November and December in a nutshell

The past month has been a whirlwind for Jared and myself--we were away from home more often than not! The week of Thanksgiving, we found ourselves in sunny San Diego visiting our friends from Okinawa, Jim, Ashley and James a.k.a. "J.J." Beeson. Ashley baked an amazing meal while Jim fried up the turkey...yum... We really enjoyed catching up and miss being their next-door neighbors!

James, Adri and Jared
Beeson PilgrimsJ.J.'s homemade turkey place settings

The following day, we met up with Angie, Elaina and Kate Briscoe, also friends from Okinawa (we missed Brian, who is/was deployed overseas). We completed a session in the San Diego temple (beautiful temple!), visited the famous San Diego Zoo (no parking!), and took an evening dinner cruise around San Diego harbor (romantic!).

Temple view

Adri and Jared
Angie and AdriThe week following Thanksgiving, we found ourselves in San Antonio, Texas. Jared was approved for "eye ball" surgery on the government's dime. He qualified for both LASIK and PRK, but per the doctor's recommendation, he opted for LASIK. It made for a fast recovery! Although his eyes were hazy for the first few weeks, he was seeing 20/20 the day after his surgery. He got to wear some really cool protective goggles for a while, too!

Last time wearing glasses EVER

Post-surgery Sweet protective glassesSweet protective goggles (this picture explains why Jared gets all the hot ladies)

While in Texas, we thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Eleanor and Roach Esparza, also friends from Okinawa. They were tremendously hospitable and showed us around town since it was our first extended visit in TX. We wish that we would have had more time to spend with them! I am sorry to say we didn't get a single picture together. :(

The week after his surgery, Jared and I headed for a weekend trip to Virginia Beach to visit my family. We celebrated Em's undergrad graduation from Radford University, my completion of my graduate work at George Washington University, and James' completion of his associate's degree from Tidewater Community College. After having our family photo taken, we enjoyed a meal out at Red Lobster with the entire crew. Throughout the weekend, we played board games, baked, and played the dreidel game with our "guild" after exchanging homemade gifts with each other.

Emily, Adrianne, Jared, Julianne, Nathaniel, James, Amanda, Amy (mom), Jim (dad), Katelyn and baby boy

Julianne, Amanda, Katelyn, Emily, Nathaniel, Adrianne, JamesJared and AdrianneKatelyn, Amanda, Julianne, Adrianne and EmilyNathaniel, Jim (dad), Jared, and JamesEmily, Adrianne, Jared, Julianne, Nathaniel, James, Amanda, Amy (mom), Jim (dad), Katelyn and baby boyWe thought we were getting away from cold holiday weather when we returned to Arizona after our Virginia trip, until we were hit with a fluke snow storm this past week. Despite the cumulation (espeically on-post closer to the mountains), we didn't get a two-hour delay in to work like last year. Bummer!
Finally, after a very festive Christmas week filled with good food, friends, and the holiday Spirit, we find ourselves preparing for the new year. We have been reflecting upon resolutions we would like to make for 2010. Jared and I are going to work on being positive and not gossiping, respectively. This could be difficult--wish us luck!