Jared's Weekend

Tomorrow Jared will be participating in the 21st Annual Bataan Death March Marathon. He meets with surviving BDM members this afternoon. Wish him luck.



"NO MAMA, NO PAPA, NO UNCLE SAM" ............ REMEMBER THE SACRIFICE

Aloha

Jared and I attended our ward Luau last weekend. He was a sport and dressed up with me. He received a lot of compliments on his outfit. Aloha!

Tombstone with Judy

In addition to the Grand Canyon, one of the excursions we made while Judy was visiting Arizona was to Tombstone, AZ. It was a little chilly that day (okay, it snowed on us while we were watching the reenactment of the Earp Brother's famous shootout), but we took our time looking at everything in the O.K. Corral, enjoying the 1960s "historama" theater show, and eating at a yummy saloon.We did a little shopping, too!

BSA - Catalina Council

If you know Jared well, you know that he never completed the requirements for Eagle Scout, mostly because he hates camping (go figure he is a Marine now). When we lived in Okinawa, he was asked to help with the scouting program, and he humored the church calling (that someone thought was a good idea). We were both relieved when they picked up on the fact that he wasn't following through on things and released him.

Recently we both had the opportunity to volunteer as BSA merit badge counselors (and Jared had the opportunity to redeem himself). I am a counselor for Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the Community, Law, and Crime Prevention. Jared is a counselor for Citizenship in the World, Shotgun Shooting, Rifle Shooting, and Radio (he is a communications officer, after all).

On Saturday, we participated in our first ever Merit Badge Advancement Fair. I was so proud of Jared's good attitude and willingness to volunteer despite having to get up early and be there at 8 AM. He helped 4 scouts complete the Radio merit badge!

Below are two pictures of the rooms we taught in--if you look closely, you may even notice Jared's decorative chalk board! Way to go Jerry!!

Arizona, the Grand Canyon State

Jared's mom Judy joined us in Arizona last week. During her 10-day visit, we traveled up to the Grand Canyon. It was a 6(ish) hour drive from our home in Sierra Vista, but well worth the trip! The views were spectacular.

Happy New Year!

Food, friends, fun (and puzzles)!

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!