Christmas Weekend 2015

We had a wonderful relaxing low key Christmas weekend this year. We stayed home through the Holiday. We didn't have any family come to visit, it was just the two of us. Plus of course the furry mutts. But it was just perfect. It was nice not to have to worry with the hustle of trying to get from one families home to another. Staying home we where able to do our own thing and simply enjoy each other. I unfortunately had to work up until the day before Christmas Eve, which I suppose wasn't that bad. Other that the fact that I would have much rather been at home with the hubbs. I ended work late Wednesday night due to us having our Preschool Christmas Spectacular Concert. It went off great and everyone really seemed to enjoy it.

Christmas Eve Morning we woke up and went for a bike ride on post. I really enjoying riding together. It's become something I look forward to doing on the weekends. After our morning ride we went home and I made some delicious GingerBread Pancakes for breakfast.

The hubbs had plans to go shooting with a buddy of his early afternoon which left me home alone. I took full advantage of the day and cleaned the house top to bottom. I even straighten up the garage and took the pups for a walk. It's such a wonderful feeling so have a spic and span home. 

We lounged around the rest of the day and watched Christmas movies. For dinner we carried on a Family Tradition having Sandwiches for dinner. We enjoyed some tasty Turkey, Ham, Bacon and Cheese Croissant Melts with a side of Sweet Potato Puffs. One of my favorites :). Followed by more Christmas Movies.

Christmas Morning we managed to sleep in a little bit, which was nice and much needed. We agreed to wait and exchange gifts till after I got breakfast in the oven. At his request, Homemade Cinnamon Rolls. Don't mind if I do, I absolutely love them. With breakfast in the oven, the hubbs gave the pups their gift, a large bone each. They seemed to really enjoy it. We too turns opening gifts from each other as well as my Nene. Generally each year it seems like I end up going with a theme for his gifts and this year was no different. It was all about it bike. He received clip on peddles, a bike maintenance book, a bike maintenance rack and clip on shoes. Of course there where a few other odds and ends added in there as well. I received lots of kitchen ware, a oldie but most defiantly a goodies. A new complete set of tubberware (seeings the hubbs has managed to loose not one, two but three sets since he's been home, don't even get me started), a waffle maker, a electric pancake griddle (both of which I'd been wanting). The hubbs also gave me a new Garmin Fitness watch which I'm still learning and playing around with. We of course did get each other a few things for the Westy. Christmas wouldn't have been complete if we hadn't.

We spent the day lounging around doing absolutely nothing, we stayed in our pjs all day and just relaxed. Something we never do and let me tell you it was so nice. For dinner we went a non-traditional route, Kabobs. Our menu included: Seared Bison topped with sautéed Mushrooms and Feta, Grilled Chicken and Veggies with a Plain Baked Sweet Potato. It was just perfect and tasted fabulous.

Saturday, I decided to go with the hubbs to his match,  this way we could go down into Nashville afterwards and do a little shopping. After grabbing some lunch we headed back home to de-christmas the house. I absolutely love the Holiday's and the way our home looks when its decorated but I was ready to get it back to normal. We managed to get everything down, packed away, the tree and loads of boxes that had been piling up loaded in the truck and off to the dump. It was a great feelings to have all of that done and behind us.

Sunday, we went on a ride, came home busted out the new waffle maker for breakfast and made Belgian Waffles. The rest of the day was just kinda hanging out. We ran a few earns but nothing to fancy. It was a bit rainy and ugly out so we took advantage and chill-axed at home.

All in All it was a great weekend, just the two of us and I really wouldn't have had it any other way. I hope you and yours had a wonderful Holiday. Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Day!!

It's so hard to believe that its already Christmas Day, seems like just a few weeks ago it was summer. The morning started off with breakfast in the oven. I love meals that you prep the night before only to pop in the oven the next morning. Then of course the traditional picture in front of our Christmas tree. I love that the In-Loves were able to be here for Christmas to celebrate with us. We always have so much fun when we are all together.  

One last picture of our beautiful tree Christmas morning!!! We've added the gate around the bottom, it has been in the hubbs family for over 30 years. The hubby's parents mailed it to us last week. They have another one that has been in the family for 75 years. We are going to switch this one out for the older one because the hubbs likes that one more. I was kinda hesitant about it at first but I really really like it. It completes the tree and makes it look really neat. 

Hubby played Santa and passed every ones gifts out to them before we opened them. They we went in a circle and opened one at a time, one after another. I like doing it this way, this allows everyone to see and enjoy in the excitement of what you are opening. (plus it last's longer)

Just a few of the goodies the hubs got for Christmas this year. 

Checking out his Stocking Stuffers, Shooting Shock Timer, Handle Grip for his rifle and Ammo Reloading Dies. 

All on his wish list!!! What a lucky boy!!!

 This girl got her very first KitchenAid for Christmas. I never had any desire to have one until about two weeks or so ago when the hubbs started asking me about one. It was then I started doing a little research on them and COLORS. I was totally sold once I found this fabulous Raspberry Ice color KitchenAid. I HAD to have it. I researched every possible website to find the best deal,  I sent him the link were I found it on aafe's with a coupon discount code. Really what more do you need. :) I love it, its beautiful and I seriously don't know how I went this long with out one. 
fssGgG  The hubbs is wanted to start reloading Ammo for shooting. I was hesitant on him doing it only because its really time consuming but its something he really wants to do. I don't know what I didn't think about it before, but it hit me like 5 days before Christmas. GET HIM A RELOADER for Christmas, hello talk about the perfect gift. I waited till after we had breakfast, cleaned up the living room and set up my KitchenAid before I gave it to him. I had it hid up in my closet, it was a pretty good surprise because he wasn't expecting it at all. Wife of the year award here please :). 

Just a few of the gifts I got from the hubbs and Spouse. I never take my house keys with me when I go some were with the hubbs. Why? Because he always has his so why do I need mine. Well he always gets so annoyed with it, for whatever reason is beyond me. lol So he bought me a key chain so I'll take them with me. Its a really pretty one from Coach, ok so I "might" start taking my keys with me......we will see. lol. My current MacBook Pro is / was on its last leg so he got me a new one. My Spouse also sent me the cutest two picture frames. One with a heart cut out and inside was a map of Dallas, which included the area were we got married. The other one said "Home is Where Your Story begins" with a map of the island of Hawaii. I absolutely LOVED them both. 

Pictures from the Spouse, MAHALO Spouse I love them!!!!!

A few more of the goodies I got from the hubbs and the In-Loves. More Fiestaware, cooking spices, picture frame, K-cup holder (to replace our current one, in order to set up the kitchenaid) hand help blender mixer thingy and matching pink eye and ear pro for when we go shooting. 

I always have to borrow eye and ear pro from the range when we go because I don't have my own like the hubbs. Since he's been trying to teach me to be a better shooter and have home self defense training when it comes to shooting I was excited about these. The ear pro band has really good cushion so I wont get head aches, like before. I love that he got pink to, he's so good to me. 

Oh yes it didn't take long to break out the KitchenAid and put it to use. Making the filling for Keefel cookies, I'm love my new toy :) Grown up toys are so fun!!!! 

We spent the afternoon making cookies and then preparing for our Christmas dinner we were having. We were also having over two of our friends for dinner (the ones we went to visit last night (Christmas eve)), so there was lots to do. They'd never been to our house before so of course I had to make sure everything was in its place and perfect. I'm kinda OCD when it comes to our home. 

My kitchen was a MESS after making these but I had so much fun!!!!

Raspberry Ice KitchenAid + Keefles = a Happy Couple!!!! added bonus = a perfect Christmas!!!!

Christmas Dinner ready to serve!!!! Honey Baked Ham & Turkey, Stuffing, Rolls, Green Bean Casserole, Sweet Potatoes, Bacon Cheesy Mash Potatoes and Gravy. Yummy in my Tummy!!! Everyone seemed to enjoy dinner, the best part is we still have some left overs. 

I just love this time of year, we had a great Christmas celebration. Many Memories Made!!!! 

I really can't believe it's come and gone either though and now its another 365 days till we get to do it all over again. Until them Merry Christmas / Mele Kalikimaka from our Family / Ohana to yours!!!! 

Christmas Eve!!

How we spent our Christmas Eve :) 

I woke up and started on breakfast while the guys went to the appliance store. (sad note: our washer pump broke 45 minutes before we left on Saturday to go to the airport to pick up his parents) (good note: my father in love owns his own appliance repair business back in PHX) 

On the menu for today's breakfast was Bread Pudding, I've never been a fan of bread pudding before the hubbs and I tried this recipe a while back. My mother in love made sure to capture every moment of me making the glaze for the pudding since it was the first time I was using my new pans. Breakfast turned out great, everyone enjoyed it. Our washer was fixed in less than 5 minutes for free. Something that would have cost us $100.00+ for someone to come out and do it. 

I decided to go ahead and get my Christmas Dinner Desserts out of the way this morning as well. Hubby didn't help just gave his two since when he felt the need, got to love him!!!

First up was a Peppermint Cheese Cake. I absolutely LOVE any and all things peppermint. This Cheesecake is no exception. My mom used to make it all the time back home, even though she hates cheesecake, crazy lady, who doesn't like Cheesecake. This is simply  fabulous, yummy in my tummy!

Up next was Peanut Butter Fudge Brownies. These things are amazing, I found the recipe in one of my books while living in Hawaii. The dessert dish seems to find it's self at a lot of our Holiday get togethers. Its extremely rich and creamy and taste fabulous!!!

After our desserts were made the hubbs and his dad headed out to do a little shopping and his mom and I did the same. I showed her some of our local stores & boutiques that I've found here in the area. We picked up a few goodies for ourselves and maybe a gift or two as well. Just as we were heading back home the rain set in and the skies turned UGLY!!!! We met up at a local pizza place called The Pizza Joint for lunch and showed them how the New Yorkers make pizza. It's pretty good, but I still like my pizza place in New York that I go to better. 

Back home I started on a homemade stove top Potpourri, that made our house smell like Christmas. The smell quickly filled the house and had us all enjoying it. It almost had a apple cider scent to it. Not to mention it was pretty to look at to. 

Each year we normally do a Gingerbread house but this year we opted not to. I'd mentioned to the hubbs that I wanted to make / bake / decorate ginger bread people.  I'd been searching the dairy section at the commissary for ginger bread people cookie dough but never had any luck. When we were at Target the night before he found a ginger bread cookie mix that came with a cookie cutter. We decided we'd give it a try, we didn't have much to loose it was only $5 bucks. 

He insisted he did all the work, since I'd been in the kitchen baking and what not off and on all day. He did however leave the mess for me to clean up. How thought full of him. I turned around after doing something to see that he'd walked out and left the counter in a giant mess. Gosh I love that man, I really do. 

His Family Tradition growing up was to have Sandwiches for dinner on Christmas Eve. So we've carried that tradition out over the past 6 years now. Of course tonight was no different just even better because his parents were here. We went fancy and got deli ham, turkey and salami, sliced up some fresh veggies and even made our own bread. But the bread went south really quick. The hubbs is the bread maker out of the two of us, normally he does a really really good job but for some reason or another tonight he didn't have his game face on. Thankfully for us and HIM Walmart was still open so his mom and I rushed up there to grab a loaf of bread. Man the things we do for the men in our life. 

After dinner we did a little clean up,  prepared for tomorrow's big day. 

One of the Drill's that the hubbs works with invited us over for round two of dessert (with him and his wife) so we decided we'd go have a bite and do a little visiting. We got home super late and I was so tired, we had a good time but it had been a long long day. I can't believe that tomorrow really is Christmas Day, really were has the time gone. This will be our 2nd Christmas in the South. 

AS PROMISED

DAY 59

Our 2011 Christmas Card

~The front~

~The back~

The bottom says ~ From home to home, and heart to heart, from one place to another, The warmth and Joy of Christmas, brings us close to each other.

(I scanned these in on our computer so the quality my not be perfect)

As promised I would like to share with you our 2011 Christmas card. I have to say I think out of the 5 years we have sent out cards this one has got to be my favorite. I'm not sure if it the fact that I'm in love with the pictures or that I went with a double side card or that my hubbs helped and had a input with EVERY part of that card. YUP that's right, I picked out 5 or 6 templates that I liked & told him to pick his favorite and he did. Then it was his idea to do the pictures in black and white. I wasn't over the moon about the idea at first but I wanted this to be something we did together & once we got them in the mail I loved it.

The pictures on the front of us are the ones we had taken the first part on November for our 4 year wedding anniversary. The picture on the back is one from the 1-27 Welcome Home Ball in July after the guys got back from Deployment.

I try really hard to keep up with every ones address when they move from one place to another. Sending out Christmas Cards is a fantastic way to keep in touch with the ones you love and hold near and dear to your heart. So with that being said you must be special if you received one from us. With the card we also put together a letter highlighting the past 12 months and all the exciting journeys we went on through out the year. I hope you enjoy reading our letter!!!

What is your Christmas card family tradition???

Merry Christmas Family & Friends

Here we are another year later, were has the time gone again. The past 12 months have been a busy one with a gazillion different things going on. As always its been a fabulous year, one of the more challenging ones but that’s life for you.

January ~ Gabe & I rang in the New Year together via web chat, which had to be the best way to end 2010. The girls & I had loads of fun from Ice Skating, a over night stay down in Waikiki and the ProBowl. We spent a ton of time together as always.

February ~ After 7 almost 8 long months Gabe came home for R&R. We enjoyed our time together staying in Hawaii doing what we love. Hiking, Kayaking, Bowling, Horse back riding, cooking, beaching it up, shopping & just being lazing together.

March ~ R&R rolled over into March were we took a Sea Plane tour around the Island. On which I almost got completely sick & gave my husband a good laugh. We went to Sea Life Park with The Martins were we took a Sea Trek Adventure allowing us to go under water with various sea creatures were we fed a Sting Ray from our hand & other creepy fish. Gabe made the journey back to Iraq to finish up the last few months of deployment #2.

April ~ I CELEBRATED the big 25, another birthday. Seriously were has the time gone I should not be 25 yet. The girls & I went to Ruth Chris to celebrate were we had the most amazing meal ever. Gabe was working hard in Iraq keeping busy working out & going on patrols. The weather was heating up so he was ready to get out of there.

May ~ Another busy month, We celebrated a birthday on the 1st Gabe turned 28. I ran my first 5k & 10k with the girls. I had a blast and found a new hobby in the process. I’ve tried talking Gabe into running a race with me but he say’s he’s not much up to running for fun.

June ~ The month we both waited for all year long. I attended the 236th Army Birthday Ball, which just so happened to be my first Military Ball. On the 17th Gabe along with 138 other Soldiers returned after a long 12 month deployment in Iraq, it was the best day of the whole year.

July ~ Were do I even start, the In Loves came down for a visit. Gabe & his dad went on the North Shore Shark Tour while his mom & I (along w/ my spouse) went on a Dolphin Adventure. I ran my longest race yet participating in the Wheeler 10 Miler on post. Having Gabe & his parents there to support me was the best part.

We took a trip to Maui spending a couple days there to explore and play tourist. Gabe treated himself to a new toy he traded in his truck for a 2011 Subaru Outback.

August ~ We really ventured out taking in the beauty that Oahu has to offer we went on many new hikes spending time exploring. In the midst of that we also traded my ’09 Challenger in for a ’11 Challenger.

September ~ Was the hardest month of all because it came with so many changes. Gabe’s official orders sending us to our new duty station. I quit my job, our HHG’s were packed up & we were down to one car, out of our house living with the spouse. Dingo & I left Hawaii for a trip back to Texas that included a reunion trip to Oklahoma with two high school friends.

October ~ Gabe & Bailey were in Hawaii for a couple ore weeks but once they arrived in TX things got busy visiting everyone, the state fair & revisiting our wedding venue. Mid month we made the long 16hr drive to Ft. Jackson, SC our new home. We quickly settled in getting our house fully set up in two days.

November ~ I started a part time job at a Day School right near post, which I will start full time beginning of 2012. We celebrated our four year Wedding Anniversary. Gosh the time has gone by so quickly it seems like just a couple months ago we were planning the wedding. Making a great first impression with his new unit Gabe busted his chin during PT one morning causing him to get 4 stitches. We spent Thanksgiving with a new friend & her husband.

December ~ Will be filled enjoying the Holiday, looking at Christmas lights, baking cookies & Christmas gift shopping. I took a short trip to Kentucky to visit two fellow Hawaii Army Wives while Gabe stayed home & enjoyed a weekend out with some of the guys he has met. We’ve settled in to our new Neighborhood quite well & are enjoying it very much. Speaking of our neighborhood our neighbors have been fabulous, I don’t think we could have picked a better house, they have all been so great & welcoming. My Spouse aka Sarah will be coming for a visit right before Christmas, I seriously can’t wait to have here her. I miss her so much and I know Gabe secretly misses talking guns with her.

We have so much to be Thankful for this year simply being back together is the best of them all. Hoping you enjoy your Holiday Season with your family, we can’t wait to see what opportunities 2012 has in store for us.

Merry Christmas Southern Style

With Love The Gabriel’s

Gabe, Tiffany, Bailey & Dingo

Lantern Floating Hawaii

Every Memorial Day thousands of people gather on Oahu's South shore at Ala Moana Beach Park for the Lantern Floating Ceremony led by Her Holiness Keishu Shinso, the spiritual head of Shinnyo-en. The ceremony remembers those who gave their lives in conflict, illness & natural disaster allowing for reflection on the memories of loved ones.

We arrived in plenty of time to get great seating with a wonderful view of the stage but not to close were we would get mobbed by a bunch of people. Chatting away while writing on our lanterns we reminisced over past get together's & memories we had. Taking in the moment & Enjoying one last group gathering "in Hawaii" with the Brooks family.




This was the 13th Annual Lantern Floating Hawaii Ceremony, More than 3,000 candle-lit lanterns bearing individual and community remembrances prayers were let off into the ocean. The ceremony brings over 40,000 Hawaii residents and visitors from around the world and from various cultures and traditions to celebrate in the ceremony. I was lucky enough to be able to attend myself this year with a few close friends. Remembering my loved ones that have passes on before me, Honoring my Papa (Donald J. Thompson Sr.) and a fellow Wolfhound SPC Gregory Rundell. It truly is a special experience that touches every ones heart that attends. Words can't describe the feeling you have when Her Holiness is speaking and watching everyone release their lantern into the ocean. There are tears, tears of joy, happiness, sadness and love for the ones we have lost but still hold near and dear to our hearts and soul.
The theme of Lantern Floating Hawaii is "Many Rivers, One Ocean." We all come from different walks of life and backgrounds, yet we are all able to come together as one honoring the memory of family & friends.





The Lantern Floating Hawaii tradition is a unique event bringing together people from all cultures, nations, and faiths. Its a way to express our gratitude for the past while looking towards a brighter future. And that is just what I did, while remembering my Papa & everything he did for me & my family I chose to live a better life for him. I know he is so proud of were I am in life today & that he is watching over me. I can't help but wish he was here to tell me in person. He really was such an amazing man, that taught me so much about life.

Christmas Day

Christmas day I woke up to my sweetheart calling & chatted the morning away, while I made breakfast for his mom and I. Oatmeal Pancakes with Walnut Banana Maple Syrup and a side of Bacon. The same breakfast that he made for us last year on Christmas morning.

Still chatting away, I quickly finished eating and doing the dishes and then it was time to open gifts. Gabe & I agreed not to do gifts until he came home for R&R however we both caved in and got each other a little something to have on Christmas morning. His gift was the first one I opened and much to my surprise it was a book on Muscle Cars.

He's such a goof but we do both love our cars!!!! I loved it so much and cant wait till he gets home so we can continue our Christmas together. I sent him a box of his favorite goodies along with some pictures that I had taken and a stocking filled with my love.

I finished opening the rest of our gifts both from my mom and the Gabriel family. It was a nice quiet morning a bit different than last year but we made it work and I will continue to. I was in such a funk all morning that I didn't want to do a thing but lay in bed, but knowing how much he loves me pushed me to get up and make it through the day. It's ruff being away from him and I hate it more than ever.

My mom must know how much I love pictures and how proud I am of my last name and who I'm married to. She made this for Gabe & I and I just love it so much. I have to fine the perfect frame for it so all my lovely friends can see!!!!!!! THANK YOU MOMMA!!!!!


This is the bag I happened to mention to Cathy when we were at the PX that I was going to get before we PCS'ed. She was so sneaky in getting it for us, now we just have to get one more. You can bet with this I will be packing all my clothes and MORE to take with me on the plane.


The afternoon part of our day was spent cruising around the island taking in the beauty of it all. Down to Hawaii Kai and around Kaneohe and a stop off at Bellows Air Force Station. We also managed to squeeze in a pit stop at the Pali lookout, some days like today I still can't believe I've been given the opportunity to live in such a beautiful place. I enjoy getting out and exploring the Land of Aloha so much, something about it just puts a smile on my face and warms my heart.

~Scenic lookout along kalanianole Highway~

~Halona Blowhole~
~looking towards Kaneohe~

After our journey around the island we ventured back home to freshen up for our night out. We had reservations at the Star Light Luau downtown at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. I had never been to this one before so I was really excited, even more so that I didn't have to cook. Don't get me wrong I love to & especially on holidays but it was different this year with Gabe being gone. So I decided I would do something new and a luau was just that. On the roof top of one of the towers was were the Luau took place just beneath the stars of Waikiki. Once we indulged in a feast of unforgettable tropical flavors created with traditional island ingredients the show began. With live music, drums and the drama of traditional Hawaiian, Tahitian and Samoan dance we were taken back to the heritage of the Pacific Islands. It truly was a spectacular show, it shows you how much the men and woman of the islands try to carry on the traditions of their ancestors.







I had a wonderful evening definetly one I wont forget. It may have not been the best Christmas I've ever had but its up there on the top 5 list. I may not have been able to spend it with the one I love but I'm thankful that his mom was so willing to come all the way out to be with me over the Holidays. :) I have been so blessed with everything I have in my life, and could never ask for anything more than. Well other than having my hubby home with me right now that is.

BUT IN DUE TIME, NOT MUCH LONGER NOW. :)