Yesssss...

That is what Grace learned this weekend from Aunt Casey, and it's what my heart felt as I skied my little tail off on the glorious mountains of Colorado. What a great weekend it was! We got to spend time with Casey and Alan, and love on them. We skied two full days on the best snow I've had in a very long time. Grace got to spend the two days in nursery and did awesome, considering I have never left her in a daycare or nursery before. She didn't sleep well, and by the end of the weekend was pretty worn out and sick, but she really did well.

Alan and I were similar in our skiing abilities, so we enjoyed zooming down the hill with each other, tearing down really fun and long blue runs. Daniel and Casey weren't far behind (though they thought they were, not true!). Best part was that there were NO injuries or broken bones. Daniel left with a couple bruises, but that kind of comes with the snowboarding territory. The first day we got out a little late, but it didn't matter because the snow was amazing and Alan and his mom, who was with us for the weekend, knew the best runs to find. The first run was pure glory as I soared down and could feel my edges catch the snow. There isn't anything quit like Colorado snow. I think I may have already mentioned that. I knew it was going to be a good weekend!

That first day we all were a little sore, and surprisingly the altitude affected all of us as we walked to and from the car, or up and down the stairs of the condo. I would have to pause and catch my breath as I ran after Grace (who didn't seem affected by anything whatsoever). It made me laugh to think how long we had been at sea level and how prominent the change was now, as opposed to when I was 17 and training here. I mildly remember getting out of breath as I jogged up the hill in my GS suit and boots to go to the lodge, but that was about all. It's moments like that when you realize that yes, I am indeed getting older. The highlight of the first day was those front runs, they never got icy, and everyone had fun going down them. Casey and Daniel did especially well because they actually could enjoy the run more. We did go down one black that day, which ended up in me nailing a rock and gouging my base, but that was easily fixed. A nice guy at the Keystone equipment shop fixed it in about 8 minutes, no line, no leaving the ski, it was awesome. That in itself is a reason to go to Keystone! Great customer service (unlike Christies down the way... just sayin). Our day ended at the condo, with a really lovely dinner cooked by Alan's mom, as well as some good wine and hot tub time to ease the soreness of the day. My quads were a little tight after skiing more that 2 minutes at a time :).

The second day we started earlier, not having to rent anything and being able to just drop Grace off and go (though she wasn't as enthusiastic that morning to go behind the door and down the hall). Alan, his mom and I got a run or two down black diamonds, which were a mixture of small moguls and then a steep downhill. I like the technical aspect of getting down the steep downhill, but I've never been able to do it with any speed. It's probably a good thing considering I'm 27 now and have a daughter who needs a mobile momma to be with her :). That thought did flash through my mind at one point as I hit a pitch and couldn't see what was in front of me...I hoped very much that there wasn't a downed skier on the other side that I was about to fly in to!

We got some good pictures of us on the top of the mountain, and a one of Grace in her smurf suit before she went to nursery for the day. As we packed up and headed back to Monterey, we left Casey and Alan with the promise that we would do this again next year. Though, our group plan is to get to France, to the ski resort they had been to while they were in Italy. We never were able to go because I was pregnant and had just had Grace, but my hope is we do get to go with them some time. If not, Keystone next year is a good option. Here are some pictures of our weekend, enjoy!

Ciao tutti!

Woman in her Smurf Suit... watching her walk in it was comical.

Casey and I up on the Mountain

Group shot! Though I think I'm looking down here

Lunch on the deck of the lodge... priceless...

Buddies

Workin it

I went for an interview on Monday at the local community hospital in Monterey, and they must have really liked me, because I was tentatively offered the job yesterday. I'm really excited about starting a job again! I had been looking for anything that would be flexible with my schedule, and there wasn't much. This position is in the nursery at the hospital, which is level II. It won't be the fast pace of the level III nursery, but I am fine with that. Honestly, it was easy to get burnt out with the level III care and pace, so this new position should give me a happy medium. There will be very light days, and others that are busy and crazy. Overall though, I'm happy that I got the position and am going to have the opportunity to stay within m specialty. As my mom says, "You have to keep your foot in the door." It was a good interview though and hopefully I'll bring something new to the unit. Exciting! Now they just have to make sure I'm not a serial killer, and then I'll get the position. :)

On another note, we are going to Colorado this weekend to SKI!!!! SO, SO excited about this trip, especially because we're going to be meeting up with Alan and Casey. I cannot wait to see and spend time with these friends whom we have missed! We will have many pictures from the weekend. More to come. Ciao tutti!

Pictures

I think it's about time for a couple pictures. We have finally settled in and we're starting to be able to document our special occasions. This weekend is particularly special because the Agors are in town and we haven't seen them in three years!! The beauty of the military family is that three years doesn't matter, it's like we just saw each other a couple months ago. Carin and Allen have been here in Monterey, then to Groton, and are now new home owners in San Diego and back on a boat. More importantly though, they are now the proud parents of a very handsome mister Blake Agor, who is the light of their lives :). We have been to Italy and now are in Monterey, and also have added a shining light to our lives, Miss Grace. All of this and we picked up where we left off really. I almost fear leaving the military sometimes, because we will no longer have such understanding friendships... but I'll not go down that road. I'm just happy I've seen one of my closest friends again!

Here are some pictures of Grace and Blake through the weekend. We love our little people!

Ciao Tutti!

Grace and her fabulous bed head she woke up with prior to church!

You think they'll notice??

Good times with the floating fish at in the Kids Zone at the Monterey Aquarium.

Grace and Blake hanging out on the couch while the parent's had some food.

February

I really have to start writing and keeping up with this blog! We have dry periods though, which is nice actually. I enjoy not having an absolutely crazy day-to-day life. It's refreshing!

I can't say that we haven't had a busy month so far, because we really have. It all comes with being in a new place and trying to establish a home and a community as quickly as possible. That way, the 18 months doesn't seem so short. The first thing we've done is finished setting up the house. It took about a week to get all the boxes unpacked, another week to figure out where things were going to be stored and what was going to be donated, and then this last week to just put the finishing touches on the place and figure out where to put that obligatory last box that doesn't fit anywhere. There has been one for every house accept the second house in Hawaii, which was so big we had empty drawers in it! I now get to work on the outside, plant my pots, get the front garden in shape, those types of things.

We also found a church home! We didn't take long to find one, we went and tried Shoreline Community Church and were very happy with the music right from the start. We like the Pastor, like the sermons they are doing this year, which is going through upper and lower story/stories of the Bible, and even though it's a larger church we feel like we can make it small. The BEST part is that we expressed interest in becoming part of the worship team and they heard us and accepted us right away! How amazing! They worship coordinator is very excited about Daniel, which I expected, and I think that Daniel is going to have fun and maybe grow a little with being part of the worship team. He may even start leading! :) He would just give me a look if he read this. I'm excited for him though, he's so incredibly talented and I think it's something he should continue to pursue and grow in. Who knows, maybe we'll record something and become famous Christian artists someday! We'd need a little help on that one though. Anyway, we're happy with the church, oh, and Grace is happy with her Sunday school class (which is really nursery). She's gets to run and play and have snack, and the best part is it's only an hour so she's not on her own too long. I'm happy because I really feel like I can sit in service and not worry about whether she's alright. I was spoiled with Il Faro and having Nonnas and "family" around who knew her and loved her. I do very much miss Il Faro still, but I think we're going to be happy here.

Oh, what else. Grace is in two play groups now. One is through the military and it's 1 to 2 year-olds. They run around and play for 45 minutes, then do some circle time, story time, parachute time, music time, and then snack while the moms and dads get a little informative lecture on whatever topic the teacher has chosen for that day. Grace loves it, and is absolutely fearless. She climbs on everything, goes up to the other children and has already hugged and kissed a boy!! His face was priceless when she did that; it was a mixture of fear and bewilderment. His mom laughed thankfully! The two hours tuckers her out and I know she's having a good time. The topic review at the end is what I think qualifies the whole two hours for federal funding, because it's a parent's class and therefore we can take it for free! Grace also has Art and Food on Fridays over at Parent's Place, which we do pay for, but is well worth it because she has a ton of fun there as well. She has gotten to paint, play with play-do (spelling?), and make a general mess of everything around and on her....she absolutely loves it! I love it too because she has such a fun time and is so energetic and interactive with everyone there. We are waiting for a core class to open up for her, but until then, we will enjoy what we have.

I'll stop there for now, but say that I am SO SO SO incredibly excited because Ms. Carin Agor and her family are coming to town today and I cannot wait to see the woman! We haven't seen each other in three years and it's like we just blinked an eye. No one knows the life of a Submarine wife quite like your first wardroom ladies ;). Have a great weekend!

Ciao!