is of Cori's brother Brian.

Weddings

Thinking about Nat's wedding this weekend and my brothers in a couple of weeks. I thought I add some pics from Cori and I's that you may have not seen.

Young Guns





Most of the Wedding Party


Here is a pic of the fam at Clint's wedding

Walk the Line

Cori and I went with Ty and Jen to see Walk the Line this week. Pretty good flick. 3 thumbs up 1 down. Jen

Ty

Go Hogs!

Arkansas 65, Kansas 64

Upcoming Festivities

Cori and I will be heading home for Thanksgiving at her parents house and then on to Peoria for Natalie's wedding. This is a pic of Natty on our way back from the mountians 2 years ago. Sorry Nat I had to.

Dreaming of Powder

Looking forward to another day like this in the future. This was taken by my buddy Ty in the Mongolia Bowl at Vail after a 18 inch dump of powder in 1 day.

Newly Born Blog

Today marks my first endeavor into blogging. I thought this would be a great way for my peeps to keep track of what I'm up to. This is obviously a work in progress, but hope everyone will enjoy.