235th USMC Birthday Ball

Last night I celebrated a great birthday. Two hundred and thirty five years of a great tradition and an even better Corps. The ceremony was perfect, everyone looked great, and for 700 Marines, spouses and guests it was a chance to let down our hair and celebrate.

I never celebrate my birthday for just a day, so it was only fair that we made this birthday extra special by making a weekend out of it. Me, Danny, Natosha and Dan spent the weekend in Myrtle Beach. To celebrate the USMC birthday, we put on some pretty fancy dresses and went to our first ball!

I'm not that tan, darker skin setting on my camera was apparently on!

The ball started with cocktail hour, we got our professional pictures taken, mingled and took advantage of the free kegs. We spent $5 total at the ball on alcohol, which I was very excited about! Soon we were called in the ball room and took our seats for the ceremony. I was expecting it to be much more epic, but it was still great. We watched a video message from the commandant and listened to our (kinda boring) guest speaker. Cake was presented to the oldest and youngest Marines...and then it was time for the fun to start!

Dinner came out, seriously one at a time. Natosha had the chicken, the guys had amazing looking prime rib, and I had the vegetarian dish...mushroom raviolis. Apparently people think vegetarians are not very hungry people...I had a grand total of four raviolis on my plate! I literally looked at Natosha and said "um...where's my dinner?"

After dinner the dance floor opened up! We only danced to one song....The Cupids Shuffle. And the most amazing part of the night was seeing SgtMaj dancing with everyone. Seriously, the man never smiles...and I've been told to never look him in the eye...but seeing him dance made me want to give him a big 'ol bear hug!

As the night started to wrap up, of course we took the obligatory group photos!

The ball was a lot of fun, it just wasn't as...ball-ish...as I thought it would be. Apparently I've just watched Cinderella one too many times! And speaking of Cinderella, I can totally understand how she lost a shoe...my feet were killing me by the end of the night! I was told to expect some pretty skanky dresses, but I seriously thought everyone looked so classy last night. I saw all kind of dresses, short and long, and all different colors. So, now I know for next year...don't spend as much money and wear super comfy shoes!

I have never been more proud to be part of this great family. I will say this, Marines certainly do know how to throw a great party! In the words of Eleanor Roosevelt  “The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps!”

Happy Birthday Marines!

"But You Only Turn 28 Once!"

Today is Danny's 28th birthday! I've been trying to plan something special. But whenever I ask him what he wants to do his response is "it's just a birthday." My response? "You only turn 28 once!"

To me, a birthday isn't just another day. Hell, I celebrate my birthday for a full week! At home I always had a birthday with family, school friends, Boston friends, work friends...I would have an entire itinerary for the week! I try to do it for other people, especially my husband..but most people apparently don't like celebrating!

So what did I end up planning? It was still up in the air until this morning! A) Drive to Myrtle Beach and go to the Dixie Stampede. Hey he's wanted to go all summer! B) Make prime rib and lobster at home.

We went with B!

Danny spent the morning playing Call of Duty (shocking, I know) while wearing his brand new shirt, a present from Miley! I'm pretty sure he has this shirt in every color.

Then we headed out for the day. We got some movies, went to the mall for a bit, got the Sunday haircut (oh wait, long weekends through me off...it's Tuesday!) and went to lunch. There are so many Mexican restaurants in Jacksonville, this time we ended up at Mi Cabana. It was better than most of the other places in Jville! We drank before noon, but hey...a day off is like vacation, right?

We headed to the store to get some lobster. Lobster is a strange thing down south. Where do you even get it down here..from a stranger on the side of the road? Yea, I don't trust people that much! So we went to Food Lion and found out that they only have lobster tails. $4.99 for one. Better than nothing...I guess.

We hungout with Miley for the rest of the day. We haven't had a weekend to do nothing in a long time. And for once, I'm actually okay with doing nothing!

Dinner wasn't as great as I wanted it to be. I wanted a whole lobster! But instead we ended up with a dinky tail, that doesn't have $5 worth of meat in it! Danny liked it, so really...that's all that matters. And we had Omaha Steak prime rib and a bottle of wine. I think that's a pretty great birthday!

We're going to make some chocolate chip cookies and watch a movie in a bit. But for now, I'm finishing up my wine and watching Danny check for IP's on his uniforms. Until yesterday I didn't know what that meant!

Happy birthday handsome, I love you more than you know.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

My good friend Katie sent me the best birthday present. First, she is feeding my coffee addiction with six different kinds of coffee. And most importantly she gave me the book Married to the Military. I am only on page ten and it is already the most informative book I have ever read. I feel like I should get out the highlighter and make myself little reminders! This book might prove to be the most helpful wedding planner for me!

Some Pictures

Me, Danny and Lois at one of our many wine nights

 Me, Danny and Kaleb on Thanksgiving

Celebrating my 24th birthday with Staci and Kristen!

The Ohio Update

First, lets just say...never start a roadtrip on a holiday during rush hour..especially when there are a billion college campus in your area. Our eight hour trip turned into a almost a twelve hour trip.

Danny's family was so excited to see him, he hasn't been home in a year! We had Thanksgiving dinner at his grandmothers house with his Mom's family. Danny made the big "we're getting married" annoucement, which I thought went well. But apparently his grandmother wasn't too please...but Danny's Mom and step-Dad stuck up for us. I love those two. Atleast we have people on our side! Later that day we went to Danny's Dad's side of the family.

It has always been tradition in my family to see a movie on Thanksgiving night...I was so excited when we decided to take Kaleb to see a movie!

I didn't take part in Black Friday events, large crowds in stores is NOT my thing. HOWEVER! Danny's Mom and step-Dad picked up some awesome things for me and Danny! A flatware set, a quesedilia maker, electric skillet, spice rack and some other stuff! SO EXCITING!

Friday night we were supposed to get drinks with Danny's sister and some friends. But I KNEW it wouldn't happen. I knew Kaleb wouldn't want his Daddy to leave. Danny was a little dissapointed that he didn't get to go out, but it ended up being a good night. I loved seeing the two of them together and having fun.  Danny is a great Dad.

I made breakfast Saturday morning,  chocolate chip pancakes...Kaleb said he has never had them before! Which just showed me that Ohio really is under a giant rock! Then we took his to see Santa..such a cute picture!

Saturday night we went out with Danny's Dad for dinner. It literally took Danny the entire trip before he told his Dad we were getting married. I was a little upset that he didn't want to tell him, he alluded that his Dad "wouldn't even care." It hurt a little that someone might not care about something this big. But his Dad took it well, and didn't have anything negative to say. He was all over Danny though about the security clearance/graduation thing. It was very strange.

We left Ohio late Saturday night so we wouldn't hit traffic...a good idea because his Mom was in traffic ALL day yesterday.

Yesterday we were laaaaazy all day. And then went out for sushi to celebrate my birthday. I'm sad I won't get to see him for my birthday..or for the rest of the month for that matter. I won't see him again until December 23. The longest we have been apart. But atleast I'll see him for Christmas AND New Years!

Tomorrow is my 24th birthday and I'm flying home to Boston! SO SO excited!

BOSTON!

First, I hope everyone had an amazing Labor Day weekend! I got to take Danny home to Boston with me for the very first time. We had SUCH a good time! He was very nervous to meet my parents, but I think within minutes of meeting them all fears went out the window.


Friday night we went out to eat and for some scorpion bowls with my Mom, sister and a whole bunch of my friends. We ate a lot and had a lot of laughs. It was a good chance for everyone to get to meet him. It was the first time I have seen my friends since my going away party in May, I was SO SO SO excited to see them. I seriously think I have the most amazing friends EVER.

After, we all headed into Boston to see my favorite 80's band. I was so excited for Danny to experience one of my favorite places. We danced and drank and had a great time. Even after the bar closed we hungout on the streets (which I have no memory of, thank God for pictures!) I don't even know what time we got home, I think it was around 3:30.







Saturday we headed up to my lake house in Maine. We had SUCH a good weekend. He hungout with my Dad, cousin and his friend..did all the "guy" stuff, horseshoes and some weird games my cousin brought with him. I knew he was in when I heard them all trash talking each other. I'll be honest, he's the first guy I've brought home who can handle it...and give it right back! We spent time out on the boat, had a lobster bake on the beach and had a great time! I love that he got along with everyone!










Sunday we celebrated Danny's 27th birthday. We had a turkey dinner on the beach, I think Danny has decided my Mom is the best cook ever. We got a card that everyone signed, the guys even put little inside jokes in it from the weekend (Happy 106th Birthday..apparently that was his horrible score when they went golfing!) We got an awesome cake, but the 'copter is all wrong, but HEY! I tried!! And he loved it!

The weekend went by WAY too fast. We are hoping we can get up there again soon..maybe Columbus day weekend?

All my friends LOVED him, I got so many texts saying I have found a great guy, not that I didn't already know that! My parents thought he was awesome, and my Mom thanked him for putting a smile on my face!

Yesterday we went out to dinner for his birthday. We ate WAY too much (as the official end of our fat-ass summer!) I love spending time with him..we only have a few more months until he finds out where he will be stationed. I'm reallyyyyyy hoping its east coast!!! CROSS YOUR FINGERS!!!