Conil Beach

Our friends, the Olsen's, invited a few of us families to join them for a day of fun and sun at their favorite spot, Conil Beach. This beach is about 45 minutes from us but so worth it! The beach is absolutely huge and the surf is pretty tame compared to some of the other local beaches. We spent about a good 4 hours at the beach. O, as fearless as ever, never left the surf. She would just keep diving into it and come up sputtering each time. But she didn't care and started crying when we left at 3pm for home. If this girl is not an Olympic swimmer when she's older, I would be surprised.


I said "Smile" and this is what I got. Classic Olivia.

The boys and some of the kids testing out the water.

Olivia and Drew kicking the ball around in honor of the World Cup.

I had to beg Olivia to come back to our beach tent and eat her lunch. She ate very little and in record time. Water spot on the camera, sorry.

And this was the ride home. I just stripped her down as I foresaw this nap happening.

Naval Station Rota Dining Out

Once a year, the base holds a Ward Room Dining Out. The Ward Room, for those that don't know, is the collection of officers on the base. We pay dues and each month there is a different gathering held where we greet incoming officers and say adieu to those officers leaving. It's a nice social outing for what is a small ward room and base. The Ward Room also holds a more formal function which is the Dining Out. Those in the Navy wear either the uniform tuxedo or the dress uniform. You will notice Justin is only in the dress uniform as he has the winter blue tuxedo, not the summer white tuxedo. Something that will be purchased as we foresee many more formal military functions in our future.
The Dining Out itself is a crazy affair and the idea of it dates back to the Roman military. Things have obviously changed a bit since then but it still holds true to some of the original traditions. Now, it is a long dinner that has funny and obscene rules and nothing is off limits. If you break any of the list of created "rules", you get an infraction and must drink from the "grog", a non-alcoholic or alcoholic (depending on which you choose) blend that is in a toilet bowl. Seriously, you drink out of a toilet bowl if you get an infraction. Not only that, you must salute the grog, dip the cup in and fill it to the top, drink the grog in one gulp, place the empty cup on top your head as proof you drank it all, salute the grog bowl again....all while facing the commanding officer of the base and the head party. I managed to get by without any grog drinking but Justin did not. His infraction? He attended law school. Infraction # 15.
We had just gotten back from the states a few days before and made a last minute decision to go to the Dining Out. I borrowed a dress from my friend and managed to snag our baby-sitter and we did not regret it!




The event was at the usual hotel in Rota we have all our events at. On the beach and picturesque. This is happy hour with the lady friends.

This is after happy hour but before the Dining Out dinner started. We were a little more loose after a few sangrias!

A bag piper always presents the meat that will be consumed by the ward room to the commanding officer. My question is, where do they find the bagpiper in Spain?

Presentation of the grog to the commanding officer. The toilet on the left is the non-alcoholic, the toilet on the right is the alcoholic. Needless to say the right ran out by the end of the night.

Justin and his good friend Andy enjoying the dinner.

Cigars and dancing ended the night. The boys opted for the stogies. The guys with the black pants are wearing the summer white tuxedo.

The "Bull" Ensign. He is the most senior ensign (but one of the youngest officers) in the wardroom. He wore the hat with the horns all night and took the role VERY seriously.

The ladies in between dancing and drinks.

Me and my friend Rachel. Her husband hosted and planned the event. A LOT of work but totally a success!

The Olsen's and the Boyd's waiting for the taxi home.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day! We have had a great first weekend back in Rota. Last night we went over to our good friend's/neighbor's house for a little father's day barbecue and then today we went to the base galley for a special father's day brunch. A great couple of days to celebrate Justin being the best daddy in the world!


This morning we gave Daddy his father's day cards. O wore her special "daddy" pj's for the occasion.


The entrance to the Naval Station Rota Galley.


Enjoying some eggs and pancakes together at the galley.


Heading to last night's barbecue. We walked the looong walk to the Olsen's two houses over.


O and her BFF, Drew, on their slip n' slide. We could hardly drag the kids off of it for dinner.

Tatonka

One of our last big trips for the day in Utah was to Antelope Island again so Justin could get a glimpse of the "tatonka" like O and I were able to at the beginning of the trip. The island did not disappoint. We were again able to see a huge herd of buffalo crossing the street and some antelope out in the fields as well. It was a great way to end our time in Utah with the Decker's. It was sad to say good-bye. We had so much fun in Utah and can't wait to get back and visit when we return to the states in another year.


Justin posing with his new friends.






Tatonka and baby tatonka.


The huge herd grazing with the Great Salt Lake and the Rockie's in the background.

Waterpark, Aquarium and Temple Square

Over the last week we have been busy sight-seeing and relaxing with my sis, bro-in-law and O's cousins. In between getting our fill of American food before we go back to Spain, we fit in some of the local best sights, shopping and playtime for the kids. We went to the water park again so O could enjoy some playtime with her Daddy, went to the SLC aquarium and then to downtown SLC so Justin could see Temple Square, the Mormon "Vatican City."

It has been so fun to be with the Decker's and experience Utah for the first time through their eyes living there. The cousins, for the most part, loved being together and Wyatt, Henry and Lauren have just doted on Olivia. It will be hard to go home to an empty house in Spain!


Daddy and Olivia stopping to pose for a pic before diving back in. She did not stop swimming for 2 hours straight again. And when we left, she was not happy.


The family taking a morning walk on the Ogden River Trail.


The SLC aquarium. O is bonding with a fish.


O studying yet another sea creature.


Enthralled with the sting rays you could touch in this pool.


Aunt Debbie showing O an eel.


Penguins!!


The Boyd family at SLC Temple Square.


Me and O in front of the beautiful landscaping throughout Temple Square.


The steeples of the Mormon Temple.


Taking a break walking around the square.

Park City

We, meaning my sis, bro-in-law and Justin, planned a no-kids excursion to Park City the day after Justin arrived. The local baby-sitter was leaving on vacation and we needed to use her before she left for some much needed adult time. Park City, home of some of the 2002 Winter Olympics events and now a prime ski resort town, is a little over an hour drive from my sis's house so the couples left early afternoon to maximize our time together. We walked around Park City and shopped, stopped for an afternoon appetizer and beer and then finished up with an amazing dinner at the restaurant, 350 Main. It was awesome to take our time, roam in and out of stores and have adult conversations over dinner and drinks.


On Main Street in Park City.


Debbie and I on Main.


Look who I found all alone on a bench. I am shying away from the bear because it was blazing hot that day and he would have burned my skin if I had actually touched him. Might explain why he was alone.


Dinner at 350 Main. One of the best meals I have ever had.


My fave past time. Drinking and eating.


The boys getting ready to enjoy dinner.

Welcome Back

After 4 weeks in Aghanistan and a week and a half of travel, Justin arrived into Salt Lake City on Saturday late afternoon. He got there before we did and surpised me while I was looking at the arrivals screen to see when his flight arrived. Needless to say, all the stress and frustration over this latest trip melted away when I saw him and hugged him. Olivia has adjusted well to him being home and has actually bypassed me these last few days to be comforted by Daddy when she is upset. A little jarring for me but a welcome relief. We ate dinner at a local burger place after we picked him up and Justin has now experienced his first Elk burger as well. We went home and had cake and Justin caught up with my sis and family. The kids are ecstatic to have Uncle JJ back so he can play with them as well.



Justin and the kids.

Daddy and O catching up over a piece of cake.

Justin's gift to my sister and brother-in-law. The "Bottle Burka". Ironically, this hysterical little item is weaved by Afghan women through a charitable organization. I wonder if they know what they are actually weaving and what it will be used for?

Enjoying the hot tub.

So glad he's home. We missed you so much babe!