Oura Wan Cottages

After work on Friday we headed up north to Camp Schwab to visit the cottages at Oura Wan Bay!  I had been day-dreaming about this trip for quite awhile now ... especially when we were in the middle of our training.  It was so much fun and we're hoping to go back and stay in the two bedroom over Memorial Day (it has an amazing view of the entire bay/ocean).

This was the view from our porch:

Michael packing the cooler for an afternoon at the beach:

Enjoying our tasty beverages:

... enjoying them immensely :)

We were so lucky it was such a beautiful day ...

Our little "spot":

Watching some college football on Sunday morning before we came back home :)

Veteran's Day 2008

This is what our Veteran's Day consisted of ... lots of Playstation!  Michael made a deal with me that he wouldn't buy the next Prince of Persia game unless he beat 3 of his current games.  After this weekend he was able to fulfill his promise!

Three...and done.

We are FINALLY done with all of the Marine Corps Balls.  We had the Officer's Ball last night.  It is hard to find someone to do your hair and makeup over here so my co-workers hooked me up with their hair stylist out in town.  It took me awhile to find the location...and when I got there, there was very little English spoken.  FUN stuff.  Luckily I had brought pictures with me and I can get by with my "skoche" Japanese.  Daijabou.  While I was getting my hair done I thought I heard a familiar laugh - come to find out it was my Col's secretary getting her hair done to wear with her kimono!  She is a complete trip ... she even brought her new little kitten with her (whom she named "Peace").  I ended up with hair that wasn't too bad, and my makeup was way better than what I could have done!

Me and Pigdog:

Michael and I at the ball:

Shelly and I plotting our escape:

Sawako-san and I (from the salon):

Bravo Company Marine Corps Ball

Michael's Company's ball was last night and we had a blast (despite the migraine that I got during the ceremony)!  Everything went really well and I'm really proud of how well Michael has done as a CO.

Us at the ball:

Me, Shelly, Max and Julie:

(Shelly has been training Max and I and is competing in a "figure" competition in a few weeks)

Craig, Michael, Col Simonds and Jamie

I LOVED my dress!  I especially loved the back so Michael took a picture of it for me :)

Michael liked taking "candid shots" during the evening:

Max and Craig looking amazing!

1 Down...2 To Go.

We have officially begun Ball season.  Last night we went to Alpha Company's ball and had a great time.  Here are some pics from the event:

Us outside our house:

Craig, Michael and myself before heading in (congrats again Craig on being selected for SgtMaj!):

LtCol Howard, SgtMaj Hunt, SgtMaj Select Yohe, Capt Hager, and Col Simonds:

Having lots of fun! :)

I thought black toes with pumpkins may not really "go" with my gowns, so I ended up getting them re-done: