Southeast Botanical Garden Christmas Light Show

Tonight we went to the Botanical Gardens here. I was sure about the light show because the one earlier this week wasn't so great. This one beat it out of the park. It was so good. We will definitely have to go back next year and take Robbie. Enjoy the pics.

They had cows painted throughout the place, reminded me of the NC State Fair

Look at the detail of the lights

It was beautiful

A covered bridge...look how it glistens over the water

Tonight was probably the coldest night we have had since being here. Lulu was wrapped up tight in her stroller. She definitely enjoyed the lights ooing and ahhing the whole time

Some fishes

Look at the waterfall. The picture doesn't do it justice

This is an oyster with it's pearl inside.

The girls taking pictures

My two Nemo's!

Lulu and I in the tree house. Gabbie's stepdad took her down the slide...i thought it was too steep and two she has cried every other time we have tried to go down. She loved this slide...she ran around to go again. She's too funny.

On the train!

The group pic

From L to R: Gabbie, Alexis, Candy (Gabbie's Mom), Mike (Gabbie's Stepdad), Me, Herlinda (Alexis Mom and one of my good friends here), and finally Lulu

Okinawan Zoo Christmas Light Show

Last Saturday, the girls and I went with Gabbie's Mom and Stepdad to the Okinawa Zoo. Who would have ever thought that there was a zoo on this tiny island and in the middle of the city?!?!?! But there is. The zoo was having their annual Christmas Light Show so we viewed the animals beforehand.

Gabbie and Lulu checking out the animals

I think that this is a monkey

Look it's the guy from Lion King

Say CHEESE!!!

Posing with the pigs (i know you can't see them)


Side Note: The zoo actually had all kinds of animals from giraffes to lions to elephants but I didn't think you wanted to see all of those pics.

Gabbie on a hippo



As we went down to where the light show was to be held, we discovered that it had snowed in Okinawa. Well not completely, just in a little section of the zoo. This was acutal snow made from ice. It looked like snow and was slick just like the icey snow would be. It was just me and Gabbie in the area so the pictures of Lulu are few and far between since she wouldn't let me put her down even with Gabbie to take a picture.

Lulu and I seeing her first snowman

Snow on Lauren's hands

Lauren on the walking mat taking it all in.

Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas Everyone! We hope that you had a blessed holiday. Ours was very short since Robbie had to deploy for some training the day after but we made the best of it. While we couldn't be with our famlies, we were with our Marine Corps family. We fed over 40 guys and gals from Robbie's battalion since none of them could go home for the holidays. It was a crowded house but we made it work and the marines were very thankful for a home cooked meal on the holiday.

Please continue to keep all of our service members and their families in your prayers. We have so many friends that are serving our country in Iraq and Afghanistan and so many other places right now that weren't able to be home with their families. Please keep them in your prayers. Keep us in your prayers as we continue to celebrate our holiday away from each other. We love you and miss you all!!


Below are the pictures from our holiday. These are mostly for the grandparents but please enjoy.

Christmas Day

Christmas Eve Part 2

Christmas Eve Part 1

Winner of the World's Largest Stocking: Lauren!!

This morning after talking to our parents, we decided to go to brunch at the Officers Club. We discovered this wonderful brunch that they have every sunday and I had read that today Santa would be there and each kid would get a toy. As we walked in, they handed me two raffle tickets to fill out for Lauren and Gabbie at a chance to win the World's Largest Stocking. This thing was HUGE!!! I filled it out and forgot about it. We enjoyed brunch and missed Santa since he was on a break (probably a good thing based on our experience trying to see him at the Exchange - not a good one). We went on about our day running the million last minute errands that we are trying to do before Christmas and before Robbie leaves for more training. We get home and are home like 30 minutes before any of us realize that there is a message on the machine. We play it and they tell us that Lauren won the stocking and we needed to come and get it. This thing is HUGE. Taller than Robbie and full of games and toys for the girls!! We almost didn't need to buy too many things because they can just devour this!!! Lauren must be our good luck charm!! Sweet girl - she has no clue what she even won! She just wants the green frog at the bottom on the stocking :)

Us picking up the stocking at the O'Club

Lauren asking for the frog

Robbie trying to figure out what all is in it

Christmas Tradition: Christmas Cookie Baking

When Robbie and I first got married, I started a tradition with Gabbie that my mom had done with me every year. We baked Christmas cookies. I also wanted to include Lulu this year. Last year, she just sat in her swing and laughed and this year, I knew she was old enough the participate some. I always allow Gabbie to have a friend over to bake and this year was no exception. We invited Alexis who is our neighbor and also whose father works with Robbie. Robbie was still at his appointment when I started and I was more than a little nervous when I began. He arrived not 5 minutes after I started thank goodness because without his help I wouldn't have been able to do it. I am so used to having my mom's hands about this time each year and I am missing her and everyone greatly. This tradition finally started to make it feel like the holidays here, although it made me miss home a lot more!!

The girls and I hard at work

Watch the sprinkles Gabbie!!!

I think Lulu ate more dough and sprinkles than anything but at least she tried to help!

Cheese!!!

The girls and I having fun!

Lauren's First Haircut

I had refused to cut Lauren's hair for the longest time. It took so long to get it where it was. I finally had to breakdown. Her bangs were constantly in her eyes and she would pull out her ponytails on a daily basis so I brokedown. After the game, Robbie went by the barber shop to get a haircut. While he was doing that, I walk over to the beauty shop to see if Lulu and I could get hair cuts. They had an opening 30 mins later. I took it because it's hard to get in. The only downfall was that I was going to have to handle it by myself since Robbie had a work appointment. Hey, I can handle 7+ month deployments I can handle first haircuts right??? Sort of. We got there and I put lulu on the little stool. The lady decided that she wanted to put towels behind lulu and it was downhill from there. She wouldn't sit on the bench or in my lap. Finally we decided that I would go first and then lulu. When lulu saw my hair being combed she wanted her hair to be comb so lulu had her first haircut standing. She did great too. She was still. Then she hopped in her stroller for a bottle and waited for me to finish my haircut. Here are some pictures!

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Gabbie's First Cheerleading Game

Gabbie had her first cheerleading game on Saturday. She was so excited. She did great!! I am so proud of her. The only problem we had was that Lulu thought she was a cheerleader too and screamed when we wouldn't let her down to go stand with the girls. I guess that I am destined to watch football and basketball games for the next 20+ years of my life. I think I have two cheerleaders in my house...pray for me. Better yet, pray for Robbie...he's the one we need to worry about :)

Gabbie in her uniform. Note the LSU colors. Her stepfather loved, her father HATED it. Guess we are looking for a UNC outfit for Lulu to wear.

Gabbie cheering and encouraging the team

Making a little noise

Not sure what cheer this was

This was Lulu...so upset poor thing