Oh, Hello there.

Remember me? That person who used to blog pretty regularly about somethings? Yes, me!

So, there's been lots of hiatuses in my updates. But without a job (yep!) I'm hoping to get back in to the groove. So here's the fast update:

DECEMBER/JANUARY

Christmas was spent in Knoxville, visiting Mary and Kyle in their new house - i can't believe they're homeowners! We drank too much moonshine, at lots of yummy food, and played music, laughed, and sang a lot. 

Then I spent some time in Arlington. Mommy and I went to see the Degas exhibit here. 

Arriving home, i received the christmas present Dave had ordered for me - a print of Mr. Darcy's profession of love. AWESOME!

And I picked up Slider from the kennel. He'd had an accident - jumped and caught his neck on the fence and pulled a huuuuuge chunk out. YUCK. So here he is, looking extra pitiful with his band-aide. 

January was also my last month of work. The school finally hired someone to replace me, right before I left, so I didn't leave my teachers in a lurch, which was my biggest fear. My teachers were very sad to see me go. I think that if I'd felt this appreciated while I was working there I probably wouldn't have left. But I did. And I do not regret it.

FEBRUARY

Since I wasn't working, I was able to help out a lot with homecoming preparations. Amy and I made these AWESOME signs. Amy and her granddad did the cutting, I did some of the painting, had a painting party to get more done, and then glittered the edges.

Then we had to stake them. We installed them over by the Ops Side gate. Which took for-eve-rrrr.

Two days after homecoming was the Change of Command, so we also decorated the anchor in front of the O'Club. 

And I ordered this sign. To be reused every time. "Welcome home Dave, the cat missed you." HAHA!

In case you don't know, our cat is a terror. No really. We had to get him declawed because he kept attacking people. He only loves Dave. So you can imagine how difficult 7.5 months were without the love of his life, and having to settle for me.

Here's Dave! Bottom, far left. 

And there I go! First one out of the gate to rush Dave's plane. Which is almost the last one in the line. 

Reunited and It Feels So Good!

MARCH

So now Dave is home. He had three weeks off before he checked into his new squadron. We hung out, looked at fifteen houses, went skiing for my birthday, tried to Space-A to Hawaii, failed, twice, saw Beauty and the Beast on stage in San Jose, attended the Cinequest film festival where we saw a series of comedic shorts, and eventually made it to hawaii. 

Finally on our way to the tropical island paradise. 

On the beach where the first season of LOST was filmed. 

March 30 was Maya's birthday. We went and got mani-pedis, starbucks, and apparently learned to night-walk. I tried to buy Maya a lip gloss, you know something fun to apply and apply and apply... well, this actually was a lip stain. So now she really is 6 going on 16. But, in her defense, she applied that herself, didn't even color outside the line! 

Summer Travel

We've been out and about a LOT in the last month. We had POM leave - Pre-Overseas Movement vacation days - scheduled for late June-early July. Luckily for you, I forgot my camera most places we traveled. Whomp Whomp.

Dave and I spent a few nights in San Francisco, where we played tourist. San Francisco Giant's baseball game, Alcatraz night tour, Point Loma National Seashore, 1917 Earthquake spot, and fantabulous Indian burritos. Those were the highlights.

We spent the 4th of July visiting Dave's family in the South. We bought fireworks and set them off! I know, it sounds boring but let me quantify. 1) I grew up outside of DC, and we usually only had sparklers. 2) We bought big exploding fireworks in Mississippi. 3) We attempted to blow up a watermelon. Additionally, we ate at Rendezvous, the originator of Memphis-style (dry rub) ribs. We got to spend time with our nieces, who eventually accepted Dave, and Dave's family. It was relaxing and fun. Except for the fact our return flight was canceled. But we made it back.

Last on our tour-de-everywhere, we drove six hours up the spine of the Central Valley to Redding, CA. Redding is the northern-most point in the CenVal, and as such, it doesn't feel so much like a valley but more like you are surrounded by mountains on three sides. Dave's future roommate, TJ, and my friend, Amy, tied the knot in a lovely, lovely ceremony. We bought a camera for the occasion, but it was left behind at the reception - never to be seen again. So no photos of Dave in his dress-whites and I dressed up. Whomp Whomp.

Jaime and I wiating for the ceremony to start - I was so excited, I wanted to cheer during the vows.

The newly married couple. (I was there when she chose her dress, so pretty.) 

OCF girls

Now we are home for a few weeks. And no more traveling. We were glad to accomplish so much during our time off, but we were exhausted.

photo catch-up

April's visit to see Dave in Fallon, NV

Amy and I opted to drive the southern, longer (8.5hr) route, south to Bakersfield, and then east and up the back side of the Sierras. There was a huge storm that closed the northern, faster (6hr) I-5 route. 

A SALT STORM! Yes, you read that correctly. This is a huge dried up salt bed. If you click on the photo and enlarge it, you can see the swirling white mist. No clouds, there fore it is not rain or snow. Salt! 

A change of scenery - snow covered hills.

Self portrait

Entering Tahoe at night. 

Home of the 196something Winter Olympics. Notice the mounds of snow? 80% of that is the freshly fallen white stuff that Amy and I drove south to avoid. Smart move. 

Our hotel room at the Pepper Tree Inn.

View of the Lake Tahoe when we could finally see it, two days later. Beautious.

The real event of the weekend was that TJ and Amy got engaged! WOOT. 

(Enlarge the photo to see the secret message.)

Health hazard - falling icicles. 

March 30th - Maya's 5th Birthday Party.

Photos from Europe

Here are a few photos that highlight our experience in Europe over Christmas and New Years. 

Star Wars pancakes for breakfast. 

Putting the Angel on top of the tree. 

Christkindlemarkt

Hohenschwangau Castle, Fussen, Bavaria.

Picturesque view - with a church in the very center.

Dave and I in front of Neuschwanstein Castle. 

Courtyard of Neuschwanstein.

John and I stringing popcorn.

Night sledding.

The Eiffel Tower at night in the fog.

Creme brulee!

Dave and I in front of Notre Dame, Paris. 

Interior of Notre Dame.

Dave in front of the Louvre pyramid. 

My two Thinkers.

In front of the gates of the Sun King's palace - Versailles.

Lunch - baguette, salami, cheese. We brought our own supplies.

Dave, at the Cluny Museum (Medieval Museum)
amongst the original heads of the 28 Kings of Judah from Notre Dame. 

Illuminated Songs.

The Lady and the Unicorn Tapestry.

Medieval Fighting guide. 

Dave and I in the elevator of our hotel going out for New Year's Eve.

Rue Cler post-festivities.