Army ATC...

 We had a really nice weekend in Lancaster, PA for the annual ATC conference this weekend. The conference was originally scheduled for October, but was cancelled 2 weeks before due to some issues with reservations. Needless to say, many, many people weren't happy that it was re-scheduled for the weekend before Christmas. However, we made the best of it and had a nice time. I mean, I had a really-really-really  nice time because the outlets were .8 of mile down the road! It was glorious. Poor Luke had to sit through briefs all day, and I found myself bug eyed, walking up and down every isle, 13 times, at the Pottery Barn Outlet. It was a beautiful sight! Imagine the magazine coming alive except everything is at least half off. If we only had a U-haul, I would bought every piece of furniture in there! There was a couch that was used in a magazine shoot that they took the covers off of. It was fluffy and SO nice for 100.00! I would have bought it and had nowhere to put it! I did end up buying baskets and toy bins for the baby's room, which I have had my eye on since we bought the bedding a few months ago! I also visited (hold your breath, Deb) the QVC outlet. Now, that was a sight to see! It was a lot of rummaging, but if you are a QVC die hard, you would have been in heaven! Anyways, I got a little off subject and could continue on for another paragraph, but won't. The ATC hosts about 250 Recruiters from across Pennsylvania, and their Commanders. Luke is one of 7 Company Commanders across PA! They have training for the soldiers and their spouses throughout the weekend, as well as individualized parties, and a Dining In, which is a formal dinner. I am the Family Readiness Group leader for State College Company, so I was in charge of decorating the party. I had a good time on Friday using my teacher skills (decorating on a small budget). We decided to do an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party and a White Elephant Gift Exchange at our party, and it turned out, well tacky!

Our outfits were quite hideous! My nasty sweater was adorned with jingle bell earrings and Luke's FEMALE festive button up was topped off with a musical tie from the Dollar Store! (Luke looks like a deer in headlights because we used the self timer on the camera-haha)

At the party one of Luke promoted one of his soldiers to Sergeant First Class. A very proud moment for Sergeant Rains.

He also re-enlisted SGT. Anthony for another 6 year contract!

Some of the White Elephant gifts were very funny. A White Elephant is when you re-gift something that you want to get rid of! You then steal each others gifts because "One mans junk, is another mans treasure". We ended up with a coffee mug, which Luke was pumped about!

On Saturday night was the Battalions Dining In. Luke's boss, LT Colonel Lockridge, hosted the event for over 300 people. There were were 3 important guests, Colonel Hall, General Roberts and the guest speaker, NBA 76ers player, Daryl Dawkins. 

 

I think I came up to Daryl Dawkins waist! He is a whopping 6ft 10!! Everything about him was humungo!

Isn't my hubby handsome? :) I had quite the time zipping that dress, and once I was in it...I wasn't going anywhere.

The poor baby was probably smooshed, but that is what happens when you are 5 months pregnant in a formal dress!

Here we are at 20 weeks! 

Luke's Company brought home a lot of the awards at the ceremony, and I was really proud of him and his Soldiers. They are where the Army begins...they find the best of the best to make our Army Army strong! Hooah!