The First Jump!

Chris took his FIRST REAL JUMP today!

He said it was an amazing experience!

This is DEFINITELY what he wants to do with his life!

Introducing the NEWEST Rescue Swimmer!

Today was the day...D Day. Everything that Chris has worked so hard for over the last year and a half has built up toward today's test - The Final Multi.

Last night Chris was pretty nervous about the anticipation of the following day. I mean, after all, there are only about 300 people in the entire world that are, and about 700 that have ever been, US Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers. These people, the Rescue Swimmers, are compared to the elite of any other branch of service... Army Ranger, Navy SEAL or Air Force pararescueman. With a 75% attrition rate, for every one-person that graduates, three have failed. This is NOT an easy program. And, although the travels through the last few months have seemed like a breeze, in all reality they have been the hardest thing ever attempted in Chris' life!

The day started out with a PT Test (physical training test), which they complete every few weeks to ensure that they are in the best shape possible. Sit-ups, Push-ups, Pull-ups, etc. - Chris passed this PT test with no problems. (Yes, he is in the best shape of his life!!)

Next they were on to the the big event. Chris was the first man up to go. All anticipation aside, he walked into the room, not knowing what would await him there. ---now, this is the part I can't tell you. The Rescue Swimmers keep this tradition of the Final Multi sacred. And, because this is the world wide web, not knowing who might stumble across my little blog, I'll need to respect that and leave out all of the juicy details --- Just know that the situation was stressful, know that it tested all of the knowledge and techniques Chris had learned up to this point...and know that

HE PASSED!

Airstation Kodiak

Emily's 1st Baseball Game

Emily went to her first professional baseball game on Saturday Night! It was kind of a last minute idea, and we were lucky enough to get tickets to the Sold Out Game from Uncle Gary & Aunt Carol.

Emily and I invited Chrissy to join us and we all had a good time! A little bit cold for all of us, and mom(me) should probably be more prepared next time. Luckily we brought a jacket & blanket for Em - I don't know what I was thinking, not to pack more!

Sadly, it was a short game and only lasted about 2 hours...3 up, 3 down! The Angels spanked the Mariners!

One for The Baby Book, and we will definitely have to go again!

Tracy's New Job!

So, today I became a legitimate web designer! Yes, I have been designing websites for friends & family for a few years now, but I'll actually be getting paid for this one! (ok, yes, I have been paid in the past to do web design...but, roll with me here people!)

I got hooked up with a company called Cal Coast Web Design, and they actually like some of the stuff I have done in the past! They are an acquaintance of a friend, who actually like to employ stay-at-home moms to do most of their web designs and updates! what a great fit for me!

Everything is virtual, so I should be able to keep this position no matter where we move! I just off the phone with them and I'll be starting on my first project tonight! I am SO EXCITED!!

Emily Cuts Her 1st Tooth!

Yep! Lisa noticed today that Emily's 1st tooth finally broke through her gums! It is a front tooth on her bottom, left-side! It's about time! -- she's been fussing over her teeth for weeks!

Ya, the picture sucks, and you can't really see it here. But, in the fuzziness of her gums you can see a very small spec of white -- that's it!!

Wine Tasting in Temecula

Saturday we (Mom, Lisa, Aunt Carol, Diney, & Melanie) went wine tasting in Temecula. We had a GREAT time!! The day started early, at 7am, so that we could pick everyone up and be there when the wineries opened. We ended up spending the WHOLE DAY in Temecula - we opened the wineries, and closed the wineries!

I could go on-and-on about our adventure that day, but I think I'll just reflect on my favorite moment of the day.

It was our 2nd to last winery, and late in the day. We stopped at a larger winery (I don't remember the name). Aunt Carol decided to "sit that one out" so it was just me, Mel, Lisa, Mom, and Diney. We walked into the main tasting room and immediately noticed the good-looking guy behind the counter pouring wine (I think he looked like Chris). It was the first good-looking guy we had seen all day...and Lisa is in dire need of a boyfriend!! (She'll hate me for saying that because she really doesn't care about having a boyfriend, but I think she needs one because she's "not been" with Brandon for a long time.)

So, to try to make a long-story, short...we all went up to him to have him help us with our tastings. Melanie immediately took charge and was just embarrassing! (Of course, I wish I had the balls to say & do the things that she does!!) She was very conservative with him and just funny-as-all-hell!!! She kept relating the conversation back to Lisa and how "Lisa likes that too" - or - "Lisa look, a guy that is going somewhere" - or - "Lisa, what do you think about that" --- Lisa was SO EMBARRASSED!! We ended up writing Lisa's phone number on the back of one of the tasting tickets and gave it to him...I think he was flattered.

How we left it -- well, he said "So, if I call this number it won't be the local KFC, right?" We assured him it was her number and walked out of there giggling like little girls. As of yet, I don't believe he has called...but it's only been 1 day. Whether or not he calls, it was so FUN!!

Grandma Discovers U-Tube

So, for about 2+ hours my mom sat on the computer typing in all sorts of word searches into U-Tube. She "just can't believe this" -- it's like a REVELATION that this has even existed. She claims to be able to "sit there forever and just look up stuff." - What a weirdo!....Where has she been living....in a box?!?! She has searched Jersey Boys, Phantom of the Opera, The Beetles, train tracks, The Offspring, base jumpers, Barry Manilow (she spent a while with Barry as they sang a duet together) Ya, can't wait till her next revelation!!

Emily Playing with her Turtle

Chloe's New Best Friend

Emily and Chloe are going to be good friends! Emily loves Chloe and always gets excited when ever she comes around. And, Chloe loves Emily...because she'll play ball with her. Emily hasn't quite learned how to throw a ball, but just the fact that Emily is even remotely interested in the ball has Chloe excited!

It's cute to watch. Chloe will bring Emily the ball and Emily will try to hold the ball with both hands. Usually someone is sitting with Emily, so that person usually throws the ball for Chloe...and she gets it and brings it right back to Emily. I can't wait for Emily to be able to throw the ball herself! -- Her and Chloe will be in Heaven!

Laugh'n at the Wind

Emily Laughing at the Wind

Grandma & Emily go to Disneyland

Emily, grandma, Mel, Grant, and Diney went to Disneyland. They said Emily had a great time and stayed awake during most of the day! She has been a little "mommy-clingy," and since mommy wasn't there, Emily didn't want grandma to leave her sight!

Although I cherise ALL the time I spend with Emily, which is usually 24/7...it was nice to have some alone time to attempt to finish up projects...and Lisa & I actually went out to a concert to see My Chemical Romance. It was a good concert and it is always a treat to get to see that group (one of my new favorite bands!!)

As any proud grandma would be, she brought the camera along and here are some pics of their exciting day at Disneyland!!

Bon Jovi

So, tonight we got to see the legandary Bon Jovi! It was a rock'n concert and, overall, we had a good time. Dad, Mom, Lisa, and I all went...fun family outing. The concert was a little bitter-sweet, however. It was hard to enjoy the concert when I knew Chris would have LOVED to me there with us, singing at the top of his lungs!

By the way...

Man, did they get old!!!

Cutie Pa-Tootie!

Happy 28th Birthday!!

Chris turns 28 today! And, unfortunetly, he is spending his birthday in North Carolina with his fellow AST Coasties. We'll have to do something to celebrate when he returns to California!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS!!