Deck the Halls......

............... with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Don we now our gay apparel,
Fa la la, la la la, la la la.
Troll the ancient Yule tide carol,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.


yea yea you get the picture. Well I wasn't going to decorate this year for Christmas because Gabe wouldn't be home & really I mean whats the point. No one was gonna really be seeing all the hard work that would have to go in to the tree and everything else. But then the more I though about it, I decided to go all out and deck the halls. I mean my Mother in Law was coming out to spend the week here over the holidays so I wanted to make it festive for her as well. The tree, kitchen table, stocking were hung, the wreath was on the door. It was officially Christmas in The Gabriel's house and I was loving it.






After it was all said and done I am really happy that I decided to decorate this year for Christmas. It helped put me in the holiday spirit. Not to mention I love all our lovely festive decor. we have gotten over the last couple years.

First Half of OIF/OND 1-27 IN WOLFHOUNDS

This is the unit that Gabe is in!!!!! 1-27 WolfHounds.

This video makes me miss my Husband, my Soldier, my Best Friend even more than I already did. So thankful we are half way through this deployment. We are on the down hill slope to the end now!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love you Baby & Im so proud of you for what you are doing!!!!!!!!! Once a Wolfhound always a Wolfhound!!!!!!!

"NEC ASPERA TERRENT"

Ginger Bread House's

I was invited to a friends for a GINGER BREAD decorating party. WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!! I love love decorating ginger bread houses and it is something that Gabe & I have started doing together during the holidays. I picked up our kit at Target earlier in the month so we could make ours when he came home.
Now this was not just a deal were you buy a kit and use just the items included oh no, it was MUCH MORE THAN THAT. I fumbled though my pantry and found all kinds of goodies such as: left over Halloween candy, graham crackers, Hersey kiss candy, sprinkles and pretzels. Be time I was done I had a bag full of different things ready to use for decorating my house.
I picked up my MIL at the airport and we headed up to Makakilo to join in on the festivities. It was so much fun hadn't really gotten in to the holiday spirit till this evening and I'm glad that Cathy was able to join in on the fun.

~the kiddo's house's~

~the Gabriel's house~

~the Wiseman's house~
~the Estrella's house~
~the Brook's house~

We ended the night watching The National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Go ahead and get your laugh out now because everyone else did. I had never seen the movie before, I know I know call me crazy. Gabe got online while we were there and while we were chatting I'd asked him if he had seen it and of course he had. "A Classic" he said. blah blah blah!!!!!
I love the Army Family I had made here in Hawaii and would not of been able to make it were I am today if it were not for them.

Baked to Perfection!!!

My "Army Spouse" & I decided to put together a cookie exchange this holiday season. When she first mentioned it to me I had no clue what the heck she was talking about. After some explaining on her end, I was all about it. For those of you like me who don't know what the heck I'm talking about. A cookie exchange is were you and a group of friends get together and swap cookies and recipes. We invited some friends here on island to join us along and started baking away. It wasn't till two days before that I finally decided on what I was going to make. Crispy Chocolate Chewies it was, made from a German Chocolate cake mix and a few other sweet treats they turned out perfecto!!!!



I made an additional sweet treat to take as well, Cinnamon Sugar Pecans that is. I was more impressed with myself on the way they turned out I think than I was with my cookies. It was another first for me, but definitely not a last.



Sarah aka "my army spouse" had different flavors of Hot Chocolate, Apples Cider, Kool~Aid, Chex Mix & of course CANDY CANES!!! We enjoyed the company of other Army spouse's sharing stories & chatting. I love baking & cooking and trying new things and can't wait to do it again. Although there was talk that next time I think we might do something other than cookies.



Here is just a sneak peak at some of the goodies from our cookie exchange !!!!!!!!!! :)







CRISPY CHOCOLATE CHEWIES


Prep: 20 minutes ~ Oven 350 F
Bake: 10 minutes per batch
stand: 1 minute per batch
makes: about 40 cookies


1 ~ 18.25- ounce package German Chocolate Cake Mix
1/2 ~ cup melted butter
1/4 ~ cup milk
1 ~ egg lightly beaten
3/4 ~ cup crisp rice cereal
1/4 ~ cup coconut
1 ~ cup purchased coconut-peacan frosting

1) Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large bowl combine cake mix, melted butter, milk and egg. Beat on low speed until well mixed. Stir in cereal and the 1/4 cup coconut. Drop dough by round teaspoon 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet.

2) Bake 10-12 minutes or unitl bottoms are lightly browned. Let stand for 1 minute on cookie sheet. Transfer to wire rack and let cool. Frost cooled cookies with coconut-pecan frosting. Sprinkle with coconut.

to store ~ layer unfrosted cookies between waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze unfrosted cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw cookies; frost with coconut-pecan frosting and sprinkle with coconut.

ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!

A Pirates Eye for Me !!!

Set to make its day debut in May of 2011 Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides has had parts of the movie film on this very rock. Oahu that is, in various locations around the island. As well as London & Los Angeles The Blackbeard's ship, Queen Anne's Revenge is currently docked at the Ko Olina Marina here in Hawaii. I finally managed to make my way out there this afternoon and snapped a few pictures of the beautiful ship its self. I have to admit I have never seen either of the previous movies but this makes me wanna sit and watch them all so when the 4th one does finally come out I will be able to watch it and know what's going on.





The detail work and wood carving on the ship caught my eye, its such an amazing piece of work.


Here are a few pictures that I managed to capture a few months back during filming right off Ko Olina. Rebecca & I went out a couple times and watched as they filmed and came back into the harbor hoping maybe we would see Mr. Johnny Depp himself but that never happened. However it was pretty cool to see parts of the movie its self being filmed.

Honolulu City Lights

I cant believe its that time again. This evening I met up with two of my girl friends and we headed down to Honolulu to watch the annual Electric lights parade. It was the 26th year of the city putting this on & the 2nd year in a row that I was able to go. I absolutely love parades, its a great way to get into the holiday season. My favorite part has got to be the different bands playing & marching through the streets. Something about all the different instruments when you put them together & the music they make gives me chills.



An estimated 45,000 island residents and visitors flock to the grounds of Honolulu Hale to watch the lighting of the City’s 55-foot Norfolk pine and the Public Workers Electric Parade, now an island tradition and part of the spectacular 26th annual Honolulu City Lights.



One of my favorite parts from the parade last year was the Mr. & Mrs. Claus & of course we made our way down to the Christmas Tree and there they sat. Up on the ledge just like last year, with the turtles & penguins around them. After looking around at all the giant figurines we went in to look at the decorated tree exhibit. So many different themed trees makes me wanna change mine up every year & have it a different. But then again that would get kind of expensive and not to mention there would be alot of stuff to store through out each year.







"More than 40 uniquely decorated City vehicles, including fire trucks, TheBus, refuse vehicles, emergency medical services cushmans, the HPD mobile command vehicle, and parade sponsor units and mascots were “fully dressed” for the occasion, with 14 high school marching bands rounding out the dazzling 54-unit procession."





One last visit before we made our way back to the car & that was to the big jolly guy in the red suite with a white beard. For some strangely odd reason he'd though Sarah & I had been naughty this year. I think he had us mixed up with some one else.



It was a perfect evening out with the girls, the only thing that was missing was the love of my life.

~NEW FINDS~

Thought I'd share a few new finds that I've managed to come across over the last couple weeks. I'm always up for new decor around the house & of course some Christmas festivity decorations as well. Not to mention showing off how much I love & adore my husband and what we have together. These are just a few of my resent purchases through out the holiday season. Shopping for others is fun but shopping for myself is so much better!!!!!!! I love more than anything something that is personalized and made specificly for our home.


*Custom ceramic Tile w/ our names & the year we got married.*


*A find from Black Friday shopping, when I saw Mr. Smurf I had to have him*


*My newest Necklace hand stamped w/ our anniversary date (courtsey of~ http://www.facebook.com/pages/StephieMc-Designs/79189542741)*


*Im truly PROUD to be his Army Wife!!! a buy @ the Hickam Craft fair.*

30 days of thanks

Day 1~ Thankful for great management that lets me off early, when I'm suppose to work till 5:30 now.
Day 2~ Thankful to be 4 down......4 to go......then 4 more.
Day 3~ Thankful to have awesome In-Loves who sent me a Happy Anniversary card & fabulous weekly dinners w/ fantastic friends.
Day 4~Thankful to have such a loving & amazing husband.
Day 5~Thankful that I have became best friends with two of the girls I have had the chance to work with at the CDC. I love you Crystal & Sarah and am so blessed to have you in my life.
Day 6~Thankful to be able to celebrate such important moments in the lives of my friends, such as birthdays. Happy 27th Birthday John!!!
Day 7~ Thankful that I was able to host a dear friends Baby Shower @ my house & thankful for Sarah for all her help.
Day 8~ Thankful to have such a loving husband!!!!
Day 9~ Thankful for a wonderful 3 years of Marriage, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY BABE!!!!!!!!!!!!! here's to many more to come!!!!
Day 10~ Thankful for relaxing nights @ home & Country Music!!!!
Day 11~ Thankful for ALL our Veterans who have & are serving our country!!! I <3 & miss my Soldier like Crazy!!!!!!!
Day 12~ Thankful that I'm able to spend the evening at home talking to my honey & relaxing w/ the pups with out a thing to do.
Day 13~Thankful that I have great friends to spend my weekends w/ & to be done w/ Christmas shopping already.
Day 14~Thankful for modern tecnolgy & waking up to my husband.
Day 15~Thankful for baking soda......it puts out kitchen stove fires.
Day 16~Thankful for my Best Friend Angela and Sarah!!!!!!
Day 17~Thankful for friends that are there when you really need them most.
Day 18~Thankful for being able to capture little moments by photography & sharing with mommies of deployed spouses
Day 19~Thankful that I have a wonderful support system in Hawaii.
Day 20~Thankful I live in Hawaii, I love this place.
Day 21~Thankful for SHOPPING, oh how I love Holiday Shopping.
Day 22~Thankful for lazy evening's at home.
Day 23~Thankful for my amazing husband who gets me through each & everyday.
Day 24~Thankful for long 4 day weekends!!!!!!
Day 25~THANKFUL FOR MY AMAZING FAMILY & MY ARMY OHANA!!!!!!!
Day 26~Thankful for Black Friday Shopping & Good Deals!!!
Day 27~Thankful for this wonderful life I have and what the future holds.
Day 28~Thankful for the rain, its so peaceful & relaxing.
Day 29~Thankful for a great team @ work.
Day 30~Thankful NOVEMBER is OVER!!!!!!!!!!

"Hau’oli La Ho’omakika’i "

"Hau’oli La Ho’omakika’i " ~ Happy Thanksgiving

I have so much in my life to be Thankful for but the most important thing is my wonderful family. I have the most amazing husband that I could ever ask for. He takes care of me and is always there, he is a true blessing in my life. My morning started off with a phone call from him....awh I love nothing more than waking up to his voice. Shortly after a fabulous morning with my lover it was time to get the turkey in the oven. Cleaned & stuffed with loads of veggies & season's it was ready for cooking. Dinner wasn't till 6pm so I had a good amount of the day to clean & get some things done around the house. Such as ~ Christmas gifts wrapped, laundry folded & put away, did a bit of decluttering, Christmas tree up & decorated, floors clean, side dishes made. It was a busy but relaxing day, jamming out to some of my favorite tunes with a breeze blowing through the house made for a wonderful day.



Dinner time arrived & everyone showed up just in time, we loaded up our plates & dug right in. On the menu was ~ Turkey, Ham, Green bean Casserole, Sweet Potato's, MexiCorn Casserole, Deviled Eggs, Stuffing Balls, Rolls and that wasn't even the desserts. I absolutely love Thanksgiving, getting together with the ones I hold dear to my heart & talking about the year that has just passed & everything we are thankful for. Even better that Gabe was able to get online & video chat with us in the middle of dinner which was the cherry to my day!!!!!!!




Once dinner was done & cleaned up we got the pooches in to their PJ's, yup I said PJ's. Sarah & I had a sleep over planned at my place prior to BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING, although we didn't end up sleeping.



8:30pm rolled around & we found ourselves randomly walking through Kmart although that was short lived seeings they closed at 9pm, so we made our way over to OLD NAVY & camped out till midnight. There was probably about 20 people in front of us so it wasn't bad at all but after about a hour & half the line was all the way down the side walk & wrapped around the building. Once we got in it was mad craziness people every were and they kept coming in. Before we knew it the line to check out wrapped all the way to the back around the back wall and then back down the opposite it was madness. It went by fairly quickly though we only ended up waiting in line for about half a hour. I scored a couple new pair of blue jeans a shirt for the hubby & a couple outfits for two of my cousins back in Texas.



Next stop was ALA MOANA MALL downtown it was 3AM be time we got there & got in line for Victoria Secret. Which didn't open till 6AM oh dear lord what were we thinking. We sat & people watched for the next two hours playing the "this or that" game. Would you wanna wear this or that, I think we missed the memo because just about 85% of girls had on booty cut shorts with wanna be UGG boots. It looked absolutely ridiculous, I mean really we are in Hawaii for heaven sakes.



5AM rolled around & I made my way to Macy's (leaving Sarah STILL in line @ VS) to get Gabe's Christmas gift. The Keurig Platinum addition with the works, & a box of K cups. He started looking at them the month before he deployed but I talked him out of it only because they were so expensive & I couldn't see paying that much for one when he wasn't going to be able to use it that long & then it would sit for a year. Well a couple months ago I was making sweet tea & broke his coffee pot & so this is his replacement. I waited in line for a hour just to pay for it and I was thinking to myself he better really like this darn thing. It was a great deal because it was HALF off the original price so I really couldn't pass it up. Be time I was done it was already 6:15 in the morning I made my way back to VS to meet up with Sarah & lucky for her she had already made her way in. Sadly enough for me the line STILL wrapped all the way down the mall & around the corner, so needless to say I waited outside.

We finally made our way back to my house at 8AM this morning, after a long eventful night / morning of shopping. I love Black Friday shopping, its a fantastic way to get in the Holiday spirit. Not to mention it's even better in Hawaii because you are not freezing your butt off standing in line outside the stores.
I can not believe we are already at the end of November & that we just had Thanksgiving. Time is really starting to pick up, it still seems like just yesterday he left when really its been months. I am so thankful for the many experiences that have come my way through out this deployment & the people I have met. I can't wait to see what else is to come.

30 Random's you may not of known........

1. I am a proud Army wife!

2. I'm head over heels in love with my husband

3. I'm OCD abt my house & it being clean

4. I live in Hawaii but my heart belongs in Texas

5. My favorite color is pink

6. I hate spiders

7. I love the beach

8. I Love photography & taking pictures

9. baking & cooking is one of my passions

10. I have 5 tattoo's

11. I have 2 four legged babies who are spoiled crazy

12. I love to water ski, Slalom

13. I want to spend every second of my life stuck to my husbands side.

14. I can crochet

15. I could live of rice or mexican food.

16. I don't want kids @ this time but If we do have kids it will only be ONE!!!

17. I live in flip flops.

18. I drive a Dodge CHALLENGER

19. I enjoy randomly going for a drive w/ the windows down & radio up

20. I just celebrated my 3rd wedding anniversary

21. Birthdays are a BIG deal to me.

22. I hate folding clothes.

23. I was on the drill team my freshman year of high school

24. I met my husband over the telephone.

25. I have flat feet (I dont have a arch in either of my ankles.)

26. I have one younger brother. but he looks older lol

27. Im a Kit Kat freak, I love them

28. Has the best, best friends in the whole world. I love you Angela, Crystal, Sarah & Misty

29. Secretly loves Arizona but dont let Gabe know.

30. My husband is my world

Off Days

In Honor of Veteran's day I was off work, to bad I couldn't spend the day with my love. Although the morning was allot of fun. I met up with my sweetest friends The Martin's and off to North Shore we went. They had asked me to take a couple pictures of them for their Christmas card along with their dog Ella. I was more than happy to help, not to mention it gave me a reason to hit up the waves and catch a few pictures for myself. As we were leaving the beach a local guy happen to notice us taking pictures and told us there was a Honu (Sea Turtle) just around the corner up on the beach and he mentioned it was pretty big. (and boy was it ever) So we walked down the beach a bit and sure enough there it was. This was my first time seeing one up on the beach out of the water. I was so excited but a bit scared at the same time, that thing was a giant. After snapping oh a measly 300 pictures we called it a trip and headed back to post.

Here is a few from this morning @ North Shore Police Beach.