Marine Corps Ball ~ A Weekend Getaway

 

The first weekend of November, Les and I headed down to Carlsbad in northern San Diego county.  Les' dad, sister and brother-in-law flew in from Tennessee to attend the Marine Corps Ball with Leksi.  They arrived on Friday, just two days after Pops turned 92 and two days before Lisa turned 57.  It was a great weekend filled with family, food, fun and sunshine.  We met up at P.F. Chang's on Friday night for dinner:

 

Afterwards, we went to the Wearing's AirBnB for dessert.  Leksi got a birthday cake that said, "Happy B-Day Old Folks."

 

Les, of course, took his bike with him, so on Saturday morning he went for a bike ride, while I went for a run.  There's nothing better than a run along the coast!

We spent much of Saturday afternoon and evening all together again and were having such a great time that I didn't take a single picture!  Sunday morning, Les and I ran together:

The main event was Sunday evening.  Les and I were back at the Wearing's AirBnB as the official photographers!

I know this was a treat for Leksi being able to spend time with her parents.

A girl and her Gramps!

This is Pops' navy uniform from the Korean War.

The proud parents, looking quite sharp.

Les joined his dad and sister for a few shots:

Oooo Rah!  Our marine:

We had one final meal together on Monday morning before we all headed home.  Once again, I just enjoyed the time and didn't take a single picture.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 11: Veterans

I'm changing my word for today.  The prompt was tallest, but I want to give thanks for our Veterans.

It is the VETERAN, 

not the preacher, 

who has given us freedom of religion. 

 

It is the VETERAN, 

not the reporter, 

who has given us freedom of the press.

 

It is the VETERAN, 

not the poet, 

who has given us freedom of speech.

  It is the VETERAN, 

not the campus organizer, 

who has given us freedom to assemble.

  It is the VETERAN, 

not the lawyer, 

who has given us the right to a fair trial. 

 

It is the VETERAN, 

not the politician, 

Who has given us the right to vote. 

 

It is the VETERAN who salutes the Flag. 

 

It is the VETERAN who serves under the Flag.

 

 

Pictured above are my Great Uncle Lewis Ganaway who served in WW II, my uncle Ron Fultz who served during peace time, and my father-in-law Bill McElhaney who also served during peace time. 

 

I'm thankful to them and all soldiers who have served and continue to serve for our freedom.

12/28 ~ Something Awesome (Photo-A-Day)

Yesterday we toured the Mighty Mo - the Battleship USS Missouri.  I'll do a full post later, but something awesome was this chow line:

Why was this chow line something awesome?  Les' dad was in the Navy in the 50s.  On Christmas day, his ship was docked next to the Missouri and the captain of the Missouri invited the entire crew to dine with them!

Who would have guessed that 60 years later Les would be standing where his dad had been as a young soldier.  I'd say that's something awesome!