BOOM

There goes another weekend!!!  

So, I felt that wet blanket sinking on me this week. 

It's been 8 months, or 243 days, since he left.  I'm working on keeping on my big girl panties and holding them up for dear life.  You see, the Fourth is "Our" holiday.  And I had a few moments of I don't wanna this week. 

But yet again, my friends came to the rescue.  You know... the ones who all I have to say is the Fourth is "our holiday" and they respond with a hug and words of encouragement.  You ladies really don't know how much I appreciate you for holding me up this week when all I wanted to do was fall.   
And we got through it! 

First up, we celebrated with the town of Lacey, who sets off their fireworks on the Third.  Facebook would lead me to believe this was wrong, but it was awesome because it deconflicted with the HUGE displays Olympia and Fort Lewis put on.  It's smart in my book! 

We packed up our blankets, chairs, and big pillows and headed for the area where the fireworks were going to go off.  After picking our perfect spot, the girls and I got some supper at our local favorite Mexican restaurant (and momma got the BIG beer).   Yep, just so happens to be in the same area, so it's walking distance (SCORE!).  We did some window shopping in the plaza, got some ice cream, and then headed back to the car to watch a movie.  Our perfectly timed movie was over about 5 minutes before the fireworks started -- seriously, I couldn't believe my luck on that one.  I also couldn't believe how awesome our spot was -- we had a clear view of the fireworks.  It was an awesome night!

On the Fourth, our squadron had a picnic.  I wrestled with if I would go or not.  Eventually, I remembered that I had stapled my BGPs to my ass and knew the kids would enjoy it.  Of course, we had a great time; the kids played 'til the sun went down. 

I had the day off on the Friday, so we packed up the car and headed north for Stanwood for that do-over date with Grandma Audrey.  We picked her up and took her out to lunch.  There is a great little town even more north of her, La Conner, and it's where her favorite fish and chips place is!  Unfortunately, the only picture I took was of the fish and chips to send to my mom (funny story there, but that's another post.)  We spent the day visiting with her and just having a good time.  I also had the unfortunate job of telling her we were moving to Alaska.  But I am so grateful for the time we've had in Washington. My girls know and love their great-grandmother!!!  They know and love their aunties and uncles and cousins.  It's a precious thing to have when you live this military life we live. 

On Saturday, I had a 4K to run; I even convinced Britney to run it with me.  It was an evening run and all about the ladies!  We had such a great time, but boy was it HOT!  There was a half marathon going on too -- I can't even imagine running one in that heat.  But we got it done and even got a great little necklace as a keepsake. 

All in all, it was a great weekend.  Yes, we missed Ronnie, but we're now another weekend closer to him coming home. 

Christmas 2012

It's been hard getting into the Christmas spirit this year with Ronnie being gone.  From putting up the tree to getting gifts shopped for and even planning our Christmas dinner... something (someone) big is missing. 

But, boy am I one lucky girl... My mom and dad came to visit and lift our spirits.  And we are stationed near family.  So while that one big piece of our life was missing, I had a whole bunch of family trying to fill that void. 

The weekend before Christmas, we had a family dinner with my grandma, aunts and uncles, and cousins.  Murphy tried his best to deter us from getting there (the tire story is whole other post)... but got there we did and we walked into warm embraces and lots of cheer.

My parents had to go home the next day, so we had a eve of Christmas Eve barbecue at my aunt's house.  And I won the prize for my ability to cook -- my great-grandma's bean crock!!!!  Oh man, this crock is soooooo cool!  It has taken it's place among my treasured items. 

Christmas Eve was finally upon us.  We started our day baking some cookies for Santa.  After we were done baking, we picked up some friends and headed to Charlie's Safari for some indoor playtime.

 

While I was at my aunt's house for the barbecue, she made me promise to come back for Christmas Eve.  We always have such a great time, so that was an easy promise to make and keep.  But before we left, we got to Skype with Ronnie and opened some presents with him.  We decided it would be easier (and have more bandwidth) if we did it Christmas Eve rather than Christmas morning.  We had a nice long chat, but finally it was time for him to go to work (yes, he worked on Christmas).

As usual, we had a great time with my family for Christmas Eve!  Lots of kids, lots of noise, lots of presents, lots of fun!!!!  

 Cousins version 1.0 and 2.0

Christmas morning was upon us and it was time to clean out the rest of the gifts under the tree.

 

 

Even Cleo the cat got in on the holiday spirit...  she gave a big present to Holly! 

Celebrate

Twelve years ago, Ronnie and I started this crazy journey together. This year, I celebrated with my girls the best way I knew how...  We started our day with worship and fellowship by going to the Women's Holiday Brunch at our church.  Amazing food and amazing women! 

Next, we met up with Holly's Girl Scout troop and did one of our family traditions: we went to the Nutcracker.  This year, we took in the local performance in Olympia.  Even more fun is the fact that one of Holly's friends is a dancer in the production. 

After the ballet, we headed for dinner and then back to church for the Christmas pageant.  The kids had worked really hard for the last few weeks to be ready and their hard work showed!

We finally got home late...  but to a surprise from my sweet husband.  The man who doesn't ever send flowers had sent me the most beautiful bouquet of roses. 

Photo Friday

~ Every Friday, I will post a picture from our life.  Enjoy! ~

 

 

Trick or Treating with Colesie, Osan, South Korea, October 2009

Photo Friday

***Every Friday, I will post a picture from our life. Enjoy!!***

 

At the Nutcracker, Seattle, Washington, December 2011

Bang Up Fourth!

Hurray for the Fourth of July!  It's been a bit since we've celebrated in the states, so we were really looking forward to our celebration this year.  That and the Olivers get here today to spend a few weeks with us.  To kick off their visit, Ronnie and Robert headed down to the Nisqually Indian Reservation to get the good stuff.   We invited our neighbors over and started the fireworks show in the driveway. 

Of course, it wouldn't be any fun if we didn't play with sparklers.  I taught Holly how to twirl it so I can get a picture of the swirls.  Fun huh?  Of course, Ronnie had to get in on that fun too. 

When it was all said and done, this was the frag left in our driveway....  If it looks like we had a good time, we did :)

San Juan Islands

The back half of our Spring Break was fantastic!  On Thursday, we headed to my grandma's house to visit and spend the night.  Again, I can't express how excited I am that the girls get to spend time with their great-grandma. 

Friday morning, we got up bright and early so we could catch a ferry boat.  How fun is it that we live in a place that has a ferry system?  Well, it is super fun!  Plus, that was how we got to our mini-vaca on the San Juan Islands.  The San Juan Islands are a cluster of islands between the Washington and Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada and lie in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. 

We got to the ferry terminal in Anacortes early enough so we could play on the beach a bit before boarding.  After playing for 20 minutes, the announcement to "start your engines" came.  We boarded the ferry, parked/secured the car, and settled in on the passenger deck for the hour long journey.

 

The journey there was rather uneventful.  We watched as the skies cleared up a bit and enjoyed a snack.  Finally, we arrived at Friday Harbor.  Remember that bit about it being uneventful... yeah that was just the ride, not the arrival.  Here, I'll just let you read about it  www.komonews.com/news/local/146455105.html

Because an adventure isn't an adventure without a SNAFU.  The girls and I disembarked and left Ronnie to ride back to Anacortes, park the car, and ride back with our bags. 

But we made the most of it.  Walking to our hotel, we smelled the loveliest of smells: hickory, mesquite, and meat.  Following our noses we found a great hole in the wall BBQ place.  We  quickly filled our bellies and pressed to drop our backpacks at the hotel and get to exploring Friday Harbor. We played at the park, walked up and down the waterfront, enjoyed some ice cream, and browsed the local shops.  Ronnie finally arrived (about four hours later), we walked around Friday Harbor some more, found some dinner, and then went back to the hotel for a swim. 

Saturday morning brought us clear blue skies and something I was looking forward to:  our whale watching trip.  The San Juans are famous for the pods of orca who call it home.  But several transient pods also enjoy visiting the area.  When we got to the boat for the trip, the naturalists were very excited as there had been a pod spotted in the area.  We set out for our three hour tour and made a beeline for the area where they were spotted. 

About an hour later, the skipper slowed the engines.  And there they were!  A huge pod of orca with several babies swimming with them!   It was awesome to watch them swim...   alas our hour was gone and we had to head home.  On the way back to Friday Harbor, we stopped to see some California sea lions, Stellar sea lions, mountain goats, and bald eagles.  It was an amazing tour! 

Sunday morning was Easter and we headed back to my grandma's house for Easter lunch - no ferry boat issues this time.  On our way to her house, we drove through Skagit valley to get a glimpse of the tulips in bloom.  Not many were out, but the daffodils were!  Again, what a treat! 

 

 

Christmas 2011

We had a wonderful Christmas celebration this year.  I hope all y'all did too.  Again, I am so blessed by living up here near family.  And we took full advantage of it this Christmas.

After we got back from our ski trip, we kicked off Christmas by heading to Grandma Audrey's to spend the night and have Christmas Eve dinner.  The girls entertained both Grandma and Suzy, and we even got to Skype with Santa (otherwise known as my Uncle Paul).  After our Skype date, we had Christmas Eve dinner with my cousin Brennan, and my Uncle Tom and exchanged gifts.  All too soon it was time to get on the road to go visit more family.  My cousin Cindy hosted their gift exchange at her house.  We arrive just in time for the younger cousins to get in on the action.  The girls received some wonderful gifts!

Christmas morning came way too early, but it was oh so fun!  The girls got everything they wanted and more.  After church, we spend the rest of the day lounging as a family and enjoying some downtime.  

Normally, my Christmas post would end there, but not when you live up here and get to take part in some other traditions.  My grandma is a member of the Sons of Norway.  If you're not familiar, think the Elks Lodge but they are all Scanda-hoovian.  In Norway, they have a wonderful after Christmas tradition known as Julebukk, where after Christmas, families travel to visit one another, go carolling at their neighbors, and sing around the Christmas tree.  You know that scene in The Grinch Who Stole Christmas where the Whos down in Whoville start singing in the town square? Yeah, it's kinda like that. 

I got the girls dressed in their Christmas dresses and we went to the party.  We had a blast.  The girls danced and danced some more.  They did the Hokey Pokey and the Chicken Dance, all to an authentic Norwegian band playing live music.  Then it was time to dim the lights and just enjoy the Christmas tree.  The tree was so beautiful, and all the members started singing traditional Norwegian carols.  It was such a great time!  I hope my grandma invites us again next year.

Merry Christmas everyone!