One Step Closer

The movers have been here all week packing us up to go and it is a little sad. The house is almost empty now and just a few boxes and random things left behind. California has been a lot of fun, but now it is time to try something new. It will take about a month for our stuff to make the long trip to Hawaii, so in the meantime we are going to be setting up shop back in Michigan. Rob will have to report in on July 3rd, but Hudson and I won't be there until the 11th (fingers crossed that the weather will cooperate and it won't be too hot for him to fly). It will be really nice to be back in Michigan to see family and friends.

My class reunion is happening the day I am scheduled to fly to Hawaii so I will have to miss that, but I can't believe that it has been 10 years already. I feel like it was just yesterday I was saying goodbye to all those people I grew up with. Rob missed his reunion a couple years ago as well so we will both have to go back for the 25 or whatever comes next.

Hawaii....22 days till we are there.

Hawaii Here We Come!!!

It has been a few months since we blogged last, but a lot has been going on. We received orders this past February and found out that we will be stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii on Oahu. We are really looking forward to the move, but there is so much to do before we leave. The poor dog has had to be tested and poked. The quarantine laws are very strict and to keep him out of quarantine for 120 days we are trying to get everything taken care of before we get there. Rob will be the Executive Officer (XO) for the Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST). I was very lucky when it comes to work. The company I use to work for in Michigan was looking for a remote sales rep for the west coast (including Hawaii) and I got the job. Yeah! We are still trying to figure out all of our travel plans on when we will be there, but once we get settled let us know when you want to come out an visit.

Back From Vacation

Rob and I had an amazing time on our vacation and it was hard to come back last week. We were able to see some very cool stuff and get some really neat pictures. We started out in Miami where I was able to meet up with my old college roommate, Tiffany. It was great to see her again. We were staying with a friend of Rob's from the Academy downtown Miami and went to a great place for dinner. It was like a little jungle in the middle of the city.

After departing Miami we spent the first day at sea. The first port call was Roatan, Honduras. We took a bus to a beach on the other side of the island and just enjoyed the sun and warm water. The next stop was Belize City, Belize. We took another bus to the Mayan Ruins of Altun Ha. After climbing to the top, my legs hurt for days, but it was worth it. After Belize, we went to Cozumel, Mexico. Rob picked up a few cigars and we took a nice walk along the shore. The weather was overcast so we decided to find a non-tourist restaurant and have a few beers (and a couple shots). Our last port call was supposed to be an Island in the Bahamas owned by Norwegian Cruise Lines, but due to some nasty weather the island was flooded and we went to Key West, FL. On the way to Key West, the Coast Guard had to conduct a medical evacuation of a sick kid. It was too windy for the Helicopter to land on the ships helo pad so they had to do a basket hoist. It was interesting to see, but I just hope that the kid was OK. Finally, we were in Key West. It was a beautiful day so we started off early at Pepe's for breakfast (a place Rob would go when he was stationed in Florida). Florida oranges make the best fresh squeezed OJ. We also toured the Hemingway house and got to see all the six-toed cats. It was very cool to see the place where he wrote such amazing books. It was a great vacation and it felt wonderful to relax.

During our vacation Rob's sister, Leah, came out to stay with Hudson. I hope that he wasn't too much trouble.

Roatan

Belize

Mexico

Mexico

As we were leaving the park we came across some Elk grazing. They didn't mind us being there so we got some great pictures.

Point Reyes National Seashore

We decided to take a little road trip to Point Reyes National Seashore on Saturday. Hudson had never been to the beach and Rob and I wanted to go. We loaded up the car and drove north to Marin County.

Hudson rushed to the water

Totally freaked out by the waves

Great picture of Rob and Hudson

He found a small dune to watch the sun set

Beautiful view of the shore

Big Boy

While Mom and Dad Berry where visiting Hudson got his final round of puppy shots so we were able to take him on his first trip to the local dog park. It was super fun because he got to smell everything and enjoyed the new experience off leash.

He was so tired by the time we got home. It is amazing how big he has gotten.

Family

It has been a little bit since I blogged last, but Rob and I have been busy. We have been taking Hudson to puppy class (he is teachers pet...no, really she loves him because he is such a quick learner), Rob is busy away at his Masters program and I have been on the search for a new job.

Last week we spent time with mom and dad Berry. They are on the "My Three Sons Tour" right now. They are visiting Joel in Montréal, QC, Rob in Livermore, CA and Kevin in Houston, TX. Along the way they are stopping off and doing some pretty cool things like hiking/camping in Yosemite, sightseeing in Yellowstone, and driving through the huge bases of the Sequoia trees of Sequoia National Park. While here visiting us we went wine tasting in Sonoma where we had a wonderful picnic at Buena Vista Vineyard, took Hudson for a 5 mile hike through the Morgan Territory, golfing at the local course, and indulging ourselves on the freshest cheese and produce at the San Francisco farmers market. We had a wonderful time while they were here and we all hated to see them leave. Hudson was actually sitting outside their bedroom door waiting to have them come out and play.

Packing up all the yummies that we got at the Farmers Market at the Ferry Building in San Francisco

Hiking at the Morgan Territory

Hudson on the trail of something good

He found it...cows! He had no idea what it was but had fun barking at it

Enjoying the view