Capturing the Beauty...

...of an old tree! I really enjoy taking pictures of nature's small wonders! While at Joshua Tree Nat'l Park Jenny and I spotted some beautiful old trees. Jenny has said how she'd like to decorate a room in her house with photos of old trees in black and white. So while at the park we found some old trees and I snapped away with the camera. I felt like a real photographer, LOL!! Getting in all sorts of positions to find the best angle! It was fun!! Who knows...maybe Jenny will use these in her house one day!!

Obviously, I added my own personal touches with my photo editor on my computer. I had way too much fun doing that!!

Joshua Tree Nat'l Park

Well, we finally decided after two years of being here we'd take a trip to the National Park that is only 10 minutes away!! We had such a blast! It was beautiful out there. Not very green but the mountain backdrop with all the huge boulders surrounding all the plants and bushes was beauty in itself! The kids had such a blast climbing up the rocks, not worried about anything that might be lurking around them!! Freaking us moms out, LOL!! I hope we get to make it back again when Jason comes home!

Cory and Matthew in between the rocks
Me on top of the rocks.
Briana so high up!
Cory, Matthew and Brittany
Johnson Family
Evans Family
Me sunbathing on the rock!
Me and Caitlyn...freaking Jenn out!!
Sitting on the tree

Our rock climbers!!
Jenny on top of the world!!
Brave kids!
Me...hibernating!

Cory, Brittany and Caitlyn in the nose of Skull Rock

Evening Walk to Afghanistan!

A close friend of mine and fellow 2/7 wife has put together a very fun and motivating program to show support for our marines and sailors serving in Afghanistan. It's called 'I Ran to Afghanistan'. Carolyn says, "The "2/7 I ran to Afghanistan" is an initiative designed to promote well being, relieve stress, and build cohesiveness among the 2/7 family. This program is just one more way that we can support our brave Marines and Sailors." I've been walking since last deployment but having this for added motivation really helps. Carolyn put together an Evening Walk for anybody who'd like to join. Of course, Jenn and I took up the invite! We walked the PT track here on base which is supposed to be a total of 3 miles but we unfortunately didn't get to finish all 3 because the sun began to set on us and we did have our little ones. We really enjoyed ourselves and so did the kids. Please feel free to check out the I Ran to Afghanistan blogspot to see more on what it's all about. www.rantoafghanistan.blogspot.com

Here are a few pictures from the walk...

Here are the kids getting a running start to Afghanistan!

Jenny wishing peace for the middle east!
On my way...
Me and Jenny happy to be walking to Afghanistan!
Stopped for a photo on the tanks.
Jenny cruisin' along
Chatting and Walking

We went thru a mud puddle!!
We made it to Afghanistan, LOL!
The kids being silly!
Jenny going back thru the mud.
We walk to show support for our husbands and we have fun doing it!!

I can't wait to move!!!

UUUUGGGGGHHHHHH!!!! I am so done with living here!!!! This is what I found in our garage this morning right next to Cory's backpack. I'm so glad I went and got it for him rather than having him go get it!! I'm so sick of finding these things all around our house! I've never seen so many spiders and I hope where we go next I don't have to see anything like this!!!

I'm pretty sure this is a Camel Spider!! These things get HUGE!!!

I know that we are always put in places that God has planned for us but I am really hoping that God gets us out of here real soon and that He blesses us with a spider free environment!! LOL!!!

His Smiling Face

This morning I had a very nice surprise in my inbox. It was an email from Jason with pictures attached!!! Getting pictures from him is like opening a present on Christmas morning to me, LOL!! It's so exciting and always makes my day!! There are just a few pictures but I thought I'd share them with everyone!

Jason in the Helmand River

Tim, Jason and Mike
Jason

Jason and some of the guys!

Be safe & God Bless 2/7

Trip to San Diego

Since Daddy and Grandma were going to be in San Diego thru the weekend I decided that the kids and I would take a trip down to spend the day with them as well as spend a day with my dear friend, Jessica!! On Friday, Dad, Grandma, me and the kids went an had breakfast at IHOP then we headed up to Cabrillo National Monument which overlooks the pacific ocean. From up there you could see Point Loma Naval Base and all the ships coming and going, you could see Downtown San Diego, the Coronado Bridge. It was absolutely breathtaking!!! After that we went down to Seaport Village and had lunch. We had so much fun!! Here are some pictures from this weekend...

Cabrillo National Monument

Seaport Village

Saturday the kids and I woke up from a nice sleep in our comfy hotel room and headed over to Kobeys Swap Meet (one of my all time favorite places) and we walked around for about 2 hours then we headed over to Belmont Park. I knew they'd have a blast over there with all the rides and games. They got to experience fog for the first time and Cory thought it was so cool, haha!!

Belmont Park

After Belmont Park we headed up to Camp Pendleton to see one of my best friends, Jessica. We met up at her house and then headed down to the beach. It was so nice to see her and I'm glad she was able to come and join us. Even though she is 8 1/2 months pregnant she trotted along the beach with us and we all had so much fun!! Thank you, Jess for the wonderful picture taking!! The beach was packed but we found a good spot and enjoyed a few hours in the sand & water.

Del Mar Beach

Being back down in San Diego made me miss it!! I love the feeling I get when I'm in San Diego. I feel like I'm home. It brings back so many fun and wonderful memories!! It's fun to see my kids doing all the things that I loved doing growing up. I hope wherever the Marine Corps sends us next is near the beach because the kids absolutely loved it!!!!