A military guarantee....

After you get through your first duty station and you start moving around, you begin to know people everywhere you go... and that my friend is one thing you can count on in the military! VA Beach is no different...Our good friends Adam and Sarah moved here a couple of years ago and now they have two beautiful little girls! The boyz and I ventured over to their house yesterday for a day in the sun at the pool! That isn't exactly how it began due to a thunderstorm but we were eventually able to go.
To pass the time, Sarah made me an amazing latte, a skill that has been passed down by her hubby, and to top it off.......it was served in a Whidbey Coffee cup!!!

After the last thunder was heard, we headed to the pool...which proved to be great timing on our part as the pool had cleared out!

On a side note... Nate and I had an unwelcome visitor climbing on our bedroom wall last night...seconds later it said hello to our boyz bat..... I don't think we are in Whidbey anymore!!

Life is a Highway.....Well at least for two weeks it was!

Cooper's favorite song is the theme song from his favorite movie, Cars, entitled, "Life is a Highway" and how fitting that song was as we traveled cross country with the boyz!
Three weeks ago, we said goodbye to our amazing friends and beautiful home and set a course for Virginia Beach for our own personal deployment (that is what I am calling the next 7-10
months)!

You might ask what the key is to handling a drive across country with two boyz???... #1 - Goody bags for each of the boys - I am not even exaggerating when I say the boyz colored all morning!

#2 - Candy for each state that we drove through...one day they picked out a toy but that was worth three states! The toy of choice...FBI kits!!

#3 - LOTS OF LOUD MUSIC AND DANCING!!

On our first day our destination was Spokane...along the way we stopped at a Scenic Vista (Nate was driving) along the Columbia River. Nate actually wanted to point out that he had flown this many times during his low level flights! The iron horses were a big hit with the boyz!

The first of many "treasures" that Connor found on the trip!

We finally made it to Spokane where we met Amy, Ty, Van, and Nancy at the Air National Guard Base! My best friend Amy is dating a pilot there and he was on call that weekend and couldn't leave the base! It just so happened that her parents were going to be there as well....It couldn't have been better timing!!! WE LOVE THE SWITZERS!!!
We had a great time at the bowling alley and the boyz were introduced to roller skating!

Our visit was way too short but the drive had to go on...... The next day found us driving through the good ol' states of Idaho and Montana!!! The highlight of the trip??? This billboard showcasing one of their finest festivals....it seriously was not a joke!

Montana is one LONG state and even longer when you don't have cell service! The drive through North Dakota was no different than the other states....still no cell service and these signs at every exit..

(Note to self...do not attempt to teach your sons the motions of how to get a truck driver to honk at you because you might just miss the ONLY exit that actually has services and your gas light is ON)
We finally made it to Emily, Minnesota - which is ironic because that is where our good friend Emily was and that was who we were visiting!!! Emily just so happened to be visiting her parents at the same time that we were driving through so we spent two nights with her kids and her amazing family!!! She is one of nine children and she has five of her own! Just being with them it made you want to have more kids...IF you didn't have to gain the weight, give birth, go through the sleepless nights..okay you get the point!

We had a great time hanging out with her family, swimming at the lake, and of course TRYING to play volleyball with her professional brothers! They made a volleyball court in their backyard...and let me tell you they don't mess around- they are that good!! Thanks Em for opening up your family's home..it was AWESOME (as the kids said)!

The day that we left we made it to Chicago where we stayed with a former Black Raven! For dinner??? What else....PIZZA!!

If you are wondering about Connor's eye...he scratched it on a tree branch when he was on Nate's shoulders! Of course we went to the ER -it's the Barton thing!!! (the cut became infected two days later and they had to clean it out!!!)
On our way home, the boyz were able to get their own personal tour of the Chicago fire department!

Thursday night....after six days of traveling.. we were finally in PA!!! During our time we got to see all the Grandma's which was our number one priority! Of course we were able to squeeze in some fun!

Nate and I traveled on to VA by ourselves so Nate could start work and I began the task of finding schools for the boyz! After a family reunion in between that the boyz and I were able to go to...we were finally in VA as a family!!! Let the new chapter begin...

Farewell to The World Famous Black Ravens

Last week was Nate's official final week in VAQ 135....for me it marked the beginning of shore tour, for Nate it took on a different meaning. For one, he had to say goodbye to a lot of his close friends in the squadron and it also meant that he was going to fly the Prowler for the last time in his career! On Tuesday afternoon, we watched Nate come into the break for the very last time in a Prowler...

Nothing like being sprayed with champagne to celebrate the occasion...

His crew for his last flight.. (FNG, Chicken, Nate aka Vili, and Wolf)

The very next night was our Dining Out - we were celebrating the Black Ravens 40th anniversary! I love when my hubby is all decked out in his full dress blues and whites!!! Oh how I love my man in uniform!

The next morning was our Change of Command Ceremony.... the best part about it??? My hubby received a leadership award and an achievement medal ...I knew I wasn't the only one who thinks he is pretty great! I am so proud of you!!!

Another chapter in our lives closed....and a new one is about to begin....VIRGINIA HERE WE COME!!!!!

Birthday Get-a-way!!

The Monday before my birthday, my hubby surprised me with a night away at the Sailish Lodge in Snoqualmie Falls! After dropping off the kids at Beth and Carter's house (a million thanks to both of you) and a quick stop at our local Starbucks we were on our way! We were celebrating many things.....my 34th birthday, our 7th Anniversary, SHORE TOUR!!!!!!, and Nate's transition to the Growler!! My hubby spared no expenses on this trip and treated me like a Queen ( I was going to say princess but now that I am 34 I thought the whole princess thing might be pushing it)

Our room for the night was not only amazing and romantic but had a spectacular view of the falls! If you wanted, you could even order pillow service - there was an entire list of a variety of pillows to meet your every need! Now that is what I call pampering....but it didn't stop there!

We decided to take a quick hike down the falls before dinner to take in the breathtaking views and of course get some exercise!!! All that fresh air though can make you hungry so we decided to take some "snacks" on the way - and since we were away from Connor - Peanut M&M's were not just calling but actually SCREAMING my name!!

The three mile hike down the falls didn't take as long as we thought it would - I guess that is to be expected when you are with your best friend! (and no kids!!!)

That evening we had a relaxing dinner at the Bar lounge with great food, conversation, and drinks! With time like this.. I think we could have solved the world's problems in just one sitting - well honestly we just talked about us and our families - my favorite conversation topic!

The next morning (the day you have to leave) always seems to be a bit of a downer...but not with my hubby in charge! After an amazing breakfast (probably one of the best I have ever had) there was yet another surprise.....couple massages!!!! Talk about a relaxing!!!
Thank you Nate for a wonderful get-a-way and making me feel so special!!! It couldn't have been more perfect! You are my favorite gift by far - I love you!

Jedi in Training!

Talk about patience...for being 5 Connor is the master of it!! Since Nate was on the boat we had told Connor that we would celebrate his birthday the day Dad came home - well when Nate was flown off the carrier for Cooper, Connor thought we were going to celebrate his birthday. I can see the whole logic in it...his Dad was coming home, but the birthday party would have to be put on hold again! SO the day we came home from the hospital we celebrated Connor's birthday in Connor style - steak, rice, fruit salad, and a cake - and of course lots of presents!!!

The following Monday we threw Connor his long awaited Star Wars the Clone Wars Party. You know your little boy is not so little anymore when he tells you he wants an all boy birthday party and then proceeds to tell you that he likes his friends that are girls but it would be best if it was just boys!

All of the boys came eager for their Jedi Training - a mission they eagerly accepted. The first task - to see how long they could keep the balloons in the air with their saber swords (which I made out of swimming noodles and electrical tape)!

Their second mission was to save Obi Wan, Yoda, and Padme who were taken by the Droids (simply stomping on the balloons which had pictures of the characters in them)!

Their favorite mission.......attacking Darth Vader by way of Green Light (Yoda) / Red Light (Darth Vader).

As the Star Wars theme played loudly in the yard, Darth Vader came out to accept the challenge!

There was no chance for this Darth Vaders with the Jedi's we had at our party!

The last mission: Destroying the Death Star

Happy Birthday Connor - you are the best Jedi there is!!!