Spelling Bee

Hunter was in the 3rd grade spelling bee. He did very well. He ended up making it to a fifth place finish. He misspelled the word "rhythm". Of course, he was upset because he really wanted a trophy but has since calmed down. When I got Brody from school, I told him that Hunter was upset and not to mention the spelling be to him. Brody walked in the house, handed him a lollipop and sat down. Hunter asked him what it was for and Brody replied "For doing so well in the spelling bee!" His anger didn't last long, Hunter had a football game that evening.



Hunter's team has been close in all the games but has come up short on the winning end. They finally pulled off a win. They played really well. They had another game on Sat. The game went down to the final minutes but the Jets came up on the short end again. Hunter did score his first touchdown of the season. I had my camera(as usual), he was on the opposite side of the field (always happens when there is a big play) but I was talking so I never got a picture of it!! I did see the TD just wasn't able to capture it on film.





Brody's team tied again (according to Brody) His level doesn't keep score so the coach always tells them that it ended in a tie. Brody plays all the positions. HE was playing quarterback and was able to complete a pass to his teammate. As his teammate ran down the field Brody ran with him. As he passed me, I yelled "Nice throw Brody" He turned,while running, and said "Thanks mom". We have one more game left in football and then soccer will start for the boys.






Joe is approaching the one year mark but he won't be returning home until April. Yes, he will be gone longer than a year but there is nothing that can be done. We will be delaying our trip to China. We were going to go over spring break (second week of April) but Joe would have just gotten home so we will wait till May. For those of you who haven't heard, Joe has chosen Georgetown for school. We will be in the DC area for one year so start planning your trip to DC and you will have a place to stay (I can't guarantee a home cooked meal but I can provide a bed to sleep in)

Saints and the Jets

Flag football season is under way and the boys are both playing. Brody is on the Saints and Hunter is on the Jets. The boys have only had 2 games but seemed to be having fun. Hunter has moved up a league so there is a little more competition. He age level however, is still considered a non-competitive league so they don't keep score. He knows the score at the end of the game.

The weather has been terrible (for Okinawa). It has been cold and rainy. It only seems to be that way when the boys have practice or have a game. Thank goodness we don't pay for our heat!





The boys are on their friends team again. Hunter is with Shea and Brody is with Eliot. They were all together last season for FB, BB and this year FB. We are hoping they get on the same soccer team. The boys all get along and are all pretty good athletes. Hunter and Shea get along very well, they are both very competitive but quiet. They make a good team. Brody and Eliot are like in that they will do anything, play anywhere that the coach asks them too. They are also 2 of the few players that know the game and how to play. It should be a fun season.
Hunter and Shea looking at baseball cards
Brody adn Eliot "warming up" before the game
Hunter and Shea before the game

Happy New Year 2011

Merry Christmas
Christmas has come and gone along with Brody's birthday and new years eve and the boys and I are still recovering. Christmas was hard this year without Joe there but I think it was harder on me than the kids. They were playing with all their toys since they were opened. I have put together at least 8 Lego sets while Brody put together one. I guess it is more fun to play with them than put them together. Hunter had a baseball themed Christmas and he couldn't be happier. Brody had a Lego and Star Wars theme going with his presents. We all had fun in the kitchen making SW pancakes and cookies (Thanks Nee!)
Star Wars in the Kitchen



For Brody's birthday, we went bowling. He took two friends. We bowled, we ate, we bowled some more then ate cake. Brody's birthday has been a month long celebration. We started when Joe was home at Thanksgiving with a cake and now have finally closed the birthday month.
New Webkinz from Nana and Opa

New Year's Eve took us up to Nago to the Marriott. Our friends were staying up there and invited us to come play for the day. The boys swam while Micky and I hung out in the lounge. We made it home around 7pm and tried to stay up till midnight but we didn't last.


The new year also brought Hunter impetigo! I have no idea how he got it but the left side of his body was hit hard. We finally went to the doctor and got on anti-biotic but most of the lesions had scabbed over. I figured after the school nurse called me (while I was subbing in Kindergarten) to tell me that Hunter would be spending the rest of the day with her, it was time to make an appointment. He is on the mend now. He never had any other symptoms but the sores which was a good sign.


Joe has 3 months left. He was suppose to come home the 1st of March but now he has to stay for a Change of Command. They are extending him about 2 more weeks (what's 2 more weeks after already completing 52 weeks??)so he won't be home until end of March. There are guys who came over after him and are getting to go home before him- not fair in my book! No word yet on where we are going in the fall. We do know for sure that it will be stateside. Joe has been accepted to the SEP Law program. He will be going somewhere to get his LLM in International Law. This is only for 1 year then we will be on the road again.
Snow at the zoo.


The CA house finally sold!!! Although we loved our neighbors, we knew that we wouldn't be going back to the house and now was the time to get rid of it. Until next time...

Snow Festival at the zoo.

It's been awhile...

His flight has arrived
Seeing Dad for the first time
Lots of hugs for dad
It has been awhile since my last post. Joe came home for his R&R for 2 weeks in Nov. He was able to spend Thanksgiving, Hunter and my birthday with us. The boys were very excited to greet him at the airport. The boys hung on him the entire 2 weeks he was home. Joe and I went to Forest Adventure. It is a zip line course 120 feet above the ground. I am not thrilled with heights but we had a great time. It was a work out climbing all the ropes but worth it. We did take pictures but unfortunately they are all on Joe's camera. I forgot to transfer them to my computer. So the pictures will have to wait.

Rock Band with Dad

All the boys did the Distance Dare. It is a distance event. The swimmer has 2 hours to complete 5000M (3.1 miles) or as many laps as they can do. Brody and Joe were competing to the first time. Brody completed 2400M in 2 hours. He wanted to get out at an hour but I kept giving him "power pellets" (fruit snacks) and he felt he could finish the swim. Hunter completed 5000M in 1 hour 39 minutes. He set the new record for 8 year old boys. Joe completed 5000M in 1 hour 45 minutes. Yes, Hunter is faster than him but he also hasn't been swimming for 9 months. For the Distance Dare, the Galvins hold the record for either time or distance in 6 and 8 years old.






The last swim meet was this weekend (12/11). Brody got his first blue ribbon in the breast stroke. Both boys did great and are happy to take a break from swimming. Flag football has started and the games will start in January. We were lucky to get on a team with some friends so the boys knew someone on their team already.

Joe returned to Afghanistan and will be there until March. He thought he was going to be able to come home the end of February but it isn't looking that way. He now is coming back around the middle to late March. He is staying about 2 weeks longer than expected due to a change of command. I guess we have already done a year, what is 2 weeks more???






The boys and I will celebrate Christmas in the morning on the 25th then it is off to the baseball field across the street for a neighborhood kickball game. After the game we are going to Trina's house for drinks and food. I think the boys will be so excited about kickball (we usually play once a month in the hood when the weather is nice) that they won't be too bothered that Joe is gone. I will post pictures from the big game, so be looking out for that.

Swim Again

The boys are back in the pool and have already had one meet. Hunter is not very thrilled with swimming but is doing it until football starts. He swam the 50 freestyle, backstroke, and butterfly. He did very well in all 3 events and was able to place 1st in all three. Although he hates butterfly, he is pretty good at it.





Brody swam in his first swim meet. I guess it doesn't matter if he is swimming or not...he was ready to go home half way through the meet. He swam the 25 freestyle, backstroke and kickboard. He was able to place 4th, 6th, and 8th place. I don't remember what stroke he got what place but he was very excited to win some ribbons. Unfortunately, the boys are in the same age group so Brody will have to beat his brother but so far they have not competed in the same event.





The Marine Corps birthday was Wed, Nov. 10th, the boys had the day off of school for conferences. We went to see the parade of Marines through the years. They have people dressed in the uniform that Marines would wear during that war. Hunter was having a good time guessing what war it was and Brody was counting the flags in the background. Brody did lean over half way through and ask me if Dad was a Marine. I said yes and he turned and said "okay". They also had no school on the 11th for Veterans Day. According to Brody, it is Ventrance Day! It was funny to listen to. No school again on Friday for conferences.
A rare photo of me before bunco!

I had Bunco at my house on Friday. It was a hunting theme. All the ladies came dressed in orange and played bunco. It was fun and even the boys got into the spirit of things. Joe should be home this weekend. I will let you know when he gets here.