Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas!

Well, I tried very hard to capture as many videos and pictures as possible of our 1st Christmas away from home. It is not very easy to get a good picture of Gracie these days...she can't sit still for one second. I did get some cute videos of her opening some of her gifts. Santa came to visit on Christmas Eve morning, and we decided to open all of our gifts on that day as well.

Gracie woke up around her usual time 6:30 a.m. It was definitely rough getting up that early, but we were excited to see Gracie's face when she saw all of her presents. Gracie, however, had a very different reaction...she didn't even want to go near her gifts! When she heard that Santa brought the gifts, she wanted nothing to do with them!!! But, after a while, she finally gave in and explored all the fun stuff.

After Gracie finished opening all of her gifts, Mike and I exchanged our gifts. I bought Mike an antique helmet worn in 1502 by a Japanese warrior at the Imperial Palace. It was definitely a big splurge on my part, but I new he would love it...and he did!! I also LOVED my gift. I was very surprised when I opened the box to find the Tahitian pearl necklace and matching earrings I had admired sometime back. I still can't believe they are all mine!!!

We received so many gifts from friends and family back home, and we are so grateful and blessed to have so many people that took the time to remember us for the holidays. It would have been so nice to be home and celebrate the holidays, but I am constantly reminding myself that at least my Marine is home for Christmas. So many other families are really struggling through the holidays with their Marines over in Iraq or on some other deployment. I would have loved to been home, but this is the next best thing!

So, to spread the cheer, Mike invited his Marines over for Christmas dinner. We had a nice turn out, and I cooked another wonderful meal! Watch out! I am becoming a little Martha Stewart over here! No, I really didn't go all out, but it was a nice meal and everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves.

Below are some of the pictures and videos of Christmas Eve morning. Enjoy!

Mike and Gracie holding the Christmas ornaments from Grammy and Grampy

Mike showing welcome mat from Gram and Gramp

Nicole showing off the Tahitian pearl necklace and earrings.

Gracie figuring out which gift to unwrap next.

Mass 2 Christmas Party

Happy Holidays! We have officially kicked off the holiday season with the MASS 2 Christmas party. The party was held at the USO on base and we had a huge turn out. There was tons of food and lots of presents for all of the children. Gracie was dancing the night away...well, that was until HE arrived!!! Gracie was dancing and having a wonderful time...until, she turned around and there was this big, burly man with a big white beard standing behind her! She totally freaked out! It was hilarious and a bit pathetic. Needless to say, she did NOT have her picture taking with the jolly fat man this year. I have a hunch, she won't be doing it next year either! She refused to even open the gift that Santa gave her. Poor baby! She will probably be traumatized for the rest of her life. Overall, we had a wonderful time visiting with all of our friends. It was a great way to kick off the holiday season!

Santa attempting to give Gracie her gift...Gracie refusing to receive the gift...
Gracie playing in the cooler...
Gracie scared that Santa is coming back to see her...
Gracie trying to figure out what this kid is doing...

Welcome Home Snoopy!

Okay! Mike finally gave in! We have a new addition to our family! Now, officially introducing Snoopy Morrill. Snoopy is an 18 month old miniature Dachshund (a.k.a. mini wiener dog). Snoopy came from a very loving family who had to return stateside on short notice and could not take him with them. They were very sad to part with Snoopy, but we assured them he would have a caring, loving home. He is small in stature, but has a bark that would scare any dog away! He is so sweet and lovable, and he adores Gracie. We honestly could have never found a better dog. Of course, Mike wasn't totally on board with getting a dog (especially a mini wiener dog), but you can't resist loving Snoopy! He is just too sweet!

When Snoopy first arrived in our home, Gracie had a hard time understanding that Snoopy was a dog and she was a toddler. Gracie wanted to eat Snoopy's food, and she refused to get out of Snoopy's bed. She has been following him around with his leash all day. She hasn't quite figured out that he has to be attached to the leash, so she just chases after him. It is so cute! I am already trying to convince Mike that we need two dogs :-) He isn't convinced just yet!

Snoopy!

Snoopy playing at his new home!

Gracie following Snoopy with the leash.

Gracie refusing to get out of Snoopy's bed.

Gracie eating Snoopy's food. Apparently, Gracie enjoys eating dog food. Not sure how we are going to prevent this one from happening ???

Happy Thanksgiving!

I know! I know! I am sorry it has taken so long to post. Things have been nuts around here! Well, as for Thanksgiving...it wasn't so bad being millions of miles away from home. Don't get me wrong...We definitely wish we could have been home with friends and family, but it really wasn't too bad. I suppose we decided to be thankful we were able to spend the holiday with our little family, unlike many military service members serving in Iraq. Gracie and I are certainly grateful that we had our Marine home for Thanksgiving!

Instead of celebrating Thanksgiving the traditional way (back home with family), we invited over all of the single Marines from Mike's unit and had a Thanksgiving day feast at our home. I began preparing dinner two days in advance, and if I do say so myself, it turned out beautifully! I couldn't remember exactly how my grandmother prepared all of the dishes back home, so I searched online some recipes and made others by memory. The only thing missing was my grandmother's cornbread stuffing. I had no idea how to make it, and everything online just didn't sound right. I should have just called and asked for it, but I figured everyone else was busy making their own Thanksgiving dinner. Overall, the evening went great and the guys had a terrific time. After cleaning up the kitchen, the guys decided to break out the Monopoly game. Who knew such a simple old game could be so much fun! The one thing that stands out in my mind is when one of the guys said, "Can you move my sewing kit thing two spots?" I assumed that he was referring to his thimble. haha! Gotta love those Marines!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving as well! Although it was a nice alternative, hopefully next year we can celebrate the holiday in the states.

My delicious turkey!!!

Yummy! Desserts!

AWWW! Gracie and Daddy having a moment!