Christmas with my family!

Christmas morning in our Christmas jammies!!!

Merry Christmas! 2009

Dec. 2009

As another year comes to an end we reflect on all that we have been blessed with. We are back in Washington with family and friends but we definitely enjoyed our time in sunny Texas and all the wonderful friends we made. While in Texas we also made some military friends that we hope to meet up with again sometime during Ralph’s career. We had season passes to Sea World, and Six Flags, which came in handy when friends would come to visit as we could take them there as well as all the historical places that can be found in San Antonio.

Ralph is now in phase two of his schooling, which he enjoys and thrives at all that he is learning. Ralph has incredibly long hours as he leaves at 4 am and often returns after 5 or 6 pm. With all the hours he is working, we have to keep reminding ourselves it will all be worth it once he is done.

As for me, I was called up to be a long term sub in my old position as Health Clerk at Park Lodge Elementary. I enjoy being back with the staff and the children and I also enjoy being close to family and the many opportunities I have had to see them. I especially love to Zumba with my nephew Lucas, he loves to dance with his Auntie and will point to the I-Pod to get me to dance with him. Lisa, my sister, added to her family with her second son, Ethan, being born in May. Ethan is a very happy baby and is always smiling and laughing.

We are sorry this is so short but with our busy schedules we are really behind this holiday season. We will be moving again late next year or early 2011. We will let you know where we end up. We are looking forward to any new adventures that may come our way in the New Year. We just want you to know we were thinking of you all and missing you. We wish you the very best in 2010!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Love,

Ralph and Christie

Ride the DUCKS!

We did this my birthday weekend and it was a BLAST! It was a perfect Northwest day! If you have never done this it is worth the $25 per person.

Fun and Fab! Friends! Love ya!

This is from my trip back home to Washington. I got to stop and see two of my favorite peeps! And their families. We had a great day out! Lunch at Cafe Rio a must while in Utah and then girl shopping! (Ralph stayed and watched the kids) Love him bunches he is the best at letting me have my friend time. Then back to Andrea house for dinner and more talking. We were just being goofy and having a blast together!

I miss you both!

12th Anniversary!

My beautiful flowers from my wonderful husband! I am so grateful for another year with Ralph. I'm glad he is home and able to spend it with me. We went and had a lovely dinner over looking the Puget Sound and an AWESOME view of Mt. Rainer. ( will post those later) Then he treated me to my favorite Spa for a pedicure. We will continue to celebrate today by going to the place it all happened! Where we became a forever family! Thanks so much Ralph! I love you!

Not just for Doggies anymore!

Sorry it's not in the right direction. I forgot how to turn it!

Someone figured out how to get outside all by himself!

Lucas loves being outside and often cries when it's time to come in.

80's Farewell Party

First off let me say how AWESOME the party was and how NEAT everyone looked! Thank you so much for coming and letting me have one last great time together with ya'll!

(I can't use that here in Washington)

Thank you for your friendships!

Jacque!

I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed getting to know you and our time together in Texas! You and Dough! ROCK!!! You guys were such a fun couple to hang out with. Thanks for all of our adventures just about every weekend! I put together some of our many wonderful moments! I think of you often and smile! I still love the shirt Doug did for me! So those that see this look for cool Rider clothing in stores soon! Six Flags, Schlitterbahn, camping in Corpus Christi, and the many parties at your house. Thanks for all of it! I hope we can live by each other again some day! Your amazing Jax and I miss you and love you tons!

Miss you all!

 
 Thank you to all my great friends in Texas!  I miss you all so much!  You made my time in Texas fun and unforgettable!  I will cherish the memories always!  These are just a few of the many memories I have of you all!  (y'all) =)   I have been blessed by your friendships!  Thanks for making my time in Texas so wonderful!  Love and miss you all!    I will post the 80's party pictures soon!

Marianne!

 

Thanks for all the memories!!!  I have so many memories of us hanging out!  I'm glad this isn't goodbye but just see you later (LIKE  in August!)  The gym isn't going to be the same any more. Who is going to call me and make sure I'm on my way?  ;)  Brighton!  Where will I get my deals now?  I don't know if you noticed there is not one picture of us eating on here!  I tried really hard because I have tons of those!  Mexico!  Wicked!  Corpus Christi!  The list could go on and on of memories and places we have been!  And all the girls nights!  Thanks for always hosting them!  I also put some pictures of my best little friend and favorite little monkey on here!  I will miss you too Camryn!  Now maybe I won't cry when we really have to say goodbye to each other!  

Sherry!

I am so late in posting this one and I still have one of my dear friend Jacque yet to post.

And the 80's party I have not forgotten. Life has just been a bit crazy.

Thanks so much my good friend Sherry! I loved being friends with you and you made my experience in Texas and Mexico unforgettable! I miss you! And sweet Lydia! I loved our days at the pool just playing and soaking up the rays! I wish I was still there! Please come visit soon!

Thanks again for all the fun and memories!!!

Sharon!

 

I have had so MUCH fun getting to know you!  You are one of the sweetest and most talented people I know!  And always a blast to be around!   I will miss you tons!  And my little boyfriend Tyson!  Thanks for always making and reminding me how old I really am!  Just teasing you!  I often forget how young you really are!  Thanks for sharing your many talents with so many!  Especially me!  If you ever get to Washington please call!  I know why your really going to Arkansas so you don't have to say goodbye to me! I had a blast at Wicked with you!  You truly are an amazing person and friend!  Oh and a special "Shout Out"  for giving me my very own Elaine dance video!!!  I can't wait to put it up!  But I wanted to let my friends know how much I love and going to miss them!!!  And by the way Madonna is cool!!!

Easter 2009 Time with Family

 I was able to spend Easter morning with my sister and her family.  I love my nephew Lucas and his fresh excitement for all things new to him.  We thought he would be a bit scared of the Easter Bunny but he did amazingly well.  A local church put on an Easter egg hunt the Saturday before Easter.  We were all hoping Lucas would get the golden egg.  Maybe next year with a little more coaching and practice!  I'm not competitive at ALL! =)  Later that day I traveled and spent Easter dinner with Ralph's family in Washington.  My nephew's have grown so much in the time we have been gone.  Another one will be graduating next month.  We will just barely miss it.  I hope you know how proud we are of you Michael and how much we love you!  Wish we could celebrate this joyous occasion with you.  

Mission San Juan March 2009

 We visited a couple of the Missions here in San Antonio back in March with several of our good friends.  It was a beautiful Texas day!  We had a picnic and some played baseball and catch for a while.  Others just worked on their Texas tan!  That would be me! =)

Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival

 Since I did an old one I figured I should do a new one too.  I went to the Tulip Festival in Oregon with my mom, sister and my nephew Lucas.  We had a wonderful time looking at all the beautiful flowers and enjoying the lush greenery.  It truly is one of my favorite things about home.  Lucas and I even rode in a wooden shoe!  I always complain that I have BIG feet I'm glad it's not this bad!  =) (bottom left)  I'm looking forward to being back with family soon! Not the Northwest weather!  =(

San Antonio Zoo

 

This is my zoo trip back in February.  I have since been again.  I am just really that far behind in my postings!  We had a fun day!  How could you not with this wonderful group of ladies!

Kate's Party!

It's a bit late but hopefully worth the wait.  I have been learning something new!  Just wanted you to know you are loved and missed A LOT!!!  

Lucas and Limes!

 

Lucas would make these funny faces when we would give him a taste of lime.  

He is so cute and getting so big!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Sweetie!  I love you!!! Hope you have a wonderful day!

Good Friends are Hard to Find!

Some of my good friends from Texas.  Kate and Marianne  

We went to the most amazing place for dinner.   

Very Sex in the City kind of place. Very trendy and hip.  Absolutely FABULOUS!

Coco

Kate!

Our very own SJP.  Marianne!

Look at all of our yummy food!

The fondue was incredible!  Actually is was all wonderful!  

I have been very blessed to have made such good friends.  We are all military wives and will probably meet up again somewhere around the world.  That's the beauty of the military you get to move around but into your life comes some of the most amazing women.  Thanks for your friendship!

Mexico!

Before we leave on our adventure to Mexico! Early in the morning!
The girls!  Sherry your family is so wonderful!  Thank you for an incredible day!
Cowgirl Lydia!  She is so cute!
Yummy corn!

These people kept giving us samples!
Sherry and me!
Lunch time!  Can't wait for tacos!
Hot peppers!
Feeling the BURN!
Yummy!  They had every fruit or nut flavor plus many other flavors. It was hard to choose which one to try.  Thank goodness everyone was so willing to share.  I got to try so many of the different flavors.
Hey!  There was this tall and good looking tourist.  You know the good looking one.  The tall one.  (This is for you Kate!)

He was having a hard time deciding which one to try too.

Thanks Matt for being such a good sport in the car!  Sorry we gave you such a hard time! 

Your like the big brother I never had.  Only if you are only 5 days older!   Thanks again.

Girls after SHOPPING!  taking a much needed break.
Marianne and her chiclets.
Trying to sell them!
Dinner!  I'm ready to go back for more!
We had a great day in Mexico.  Good friends, good times and good food!  Life doesn't get much better than that.  I have enjoyed moving to Texas and the wonderful friends I have made.  I am making the most of my time here and enjoying every moment.  And making memories that I will always cherish.