Birthday Ball #5

Happy Birthday Marines!!!

Last night we celebrated, along with many wonderful men and women, the Marine Corps 233rd birthday! It was a little belated but the marines still celebrated in true marine fashion!

The night began the best way possible...with cheers of praise and gratitude for the marines of 2nd Battalion 7th Marines. Just as we approached the ballroom there was a line of random people waiting to tell our husbands/fiancees/boyfriends, "Thank You" and "Welcome Home". It was like a red carpet event! We walked hand in hand with people cheering and the flash of cameras blinding us as we walked!! I felt extremely proud to be on the arm of one of the elite few.

We came into the ballroom and saw all the Marines in their blues with their beautiful dates by their sides. Seeing all these men back and enjoying themselves together after all they have been thru was a moment to remember. Drinking together and toasting those who are no longer with us. Remembering the good times they had. That is what made this ball so bittersweet. Those who paid the ultimate sacrafice may not have been there physically but there is no doubt that they were in the hearts of everyone in that room. To me, it was like one big family reunion.

We had the honor of having Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North as our guest speaker. He was with our marines over in Afghanistan. Traveling from one spot to another to talk with our men. He gave one of the most incredible speeches I have ever heard. I usually tend to drown out speeches but he drew me in right away. The things he said about our marines was very touching. He was presented with a plaque and a 2/7 Battalion t-shirt!

After the ceremony (which Jay was in by the way) we enjoyed a very yummy buffet style dinner, mingled, took photos, danced and laughed till our stomachs hurt! We then decided it was time to go to our room and change out of our ball clothes and get comfy. We headed down to the casino with Jenny and Brian and gambled for a few hours, only winning back what we put in. Throwing money into a machine makes you pretty hungry afterwhile it seems! So we went and had a dinner/breakfast snack at 1:30 in the morning!! I was amazed that I was still up at that point. After we ate, I was done for. We headed to our room and called it a night!

Jason and I actually had a 2 day mini-retreat! It was kind of like the honeymoon we never got to have, haha! We had to head up the day before the ball because Jason was in the ceremony and had rehearsal that night. We left Cory and Caitlyn with Jenny and then Jenny left them with our other friend, Jenn. Jay and I watched a movie in bed and had room service delivered. Not having to go anywhere or doing anything was wonderful!! We got up the next morning, Jay had practice again and I had a hair appointment. Jay and I decided to take a stroll along the riverside behind the hotel. It was beautiful back there even though we almost got blown over!! It was ridiculously windy!!! We played a little Keno then went and got lunch. Having a day for just us was just what we needed. Sometimes we get so busy and caught up with other thing that we forget to tell eachother and show eachother just how much we mean to one another. We are grateful to our wonderful friends who watched our children for us so we could enjoy these nights together. You all are amazing!!!

Here are some pictures from our very fun and memorable night...

Jay helping Brian out

Cindy and Jenny as the night began

Jeannie and Cindy

Jackie, Cindy and Jenny

The ceremony beginning...

Jay is walking in right here

This is Jay on Sword Detail.

He looked amazing and did a great job!!

Bringing in the cake

GySgt Bell (Jeannies husband) reading a birthday note.

This man has an amazing set of lungs!!

Oliver North speaking

Zach and Jason

This was Jay's right hand man

the entire deployment.
Cindy and Krystle (Zach's wife)

GySgt Evans and Lt. Col North

Evans and Chavez

Golf Co. boys

Brian and Jason

Us with the other couple that looked

just as amazing as we did! =)

2nd deployment and 2nd ball with these ladies!

Carolyn, Cindy and Jenny

Here we are on the dance floor

We absolutely love these two...

Me and the girl who will forever

have a place in my heart!

They are so silly together!

Jackie and Jenny breakin' it down!!

Jay and Brian down in the casino

Jay with his two wives, haha!!

Making memories that will last forever!

This was our last ball with 2/7. Although many of us are moving on to our next destination with the Marine Corps those we have met along the way will never leave our hearts. Thru the years we have lost friends and gained friends. Said hello and said goodbye. Met people who we've never spoke to again and been blessed with those we now call family.

"God may put someone in your life for five seconds, five years, five decades.
God doesn't promise us any certain time with someone and it's what we make of that time that is our gift from God. "

Two Can Play at that Game!

Our little dancer has decided she would like to try some basketball like her big brother this year. A big shock to her daddy!! haha!! She was placed on the Grizzlies and cannot wait to get her uniform!! Caitlyn had her first practice last night and it got off to a good start. She is very lucky to have a patient coach! They learned how to dribble, shoot and pass. Caitlyn is not very good at any of those but we didn't expect her to be. She's never really been hands on with a ball before. She's always too busy playing with girly things. But she did really well last night and was eager to learn! She kept looking over at us saying "I did it!!" It was so cute. Everytime she went up to shoot the ball the coach had to lower the hoop for her because there was no way she was getting it in there! I know in time she will get it. She's already asked for a ball and hoop for home!! Her first game is on January 27th. I will definitely have some pictures up from that. We are so proud of her for being so willing to try something new!!


This is Cory's 3rd year in basketball. He is on the Mavericks this year. This is the sport he waits for every year!! He's played Baseball and Football but he doesn't have the same passion for those as he does for Basektball. It's just his thing! I remember him making his first shot into the hoop when he was 19 months old. The excitement I saw in his face, I still see now!! Even though Cory is very good at basketball he does have some flaws. He is a show off!!!! hahahah!! He loves to get the ball passed to him and shoot from way far back. He knows he can make it in but we are trying to teach him it's not about that. He understands he just likes the glory, haha!! He's always said he wants to be a pro-basketball player when he grows up...he's going to be "that guy". The player that shows off and does some weird dance, haha!! But for the most part he is a big team player and knows that it's about the whole team, not just him! He also has a really good coach this year and was lucky enough again to have three of his friends on him team! Cory's first game does not start until February but I will post some pictures of his next practice.

We have some very busy weeks ahead of us. Once games get started we will be out 4 nights out of the week. It's going to be crazy but it's worth it! Having our kids enjoy themselves is very much worth all the chaos we go thru!! GO GRIZZLIES!!!!!!! GO MAVERICKS!!!!!!!

Monster Jam

It has become a tradition for our family to go to the Monster Jam show. This year it was held in Anaheim and as a special thank you to The Johnson family for watching Suzi, we took them along with us. We had such a fun time!!! Before we went to the show we stopped and had dinner at Fuddruckers. Jenny's favorite hamburger joint! Once we got to the stadium we realized our seats were a bit high so I was concerned about Cory but he did really well. I think it was because he had his best friend by his side and they were having too much fun to even realize how high up we were really, haha!! Everybody enjoyed the show.

Brian, Jenny, Briana and Britt
Jay and the boys

Mommy and Caiti

Briana was not amused with these earphones!

Cindy and Jason

Caitlyn having fun!

Cory and Matthew

Jenny and Cindy

Some of the trucks...

Caiti eating chilled ice

More trucks... Briana was amazed with everything going on...

Silly girl!!

Jenny and the noisey girls!!

Cory Allen

Daddy

Mommy

And some more trucks...

Caitlyn and Briana putting their

heads together to plot!!

Caitlyn was feeding Briana

Matthew We were very glad that we were able to spend a night doing one of our favorite things with our closest friends. The Johnson family has become such a huge part of our life and we will really miss being able to do things like this once the Marine Corps seperates us.