Christmas Festivities

We have been busy preparing for the holiday season! My parents are here for a few weeks to celebrate Christmas with us. Here are few pics of the holiday celebrating so far.

We had Justin's command Christmas party last night at the Hotel Del Coronado. It was a beautiful location and everyone was dressed formally.


Putting the ornaments on the tree.


Charley loves all the lights and ornaments.


Justin and Olivia have started a new tradition of making gingerbread cookies from scratch. They are awesome and Olivia loves to help bake!

Fall Fun

We have been busy, busy, busy this fall. I was taking a class at San Diego State and am one class away from finishing my graduate degree. Justin is loving his new command at Naval Special Warfare Center but has added pressure being the only JAG there. Olivia is in full day preschool and takes ballet once a week. And Charley is busy getting older. She turned 9 months old yesterday! Here are a few pics of what we have been up to this fall.


On top of a Mark V special warfare craft. We got to tour it at Justin's command children's Christmas party.

In front of the Mark V.

Justin and I went to Mexico to see his friend Paul get married. A nice few days away for us alone!


Olivia performed in her first dance at the local mall the day after Thanksgiving. She did wonderful!

Hanging out at Balboa Park.


We got to tour a helicopter that one of our friends out here in San Diego flies! So cool!


Olivia, the future helo pilot!

Thanksgiving Feast at St. Therese Academy

I was lucky enough to go and help at Olivia's preschool on the day of her Thanksgiving "Feast" (aka snack time). We set up the tables, had a special snack and cleaned up after. The kids came in with their Thanksgiving themed hats. Either a female or male pilgrim hat or a Native American headdress. The kids started the feast by singing two songs about turkey and then prayed before their meal.

Olivia's teacher, Sister Adrian, can be seen in both the video and photo. We love her and she is absolutely perfect for Olivia. She gets Olivia and channels her endless energy and spunk in the right way. I wish others, including myself, could be as patient as Sister Adrian is with her. The school has been wonderful and is teaching Olivia so much!

My little Pilgrim!

Enjoying her snack.

Sitting with her classmates. Sister Adrian is behind them.

Video of them singing two songs and then praying before they eat.

11-11-11 Carrier Classic

We were privileged to be able to attend the first annual "Carrier Classic" NCAA basketball game between UNC and Michigan State. This would be a big game anyways but it was even more special as it was played on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson. This is the first time anyone has ever tried to do something this unique. It was played on Veteran's Day and only 7000 tickets were available for the game. Justin managed to snag two at the last minute through his command and we dropped everything to go!

The USS Carl Vinson is a special aircraft carrier as it was the one that disposed of Osama Bin Laden's corpse. It was only fitting that this game was played on this carrier on Veteran's Day. We also had the privilege of seeing President Obama since he came to honor the troops and watch the basketball game. He spoke to the crowd before the game started and was readily available to shake hands and take pictures with people during breaks. This game was so surreal to us but such a 'Bucket List' experience!

Heading to the game!! The USS Carl Vinson (Number 70) is behind us.

Holding my "golden ticket"!

So proud to be boarding this great ship!

Justin posing before the game. We had pretty decent seats but the stands were so small that no seat was that bad.

The stands are filling up.

The guy in the sunglasses is basketball legend Jerry West. We had better seats!!

Air Force one banking to come in for a landing at Naval Air Station North Island.

Air Force One taxiing on the runway.

President and First Lady Obama addressing the crowd before right before the game started.

Justin loves this picture because Dick Vitale is sitting down with the headset on just to the left of the player, Obama is sitting in the front row to the right of the ref and Obama is seated next to a Medal of Honor winner.

None of the players had last names. Just USA printed on their jerseys.

President and First Lady Obama court side. The Medal of Honor winner is next to the president.

A beautiful ship lit up at night.

In front of the presidential motorcade.

Happy Halloween!

Mama came to visit for Halloween and brought Charley her first costume!!

Bat Girl!!

A little shell shocked by the costume and the pumpkins.


Our girls' first Halloween together!

Celebrating O's Birthday with the Decker's

We had the chance to celebrate Olivia's birthday while the Decker's were here. We got Olivia a cupcake cake shaped in the number 4. It came with a crown and wand. She loved it.

Getting ready to eat her cupcake with a pink rose.

Uncle Todd loved the crown and wand as well.

Opening her presents. She loved the outfits.

Posing with her cupcakes.

Big girl now!

Sea World

We went with the Decker's to Sea World in San Diego. It was a great day! Very warm and not a huge amount of people. Olivia loved the shows and the water rides. It's so awesome we live 15 minutes from it and can go anytime!

Somebody is cashed in the bjorn.

At the Shamu show.

Awaiting the show to start. They sat in the splash zone and got drenched!

After her water slide roller coaster.

Aunt Debbie and Olivia rode together.

While me and Henry rode together.

The Decker's Visit!!

Our first official visitors in our new house in San Diego were my sister, brother-in-law and O's and Charley's cousins. They stayed with us a week and what a week it was! Whirlwind touring of some San Diego's best attractions, tons of swimming in the backyard pool and general cousin bonding. I needed a vacation after the Decker's vacation! So happy they are only a day's drive away now! Our first stop...Legoland.

The Decker family at the entrance to the park.

Me and O riding the coaster together. Of course she loved it!

O and Wyatt hanging out in a dinosaur egg.

O enjoying the fairytale boat ride.

Shooting water cannons at Lego crocodiles.

Flying in the police helicopter.

Shooting water from their pirate ship.

Jousting through the forest on her horse.