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.