US Navy League Cadet Corp and Sea Cadet Corp Annual Inspection and Awards Ceremony - February 28, 2015

 They don't have their "covers" on because that's not allowed inside the galley, but it would have made for two very sharp young cadets in uniform (still does!)  We are so grateful to have found this youth program for them that teaches leadership, courage, basic seamanship, and discipline. The Coast Guard base in Tracen (near Petaluma and Two Rock) is where they have had most of their training. They have put in community service hours since they joined last summer, and Ni'ke is looking forward to joining in May when she turns 10.

 You couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day for the outdoor ceremony and inspection in the morning.  By 1:30, those beautiful little white clouds had turned dark and stormy and we had a down pour!

Rea is in the middle, but I think Ma-lak is hidden in the back!

 Ma-lak is at the end of the line at the far right, and Rea is just ahead of him

Why Did the Turkey Cross the Road??

To get in the way of sleepy nurses who were only trying to get home after a long night of work, apparently...

Aunt Marilyn Rose

 This amazing lady passed away on February 9th after suffering a stroke less than 2 weeks before.  Ma-lak and I flew out to Missouri for her funeral which was on Saturday, the 14th.  Aunt Marilyn was my dad's older sister, and one of my very favorite aunts growing up as a child!  I have such special memories of her and the fun we had with her and Uncle Donnie. So many "firsts" for me involved her - she set me up with my first penpal, a girl named Stephanie who lived in Quincy, IL.  She introduced me to my first Chinese food - that she made herself in her own wok!  Her egg rolls were amazing...  And she took me to my first movie, Gremlins, in 1984!

 My dad, with Uncle Raymond, and Aunt Marilyn and Aunt Kathy in the front

 Aunt Marilyn, loving the outdoors like she did!

 Aunt Marilyn with her daughter, Kathi, and her close friend at her 50th wedding anniversary party

We stayed at Danny and Carlene's house - our amazing cousins who always welcome us with open arms and feed us so well and love on us so big when we are back for a visit.  It was fun to watch the kids play with each other like they've always known each other.  Ma-lak and Deion met for the first time that weekend and they hit it off immediately!  Left to right: Emma, Lexi, Ashlynn holding Braelyn, Ma-lak, Deion, and Levi.

Spelling Bee Champ!

 Ma-lak was so excited to win his school spelling bee with the winning word "poultry".  (Ni'ke was so disappointed because she was sick the day her class held theirs and she was unable to compete in the school one.)  So we all went to support Ma-lak in our local district Spelling Bee.  The nerves got to him - he went out in the first round, misspelling a simple word that he knew - and I can't remember what it is at the moment! I hated to see him so upset and disappointed, but Ni'ke was quick to comfort him by saying, "That's ok, next year we'll both be in it and you can try not to lose against ME."

New Years Eve, 2014

Rea and I got home from Baltimore on December 30, so the next day was spent lounging around the house, watching football, and opening presents from Ohio.  The kids decided they wanted Red Lobster dinner to start the New Year off right.... Why not?!

North Baltimore Aquatic Center Winter Training Camp 2014

 Rea had an amazing opportunity to swim and train for four days at a swim camp sponsored by the aquatic center where Michael Phelps and Allison Schmitt train for the Olympics.  He had just flown in from spending Christmas in California with his now fiance and was kind enough to pause from his training and take a picture with them.   Thankfully I didn't cause this young man to fall and break a swimming arm... We nearly collided as he was racing, dripping wet and just out of the pool, to the bathroom and I was zipping around a blind corner near the swim shop.  All was well and no harm was done - Rio 2016 will not be a flop because of me. :)

Rea - front and center with her group!

 Rea (left)

 One of the group lecture times - they covered topics like diet and sleep, how to train before a big event, staying focused, etc...

 She lived in the green hat all week... Not sure what that was about!  (Pretty sure it was for a low-maintenance hair-style.)

 Rea (left) with new friends!

 Rea (left) in the pool doing group exercises

This was Rea's first experience away from home and overnight without parents or family - she loved her independence and was very responsible, from what I was told.  She loved it and came home fired up and she can't wait to go back in June.

Baltimore, Maryland - December, 2014

 After spending a week with my parents in Ohio, Rea and I flew to Baltimore to see David for a few days.  While she was having her adventures at swim camp, David and I explored the harbor and enjoyed some great sea food!

We also took the train to Washington DC for a day - it was a loooong day and a quick trip, but we packed a lot in!  The capital building was almost unrecognizable because of all the construction and scaffolding, but still was thrilling to see.

 We took the underground tunnel way to the Library of Congress - gotta love big Christmas trees in the city during the holidays!

  We did manage to get over to a couple of the Smithsonian museums - but by then I was turning into a tired old woman who been up too long...

 The Gutenberg Bible