Surprise Christmas

I am going to just skip Christmas this year.  At least that is what I thought I would do.  Mission failed (in the best way possible).  I had gone into my boss' office to beg for the Friday before Christmas off.  I decided that skipping Christmas was really the worst idea ever...with Mike gone, I needed a family Christmas more than ever.  My boss really tried to give me the day I needed off, but he resigned that he just couldn't do it.  A couple hours later, my boss called me into his office.  He couldn't give me Friday off, but he could give me Christmas Eve off.  Are you kidding me?  Christmas Eve off...don't mind if I do :) 

Courtesy of Kim Venzon

With not even two weeks until Christmas, I booked a flight.  I decided not to let everyone know that I was coming.  I told mom (someone had to pick me up from the airport) that I would be arriving the day of our family Christmas (Saturday this year).  Everyone else was completely surprised by my presence.  We had a great family Christmas filled with food, drinks, and presents.  The only things that were missing were Mike and Buckley.  Although, Buckley did have a pretty good time at doggy daycare...here is her holiday portrait.

I was also able to surprise the Sands family.  It was so great to see Madelynne and Emily; these are the girls that I lived with for a good chunk of their childhood.  I cannot believe that it had been over a year since I had seen them last.  Luckily, the Sands were gracious about letting me crash their Christmas celebrations.  We went to Julie's parents' house for their annual Christmas Eve celebration, and I was woken up to the cries of "Santa came, Santa came" on Christmas morning.  

Maddy, me, Em

My holiday trip was capped off with a trip to the casino with the parents, Grandma, and Aunt Eileen.  We gambled a little and shared a delicious meal.  My trip home for the holidays was everything I needed...a good dose of family and friends.  Coming home to a snuggley puppy wasn't terrible either :)

Thanks Aunt Eileen for the rawhide Christmas Card!

 

Happy Saintsgiving

Thanksgiving was slightly anticlimactic here in the Pacific Northwest.  I worked the day before Thanksgiving, and I spent the holiday snuggling with Buckley and packing for my trip to New Orleans.  I did, however, manage to whip up a small Thanksgiving feast (so as to not fully miss out on the celebration).

I made a 4 lb. turkey breast

I headed to the airport early Friday morning.  We had been planning a family trip to New Orleans for quite a while.  In honor of Mom's 60th birthday, we celebrated NOLA style.  Mom, my brother Kev, his girlfriend Kim, and friends Rob and Erin all met in NO. We stayed in "the Burgundy Cottage" which is the guest quarters of a private residence.  The cottage had so much charm, and the hosts were very knowledgeable.  We were walking distance to most every attraction in NO (although Mom might disagree).

Outside "the Burgundy Cottage"

The six of us gorged on delicious seafood, grits, po' boys, jambalaya, etouffee, and beignets.  There may have been a cocktail or two involved as well.  Everybody has to experience strolling down Bourbon street with a drink in hand, right?

We enjoyed the architecture and music of the city as well.  Mom got her requested picture with a balcony :)  Kim "saw" jazz as she requested :)  We meandered around one of the old cemeteries, explored the French Quarter, and spent a good amount of time on Frenchmen Street.

St Louis Cathedral

Street Music

Sunday was the day I had been looking forward to most: a Saints game at the Superdome!!!  The six of us dressed up in our finest Saints gear and pre-gamed on Bourbon street.  We made it to the Superdome, climbed our way to the very top of the stadium, and cheered for our beloved Saints.  Despite the fact that the Saints basically handed the Niners the game (some may argue on a silver platter), we had a blast.

3 for 1 drinks

Bourbon Street Balcony

Saints love America

I am so very thankful that I was able to spend quality time those that I love in an amazing city.

My favorite picture of the weekend :)

Weekend Happenings

I cannot say that the weekend was super exciting, but I did manage to keep myself busy and get through a holiday weekend without my other half.  Buckley and I wandered around the Proctor Farmer's Market on Saturday; we didn't buy anything but enjoyed the cool weather.  Because the sun was out, I decided to get in a little yard work.  I mowed both the front and back yards.  I also got rid of our summer garden (as the temps have dropped below freezing already).  The night was capped with some chili dogs and a UCLA win! 

Our attempt at growing brussel sprouts

On Sunday, I went to our favorite breakfast spot for a comforting meal.  Mike and I had eaten there the day before he left.  The chef and owner knows us pretty well; he spent some extra time chatting with me as I was alone.  I took the pup to the dog park and did a little grocery shopping.  I made some delicious soup (recipe from eatliverun.com). 

My plan for keeping myself whole during the deployment was to do some hot yoga.  I bought a groupon for 10 classes at the studio which is a block from my house.  Mike and I had attempted a session together a while back.  Mike joked that the only pose he was successful at was "puddle pose."  Going through the different poses in 100 degree heat really is a great workout.

Mike and I after our first hot yoga experience.

Happy Veterans' Day

Happy Veterans' Day.  

   Thank you to all our veterans.

Seattle Seahawks

I was invited to go to a Seahawks game today...a welcome distraction.  My friend Karen from work has season tickets.  We left pretty early in the morning to begin the day with tailgating.  We had some beers and enjoyed some great tailgating food including beef pho (yum).  I cheered the Seahawks fans on in games of beer pong and flip cup.

They call him "Bubba"

Flip Cup

Garlic Fries

4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division

The game was a blast.  We yelled, we cheered, and we high-fived.  The Seahawks beat the Vikings (sorry Mike).  I really had a blast at my first NFL game.  Looking forward to the Saints game later this month!!!

Cheers!

Can You Fall in Love with a Place?

If the answer is "yes," then I certainly have fallen in love with the University of Puget Sound campus.  UPS is a small liberal arts college (less than 3,000) students that is right in my neighborhood.  Mike, Buckley, and I have driven and walked by the school numerous times.  Maybe Mike's deployment has given me new eyes, but I really never noticed how beautiful the school's campus is until today. 

After spending much of this rainy Saturday on the couch snuggled up with Buckley, I found it in myself to take Buckley on an adventure outside the house.  There are a ton of great areas to walk around including a park nearby.  Today, I decided I needed a change and headed toward UPS.  Mike and I had spent a dinner reading about the school in the last week, and it must have been on my mind. 

It was a cool and drizzly Saturday afternoon.  The UPS Loggers losing playing a spirited football game. 

The fall colors were absolutely stunning.  Buckley was just happy to be outside. 
I was mesmerized by the architecture and the green spaces that the campus offers.  

Love those doors

Library in the background

Almost feels like I could go camping on the campus :)

Now I just have to wait 9 months to show Mike the magic that was in our front yard all along :)

I love brick buildings

Perfect Package

After kissing Mike goodbye, I arrived home to find the perfect package waiting in my mailbox.  I had ordered it weeks ago, but it arrived just when I needed it most.

The necklace is my "deployment necklace."  Although Mike and I will be mountains (and oceans) apart, our love will transcend the distance.  It is perfect.

Deployment Ceremony Weekend

Mike's family made the journey to the Pacific Northwest this weekend for Mike's deployment ceremony and, more importantly, quality family time.  Thursday morning was the ceremony, and we were lucky enough to have some sunshine during the event (although fall has certainly arrived in Tacoma).  My husband joined about 3,000 other soldiers on the parade field at Fort Lewis for the farewell ceremony.  Although this is not our first deployment, this was my first deployment ceremony.  Seeing the huge number of soldiers on the field served as a reminder that I am not the only one experiencing the deployment of a loved one.  It, however, did very little to prepare me for the nine months ahead.  I am very proud of my husband and the soldiers who serve alongside him.  I especially look forward to welcoming him home at the end of next summer.

Alex, Jenelle, Mike (Buckley), me, Rosemary, Doug

Christmas Card :)

Mike Marching

There is no doubt that the highlight of the weekend was time spent with family.  We ate, we played, and we certainly laughed.  Mike made some efforts to entertain Alex; a trip to the go-cart course, a night playing games at an arcade, and a tour of the chocolate factory.  Sitting around the table eating or around the coffee table playing games proved to be my favorite moments of all.

Dinner is Served

Fremont, Lenin Statue

Siblings

Theo Tour (again)

Video Games and Beer

I'll leave you with my favorite picture of the weekend...