Emerald Isle, North Carolina

When Garin called me during boot camp and told me that our first duty station would be Emerald Isle, NC, I was hardly upset! My family used to visit here while I was in high school and college and I have some wonderful memories from those times.

Garin graduated from boot camp on May 16th at 11AM, after that we drove down to Leesburg, VA to attend the wedding reception of a very good family friend, Josh Asselin (unfortunately, we weren't able to get there in time for the wedding). Then we left the reception and drove straight home. We got to our house at 4:30AM on Saturday morning. We took Saturday off and then attended a graduation party for Shane on Sunday. Then on Monday the packing began. Garin arranged for us to pick up the U-Haul on Wednesday morning. I must say, I NEVER thought we'd be ready to pack the truck by then. But surprisingly, we were and we were able to have everything in the truck by Wednesday night! So we got up at 5:30 on Thursday morning, and headed to our new home in Emerald Isle.

I had aready come down to Emerald Isle a few weekends before when I came down for Shane's graduation in Wilmington. So, I had already viewed a couple of houses and had pretty much decided on the one we wanted. Fortunately, it was available for us the day we arrived and we were able to move right in. We are LOVING it! Its about 2 miles from Garin's station and about a 5 minute walk from the beach! Its 3 bedroom and 2 bath, so we are ready and EXPECTING many people to come visit us this summer!! Please call ahead to make a reservation ;)

Our backyard (needs a little grass)!

(From the end of our drive way) On the otherside of that big pink house is the BEAUTIFUL Atlantic Ocean!

Shane's Graduation

YAY!! Shane, Garin's brother, graduated from UNCW on May 10th. We are so proud of him! Unfortunately Garin was still at boot camp and wasn't able to attend. But if you look at the group picture, you will see Shane on the phone. He is on the phone with Garin, so Garin DID make it into the family picture :).

Boot Camp

On March 25th 2008, Garin joined the Coast Guard and left for Boot Camp in Cape May, NJ. He was there for 7.5 weeks and on May 16th, his dad and I, ventured to NJ to pick him up and watch his graduation ceremony. While in Boot Camp, Garin had been given the job of Company Yoeman. This means he was in charge of most of the administrative work for the 90 some recruits in his company. At the graduation ceremony he was given the "Leadership Award" and "The Best Shipmate Award." He was nominated and selected for both of these awards by the rest of his company. I was a VERY proud wife to say the least. Unfortunately my camera was acting up, so I didn't get the greatest pictures. However I did video tape the whole thing. I'll spare you that and post the pictures Garin's dad took!

Marching into the Graduation Ceremony

Garin's company

Garin receiving his awards

One HAPPY couple!

(I think this picture makes me look pregnant, I'm NOT pregnant!)

Up and Running

Well I finally decided to start a blog. I'm just a couple of years behind the trend...that's par for the course for me. However, this blog is more for selfish reasons than to provide you with info. I only have about 5 years worth of scrapbooking I need to do this summer, so I figured this would be a good way of keeping a virtual scrapbook while I am busy updating my other ones. Our lives have taken on some interesting twists so I thought this would be a good way to record our adventures. Hope you enjoy!