Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Combat Dining Out

My sister, Monica, informed me that it was time to update the blog. Since Monica only checks the blog randomly, I knew she must be right. Luckily, I have something to write about. Last weekend Chris and I went to our first Combat Dining Out. We have been to many formal dinners since he's been in the Air Force, and some when he was in ROTC, but nothing has been this fun.

At Combat Dining Out the active duty member wears their uniform (Chris wore his flight suit) and the spouse gets to wear a uniform-like get up as long as there is no rank or American flags on it. I wore Chris' BDU pants (desert colored camo pants) and a black shirt. I added 100% Girl Scout Cookie Seller and a jumping bear patch to my uniform. I also wore his camo hat. I've gotta say, I looked adorable.
When you first get there it's just a social hour, but then you're allowed into the hangar/battle field. Once you pass the doors of the hangar it is open season. I was slightly nervous before the event because I don't think I've ever been in a water gun fight before. The closest I'd come was paintball and I hated that experience! BUT the water gun/water balloon fight was AWESOME! When I first got in I was shooting everyone. Apparently I hit a girl who didn't want to get wet because she was launching water balloons at me the rest of the open fire period. She never hit me - HA! I would like to clarify that she was wearing camo and standing in the battle zone. If you can't run with the big dogs stay on the porch!

The only poor planning part was that we got soaking wet and then sat and ate dinner in our wet clothes in a cold hangar. However, after dinner we got to fire on the high ranking, head table folk! I took aim at Konnie (our first commander's spouse at Mildenhall - the nicest lady ever) and we had a blast soaking each other. All in all, Combat Dining Out rocked and I can't wait to go next year. The only scary part was near the end of the night when Chris got shot directly in the eye and wasn't sure if he was going to get his vision back, but he did so no harm no foul. Woohoo! Water fights every weekend!
End of the night when Chris got shot in the eye! Me being tough! Me, Kelli, Jen, and Jessica

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Exploring the Island

Sometimes there isn't much to do in Okinawa, so Amy and I decided to load up the dog and go exploring. Once you get out of the city, which is hard to do sometimes, you can find some awesome beaches that almost no one goes to, at least not this time of year. I found this one by driving to a spot I found on google maps. When I got as close I I could drive I found a small path through the woods with signs in Japanese at the entrance. Once through the path here is what we found.











You never know what you're going to find on this island. It seems like there are beaches like this all over if you have the time to look for them. Rana had a good time too. Check out this video of her digging after a crab. She loves the sand. Hope you all are doing well!



Thursday, April 16, 2009

Pimp My Ride

These pictures could have been posted months ago, but I was attempting to surprise Chris when he got back from the desert. It worked and he loved his tint job and curtains. We just found out that I'll have a chance to surprise him again when he goes back to the states for instructor school from mid-May until August! YAY! Here you go:
And yes, those are Gator curtains with blue pom-pom balls!

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Home again

Sorry to not post earlier, but Chris made it home safe and sound on Monday. After just 3 short days of flights and an unexpected night in Tokyo he made it back to Okinawa. I had to work all week because it was Spring Break, but I have tomorrow and Tuesday off so we can spend some time together. We're hoping the weather stays as gorgeous as it has been the last couple days so we can head to the beach and kayak. I hope everyone has a great Easter. We're having the traditional rib dinner along with mom's sweet rolls, corn casserole, mashed potatoes, and carrot cake! Talk about a heart attack just waiting to happen. We'll get back to healthy tomorrow (or maybe when the leftovers run out). Here are a few pictures of Chris in the desert - I'm pretty happy he shaved before heading home.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

It's the final countdown...maybe

In theory Chris is coming home Sunday night. I know every non-military person who reads the next part is going to be slightly disgusted with me while every military spouse is going to be thinking "I hear you sister".
When you get the news that your long, lost hubby is coming home you go through a rush of emotions. The first, and most powerful, is "Woohoo! I get to see my honey! YEAH!" For me this was followed shortly after by "Oh, thank god! Someone else can walk that spotty, naughty dog". And then "Oh crap. I better get to the grocery store. I'm going to have to cook real meals for dinner - raisin bran isn't going to cut it." Alrighty, so it's out there. Judge me as you must. I'll keep you posted on when Chris actually gets home.