Another special visitor

Photo Courtesy of Subject

Yesterday we had the honor of meeting SGT Ricky Leonard with the HHT 1-113 Cavalry.

Leonard wanted to stop by the studio and say "thank you" for his Freedom Rock Calendar he received while serving in Afghanistan. "I received it the day I was going on leave" Leonard said. "I decided to take it home with me instead of leave it there."

Wow-were we honored to be visited by SGT Leonard. You may remember the Freedom Rock Calendar Special we ran back in December. Thanks to all you loyal fans, heroes like SGT Leonard could receive a free gift while serving over seas. SGT Leonard also provided us with this picture he took in front of The Freedom Rock® this summer before being deployed. 

Thanks again Freedom Rock Fans and God Bless!

The Freedom Rock® Fans ROCK!

Below are a few emails we received after posting about our trip to Antigua. Most of these people I have had the privilege of getting to know while participating in my husband's annual project: The Freedom Rock®. For those of you who know us, know that we say this is the best part of being involved in this project; meeting our nation's heroes and their loved ones. We have made some great friends over the years and feel truly blessed. Thank you all again for your support. God Bless!

Hey Maria!

Congrats to you and Bubba again! Speaking of trips, guess where I am...Back in Iraq! Doh! I just arrived

last week. We are scheduled to be here for another year unless politics decide something else. What is your

address again? I'll send a postcard. Maybe I can even send you all some Iraqi sand for Bubba to put in his 

paint next time he paints the rock. Take care and keep in touch!

Kristian

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Wow!! What a great vacation/honeymoon. And, a great time to be away from frigid Iowa. Your pictures 

are fantastic and would make a great travel brochure. Sure made us want to take a trip to Antigua. We're 

so happy you won. After all Bubba has done for the Veterans over the past 12 years, he certainly deserved to win. His work is very much appreciated. We'll probably visit The Freedom Rock again this summer.

Thanks again for sharing your vacation pictures.

Ron & Mary Jane

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Dear Maria & Bubba,

In case you didn't receive the comment I tried to post under the lovely photos you have shared with us, I just wanted to say "thank you" for sharing and we are so thrilled you enjoyed your visit to Antigua. Have a wonderful year!

God's Blessings.

From your friends you have never met, down under in Aus.

Carla & Joe xoxo

Freedom Rock® artist in the Iowa House

Contact Josie Albrecht (515) 419-1038

Sorensens Help in the Iowa House

(DES MOINES) – Ray Sorensen and Heidi Sorensen-Sloth are pictured here with Reps. Steve Olson (R-DeWitt), Annette Sweeney (R-Alden), and Clel Baudler (R-Greenfield).  Ray Sorensen paints The Freedom Rock® in Greenfield.  He and Heidi are both clerking for Rep. Olson.

Josie Albrecht

Communications Director

Iowa House Republicans

(515) 281-3432 (desk)

(515) 419-1038 (cell)

www.iowahouserepublicans.com

www.twitter.com/iahouserepubs

Our 3 year late Honeymoon

Maria entered me into a contest a year ago and we actually won.  The prize was a trip to Antigua in the Caribbean.  The travel to and from the resort was miserable, but the resort was gorgeous and relaxing.  Most of the time we just kicked back on the beach but every once and awhile we picked up the camera and snapped some pics of the scenery.  The below 3 posts are a small sampling of some of the pictures we snapped.

Antigua Pics 3

Antigua Pics 2

Antigua Pics 1

Some recent paintings...

These are some paintings I was commissioned to paint for Christmas presents.  One is of a home here in Greenfield.  One is a take on the NY Fireman handing our flag to an American Soldier.  The last one is of a family from Wisconsin.