Random Pics

It has been a very mild winter. We've only had 2 snows and they barely made it to the foot of the mountain. However, about 2 weeks ago when we had our last snow, we took Skyla up the mountain (20 min) to the ski resort to run around in the snow a little. She hasn't really seen snow since she was a puppy. We took these pictures. As you can tell by Mike's lack of a jacket, it still gets up to about the mid- high 40s during the day. We walked briskly. :)

I've also included a couple of pictures of me at 33 weeks (taken Christmas Eve). I look pretty normal from the back right? And then I turn around...

Mom keeps bugging me about doing a blog of the nursery, but I just don't feel that it's finished enough to reveal it. We still need a couple pieces of furniture, so I'm not sure that I've completely settled on a permanent layout for the room. Since the walls here are concrete, hanging things is quite an issue and would leave a hideous mark on the newly painted wall if I decided to move something. So the room still looks fairly naked. I'm having baby shower on the 13th so hopefully we'll be able to put the finishing touches on the nursery and do a blog!

Christmas '06

On the 9th we had both a church Christmas party to attend and a squadron Christmas party. Our church is pretty small, both in number, and in space so we had the Christmas party in the "Fellowship Hall" which is really the basement of the complex we meet in. However, it was so fabulous. The ladies that put all the food and decorations together really out did themselves. It couldn't have been more fancy. Each table was decorated a little differently. This was our table--with a red and gold theme and the desert table is in the back. We had a really good time and it was hard to leave, but we had to get to the other party. Here is the website for the other pictures from the party if you're interested. :) Just go to the website and hit "View Slideshow". http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=c9dwl7n.8dta72ej&Uy=7h4d2g&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&UV=726371980423_892622988107

These are pictures from the squadron Christmas party. It was at Club Bella Vista (the enlisted and officer's club on base). Mike was randomly selected to participate in a scavenger hunt. He and 11 other people had to find various items in the crowd (ie a hairpin, and California driver's license, etc.). I was sitting right up front so I could be close in case he needed anything I had in my purse, so when they made them go find someone to do the moonwalk, he grabbed me! I was not excited. He was hoping that even if I sucked at it, I would get sympathy points for being pregnant. Reluctantly, I did do what I'm sure was an embarrassingly inaccurate moonwalk and Mike proceeded to the next level. He got 3rd place.

The pictures are of my friend Stephanie and me and the group picture is me with the some of the squadron ladies. What a wild and crazy group! The other picture are of Mike and some of his work buddies.

They had a professional photographer there to take posed pictures and since I had been wanting Christmas/belly pictures professionally done, I used my moonwalk leverage. I said he owed me and he couldn't really argue. So we had them done, and they turned out GREAT!

Retreat

First, I wanted to include a picture of the sunset I took from the baby's room. I know Texas sunsets are just as good, but I was really happy the picture turned out so well.

In November, I attended a women's retreat in Albano Terme (about 2 hours south west of us). Although it was pretty much in the city, you would never have known it. Nestled against the side of a hill (in the Eugean hills), you never hear the hustle of the city. This area used to have lots of volcanic activity so now there are a countless number of spas that offer all kinds of mineral cures and treatments.
The hotel where we stayed was built from 1428-1495. It was originally a monastery. The well in the courtyard is made from solid piece of marble and was finished in 1589. We enjoyed wonderful 4-course Italian meals. I enjoyed the food not only because it was good, but because I was able to try a lot of different things. When we go out to eat, I rarely experiment with new dishes because I don't want to pay for something I don't know whether I'll like or not. And God knows I can never share anything with my picky husband. All he eats is pizza. :) So it was nice to be able to try a BUNCH of new food.

This is a "couch" and mirror near the reception desk inside the hotel/monastery. Hopefully you can tell how big it is in the picture where I am lying on it.


They had 2 giant cages that housed many kinds of birds and trillions of rabbits. There were also 2 peacocks running around loose.

This is the outside of the monastery. There was a chapel both inside and a sanctuary right next door.

Here is the website for the hotel if any of you want to check it out. It has an arial shot of the place which is kinda cool. http://www.termesanmarco.it/index_en.php