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!!