San Diego Road Trip!

Last Monday, David and I loaded up the Grand Am and started our roadtrip to San Diego! On Monday, we drove nine hours from Kansas City to Denver, CO. It was a very pretty drive with lots of mountains and changes in weather! We couldn't believe we ran into snow but I guess that's what happens up there in the mountains :) That night we hit the streets of Downtown Denver to grab some food and take some pictures!

From Denver, we drove eleven loooong hours through Utah and Arizona to Las Vegas! We got in Tuesday night, checked into our hotel, and then of course...hit the strip! For a Tuesday night, there was lots going on! We watched the fountains at the Bellagio, grabbed dinner and tried our hand at gambling...I even won a little money!!

Wednesday, we drove the last five-hour leg of our trip into San Diego! We had lots to do once we got to there such as getting my new ID, David's vehicle decals, going to the housing office, uniform shop, etc. On top of those many things, we needed to find a house and...after looking at around 25 homes...we found one!! David will move in next weekend, I can't wait to move in! As of now, it looks like I'll start my drive back to San Diego bright and early June 20th!

David reports to his ship for the first time tomorrow morning, it's exciting and nerve-wracking all at the same time! He'll do wonderfully and can already navigate the freeways in San Diego like a pro!

~Lisa

Hey everyone! It's David, reporting from Newport, RI. I'm in the 3rd and final week of SWOS. Class has been busy, but I'm getting by. I've enjoyed being in Newport, as our accommodations are nice and the weather has been cooperative most of the time. We've had lots of chances to sample the local fare, and by now I've probably eaten my weight in seafood. This weekend I walked around Downtown Newport and took a few pictures, which was a welcome break from being on base. As nice as it's been, though, I'm looking forward to coming home for a bit before heading to San Diego. Hope everyone is doing good. Enjoy the pics!



-David

sunset on Narragansett Bay

sunset and the Newport Bridge

somebody's door

boat parts

more boat parts

somebody else's door

just a mossy seawall

and another sunset

I Met David Cook!!!!

Last night was a GREAT night! A friend and I went to the David Cook concert at Ameristar, it was amazing! What was even more amazing was my wonderful family got Kerri and I in to the after-party where we got to meet him AND have our picture taken with him...I still can't believe it really happened! Here are some pics from the wonderful evening...

Week One of Three Complete!

Hi everyone! Hope this finds all doing well :) David has completed the first of three weeks at SWOS. So far he is really enjoying it! I think his favorite part is working the simulator...avoiding buoys and rescuing men overboard! He and several classmates have taken advantage of their location and have hit the town several times finding new places to eat and new sights to see...next weekend they might head to Boston!

As for me, things are going good...stressful...but good. I'm getting ready to start my LAST master's class May 1st (conveniently the same evening David returns from SWOS...ugh). We have listed our house with Midwest Property Management and are keeping our fingers crossed they find a tenant fast! I've sent out three applications and will hopefully start getting phone calls in the next couple of weeks. David and I are looking around online at homes to rent out in San Diego. We have found several possibilities and will make a decision once we can see them in person!

All-in-all, life is good. It's a bit stressful at the moment but I know it will all work itself out...just wish it would hurry up :)

Lisa

Paintball!

To celebrate David's birthday, he and some friends braved a wintery mix and headed to the paintball fields! They all came back with welts and bruises but said they had a great time (I'm still thankful I didn't have to go). After paintball we all headed out in the snow and ice to get dinner at Logan's Roadhouse, it was SO good! Thanks to Pat, here are some pics from the event - enjoy!

Pat, David, and Darin

Matt, David, and Darin

David and Pat

David and Darin

Us at Logan's Roadhouse

A Bon Voyage Party!

Last Friday my aunt Jeanette hosted a wonderful bon voyage for us! There was tons of food, laughs and rockband! Here are a few pics from the evening!

Me and my cousin Jessica

Me and Dad

Me and my cousin Brian

My aunt Jeanette trying to distract my cousin Hannah playing Rockband

David showing Bella pictures on the fridge

Say Cheese!

Tuesday we headed over to the studio David used to work and had some portraits taken. We are so lucky to have had the opportunity for Amy to take the pictures for us! Thank you Amy!!

Everything is going good here...David has a little over one week left before he heads back to Rhode Island. Tomorrow evening we're meeting up with my dad's side of the family to have a little "going away" gathering; it will be great to see everyone again (it's been since Christmas and that's just too long!).

We're in the process of figuring out what we do with our house in Independence...do we rent it out, do we sell by owner, list with a realtor, etc. This is a bit stressful but I'm confident the right thing will work out. We are meeting with a property manager tomorrow afternoon who has a potential renter already lined up, so keep all fingers crossed for us!!

We hope everyone is doing wonderfully, enjoy the photos!!

Happy Birthday David!

Today David turns the big 28! He and a bunch of friends braved the winter storm we had been handed and headed out to go play some paintball (luckily, the field was underground). Today we're headed down to Warrensburg to celebrate with his family. We're awfully glad to see the sun out today as yesterday was completely ridiculous weather for late-March! I must say...I will not miss this weather...bring on San Diego!!!

Hello from Moberly!

David and I got up this morning and hit the road to go visit family! After 2 and 1/2 hours of driving, we finally arrived in Moberly! We visited for awhile then went and ate a wonderful buffet dinner. After that, we headed home where there was lots of Wii being played (I want one now!) We were so excited to see our family...it's been too long! Tomorrow, we'll hit the road again and head out to Cole Camp to visit mom and Wayne and see their new house! Below are some pictures of us at my aunt's house before leaving for dinner. Per Grandma's wishes, David wore his dress blues to dinner so she could "show him off"...she wasn't a bit proud :)

Here's David and Grandma

Here's David with uncle JD, aunt Vee, and cousins Sara & Amy.