West Palm Beach Visit

After a long week of studying and taking my boards, Josh and I headed south to visit his Aunt Gail, Uncle Jasper, Uncle Richard, Uncle Richard's work buddy, Cousin Lindsey, Lindsey's husband, and "Mama" (Uncle Jasper's mother). It was a full house! Four dogs, nine people, 18 hours of driving, lots of food, and two rounds of golf!

9 hours of driving each way- lots of conversations, good music, and fun adventures. We laughed until we cried when we discovered that the highway we were on had a windshield cleaner at the rest area. You drive in front of the spigot thing and it sprays water all over your windshield. Really, it's the little things in life! We also discovered some old mix cd's from when Josh and I first began dating and had a blast singing along.

Uncle Richard relaxing after a long week of work with "Jackson" (on the right) and "Bella" (on the left)

(Josh and "Bella")

"Mama" (Uncle Jasper's mom) arrived from CT on Saturday with lots of Italian goodies (here Josh and Uncle Richard are exploring homemade salami (I forget the correct name for it).

"Mama" holding deep fried eggplant (so good), Blanton (Uncle Richard's work buddy who lives with Aunt Gail and Uncle Jasper right now), Aunt Gail....confused yet??

"Mama" and Uncle Jasper

"Bianca"- too precious

The dogs and I...they are so beautiful!

Good old "Duke" and Aunt Gail

"Bianca" sure does like to sleep

Sisters- "Bella" and "Bianca"

looking at our wedding album

"Blanton" with a golf book, a club, and a beach themed bed after a long day of caddying for Payton Manning and his buddies

Aunt Gail and Uncle Richard (Brother and Sister)

Aunt Gail on the golf course

Josh and I cheesin on the golf course. I made an "almost hole in one" that turned out to be a par...I was excited (haha...don't ask how that works)

Golfin in January

While it has been a bit chillier here, I don't dare complain, as I have heard about the weather up north! I thought I'd post a few pictures from some fun outings (and innings):

comforting Edgar after the "big boys" came over to play some Rock Band in his room.

Cosmic Bowling- it's a great deal onboard (Saturday and Tuesday nights). Josh is thinking of joining the intramural league after the basketball ends.

We discovered that Pensacola does have some nicer restaurants downtown (other than your classic Ruby Tuesdays and Sonic). This place, "Dharma Blue" was kind of cool- creative sushi in a neat atmosphere with all sorts of artwork from local artists. We'd like to try the place next to this one some time- it's Italian.

Outside the restaurant

Josh's flight school buddy and his girlfriend at the restaurant

On Josh's favorite 9 holes of the Navy course, "Bayview"

Josh and I on the course- I only managed to play a few holes- my wrists are hurting from all of the mouse clicking I've been doing for my practice tests (600 questions the day before)

"Bo"- just taking up golf but you wouldn't know it!

Isn't he handsome? I think so :)



A video of Josh swinging right by the bridge that goes to the "main gate" onboard. Pretty view!

As you can see, I am "tapering" for my exam, haha. I will take my exam Wednesday and then Josh and I are looking forward to a weekend away at Aunt Gail and Uncle Jasper's place in West Palm Beach. If my temporary license arrives in time, I hope to start work next wednesday (Jan 28). If not, I am sure I can find plenty to do exploring our area.

Well, thanks for taking the time to visit!

Fall in CT

Josh and I had the pleasure of spending Columbus Day weekend (apparently A.K.A. "Discoverer's Day" now) with my parents in CT. We celebrated my belated birthday, my brother Ben's birthday, and had a chance to see Steve, my cousin Jessie and her husband Fraser, Grandma and Grandad Gropp, Aunt Bonnie, and Uncle Bob.

It was a beautiful weekend! We managed to play tennis twice (yes, we feel like we've been run over by a truck, as it had been a long time since we last played) and golf once. We also fit in a few games of Quiddler, made some homemade pizza, and relaxed.

Edgar did not have the good fortune of coming along for the weekend getaway and left us many presents at home :)

Here are a few pictures of our weekend in CT. We are looking forward to a weekend in Maine visiting with Josh's family soon as well! Before we know it we will be in the Sunshine state.

Josh and I with the top of our wedding cake! We've been married for 4 months now (hard to believe how time flies) but we may not be in CT on our one year anniversary, so we celebrated eating the top of our wedding cake a bit early....it was DELICIOUS!

Ben with his birthday cake!

Josh peeling squash for Mom- he was so helpful in the kitchen this weekend with making pizzas and other food prep.

The dogs watching on hoping something would drop


Fall on the golf course

Two handsome men!

Josh and I on the golf course....yes, my golf push cart looks like stroller...half the time Josh dutifully pushes it and we had a man on the course approach us that day to say that he was getting himself in to a bad habit ;) he nicely replied that he enjoyed it (pushing my clubs for me)....as do I ;)