Can't let another month go by

....without blogging! So here is a catch-up:

We went to Hawaii. It was friggen awesome. We feel blessed that we were fortunate enough to go at an "early" age and without kids. I must say it felt pretty good when people asked if we were on our honeymoon and we just said, nope that was 4.5 years ago, this is just another vacation! We've had our "vacation account" prepped for the past couple of years but haven't had the time to get away. There's nothing worse than coming home from vacation and fretting over how to refill the bank account. Having the money saved up made it feel like everything was an all-inclusive trip. AMAZING! Thank you, Lord!

I can't remember everything we did, but I blurbed on FB daily as a reminder. We drove the entire coastline of both islands, Oahu and Kauai. We snorkeled, learned to surf, hiked canyons and other trails, swam, did a scenic boat cruise of the Napali coast, also a dinner cruise with Hawaiian entertainment, got a couples massage, went to Pearl Harbor, toured the largest coffee plantation in the US, saw many waterfalls, saw HUGE waves, enjoyed our hotel pool and bars, saw many many chickens and roosters, stopped at nearly every "scenic lookout" spot on the islands and took 700 pictures! Needless to say, it was a fantastic time. Pictures do not do the trip justice whatsoever. But here are some for you.

As a side note, if you are military you can get some incredible deals. We stayed next to the Hilton in the Hale Koa in Oahu and saved over 50% on a beach front hotel with free parking, internet, and all you can eat buffet breakfast. Oahu is a very military-friendly island, discounts on meals, BOGO free dinner cruise, 20% off our 6-hr snorkel cruise, free admission to state parks, 10% off our massage, 1/2 price surfing lessons, entertainment etc. Kauai, not so much. Actually, when we arrived to the Marriott Beach Club in Kauai, they tried to tell us that their military rate changed in July and they were going to charge us an extra $50 a day. Even though we booked in August, after the price increase. Anyways, we just showed them our reservation, and the rate we booked and voila, they didn't do it. Did they really expect us to pay that?

Our next BIG trip will be drumroll please:
A European Tour!
Hopefully, within the next 2-3 years. We shall see!

So now you're caught up on our trip. In other news, we move to SA in exactly 3 weeks from today. We have no rental truck, no house to move into and no set plans. BUT, we do have 2 bathrooms, 2 closets, and 1 bedroom packed!

And my last day of work is next Friday. Then I get to keep this job and work from home! Yet, another answered prayer!

Finally, Josh's upgrade check ride is Wednesday!! Assuming the jet actually gets in the air. This means he will be an Aircraft Commander and no longer a co-pilot. It doesn't do too much good as we are leaving the B-1 for now, BUT when he and if he comes back, it will be beneficial to requal. And, he only has one more class and then a capstone test and he is done with his Master's in Political Science!
So proud of him and his accomplishments!