Squadron Holiday Party (plus pancakes)

Zach's squadron holiday party was last Friday at a place called Boomer's.  It's one of those go-carts/mini-golf/bumper boats/arcade places.  We picked up Dan from school and headed straight there.  The kids had a great time and were especially impressed when their golf balls went into a cottage or windmill and came out a tunnel on the other side.  They don't get out much....

On Saturday morning, we went to school for Pancakes with Santa.  Dan's class sang its Christmas song as a warm-up for the big pageant and the kids got their picture with Santa.  Hannah was quite mad but the pictures were very blurry on my phone, so I'll have to wait for the print from the school before I post that traumatizing photo.

Children's Museum of San Diego

We are so lucky here in San Diego to have a thousand different cool places to go each weekend, which is why it took us this long to visit the Children's Museum of San Diego.  (Not to be confused with the San Diego Children's Discovery Museum, which is actually in Escondido.)  Last Saturday, I took the boys downtown to try out this new place while Zach stayed home with Hannah.

Hannah probably would have had fun, but the exhibits and activities were definitely more appropriate for Dan and Ben.  We stayed three hours and did pretty much everything.  The weather was gorgeous so we took a break midway through to play outside on the playground across the street.  Ben liked painting the farm equipment outside and Dan loved climbing on the ropes and curvy jungle gym.  This museum is three stories tall, another reason I was glad to only have to keep track of two kids instead of three.  We will definitely go back with Hannah when Grandma and Grandpa come to visit.

USMC Birthday Ball

This year's Marine Corps Birthday Ball was our last one on active duty, since Zach is retiring next summer, and we went out with a bang!  Unlike last year, we actually knew people in the squadron this time around, plus the deployment is over, so we didn't have that hanging over our heads.  This year, the Ball was at the Hilton Bayfront in downtown San Diego and it was a really great time.  Lauren and Jesse stayed with the kids so Zach and I stayed at the hotel and went too bed way too late (11 pm).

It was wonderful to get dressed up and to have my hair and makeup done professionally.  I can't imagine when I'll have that done again for a big event.  I'll have to schedule a black-tie event at least once a year so we can look this good again.  Ha!

(The grainy pics are from my phone and the good ones are from my camera.)

With the CO's wife, Kim

With our buddy, Mike "Smack" Smith

With the XO, Maj Chris Roy, and the previous CO, LtCol Jay Holterman

With the CO's wife, Kim Giordano

With our friend, Meghan

Zach with his CO, LtCol Brett Giordano