Merry Christmas!

While I don't have the funds to send all my friends Christmas cards, please accept this e-card.

Painted Barn

Someone asked me where the photos of the completed painted barn are. Well here's what I have...

Red and white are Christmassy, right? And I cannot get enough of that blue sky.

Strike Fighter Ball

Lauren F., Laura, Lauren S., and I. The Lauren's squadron's husbands are

 deployed so they had a pirates theme... Pretty fun!

Katie and I

Our squadron had flames for our role-call: pump-hairspray bottles filled with lighter fluid... I didn't know it was lighter fluid until I sprayed it on my hair and the guys flipped out... I stayed away from flames all night. 

Boo and I. 

Dragon sing-along. 

Full-length shot. 

Laura, Kristen and I. All that's missing is Liz and we could have recreated our photo from Bad Man Ball last year! Boo...

P. Skipper and Amy. 

The night got a bit crazy... Here Dan and Cooter are Wrastlin'. 

November

November was a super busy month. I didn't get home from Idaho until November 5. Dave got home from Fallon on November 12. I attended Noriko's farewell tea in the 13th; I spent the 15th and 16th on base (all day) to paint the anchor in front of the O'Club for the upcoming change of command. On the 17th, we had the Change of Command ceremony, followed by reception and then hail-and-bail party that same night. November 19th was Hornet Ball in Visalia, 20th was recovery and Harry Potter 7. On the 22nd, Emily arrived and we got in the Thanksgiving mode. We had dinner at Katie's house on the 25th. 

Phew. Long month. 

Amy, Noriko, and Linda at Noriko's farewell tea 

held at Victoria Rose Tea House in Clovis, CA. 

                                      

Sandy, Linda and I painting the anchor. Doesn't it look classy? Until we were cleaning up and realized the Corosion Dept had left of the "G" in SSHWFGD (Super "Smokin'" Hot World Famous Golden Dragons). The G being very important... we had to redo that section. Huge headache. But it look nice (but not as nice, in my opinion). 

The actual moment that the change of command takes place: Commanders Henry (center) and Miller (right) salute each other as CDR Miller relieves CDR Henry of duty. Rear Admiral Aucoin looks on from left. 

Amy, thrilled and proud.  :)

Sailors (and officers, though not pictured here) stood at attention during the entire 90 minute ceremony. 

Rear Admiral Aucoin and CDR Henry, sporting their Golden Dragon socks. 

CMD Miller's dad taking photos of the logo.