07.23.2013: Air Force Bound!!

 

The day has finally come...really though!  Vince and I met the family down at the recruiting center in downtown Phoenix to watch Chris take his oath, and be sworn in...and see him off to San Antonio for Air Force boot camp.  He was one of the few in the group that was going into a special forces career field, and the officer swearing them in made note of it to everyone.  Very proud to see my little cousin off to the beginning of a great future!

 

 Taking the oath...

Proud parents....

 Signing his life away...

07.22.2013: Chris Goodbye Dinner

The day has finally come...almost!! After over a year process of Chris trying to join one of the armed forces, his "ship off" date is tomorrow! He is heading to the Air Force!! Gina & Bill brought him down to AZ to see him off.  We joined them and the Kennedys for a farewell dinner for Chris at Manuel's (one of our fav Mexican restaurants in town) for some good food, good drinks, and good fun.

 

07.15.2013: VEGAS, The Awards Dinner & MJ Live

 

And so we have all made it back to civilization, and showers, and toilets, and running water.  Ahhhh, how I wish we were back on the boat!!!

 

Gina & Bill, although they didn't make the trip this year, made it to our pre & post parties!  Next year, they will be there :)  So we had our usual awards dinner at the Rio buffet.  We have been doing this for years!!!! After a few days on a boat with limited resources, exactly what we need is an all-you-can-eat buffet.  And some really cool medals & trophys!

 

I don't really need to mention ALL the awards, but let it be known that the best meal went to the 3 Scotts for their Bahn Mi lunch.  All I have to say is ...F.I.X.E.D.



 

 After dinner, Mom had bought tickets for us to all go see MJ Live.  It was really more for the kiddos, as they are all Michael Jackson obsessed...however, it was pretty entertaining for the adults too!  Such a great show....and a super thanks to Capt Scott for watching Avery during the show!!!

 Best time ever.....

 Too cool for themselves, let alone MJ!

07.15.2013: The Long Ride Home

Ahhhhh...and so all things come to an end, as does this trip.  We all have our "roles" in the ride home, as we do on the ride out.  For some of us, it is known that we will be on the boat.  Some of the duties of the ride home crew is to clean the boat, clean the fridge, pack all the bags & get them ready for unloading.....and, as our tradition, the "houseboat ride home crew" has our last drinks on the boat, as we ride thru the Narrows and reminisce about the trip.  One of my most favorite and bittersweet memories of each vacation!  It has been quite a few years now, that Vince, Alisa and I are part of the "wine crew".  We hide off a bottle of cheap white wine to drink on the top of the boat together on the trip home.  It must be "cheap" and it must be "white"...and then we try to finish off whatever else needs to be downed before we hit dock.  The others we "invite" or "allow" into our wine crew are by strict vote.  Since Christina has been a part of the "wine crew" for a few years now, she is grandfathered in and is now a part of the committee.  An official member.  Newbies are still on the fence...it is tough to get in on our cheap wine moments!!!  It's special...

 

The poor driver of the boat has to deal with us whinos as we enjoy our last moments...but Scott (who usually ends up driving us back most of the way) is always amazing and encourages our final indulgence...as long as we give him breaks once in a while, and until the houseboat breaks down.  Luckily though, we were good this trip!  No breakdowns!

 

Heading across Virgin Basin, approaching the Narrows

 Of course, the water is always like glass on the way home and makes us just wanna grab a ski and jump in.  Figures....

 Avery is in tickle mode! She was obsessed with tickling Lex's feet!

 The Narrows

 Life jacket, whaaatt??