September, October & November

Well, it's been a while again since I last posted.

In September, David & I, along with another Couple, The Hawks, & us went to Phoenix for a long weekend to go see Tom Petty in concert. We all took the friday through monday off to just have a great time. We got an AWESOME rate and stayed at the Legacy Golf Resort. It was the perfect location for us. We were within 10 minutes of anything we wanted to do.

The first night in we went to a major league baseball game at the Chase Field. It is such a nice field! It's an indoor field, but the roof retracts and a portion of the wall of the outfield opens. It was absolutely gorgeous because looking out and watching the sun set, you had the high rises on one side and the mountains on the other.

On Saturday, we mainly wanted to just hang out at the really nice pool. My friend from high school who lives in Phoenix came out and we all just relaxed and played in the pool. My friend was saying though that the pool is cooled (instead of heated) so it's not to warm! I thought that was funny!

We also had to go to the Heart attack Grill. Everything at this grill is cooked in lard...I'm so serious! But it was by far the best hamburger ever! David & I shared one.

On Sunday, with our tickets for the baseball game, we received free admission into the Sea Life Phoenix. It is an aquarium in Phoenix that is in the mall. It was a smaller aquarium, but it was fun to go and see the sea life. The rest of the day we relaxed. We were about to leave to go get something for dinner when i checked my facebook, when one of my friends who lives in CA but grew up in Phoenix had posted that our concert had been postponed. Well, we did our research and Tom Petty had a throat infection and had indeed postponed his show. We decided not to let it bother us and we still went out to dinner and then had a nice relaxing evening in the hotel room.

Monday, we obviously went home but we went the scenic route. It was so beautiful!

The very next weekend my mom and my sister Jeni with her husband and kids all came into town for the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. It's a big deal and it's been fun every year we have been here. We were up early in the mornings and late to bed. To say the least, we had SO much fun! I always love when family comes to visit!

The next weekend, my friend from Phoenix, her roommate and her boyfriend came to Albuquerque for the Balloon Fiesta as well. Those 3 know how to make a weekend packed full! Not only did we do the balloon fiesta, we took the train to Santa Fe (where I managed to dump a whole bottle of root beer on David!) and then when we came back from Santa Fe, we went to McCalls Pumpkin Patch and did the haunted barn and haunted corn maze! We were gone from 5:30 am to 11:30 pm! We were so TIRED that night!

The next big thing that happened was the Marine Corps Ball. I don't have my pictures uploaded yet and I only took 2 or 3 but David, as usual, looked amazing and so did I! David & I danced the night away and went to bed early as we were exhausted. the ball was at the Hard Rock Casino and this year our tickets included a room! It was nice getting ready in the hotel room and not having to worry about having dog hair on anything! It was a total blast except the 2 am fire drill. Also, the casino doesn't do the fire alarm, it speaks loudly into your room "THIS IS NOT A DRILL, PLEASE EXIT THE BUILDING" over and over again!

The next day, David flew home to Sacramento for Thanksgiving. I, had to work a couple more days, so I worked until the middle of Wednesday and then flew out. We had a great thanksgiving with his family. We tried new recipes. I made

Mac & Cheese Muffins (amazing!)
Green Beans w/ crackers (a different type of casserole)
Homemade Cranberry Sauce (homemade is the way to go!)
Upside Down Caramel Apple Pie (to die for!)
Cookies & Cream Pie

David's mom also made:

Turkey
Ham
Stuffing
Mashed Potatoes
and I'm sure way more!

We had so much fun and just relaxed.

David, one of his sisters & I did some black friday shopping, but not to much!

The very next day after Thanksgiving was David's & I's 6 year anniversary! I can't believe it! David was so sweet this year and he got me a necklace (one of the open heart collection ones) and made me a hair appointment.

That evening, we went to the Ruth Chris Steak House. It's an expensive steak house (thanks to David's parents who gave us a gift card they said they weren't going to use and had been holding onto it for over a year!) We had the barbeque shrimp...so yummy! David had the new york strip & i had a petite filet. They were by far the best steak we have ever had. The server serves the steaks on plates that are 500 degrees!!! We then shared the Sweet Potato Casserole & Asparagus with hollindase sauce.

We were suppose to go out for dessert after a while later but we made the mistake of going back to the house. I was in such a food coma, I fell asleep in a minimum of 10 minutes sitting up! I was gone for the rest of the night!

I hope everyone also had a great thanksgiving.

We are back at work and everyday life!

Orders

This morning I had just parked the car at work and was getting ready to cross the street (6:50 am) when my phone rang. It was David on the other line and he doesn't normally call me, I always call him at work to tell him I love him. (I always think it might brighten his day a little bit).

I answer the phone and he immediately asks me, "are you driving?"

I replied "No, what's up?" a little shaky as that's never really a good way to start a conversation.

David continued, "We got orders today". We weren't expecting orders as David told his Major on Friday that we would be willing to stay an extra year to help out the Company and so David could get all his Staff training done for when he picks up soon.

I eagerly reply, "Where to!?"

David then said, "I report to APAC in Jacksonville, NC on Jan 5" and I RUDELY INTERRUPT "we are going back to North Carolina!!!!"

David continued "If you can not interrupt me, I report to North Carolina on Jan 5 for 5 weeks for training. I will then be back and we will report to our MCAS Miramar on March 23."

Lets just say I screeched with joy because we are going to San Diego!!! I can't wait!

Denver

So, it's been a while since I last posted, it's been a busy couple of months. I will do a few while I can, but it is once again a very busy week.

David came home August 17, I was so happy for him to be home! Two days after he got home, I picked him up from work and we road tripped it up to Denver for Jeni's youngest daughters baptism. We got in about midnight, it was a late night!
We slept the first night at my sisters but we stayed the other 2 nights at the Embassy Suites. Suzanne also came into town with her youngest daughter also.

We had so much fun! Friday, us adult girls went out for lunch, to a fabric store and a boutique. The adult boys took Hattie and went out for lunch and hung out at home.

That night we all went out for some super yummy barbeque and then relaxed.

Saturday we just hung out of the house until the baptism and then we had the baptism. David gave the talk about the holy ghost and then we went back to the house for a PARTY! Man was it a party! So many people, such good food and good company!

Suzanne left that night and David & I headed back to our hotel the next day to go home.

It was sad to leave but we had such a great weekend!

Weekend

Who doesn't love a weekend! I know I do! This weekend was full of fun and laughter...I'm so glad to be having so much fun while David is gone!
Friday night, I left work and came home to check on my poor doggies who had been in their kennels ALL day. I let them out for a bit, but had to return back downtown to eat dinner with friends. We went to one of my favorite places downtown called the Asian Noodle Bar. I LOVE their fried rice...it's super yummy! Then my two friends and I went to a live theater production called triple espresso. The show itself was ok, but the theater it was in (the Kimo Theater) was beyond beautiful! They had beautiful artwork and carvings and bright colors all over. It is a small theater, but nice and cozy. As I said, the show was ok, it was a comedy of 3 friends re-aquatinting themselves and reminiscing about the past.
Afterwards, one of my friends and I walked over to the civic plaza, a place downtown where events are held and saw a Mariachi competition. That was interesting, but they had wonderful homemade ice cream!
Saturday, I went to old town to get a couple of people some New Mexico treasures. I love old town, so many little shops and lots of history! It had been a while since the last time I went, but it's always beautiful down their! I then went and got the truck an oil change (something that I hate doing but obviously have to do) and then headed home. I had a fun night to get ready for.
My friend and I went out Saturday night and my friends husband was so thankful for me taking her out so he could go to bed early!!! LOL! We went out to dinner at a place called Two Fools Tavern. It is the best fish & chips I've had since england and it's a small but lively irish pub. The food is great and the service is even better! It makes me feel like I'm back in Europe when I go in.
After dinner, we went to see a Broadway Hit, Beauty and the Beast! (I think my friends husband was just glad he didn't get dragged to this!) It was just like the movie with a couple additional songs! It was one of my favorite disney movies growing up and the scenery and staging they used was beyond beautiful! We had such a good time and it is something I will remember for a while. I love musicals and plays and really haven't been to any since Bloomington, but I have a feeling that is going to change.


I'm just hoping we get to stay here through January as Wicked is coming! I SO want to see Wicked!

Video Chatting

David has been gone for a full week now. It's never easy when he leaves, but I always understand why he does leave.

Today, we skyped each other and actually got to see each other. It was our first time ever doing that, and it's REALLY cool.

It was pretty funny because once I realized that I had speakers plugged into my lap top and turned them on to hear David, it was even better!

Moose & Stella started going crazy the second they heard David's voice. They were barking and running up the stairs and to the back door and to the front door. They were jumping on the couch and looking up our vaulted ceiling to see if David was up their as well.

Finally, once they calmed down, I brought Moose over to the Computer and he could then see David...oh how that started another commotion! We have a corner desk in our front room with our couch up against it. I have my screen hooked up to the laptop so it's easier for me to work at home. Moose ran to the couch and tried to jump over the back of it to figure out how Daddy was on this screen but not really here. It was really cute! Once Stella figured out where David was at as well, she did the same thing. Thankfully only Moose got his two front paws on the back of our desk and Stella didn't. I was worried that Moose was going to jump on the desk!

It was nice to see David and talk to him. It makes it a lot easier. :) So, anyone who skypes, let me know and we can video chat as well!

Summer!

It has been a few crazy months...extremely busy!

First off, Back at the end of April beginning of May, I had sisters weekend in Vegas with my family. I had a blast and just enjoyed relaxing! I love to see my family any chance I get and it was very nice. We didn't have any real solid plans and just loved it! My plane ride was slightly exciting! In mid flight from where I live to my parents, my flight was re-routed due to the weather. THANKFULLY, I only got in about 2 hours later, and all though I was STARVING it wasn't bad at all. I look forward to sisters weekend every year!

In May we celebrated David's birthday. We were planning on going camping the weekend of his birthday, but David ended up having to work that Saturday and Sunday. On his birthday (it was a Friday) we went out to Dinner, just the 2 of us, to Pappadeaux's. It's a supper yummy seafood place. We don't normally go out for seafood, but David wanted to try it out. We then went and saw Iron Man 2, which we also both enjoyed.



For David's birthday, I got him a great present this year. I got him the MegaTicket. It is 6 concerts for a really good price. David was extremely excited and got his wish of going to a bunch of concerts this year!

The week after David's birthday, we went to our first concert...Brooks & Dunn. They were amazing! They have so many best sellers and we were able to just sit back and relax. The music was great and we had great lawn seats, with lawn chairs!



Two weeks later, we were able to go see Tim McGraw! He knows how to put on a good show! Knew so many songs and was able to dance all along with everyone else!



The same week we saw Tim McGraw, at my office we went on for 10 hours mandatory overtime until we are told otherwise. I thankfully have a code so I can work from home for my overtime, but I have been extremely busy. David is a little sad I'm bringing my work home, but I just remind him that at least I am able to bring home my work and be able to be with him instead at my office working at my desk.

David & I have also really enjoyed going to the Isotopes (minor league baseball) games. We went to 1 in May and 2 this month already. The 1 in May is the only one they have won, but I love to go just sit at the chair with my soda and hold my husbands hand. Nothing is better then that. Last night we went to the 2 game in June and David with 3 other Marines had to do the colorgaurd for the National Anthem. It was really cute, all these little boys get to go out on the field (different teams every game) and meet the team. This one little boy, looking all shy, went past all the baseball players and went up to David and the other Marines and asked them for their autographs! It was super cute!



Now it's the weekend before David leaves for a long course, and we are just going to relax and maybe go to a movie. We really enjoy our time together, and with it limited from both of our jobs, we really treasure the time we have together. I am going to try and really start blogging more. I hope everyone has a great summer!

Landing...

And people say things in Albuquerque can be boring....

A Delta Air Lines flight was rerouted Friday morning after a passenger threatened to blow up the plane, screamed "get behind me Satan" and sprayed passengers with water from a beverage-cart bottle, according to a complaint filed in federal court.
Flight attendants and other passengers on Delta Flight 2148 struggled to restrain the "erratic and dangerous" passenger with seat belts and plastic handcuffs while pilots rerouted the plane to Albuquerque, New Mexico, FBI Special Agent Benedict R. Bourgeois said.
The plane, which was flying from Los Angeles, California, to Tampa, Florida, landed in Albuquerque at 3:37 a.m. ET, the Transportation Security Administration said.
The passenger, Stanley Dwayne Sheffield, was taken into custody shortly afterward.
Law enforcement swept the plane and found nothing suspicious, TSA said. The flight landed in Tampa at about 9:20 a.m. ET, more than three hours after its scheduled arrival.
The complaint said Sheffield, 46, was heading back to his first-class seat from the plane's bathroom when he grabbed a 2-liter water bottle from a drink cart, began spraying passengers and shouted "get behind me Satan."
The complaint said that after a flight attendant asked him to return to his seat Sheffield threatened: "I am going to bring this plane down. ... You need to land this plane or I'm going to blow it up [and] I will blow up this plane and take you all with me."
Passengers "engaged Sheffield in a struggle and restrained him" when he approached the cockpit door, the complaint said.
CNN affiliate KRQE-TV in Albuquerque reported the passenger was a 46-year-old man who allegedly made threats, damaged a bathroom and attempted to enter the flight deck when seven passengers restrained him.
The man was treated for minor injuries he sustained during the struggle and later was turned over to the FBI, the report said.
The TV station reported that the FBI didn't believe the incident was terrorism-related but didn't know if drugs or alcohol were involved.
Delta spokeswoman Susan Elliott said the airline was grateful to passengers for assisting the crew.
The incident comes a day after federal agents removed "a potential person of interest" from a Delta flight during a fuel stop in Puerto Rico, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said. The passenger was taken into custody for questioning.
Delta said the flight was en route from Dakar, Senegal, to New York and continued to New York after the passenger was removed. Law enforcement sources said the passenger is Gambian.
Neither Delta nor the agency provided further details.
A law enforcement source said the passenger did not pose any kind of security threat. He came under suspicion because someone made a false accusation against him, the source said.

Another Baby Shower

This last week was a crazy week. I had an allergies for one of the first times, it was awful! The allergies turned into an awful cold that made me want to stay in all week, but alas, I work again! One of my good friends was having a baby shower on Sunday and I had volunteered to make the cake. This time, I wanted to go above and beyond my other cakes. With me feeling sick the week of the shower, I ended up buying the fondant at a specialty cake shop. It was expensive, but much better then the fondant you can buy at Wal Mart, Michaels or Hobby Lobby. I was even able to buy CHOCOLATE fondant! How cool is that! I didn't even have to make the brown! My friends theme was ladybugs, but not red ladybugs, PINK ladybugs! And her colors were brown and pink. David also helped me make the cake! He was so much help and made it go so much faster! Here are a few pics!


This was the bottom layer. For the ladybug spots and eyes, we used frosting gel

This was the top layer.

The cupcakes were yellow cake with whipped chocolate frosting in the middle. YUMMY! The cakes were marble and they were supper good as well!

America

Today, I experienced something I had never experienced before. One of my good friends became an American Citizen and I went to her ceremony with David, her husband and child. I work across the street from the convention center and was able to just take an early lunch. When I walked into the room the ceremony was happening, I was taken a back, So many people were in this large room. We had 189 people sworn in as Americans today, plus all the family and friends who came to support them. We had the American Legion do the color guard, and we had 2 wonderful voices sing the National Anthem. A judge then came forward and said how happy he was to do these ceremonies, as the people who come are always happy, much not to what he is use to in the Courts normally. We then had a person come forward to announce every Country that was in being represented today. It started with Afghanistan and ended with Vietnam. A total of 82 Countries! Each time a country was said, the people from that Country would stand and everyone would clap. We had the most people from Mexico (not a big surprise) but even had yelps of Hooray with them. My friend was originally from Thailand, and had one other person from that group.
We then continued on after that with the official swearing in. I cannot say what they said because it was long enough for me to take my friends son and her husband to walk across the room and take a picture. But it was amazing hearing all 189 people chanting the words. It gave me chills!

We then all said the Pledge of Allegiance together. The ceremony continued with a Congresswoman giving a speech about heritage and how we are immigrants, whether it be from our forefathers or from them themselves. She was an excellent speaker and spoke also about her own personal heritage. We then heard a message from President Obama and then stode and listened to Lee Greenwood's "Proud to be an American".

We then closed the ceremony by listening to the beginning singers sing America the Beautiful. It was such a wonderful experience and made me really appreciate being an American.

My good friend told me she wasn't telling very many people that she was "just now" becoming a citizen, but I think she is an awesome person and should be recognized! She has lived in America since she was 6 months old, immigrating to America with her parents. Her parents became citizens shortly after my friend turned 18, so she was not "grandfathered" into becoming a Citizen. But I want you to know how proud I am of you!

Infertility

As most people know, David and I are having a difficult time producing a child. Sometimes we are extremely upset once a month, sometimes I cry, sometimes we argue, but overall, we are working on it our way and making do. We are always trying to do better and not worry as much and we are a lot better then in the beginning! A good friend of mine sent me a blog to give me a good laugh and it did and I wanted to share. So, some of the posts are funny and some are stupid, but it's nice to hear a few jokes to lighten that topic.

http://999reasonstolaughatinfertility.blogspot.com

Another Cake

As most of you know, I love making cakes and i love using my new kitchen aid to make fondant icing! So yummy and I never thought I would ever use it for that! 1 1/2 weeks ago, we had a little potluck for an attorney at my work. She is getting married tomorrow in Ohio. Everyone made food and brought it in, but I was in charge of the cake! I made another red velvet cake with white fondant icing. I then learned how to make roses and lilies for the cake. Everyone was so impressed and kept asking me if I had taken cake classes. I told everyone, yes, on you tube! You can learn anything on you tube and it's great! I think the best comment I heard that day was from another attorney who said "I can't even buy a cake that beautiful!" That totally made my day. Here are some pics of the cake!


The front of the cake


The back of the cake, the lines coming down stems, I made a mistake and that was how I covered it up.


The roses


The lilies