Exhausted Jasper

Feb 28, 2016
The boys had been wrestling and Jasper had gotten all excited, concerned, etc so afterwards he was all out breath and exhausted from taking all sides! He is sooo funny! He slowly climbed up on the couch to see if anyone was going to say anything. When all was silent he plopped down and happily enjoyed Ryan's lap!









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Dinner In Old Town

We decided to introduce Jennifer and Taylor to Old town and one of our favorite restaurants! We manage to hit this place about once a year whenever we have been stationed in California. It's a fun place, one of Eds favorite places to go and no complaints from me! We weren't disappointed although i discovered i make better tortilla soup that they do!!!  But the rest of our dinner was delicious!!!  

Taking a fun tourist picture

And another one!

This place is always non stop busy!!!

It was a perfect evening! The heat lamps came on just as the sun began dropping making for a fun cozy dinner.

A decided on a quesadilla. It was delicious! 

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The Friends We Keep Along The Way

It's truly a blessing with all the incredible people we meet living this military lifestyle! A long time ago on an island far far away we were forever blessed to have moved into the concrete bomb shelter in Okinawa back in 2003 that shared walls with the Schmidt family! Kathleen came over the very first day with a plate of brownies and a slew of neighborhood kids! I loved her instantly! Like seriously, chocolate fudge brownies and all my kids immediately left the house to go play with their new friends!!! But I got to know Kat in the days that followed and we have been dear friends to this very day! Forever grateful that Matt got orders to Cherry Point, even though at the time I was quite ticked that they were driving to NC from Ca the VERY week the kids and I were driving from NC to Ca!!!! But those orders were the best for me because Victoria ended up there and Kat n Matt have been Vicki's away from home parents! A house to crash at when the nights are too lonely/scary with her husband deployed, someone to call when a flat tire hits and everything else that happens on a deployment, dinner, breakfast, holidays, and her nurse today and the next few days while Vix recovers from her wisdom being dug out of her!!!! Thank you soooo very much for taking care of our Vixter for us!!!! We love you Kat n Matt and you too Vicki!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ From these pictures we've known you guys for a LONG time!!! Who knew way back in 2003 when Vicki was starting 2nd grade that you guys would be stationed together but her married to the boy who lived 4 doors down?!!!



Spent countless hours chit chatting in our shared front yards


These two always making me laugh!


3D roller coaster fun on Oki!


A night of fun at American Village Okinawa


- Vicki was in 2nd grade when we moved in next door to the Schmidts and their daughter Alex immediately became one of Vicki's best friends!



Jorden was in 7th grade and was best friends with their son Cody

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Dear Mrs. Julia....

I was given this letter today from a student that had made some not so good choices the other day. He was a complete sweetheart when he gave it to me. He said he was really sorry and gave me a big hug. Kids are so funny and always bring more smiles than frustration at work.


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Reminiscing With Dean

Dean was being super affectionate today and we had some really good chit chats. He was the first horse I met. The Dude On A Horse rode him in the Washington DC Memorial Parade in 2014. I met 3 other of the horses but Ed was riding Dean so that was who I spent the most time with. I wonder if he remembers that....probably not, so I reminded him and told him all about it. He was a very attentive listener and gave me lots of nuzzles.





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Kisses For Reno

I was surprised to see Reno at the stables. Ryan and I groomed him. I was teasing Reno telling him he was having a spa day while I was brushing his tail. He is a really sweet horse.

Stable Kitty Lovins

I love the stable kitty's. They are very independent and it took awhile before they would let me pick them up. This one was just a purring motor boat today.

Good Morning Nibbles

I think Ford has missed me. He came right up to me and than proceeded to nibble on me....I've missed him to, but gave him kisses. I'm not a biter! 

A Perfect Family Place

While Ed was busy working Ford the boys were just sitting up on the rails watching. This is such a peaceful place...a perfect place....my favorite place for the whole family to be....I'm gonna miss this place....

Pull Ups At The Stables

I was chit chatting with the horses when some movement caught my eye....

If you look beyond the horse you will see someone on the pull up bar....

It was Ty....if there are Marines there is a pull up bar, even at the stables!!!

Rockin' The Sparkle Sunglasses

We have no idea where Ed's sunglasses are....but my car had an extra pair and Ed rocked them!

Super Bowl 50

I think we are all still kinda in a 'wow' state of mind that our Panthers have made it to the Super Bowl!!! Ed and Ty played a practice game on the Xbox with The Broncos and The Panthers. Broncos won the fake game.....but that doesn't mean anything!!! Go Panthers!!!

The Youngest Is Now Shaving

I can't believe this is happening! My last boy and last child is learning to shave!!! I'm really feeling old!!! When they are little the thought of them EVER shaving seems like something sooooo far down the road, like soooo far that it might not ever really happen! But, it has happened THREE times, with this being the last time.....Ryan is now officially shaving...

Heading Home!

After Ed's 2 weeks in Quantico at Marine Corps University and me attending the last week it was finally time to head home! Of course we had a 7 am flight out of Ronald Reagan so our day started VERY early!!!

After dropping off the rental car we caught the shuttle to our terminal.

An hour later we were sitting in our seats waiting for take off.

Soon we were leaving Phoenix and on airplane number two.

Now back on the west coast and on pacific time we were in OUR car and heading home!!! I feel like I've been gone much longer than a week!!! But it was definitely a fun trip with my Marine!

First Flight Underway....7 am....

We arrived to our seats with plenty of time....now leaving DC and next stop Pheonix! Almost home!!!

5:30 AM And On A Shuttle!

Ed was in a panic because he wasn't as early as he likes to be when he travels solo. I told him all would be fine and we were right on schedule for being there an hour early..... And we were....as well as at our gate 30 minutes before boarding.....

Secret Service EVERYWHERE!

Literally everywhere we were in this area of DC there were Secret Service EVERYWHERE!!! Wasn't sure if I should be worried or feel extra safe!

Iwo Jima In February

This monument is just beautiful....the detail given to every last aspect of this is just amazing....i can never tire of seeing this monument....

Love You More Than Ty

I sent the boys a quick goodnight text last night.....this is the text I woke up to from them. I just love these two so much! Always making me laugh.