Christmas in California

So Trevor and I have been back in California since Dec. 8th to spend the holiday season with family. We were missins Matt so much that I thought it best to be around his family and mine this time of year. Okay I just wanted to write a quick post about Christmas Eve and Christmas day.
I'll begin with the 23rd. Trevor and i went to San Francisco with my friend Jen and her entire family. It was a nice little mini vacation for the day. Jen, her sister and mom, and myself and Trevor went bridesmaid dress shopping in the city. After 4 stores we finally found one that we liked, but I told Jen no ordering until I drop a couple more pounds :) Anyway, after a day of shopping we went to dinner at Mortons. It was great food, but its one of these restaurantes that doesnt have highchairs to discourage bringing in children. Anyway-crazy mess with Trevor, but I still appreciated the opportunity to go to such a great place. Okay later that night Trevor took his first bath with a little girl named Kendra. Super cute and i have tons of blackmail pictures, but I do not want to post for the public to access. If you are interested I can e-mail them to you.
Okay so moving on to the 24th. I stayed in the city the night before so I drove up to vacaville to spend the day/night with matts family. Trevor, by the way, very spoiled. We set up a webcam at Cindy's house so they could all see matt on Christmas eve. They said it was the best gift ever. They also had the chance to spoil Trevor. he got so many toys that I am worried about getting it all home.


Matt also sent Trevor a little present via the internet. Below is a picture of Trevor modeling his new gift.


Trevor also felt it necessary to become a nakey baby for the entire family. He took off his diaper and his pj's and ran around the house flashing. He thought it was the best thing ever.


Okay so now onto the 25th. We spent Christmas day with my family in Sacramento. We went to Chruch in the morning. I have to say that Trevor was the best looking little man ever!!!


My grandparents, sister, and uncle larry (nick mom and dad too) were all up for the day. We opened presents and ate dinner and all that good holiday stuff.


Again we got to speak/see Matt via the internet for Christmas. As great as technology is, I much prefer my husband home with us instead of thousands of miles away. Christmas just isn't the same without him. WE are nearing on the half way point though and Trevor and I grow anxious everyday. I hope that everyone had a great Christmas and i wish you all a very happy and safe new year. Babe I love you! Everyone else take care. Until next time...

Thanksgiving in Hawaii and home for the holidays

Okay-I am sorry for the long delay, but its been a busy few weeks here with the Brownings. My family cam out to visit for the Thanksgiving Holiday. My mom, dad, sister and her boyfriend Bob were out for almost two weeks at the end of November. We got a lot accomplished while they were here. My dad installed a chainlink fence in my backyard so Trevor could have so run around room and so I could sit outside in peace with him. It's been a godsend. Thank you dad.
We ate the actual Thanksgiving dinner on my parents rental cabin on the ocean. It's military cottages, but theirs was right over the water and very private. ..so much so that my dad went snorkeling right off there patio. Pretty cool. It wasn't a very glamorous dinner, but how often do you get to have your Thanksgiving dinner right over the ocean.



So instead of hitting the Black friday shopping on the beautiful island of Hawaii we decided to go to Kauai as a family. My mom rented a really nice three bedroom condo in the princeville area of the island. They weren't kidding when they called this island the Garden Island. It really is a beautiful place to be. I am not sure that I could have fully appreciated it without the helicopter trip courtsey of my dad. I have never really seen anything like it and it was by far the best part of the trip. The NaPali coast line (for those who dont know you can only hike to it or boat into it when the weather in calm enough-ie not the winter season) is only something you would see on National Geopgraphic. It is truly amazing.

So anyway, the rest of my family went and saw it by boat too, but Trevor was too young so we stayed at the condo. So on another day my mom and I opted to take a dangerous hike to the Queen Bath hot spot on the island. It was a muddy, but short hike to a lava formation on the coast line. You walk about 200 yards on the lava until you reach a natural pool that is filled by waved splashing in and out. Again, not so safe during the winter, but a worth while hike/trip. I did work up enough courage to jump into the pool to snorkel, but when the waves started to crash in I jumped out. I love my mom, but I am not so sure that she would be able to rescue me had I been smashed against the rocks and taken out to sea. OKay so make the trip to Kauai sometime. Totally worth it!


Moving on-A few days after my family left Hawaii, Trevor and I followed them back to California. It's a lonely place at home without Matt so we decided to spend more time with family. The five hour flight with Trevor in my lap went smoother then expected. ..thanks to a vacant seat and friendly people. We have been in Sacramento for about a week now. We've gone to see both my family and Matt's. We made it up to Apple Hill to cut down a Christmas..of coarse Trevor helped. We saw snow when cutting down the Christmas. WE also discovered that Trevor and I are much better at being warm weather people. I dont ever think that we have enough warm clothes even if thought we were prepared. Nonetheless, we are happy to be around such loving friends and family. It helps make this time just a little bit easier.


So I am going to close this blog by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. I will be sure to update this with more photos after the holidays. Again, we love you all. And oh....if you do live in the Norcal area give me a call. I would love to see as many of you as possible before we head back to Hawaii. And for those of you that have not heard I did officially get accepted into Grad school and will be starting shortly after returning in January.
Okay I really have to go now. Merry Christmas!!!
-Monica

Happy Holidays

Well, it's December 11th and I've decided to write another blog. Big news up dates, Iraq gets really cold. And by cold, I mean 35 degrees last night. Whoever knew this and didn't warn me before hand, will I have some words for you. Attached are some pictures of myself and one of my SNCO's.

Besides the cold, we are all doing really well here. Staying busy for the most part and wondering what will happen after a new president takes office. Whatever takes place, we will all do our jobs accordingly as would be expected of the Marine Corps

For me personally, I have a bacteria in my eye. Thought initially it was pink eye, but it's not. Some crud that's here in the dust\sand of Iraq. So I've been locked in my room for the past two days. However, I have greatly appreciated everyone's packages they have sent. You have no idea how much they brighten up my day. Keep them coming, but I'm going to put it out now, don't send anything after Feb 10. Can't say why, but I don't want a package showing up sometime in late March and I have nowhere to put it.

Hope everyone has a Happy Holidays and had a good 2008. I'll be posting before New Year's, but I just wanted to say Merry Christmas to everyone and thinking of those who support and care for me makes being gone for the holidays that much easier. Thank you.

Discovery Center

So there really wasn't anything super exciting that happened here this week. We have been counting down the days until Shannon, Bob and my mom and dad arrive so the week has kinda dragged. As for me-I finally landed an interview with Chaminade University for grad school. I am excited to get the chance to go back to school. I feel like I have been trapped in a little bubble for so long now I am anxious to be involved in something all my own again. Anyway, so that's the latest development.
AS for Trevor-he had a fun week. We got to go to the Discovery Center for Children here in Hawaii with our KOSC playgroup here. I didnt know what to expect since Trevor always gets into Trevor and is constantly everywhere he's not supposed to be-but this was the PERFECT outlet for him. It's really just a big building with 3 levels for him to climb on things throw things steal things and all that good stuff.
He got to pretend to be a judge (good sign right)


And then he was a firefighter (another job mom would be proud of)


And he went grocery shopping with his friend Mason


Then his true colors shown though. he stole a bucket of Apples from the sweetest little girl and tried to run off


And his favorite as the giant bubble machine. Actually i think it was everyone favorite because they all stood around trying to pop the bubbles


Anyway, it was a blast and Trevor loved every minute of it. I am so greatful to have good friends and people that get us out of the house and exploring our new home. I never would've know that something like this would exist. So thank you!

Okay Trevor and I are going to head over to our friend Tiffany's house and help pass the time until Shannon and Bo arrive. We love you all and have a good Thanksgiving!

Hello from somewhere

I've been email the majority of you so this shouldn't be a ground breaking email. As of the late September I've been deployed to the Middle East (can't say dates or location, but I'm sure you all have a good idea where I'm at). Things are going really well here, all of the Marines are taken care of and have most luxuries we get at home.

Overall, the war here is very different than it was a year ago. The Iraqis have taken on more responsiblity and seem to be doing a good job with it. You can already see the movement of power just in the 2 months I've been in country. We continue to work with the locals on just about everything, but there are still things which we solely control. With the new election things should change at a quicker pace, but up to this point our current administration (which is different than most opinions) have done a solid job is solidifying this country. It may not have occured over night, but it is improving more than what is let on to believe at home.

As for my job, it's stressful and has a lot of responsiblity. So far I'm doing a good job at it, but am continually missing out on sleep. I am getting great experience as to how a battery operates that will only contribute to future succeses. The amenities I have are completely shocking. At the chow hall we have Baskin Robbins, soda,s a sandwhich bar, and stir fry bar. We also have a Px, Turkish Bazaar and 3 Iraqi Bazaars. While life isn't nearly as bad here as it once was, I do miss Hawaii and the family there. In what seems to be forever I'll be back home and able to come visit.

The Beginning

Okay so I got this idea from Lindsay to start a blog. I am mainly doing this so Matt can see what Trevor and I are up to on a daily basis while he is overseas. Also, I want our family back home to see what is happening over here in Hawaii. Anyway, give me a few days to get this going and I will keep you all posted on our daily lives. Love you all!