Welcome to Fort Short

We are officially secure! We've been waiting for our new security doors to come in for the past couple of weeks. Well...they're here and were installed earlier today. We're very happy to have them and had to get the wreath on right away.We also made a quick trip to Nashville this weekend for the Short Christmas. We got to see everyone on Josh's Dad's side of the family and see all the little one's running around. There were 4 there and there's another one on the way that we'll get to meet sometime next year. The family just keeps growin'!

This is the best pic we could get - it's hard to get 4 children all looking in the same direction...they're wigglers!

50% Done With Finals...Yeah!!!

Thanksgiving and the lead up to finals

We enjoyed Thanksgiving with Mom and Tom at our house this year. We had a lot of fun with all the food and a friendly game of Risk...world domination at its best. Josh spent a lot of time studying for the upcoming finals, the first of which he finished earlier today. We are 25% through the fall final season...not long now!

Time's Flying By

Josh just got his cap and gown order form this past week. It's hard to believe that the time for graduation is just around the corner. Granted, there are 2 more final's weeks and the BAR, but still, he is so close. I'm just so excited for him! May 2009 here we come.

Cranfest '08

The great celebration of the cranberry harvest came around once again this year in WI. Cranfest '08 was filled with as much food, festivities, and of course CRAFTS as always. The village of Warrens typically has a population of about 290, but during this festival, it's reported that it swells to over 100,000. Imagine that many people and over a thousand booths crammed into a town that typically only holds 290! I took this photo of one of the streets in '05 and it seemed there were even more folks there this year.

Friday was the big day at the fest with Mom, Shelly, and Mikayla. Our littlest 'fester stayed at home with the guys awaiting our return. WI surprised me this year - it was HOT. People were still in shorts and there I was with a jacket on. Needless to say, that came off pretty quickly. We had a lot of fun and food, but one day was enough this year. So on Saturday we spent some time piddlin' around town at some of the shops before we went to dinner. Tyler met up with us for a bit that day to say 'hey' and look around and Alex, Mikayla, and Jordyn hung out with us that night at the house. It was another really quick trip to WI, but I'm really glad I was able to make it. I love seeing everyone and being around all the love....

Mom, Jordyn, Mikayla, and Shelly having fun at Mom's house. Jordyn is 18 weeks here - 95th percentile! Mikayla is 8 already! Shelly and Mom are.... well, guess I shouldn't post that info here...

Alex and Mikayla watching Shrek 3D in Shelly & Brian's new van.

While I was in Wisconsin, Josh was busy with friends in Memphis. Mark stopped by one night and Caleb & Anna were in town too. Josh really enjoyed visiting with everyone and couldn't stop talking about how big Bryson has gotten! I wish I could have been here to share the good time, but can't wait until the the time rolls around again so I can join in.

Smoky Mountain Retreat

With all the craziness going on, we decided to take a minute for our first vacation with just the two of us since we got married - almost 4 years ago now. We thought a nice secluded cabin in the Smokies was just the trick, so off we went for 5 days. I didn't answer my phone the entire time and for those of you who know me, you know that was a miracle itself!

I LOVED the mountains. We spent the first day in Cades Cove and hiked on a bunch of the side trails to get away from everyone else. It was awesome and I felt like an adventurer exploring new territory (yeah, I know, thousands of people have done the same, but still, I'm charting new territory here. Give me a break!). Everything we did seemed like it was just the two of us. Perfect.

On that first day we saw 5 bears. One crossed on a trail we were on just 20 feet away. Later in the day we saw a momma and 2 cubs down in a narrow valley. It was just amazing. Sorry the video is sideways, but I can't figure out how to turn it the right way. So, if you're using a laptop turn it on it's side and, if not, best wishes getting yourself turned on your side!

We spent a couple of hours in Gatlinburg doing touristy things like the old-time photos and the Ober Gatlinburg Tram, but the rest of the time we spent relaxing in the cabin or the mountains. It was exactly what we needed to prepare for the upcoming school year - a 3L already - and for returning to the daily grind. I can't wait for our next trip!

On our way home we stopped in Nashville for a few hours to say "hey" to Josh's Mom & Rudy, and his Dad and Patty. It always makes me wish there was more time in the day and more days in the year (that could never be intruded on by work or school). While the time was brief, it was as heart-warming as ever to see everyone's face and share some time together.

Family Fun

The world seems to be spinning as the summer whizzes by. I'm not quite sure where all the time has gone, but the consensus seems to be that July has melted into August. We are blessed to have so many wonderful family and friends in our life to fill our days. I wouldn't do without a one.

So, just to get caught up...

Toward the end of July, Josh and I went on a quick jaunt to Wisconsin to welcome our newest niece and visit with everyone. It was nice to be able to spend some time outside in the cool weather and catch up with everyone's busy life.
Because it was such a quick trip, we didn't have any big plans or activities. I wanted as much time as possible to just hang out with everyone and do nothing in particular. The trip was just what we needed. Besides the general hang out time, we all got a chance to play a bit of Guitar Hero together - Tyler and Alex rock...Josh and I, not so much! Jordyn didn't care much about the video game, but was still the happiest little baby around and all smiles - even when sleeping. It's crazy to see how the boys have grown so quickly - Tyler already has his driver's license and Alex is well on his way too. It won't be long before I'm saying the same about Mikayla and Jordyn. It really is true - don't blink or you'll miss it!
The visit went by much too quickly and we can't wait to get back to the Northwoods!

It Was Comcastic

This is my first time to post on the blog so if anything is in a weird font or format just be patient and Jamie will fix it later. We managed to pack in a lot of fun this 4th of July weekend. We went to a fish fry, had lunch with dear friends and we kicked it all of with the Com-cast Firecracker 5K. This was a special race because this was the first race that we both participated in together.

The atmosphere for this thing was pretty incredible, there were walkers and elite class runners all in one place generally being nervous and twitchy before the gun went off. It was a varied race field because this is the state distance championship for the 5K distance and the biggest race in Memphis. So there were serious competitors, experienced triathletes, and guys like me.

Jamie was running her first race and so shortly after the gun went off I saw her pink visor cut up on the sidewalk and disappear. I didn’t see her for the rest of the race but I was so proud that she had the courage to start so strong and I was mentally cheering her on to a good finish time.

I was running my own race by walking and not pushing my injured knee too hard…it took lots of discipline but it was a really neat race. We got to travel some of the busiest streets in Memphis on foot; locals will know how surreal it was to be walking down the middle of Mendenhall. I just kept looking up at the signs because I couldn’t believe it. Those who lived on the race route treated it as a party, cheering people on and even turning their sprinklers towards the streets so that runners could be refreshed and the walkers could dodge all of the cold water. Jamie ran to a great time which has already initiated a little in-house competition, and I walked to a new appreciation for taking it easy. We went to the Belmont Grill for very well earned burgers and passed out. Thanks to all who wished us luck and hung out with us over the weekend.

Shelby Forest Hike

A little while back we went on a hike with an herbalist that we saw advertised in the Memphis Flyer. The hike was very interesting and we learned about several plants in the area that are harvested to make certain drugs as well as to be used in their natural form. It was quite amazing to think of how the base of so many things in our world come from what is provided from God. We even saw wild garlic - even the flower smells of garlic. There was wildlife everywhere and we caught a great photo of a butterfly. Enjoy the beauty.

Prayers for Tom

Mom had to leave Memphis earlier than planned because Tom had unexpected chest pains and, after being seen in LaCrosse, was transferred to Mayo Hospital in Rochester. He will be having bypass surgery very soon, so please keep Tom and Mom in your thoughts and prayers.

Mom's in Town!!!

Mom came to Memphis to visit with us this weekend. We enjoyed spending time with her without the craziness of packing, unpacking, painting, decorating, and all the other busy parts of life. All there was to do was be together and relax. On our way back from lunch we stumbled across The Grotto at Memorial Park. It was exactly as it had been explained to me once, not what you expect, but still interesting. It was one of those unplanned things that turned out to be wonderful.

We tried to capture a photo with all three of us, but as you can see there was limited success, but not too shabby!

So, since the group ones don't really show how pretty it is, here are the individual ones. Mom's visit was short but sweet and gave us a shot of happy to last until the next time!

The First of Many...

May 30th was the chosen date for the planned 5k race. Josh and Caleb both trekked to Missisippi for the event and Anna's dad also joined in the fun. They all did awesome and after the race they had some time to hang out have some post-run fuel. The next race we're planning is July 3rd - The Firecracker 5k... Any takers?

Welcome Jordyn Mae!

Our newest family member entered the world on May 21st at 5:40 in the morning. Our neice is healthy and cute as can be. She's learning the ins and outs of the new world she's living in and hasn't quite figured out the day versus night part! Hopefully soon both her Mom & Dad get a night of rest.


Shelly and Brian with Jordyn


Jordyn Mae Coomer
Born: May 21st, 2008 at 5:40 am
Weight: 7 pounds, 12 ounces
Length: 19 inches

Our Trip to Wisconsin

It was that time of year again for our trip to Wisconsin to visit with Mom, play in the 3rd Annual Jim Thielen Memorial Golf Tournament...and hope my sister had her baby. Hopes were high that Jordyn would arrive while we were in town, but she decided to be fashionably late and arrived on the 21st instead - 2 days early really, but just 3 days after we left. Can't wait to get back to see our newest member of the family!

We had a wonderful time and the weather was great for the tounament.

Josh and me with Dad's tree at the VA Golf Course.

We also got to spend some time with Mikayla at her school and re-experience the joys of the school cafeteria and recess! The boys were busy practicing for their upcoming motocross race and we went to Marshfield to watch them tear up the track at the race. They both did great and we're very proud of all of them.

Alex catching air on a jump!

Tyler rounding the turn.

Mikayla trying to keep herself, Shelly, and Jordyn warm at the race. It was 40 degrees in May - burrr!!

We also had lots of hang out time on the new sunroom in Mom's house. Unfortunately, it's confidential, so we can't show you any pictures!

A Bit of Texas in Tennessee

Josh started his job on Monday and has already learned a ton. He's so excited to get to work every day... even with the dress clothes. Law is definitely his passion and it shows every day.

Tom and Joni stopped in Wednesday night on their way back to Texas, giving me the perfect reason to take some time off! We had a great time with lots of laughs, food, and stories. Chris joined us and brought a piece of heaven to our table at Amerigo. Everything was perfect and we couldn't have asked for a better night. Even the rain held off and we got some hang out time on the patio. It was such a rare treat to share our home with them. We both hated to see them leave, but can't wait to float in their pool this summer - bring on the sunburn!


Tom and Josh looking very content after a delicious meal!


Tom, Josh, and Chris - post meal.


Tom and Joni relaxing on the patio.


One o'clock and the stories kept on rollin'...

Earlier in the week...
This past weekend Chris came over and we were able to fit a game of bocce ball into the festivities...

It's a complex game that requires lots of deep thought...

...and sometimes a bit of a competitive edge.
"HEY! Where's the penalty call?"

And of course, to cap off the day...

IT'S BEEN A GREAT WEEK!!!

End of Spring Semester

Finals are over and Josh begins working on Monday! He's with a great firm that holds reasonable hours. 8a-5p versus working all hours of the day and they seem to have a nice niche in the field. We're both excited to see what this new job will bring. The end of finals has also seemed to breathe some energy into us both. Josh began working on the endless task of outdoor stuff. Thanks Mark for letting us borrow the pressure washer. Our patio should be sparkling new soon! - Jamie

Not messing around with getting the gunk off the house and patio!

Finals

Josh has been working hard preparing for his last finals. I know he's very excited for Thursday afternoon. I imagine there might be a lot of sleeping then!