Anthony's Birthday!

Go Raiders!

After the game, we were still smiling!

Anthony and his Mama

Group shot

The shark cake, with a leg (aka a cracker) hanging out!

The car ride up Anthony was between Dre and Mel.

Anthony blowing out his candles.

November 30th was my nephew Anthony's 7th birthday!! My friend Caitlin, hooked us up with free tickets to the Raider's game that day. When Anthony found out that we were going to the game on his birthday, he was in the shower, and he started jumping up and down and dancing, saying "oh yeah, alright, woo hoo!!" So, Julie, Anthony, Melissa, Andrea (Dre), and I went up to the game on Sunday. Alberto was sick and couldn't go, which was really sad because he's the only real Raider's fan out all of us! We had a good time eating hot dogs and watching the game. Unfortunately, the Raider's lost the Chief's and it made Anthony really upset! :( That night, once we got back home we had cake for Anthony. He wanted a ocean cake with a shark in it and he also asked the Baker to put red in the cake...like blood!! He's such a boy!! Julie didn't allow any "blood" in the cake, so we eat pieces of a more peaceful (less violent) looking cake. :)

Thanksgiving weekend

Wednesday night Sarah and Ryan came into town and we went to Island's for dinner. Thanksgiving morning, Sarah, Julie, Melissa, her friend Vinnie, and I did the Turkey Trot/Run at Lover's Point. It started at 8am and no one was allowed to wear watches. Everyone had to run or walk towards Asilomar and then we had to turn around and try to make it back to Lover's Point exactly one hour later. We actually were only a minute or so off! But, we didn't win the prize. That's OK, it was a lot of fun. Then my sis and I went to her in-laws for a tasty feast. We watched the Cowboy's destroy the Seahawks! And, then Mel came over and we watched movies the rest of the day/evening. Friday evening, we met up with some Class of '97 people downtown and that was great! It has been a long time since I've seen some of those people!!

Zarin's Wedding

On October 26th, one of my best friends from high school got married in Berkeley. Zarin and J.P. (now he goes by just Patrick) dated back in high school and kept in touch over the years. They got back together almost 2 years ago and they tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony. They were dressed in traditional Afghan dress and then for the reception they were in traditional American dress. It was a blend of both cultures and absolutely amazing!! I'm waiting for friends to email me pictures and I hope to be able to put up pictures by next week.

Raider's Game

Isaac and Anthony

Little Raider's fans...

Alberto and the boys

I just want to preface this post - Most people who know me and where my family is from, know that I am a die-hard Dallas Cowboy's fan. Always will be. Doesn't matter if they have a terrible season or if they are going to the Super Bowl, I'll always be a fan. Anyways, my sister's husband is a HUGE Raider's fan. The foundation office at NPS was giving away free Raider's tickets and I was able to get 6 of them. My sister, her husband, his sister, my nephew, his cousin, and I all got to go to McAfee Stadium on October 19th to watch the Raider's play the New York Jets. I was sooo excited to see Brett Farve - he's a living legend!! I assumed the Raider's were going to lose. This game ended up being what will probably be the most exciting game of the Raider's season. Not only did the Raider's beat the Jets, they won in OT!! We had such a great time!! :)

Vacation! part 3 - back in VA

Ships docked at Norfolk.

Mom, Montie, and Me windblown after the boat ride.

Monday, October 6th, my parents and I went back to colonial Williamsburg and it was much more pleasant weather than the beginning of September. We went to the house that the Rockefeller’s lived in. It was interesting to find out that it was actually John Rockefeller and his wife who invested over 60 million dollars (during the Depression) to restore that part Williamsburg to colonial times. That night I slept over at Matt & Montie’s. It was fun to spend some quality time with them The next day Montie, Mom, Dad, and I took a boating trip all through the James River. We saw Fort Monroe, Norfolk, and other locations on the Chesapeake Bay. Wednesday I flew back home, ending my vacation. I was sad to leave my family. :(

Vacation! part 2 - DC

Two of the guys Dad fought in the war with.

Dad in front of the Vietnam War Memorial

Women singing in Korean in front of the Korean War Memorial


Cody, Mike, Dad, Matt, and I after the race. Dad even wore the a shirt to match Matt and I.

Dad, Matt, me, and Mom after running by the Pentagon.

Friday morning, October 3rd, Mom, Dad, Matt, and I left for DC. After checking into the hotel, Matt and I had to pick up our bibs for the race. We walked around the Expo a little and then decided it was time to see the sights. We walked around the Mall – almost all of it!! We took a few pics in front of the Capitol and walked by the Washington Monument and reflecting pond. Unfortunately, we didn’t make it to the White House, it was a little too far away and we didn’t make reservations to go inside. The Vietnam Memorial was very special for us. Dad was a Chinook pilot during that war. He was able to find the names of two guys he worked with. V One died in helicopter while talking on the radio with Dad. Dad said the guy was talking and the radio suddenly went silent. Dad flew over and saw smoke and the wreckage. It was a pretty emotional for me; I can only imagine what my dad was feeling deep inside. But, I guess he’s had many years to work through those emotions. I’m just thankful God blessed my dad and he made it home. I’m glad we went to the Vietnam Memorial, it is beautiful tribute to those who didn’t make it home. The Korean Memorial was unexpectedly emotional, too, even though I don’t think I know anyone who was in that war. As we walked up to the memorial, a group of Korean women were singing a sad Korean song in front of the site and they were surrounded by wreaths of flowers. Their song was haunting and even though most of us watching didn’t understand their words, you could feel their sorrow. The last stop for the day was Lincoln Memorial, which is quite impressive; picture really doesn’t do it justice. Saturday was spent going through various Smithsonians’. Mom, Dad, and I went into the Science and Space Smithsonian for the first half of the day and then to the Natural History Smithsonian the second half. It was overwhelming. Really one needs to spend all day in just one and really take everything in. My favorite parts were space exhibits and the rock, gem, and precious stone exhibit. Matt spent most of that day with his old co-worker, Mike and his son, Cody. After a long day of information overload, we went to a California Pizza Kitchen and loaded up on carbs - yummy!! Matt and I shared a pizza and pasta dishes…talk about carb overload!!! That night we drank a lot of water and went to bed early. Sunday morning, October 5th, we were up bright and early for the race. The Army 10-Miler starts at the Pentagon which was just 2 blocks away from our hotel. So we got there about an hour early and somehow we ended up at the very back! But, me and my bro ran ~11 minute miles so we ended up passing a lot of people. We didn’t break any records, but we finished!! :) I was sooo happy, I was pretty nervous about this run and I was relieved when it was over. I felt really good until the end. I had only trained running 8 miles, so around the 9th mile all my joints started to tighten and tense up. Other than the last mile, it was actually a very enjoyable run. My bro entertained me the whole time. I don’t think he was hurting at all, then again, he’s used to running 9 minute miles. I’m very proud of us for finishing together!! After the run we cleaned up and drove back to Williamsburg, VA. I took it real easy the rest of the day and watched movies.

Vacation! part 1 - VA

My bro at work. He looks good in his uniform! :)

A replica of the fort at Jamestowne in the 1600's.

I got in really late on Tuesday, September 30th. Wednesday morning, my parents and I went historic Jamestowne. We went to a well done museum and it was very informative. I stopped by Matt's work and we went for a practice run. We had dinner over at Matt and Montie’s. As usual, Brady was very entertaining. Matt and I stayed up watching one of his crazy sci-fi movies, it was very silly. Thursday we went to Yorktown and had lunch along the James River. Then we went to the Yorktown Visitor’s Center and learned a little more about colonial history. An important point I had forgotten about, if it wasn’t for the French, we would not have been able to fight off the British and become our own Country. That night, Brady, Matt, and Montie came over and had dinner at Mom’s and Dad’s.