Rock & Roll Marathon ~ June 3, 2007


Brad pre-race, he doesn't look too excited

Mile #6, piece of cake

Mile #26, almost there

You Rock Brad!

About 5 years ago after a terrible hump Brad developed compartment syndrome. Doctors told me that Brad may come out of surgery minus his legs, or if they were able to save his legs, he may walk with a limp but never ever run again. He proved them wrong and since has served two tour of duties in the middle east and now he has ran a marathon. For us newbies to the running world, that is 26.2 and it took him a little less than fve hours. Yes five hours of running.

You better work it





While in Laguna Sammy had a little photo shoot, Sadie was his "set director". These are some of my favorite shots. What a ham!

BINGO!!!


While Brad and I were in Big Bear we played Bingo at the Elk's lodge and Brad and I were both big winners. I walked away with $100.00 and Brad won $200.00. We donated some of it back. There is something to be said for good juju.




The following weekend I won at Bunco, my first time ever playing. It is all in the wrist!

Big Bear - April 20th
Brad and I went on a 5 1/2 mile hike to get to see this view. It was exhilirating and beautiful. There was still a little snow on the ground from the snowfall the day before but by the time we got back down the mountain it had all but disappeared.

More Easter Pictures
Almost every year the family gets together for an Easter Brunch at the Hilton and then come back to Mom and Dad's for an Easter egg hunt. Dad fills little plastic eggs with money in them, next year I think I am going to hunt!


Sadie excited about her new found riches


Missy and Terry


Mr Charlie Man


Sarah, doesn't she look so much older

Happy Easter

This year I decided to decorate for Easter, since we are back *home* and all. We won't be eating at the table but I think it looks purty!

For all of you closet bloggers out there, and I know you're out there...



It is time to get out of the CLOSET!

Kaanapali Beach, Maui






I have recently been planning, planning, and planning my 10th anniversary trip with Brad (of course) to Hawaii in August. We went to Ohau for our honeymoon and have been trying to get back ever since that first trip. This time we are heading to Maui and staying at the Sheraton on black rock. I am soo excited. If any of you have been there is there anything you suggest that we just have to see?
Here is the link if you want to take a peak (they have great military/gov't rates)http://www.sheraton-maui.com/.

What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas

The Strip at Night

Brad and his lil sis Kendra


Brad and I at the Bellagio, time to celebrate the Chinese New Year

You're 60% Irish

You're very Irish, and most likely from Ireland.(And if you're not, you should be!)

http://www.blogthings.com/howirishareyouquiz/">How Irish Are You?

So it finally happened, I at 29 got braces. I did have bottom braces and an upper palate seperater in h.s. but my orthodontist fled the country because he was accused of murdering another orthodontist (I know only to me right?). Which rightfully ended that process. So since moving to lovely 29 Palms I decided that this is my last chance. It has been a long process already and it had just begun. I had seperators first, then brackets, then I had 4 teeth pulled 4 weeks ago and on Valentine's Day had the braces finally put on. Only 1 year and 11 months left to go!

Was it the TrimSpa?

Photo GalleryHOLLYWOOD - Reality TV star, actress and former model Anna Nicole Smith has died after collapsing in Hollywood, Florida. The 39-year-old was found unconscious in her hotel room at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino this afternoon. According to hotel officials, Smith was "unresponsive" and emergency crews performed CPR at the scene and a breathing apparatus was inserted in her throat. Paramedics were seen pumping her chest as she was taken from the hotel and transported to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood just after 2 p.m. EST today. She died at 3:45 p.m. EST. Local streets were closed off to rush Smith to the hospital, three miles away. Her five-month-old daughter, Dannielynn, was not with her mother, sources say. The baby is being cared for by a family friend in the Bahamas, where Smith has been living since last summer. Anna Nicole was fighting eviction and paternity lawsuits at the time of her death.

Christmas

This year was no different than any other, we all came over to Mom and Dad's to celebrate the holiday. I got a Coach purse I am happy!

My Christmas Tree

If this doesn't open your eyes... nothing will! From the L.A. Times1. 40% of all workers in L.A. County ( L.A. County has 10.2 million people) are working for cash and not paying taxes. This was because they are predominantly illegal immigrants, working without a green card. 2. 95% of warrants for murder in Los Angeles are for illegal aliens. 3. 75% of people on the most wanted list in Los Angeles are illegal aliens. 4. Over 2/3 of all births in Los Angeles County are to illegal alien Mexicans on Medi-Cal, whose births were paid for by taxpayers. 5. Nearly 25% of all inmates in California detention centers are Mexican nationals here illegally. 6. Over 300,000 illegal aliens in Los Angeles County are living in garages. 7. The FBI reports half of all gang members in Los Angeles are most likely illegal aliens from south of the border. 8. Nearly 60% of all occupants of HUD properties are illegal. 9. 21 radio stations in L.A. are Spanish speaking. 10. In L.A. County 5.1 million people speak English. 3.9 million speak Spanish.(There are 10.2 million people in L.A. County). (All the above from the Los Angeles Times) Less than 2% of illegal aliens are picking our crops, but 29% are on welfare. Over 70% of the United States' annual population growth(and over 90% of California , Florida , and New York )results from immigration. The cost of immigration to the American taxpayer in 1997 was,(after subtracting taxes immigrants pay), a NET $70 BILLION/year, [Professor Donald Huddle, Rice University ]. The lifetime fiscal impact (taxes paid minus services used) for the average adult Mexican immigrant is a NEGATIVE number. 29% of inmates in federal prisons are illegal aliens. If they can come to this country to raise Hell and demonstrate by the thousands, WHY can't they take charge over the corruption in their own country? We are a bunch of fools for letting this continue. THE U.S. VS MEXICOOn February 15, 1998, the U.S. and Mexican soccer teams met at the Los Angeles Coliseum. The crowd was overwhelmingly pro-Mexican even though most lived in this country. They booed during the National Anthem and U.S. flags were held upside down. As the match progressed, supporters of the U.S. team were insulted, pelted with projectiles, punched and spat upon. Beer and trash were thrown at the U.S. players before and after the match. The coach of the U.S. team, Steve Sampson said, "This was the most painful experience I have ever had in this profession." Did you know that immigrants from Mexico and other non-European countries can come to this country and get preferences in jobs, education, and government contracts. It's called affirmative action or racial privilege. The Emperor of Japan or the President of Mexico could migrate here and immediately be eligible for special rights unavailable for Americans of European descent. Corporate America has signed on to the idea that minorities and third world immigrants should get special, privileged status. Some examples are Exxon, Texaco, Merrill Lynch, Boeing, Paine Weber, Starbucks and many more. DID YOU KNOW?Did you know ... that Mexico regularly intercedes on the side of the defense in criminal cases involving Mexican nationals? Did you know ... that Mexico has NEVER extradited a Mexican national accused of murder in the U.S. in spite of agreements to do so? According to the L.A. Times, Orange County , California is home to 275 gangs with 17,000 members, 98% of which are Mexican and Asian. How's your county doing? According to a New York Times article dated May 19, 1994, 20 years after the great influx of legal immigrants from Southeast Asia, 30% are still on welfare compared to 8% of households nationwide. A Wall Street Journal editorial dated December 5, 1994 quotes law enforcement officials as stat-ing that Asian mobsters are the "greatest criminal challenge the country faces." Not bad for a group that is still under 5% of the population. Is education important to you? Here are the words of a teacher who spent over 20 years in the Los Angeles School system. "Imagine teachers in classes containing 30-40 students of widely varying attention spans and motivation, many of whom aren't fluent in English. Educators seek learning materials likely to reach the majority of students and that means fewer words and math problems and more pictures and multicultural references." WHEN I WAS YOUNGI remember hearing about the immigrants that came through Ellis Island . They wanted to learn English. They wanted to breathe free. They wanted to become Americans. Now, far too many immigrants come here with de-mands. They demand to be taught in their own language. They demand spe-cial privileges ... affirmative action. They demand ethnic studies that glorify their culture. NOW ... WHY CAN'T WE SEND THEM HOME?

Happy St. Nicholas Day

Thanksgiving 2006

Between the smells in the kitchen and Charlie and Vivier's Brutus was on lockdown.

Too Much Turkey

I thought it might be fun to list just one thing we are thankful for.

I am thankful that I moved closer to *home* and therefore get to spend more time with the family.

Marine Corps Ball, 9th Nov 2006

The Marine Corps celebrates its birthday every year with a Ball. The Marines wear their dress blues and their guests wear gowns. This year was the Marine Corps 231st birthday and Brad's battalion held the ball in Primm, Nevada. There was the traditinal ceremony with colors and the cutting of the cake by the oldest and youngest Marines present (birth yr's were 88 & 51), food, drinks, and dancing. Yes, I did get Brad to dance.