Country Cruising Day 2- At Sea

Our first full day at sea and we spent the entire day literally, in the hot tub other wise known at a Spa by some Californians we met. Sarah's Mom and Aunt were in there and we went in to chat with them and never left. So many people came and went, there were so many different conversation going and of course endless amounts of drinks. Brandy and I got out at one point to go to the restroom and look who we ran into. (below middle) Nancy happened to be walking up at the same time so we were able to get a quick hello in. The only one at that. Brandon (top left) and Joe stopped by to say hello on their way to play a little basket ball before they had to get ready for their evenings performance. 

I really couldn't imagine going on this cruise with anyone else. We have so much fun together and I just love these girls to pieces. 

There were several different artist that played through out the day while we were hanging in the "Spa". Wynnona and her husband came out and did a Q&A session. But the one that caught our eye was Bryan Edwards because of his "Aloha" shirt he was wearing. Nancy and I called him over and we chatted for a bit before we convinced him to get in the spa with us for a picture. 

That evening Montgomery Gentry preformed in the main theater for our show / concert. 

I knew a hand full of their songs, they defiantly made you want to get up on your feet and dance and we did just that. The two of them together were so funny but so genuine at the same time. 

Later that evening we made our way to the Atrium to watch Brandon & Leah. I absolutely LOVE her voice and their songs, well there not country but who cares. She's amazing. If you've never heard of them just google or YouTube their names. They made the cutest couple ever and Joe is the perfect addition to the group. 

Eventually we made our way to Bliss were we met up with everyone for the evening. We hung out, had to many drinks as we always did and did a little dancing ;) I think it was always one of those times of day we all enjoyed the most. You could really let loose and not worry about anything. We always managed to meet knew people each night to. Some stuck around and others not so much. 

We made our way to the Atrium for our late night / early morning food fix and the let down was still there. It was the same as the first night Salad, Burgers, Hot Dogs, Chicken Wings and Spinach did. It was pretty horrible but we some how managed to eat it any ways. 

After eating someone had the bright idea that we should stay up and watch the sunrise. I'm pretty sure it was Nancy's idea but I could be wrong. We toyed with the idea for a bit, Sarah was not so sure of it at first. We were all pretty tired but figured what the heck we were already up and the sunrise was in about a hour or so. So why not. Everyone was on board and we made our way to the back of the ship. We got absolutely no pictures of the sunrise (well minus two but nothing spectacular)

From left to right top- Joe, Brandy, Ben, Me, Nanc, Sarah and Elliot (who we met early that night). 

Carey and Brian. 

Sarah, Elliot and I made our way down to a lower deck for a better view. While they sipped on some coffee, I enjoy a cup of Hot Chocolate (I don't do coffee). As we watched the sunrise, it was nice to sit down and just chat away from all the craziness and nonsense. 

Eventually the rest of the group caught up with us, there was talk of going back to the room and going to bed. Which seemed funny because there was people getting up and coming out for breakfast and here we were still dressed from the night before. Someone came up with the idea to go change into our swim suits and go lay out by the pool and get a few hours of sleep. This way we had good pool side seats for the day's concerts. It sounded like a crazy idea at first and again we all went back and forth with it and finally agreed we do it. Everyone split and went their separate ways with the plan to meet back up by the pool right after changing. 

When we got to our room there was a little something waiting for Sarah, she loves loves the towel animals. So to say she was a little excited to see them would be a under statement.

We changed and headed back up to the pool deck were we continued our day…..

12th Annual SparkleBerry Swamp Poker Run

When Kelly first mentioned something to me about doing the Swamp Poker Run with her & the fam, my first though was "its a run / race"?? What is it, I don't understand..... she told me to google it and look up pictures. After doing so I was in and knew it would be a blast. I've never been on a fishing boat before so it was going to be a new experience for me. A day out on the water with some great friends I couldn't wait. 

I'm sure your still wondering what the Sparkleberry Poker Run is......let me explain. Everyone gathers at Lake Marion and puts there boats in the water. There's any were from 2-10+ people in each boat and there was about 350 boats. It's along the same lines as playing poker. You can purchase as many poker cards as you'd like. We got two for the seven people that were in our boat (they are $25.00 a piece). There are 5 stops along the lake were you pull off to and pick a card from the dealers at the boat stations. You give them your poker card (a piece of paper) and they mark what card you got in the box that goes along with their station. As you go along the lake there tons of boats playing music, jammin out, enjoy lots of adult beverages and good food. It's great because you can get out and swim and hang out as long as you want. There's no time line to it, your not trying to see who get's to the end first. Your really just out there to cruise along the lake and have a good time. We spent 6 hours out on the boat and I had a nice little sun burn going on, thankfully my face didn't get burned at all thanks to my hat Kelly had got me for my birthday. Working on my summer tan!!! At the end of the day once we got back to the dock everyone met up and they were through all the poker cards and who ever had the best hands were able to pick a prize from the tables they had set up. They had prizes for just about any and every hand you could of had. Of course they started with the highest and best first. We ended up getting Harry, Kelly's husband two duck calls. He liked them so that's all that matters, they definietly got their money's worth back. 

I had such a great time, it was honestly by far one of my favorite day's here in the South so far. The only thing that could have made it even better would have been if the hubbs could have can. But I guess someone's got to train America's future Soldiers. 

Beachin it up!!!

There's no better way to spend the day when you live in Hawaii than at the beach. So today I did just that, with my pups that is. My friend Sarah and her hubby were taking their doggie Ella to Hickam dog beach aka the sandbar & invited us to join with them. We made our way down around 11:30 this afternoon and had lots of fun in the sun. The pooches ran up and down the beach, they swam in the ocean until they couldn't swim any more. They made lots of new friends of ALL sizes from a 4 month old beagle puppy to a 3 year old English Bull mastiff. I love going to the beach with the puppies and watching them run up and down the beach. They get so excited and start going crazy and next thing you know all the dogs are running back and forth. I wish Gabe was here to go with us, but I guess until he gets back it will just be the pups and me. I can't wait to go to the beach as a family again.

My loves

My Puppies & Me

Sarah had treats

Bailey relaxing on the beach

Playing in the ocean

21 again....

Sweet "T" was turning "21" again for the 5th time and there was two days worth of festivities going on to celebrate. Seeing how much I just love birthdays and she is one of the sweetest people I know, I opted to get the cake. A "Beach theme ~ Red Velvet" cake is just what the birthday girl ordered.
The cake was originally suppose to be for day two but we decided last minute to bring it along for dinner Friday evening. With a few of her closest friends surrounding her we gathered for a fantastic meal at Bucca di Beppo. I am absolutely in love with that place. There was people there that she had worked with and then people she had met through the army. I had met one of the "army" people briefly about 2 weeks ago but other than that I didn't know anyone there. It worked out neat because all her "work" people sat at one end of the table and all us "army" people sat at the other end of the table. As us "army" people talked and exchanged stories, I gained 3 new friends that are sweet as ever.



As the night came to a end we had so much food left over, everyone still managed to have some room for yummy cake. The first time T saw the cake was when the wait staff brought it to the table. She just absolutely loved it, the smile on her face and excitement in her eyes was priceless. I was worried about the flavor because I'd only had Red Velvet one other time and I can tell you I was not a fan of it at all, but this cake was SOOOOO good. I was totally sold on it by the end of the evening.




Going with the "5th Anniversary of her 21st Birthday" as the theme for the party mint nothing else but to go big or go home. I snagged a few small shot bottles of alcohol at the Class Six on post, the cutest little box and a "Happy 21st Birthday card" as her gift. It went perfect with the theme of the day, you are only as old as you make your self out to be. SO LIVE LIFE UP AND ENJOY IT BECAUSE YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE!!!!!!!!!!!!



Day two of events started with a mad dash through the commissary with T getting food and drinks for the BEACH PARTY!!!!!!! A hour and a half late (party was suppose to start at 12pm) after sitting in traffic on our way to Chuns beach on North Shore we finally arrived. Both my car and hers loaded with food, drinks, tables, a tent and the rest of the cake. It was a gourges day out and we had a blast. T's friend H has a boat and drove it down to the beach from Haleiwa harbor, after hanging out on the beach for a while a few of them decided they were gonna go take the boat out and go fishing. They just happened to invite me along and I was quick to take them up on it. I grew up on the water, going out in the boat every weekend and driving it around so this was right up my alley. While H went spear fishing I had the chance to drive the boat around the Pacific Ocean with Branch. It was SOOO much fun, it felt like old times on the boat back in Texas. Radio up, guys had a drink and the only thing missing was my ski and a rope. After about a good hour of driving around in the boat we went back to the beach and hung out a bit more with the birthday girl had some good laughs and played catch with the football. Another trip was a must and this time more people came along for a ride. H let me drive the boat the entire time which was totally awesome, as we drove down to Sunset beach we saw 2 rainbows, drove under a few rain clouds and just had a blast cruising around the Pacific. I was a happy girl and just wish that Gabe could have been here to join in on the fun.




The evening ended around 8pm with us finally packing up and off to Breakers for some more celebrating. T & myself along with 3 of the guys decided to go, It was semi short lived for T and I as the guys were a bit crazy do to the lovely alcohol but we still had a awesome time. It was loads of fun meeting new people and just hanging out not having to worry about a thing in the world. I really needed to just let go and have a good time. The stress of the deployment and work along with the lack of sleep has taken a toll on me so today was a MUCH needed FUN DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fun 'n the Sun

A wonderful afternoon at Bellow AFS with some great friends is how we spent our Sunday. We started off at the beach taking in the sun rays and the waves. We've been to Bellow's a number of times but this was the first to spend the day at the beach. It was so pretty and peaceful. There were quite a few people but it wasn't at all overly crowded. I like the different colors of the ocean as you look into the distance you can see the change depending on the depth of the sea. Its just so breath taking as well as the waves coming in.






After a couple hours of soaking up the sun we decided to walk across the street and play a round of miniature golf. I have not played miniature golf in FOREVER. The best part about it was my love bug suggested it. I love when he suggests things to do, I know it may sound silly but to me its a big deal. We totally sucked at golfing but it was a blast and another first for the hubby and I. The course was small but it still took some time to get through, lots of laughs and just enjoying a day being a kid again was great.