Happy 8 Years to US!!!

July 24th will roll around soon, and in true Navy style, we are missing another anniversary together.

And since I will be traveling through California for the next few weeks, I thought I'd go ahead and post this now since I'll be far from a computer for a while. 

EIGHT wonderful years together!

TWO adorable girls growing up in front of our eyes!

FOUR times moving our lives across the states to new Navy destinations!

COUNTLESS memories captured over our years together.....

with ENDLESS memories yet to be made!

We may have found LOVE in California, but who knows where we will end up year after year!!??

I guess I was cut out for this military lifestyle after all, because years later I still LOVE the thrill of finding out where we will live next........

 Happy Anniversary Mike!! 

Even though we don't look quite as youthful as these shots from 8 years ago, we are still looking pretty darn good!! Have a wonderful anniversary on your end--Here's to many more wonderful years filled with adventure and new discoveries!! CHEERS!!! :) A

Out to Sea.....Week #3

 On the flag bridge

 Standing with the Rock of Gibraltar in the background--Mike has MANY uniform changes with this job, so he swaps between the green flightsuit, these blue camo's, and his dress whites!

  As they crossed by the Rock, Mike says there is an old sailor’s tale that the monkeys that live on the rock will swim out to your ship and stow away during a transit, so it is tradition for kids to dress up and fight off the monkeys.  This is a picture of the flight deck "monkey patrol" as they did a dance to ward off any potential monkeys.

 Submarine running alongside the carrier during part of their travels

 And a small glimpse into Mike's living quarters on the ship! 

His rack (bed), TV setup and mini desk! All squeezed into a small space!!

Abby in July

 We started July with a visit to the Apple store at the mall, I needed to get my new iPhone connected!

It was the kids first visit there, and right away they jumped out of the stroller and attacked the kids iPad station and knew exactly what to do! So proud!! Techy kids!!
Mike's response to this photo-- "Oh no, now she knows where they live" (Apple products that is.....)

 I ordered Abby a new backpack, which will hopefully last the next few years I hope! It will also double as a great storage bag for her to carry on our big CA trip next week! She loves showing it off!

 Abby loves to jump off the diving board.....Maddy likes to stand on it and push Abby off the end, but she won't jump herself yet! For being our outgoing/boisterous child, I'm surprised she doesn't just go for it!!

Week #2 Complete--With their 1st Port Call!

Mike started this week by crossing the Strait of Gibraltar and the rock as they headed to their first port call destination, Palma de Mallorca, Spain! This is Mike's first Eastern cruise, so these are all new and exciting port calls for him to check off the "visited" list under the promise "Join the Navy, see the world".....which seems to be working out okay so far!

 Mike and his office mate (the writer for the Admiral) standing on the bridge as they travel the seas

 Thought this map might be helpful to show where they travelled

They left Palma Island today.....and luckily we got to talk to him over the phone a few times and Skype too! Technology will surely help this deployment seem a bit easier.

Girls Night!

Just in case you think I love my kids so much to never leave them.......NOT!!!! 

This mommy needs some time off too!

My day started yesterday with one of my best friends bringing me flowers........followed by hours of fun swimming with the kids and friends, and then a nice glass of wine, which led to the babysitter arriving, my friends picking me up (so I could have a drink at dinner too!!! love them) and then we were off to dinner and a movie.....just us 7 girls!! FUN night out. Helps break up the monotony of toddler interaction all day!

Thank you to all my good NAVY friends out here who know how to help make my days better!!

There's nothing a little babysitting expense and wine can't fix!!