Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Drew officially has a winning trial record, 1-0!  The Navy jury (also known as the members) returned a verdict of not guilty yesterday in Drew's first court martial case.  He has been working SO hard on this case and all of his hard work really paid off for his client.  Since I have lots of leisure time over here I was able to watch the first full day of trial (where Drew delivered the opening statement) and the closing arguments. There aren't many courts martial on Guam.  In fact, this was the first one in three years so it was a pretty big deal and a lot of people came out to show their support.  I am so proud of my husband!

We went out for a celebratory dinner last night with everyone that worked on the case, even the attorneys from the other side.  The JAG Corps is such a unique group of people and it was really nice to hang out with all of them.  Today we're heading to the beach for a wetting down party for Drew's co-worker, Jen.  She just recently made lieutenant so she's required to throw a party for all of her friends.  It should be a fun afternoon on our tropical island.

By the way, Happy Veterans Day!  Hope you take some time to remember & appreciate all of those who have served our country & all of their families who have worked so hard to support them.  We have so much to be thankful for!!

I'm married to a 30-year-old!

November 2 was Drew's 30th birthday and we celebrated accordingly.  On Tuesday night we had a party at the Tower of London bar with a bunch of our friends.  We chose that locale for their shuffleboard & darts.  It was a great evening of games & fun with friends, but I was a bit of a slacker in the picture-taking department.  On Wednesday, I took Drew out for a birthday lunch and brought Coldstone ice cream cupcakes to the office.  Of course, we had to sing for him again and make him blow out his candles.  We went to Roy's for dinner on Wednesday night and it was delicious!  They made a huge deal about singing for him.  He was a bit embarrassed, but what's a birthday without some embarrassment?  Drew was seriously spoiled with all the wonderful gifts he got.  But his best present, by far, was the lederhosen he got from his family.  He's convinced it won't fit, but I'm still trying to get him to actually try it on.  You never know until you try, right?  

I was so happy that we got to celebrate Drew as much as he deserves.  He's a wonderful husband and I am so lucky!  Happy belated birthday, my love.

Dessert #1: Tropical Carrot Cake

Drew & Jen

Siiri & Drew

Dessert #2:  Pumpkin & Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Ice Cream Cupcakes

Dinner at Roy's

Dessert #3:  Strawberry Cheesecake (complete with singing)

Happy Halloween

Drew & I had a very mellow Halloween this year.  We didn't dress up at all or go out.  Instead, we stayed in and carved pumpkins!  Drew free-handed his cat/moon carving.  As usual, I used a pattern.  This year's choice pattern was a haunted house.  We carved our pumpkins while watching "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown."  About halfway through, Drew commented that Charlie Brown is really kind of strange & he's right!  It's a bit of an odd show, but still a classic.  We also watched "Resident Evil" for some good Halloween zombie action.  Even though we were stocked up on Halloween candy, we sadly didn't get a single trick-or-treater.  I was a bit disappointed, but at least I have lots of friends with kids who will send me adorable pictures of their little ones all dressed up!  See any great costumes this year?

Pre-carving.  I'm such a good wife, that I even "gutted" Drew's
pumpkin for him.  He kept saying how gross it is, but I
think that's one of the best parts!

Post-carving.  They would look better with candles, but we forgot to get them...

USC v. ND

As you all know, Drew & I are huge USC fans.  Drew's co-worker, Jen, is a huge Notre Dame fan.  So, of course there was a lot of hype for the big rivalry game last weekend.  We had Drew's co-workers over for a rivalry game brunch & it was so much fun!  There was also a big bet riding on this game.  If USC lost, Drew had to get a high & tight haircut and if ND lost, then Jen had to buy & wear the khaki uniform skirt all week.  The worst part about wearing the uniform skirt on Guam is that you are required to wear stockings - not too comfortable in this heat & humidity!

ND was favored to win so we were a little bit nervous.  But, USC showed up in South Bend and beat the Fighting Irish, 31-17.  And Jen lived up to her side of the bet...

The tasty spread - egg casserole, pumpkin ring, bagels & lox,
spinach-artichoke dip.  Delicious!

Happy Birthday, Navy!

On October 13, the Navy celebrated its 236th birthday.  Drew and I were lucky enough to attend the Guam Navy Birthday Ball at they Hyatt on Friday night.  We went with Drew's co-workers and had a fantastic time.  Everyone looked so handsome & lovely in their dress uniforms.  It was great to have an evening of dress up!  And it gave me a great opportunity to wear the beautiful earrings and bracelet that my Aunt Gay gave me.  Thanks, Auntie!

My officer & gentleman

Jen & Drew

They cut the cake with a sword! 

Playing dress up with Jen's cover!

Columbus Day

The best part about Columbus Day = Drew had a 4 day weekend!  On Friday morning we went on our great cave hike with Drew's office.  Friday night we went to an engagement party for two of the people on Drew's frisbee team (they met playing frisbee - how cute) at the beach.  The only problem with beach parties on Guam is the almost certain chance of rain.  It's not so bad during the day when you're hot anyways & can just go jump in the water.  But when you don't have your swimsuit on, have a bunch of food laying out & a BBQ going it can dampen the mood a bit.  After huddling under a palm branch for about fifteen minutes and realizing the storm was not passing too quickly, Drew & I decided to make our wet escape.  Even though there was a lake in my purse, my camera wasn't ruined & I couldn't let the moment pass by without a picture...

On Saturday we played some racquetball on base & then I met up with some of the friends I made volunteering at the film festival while Drew got his nap on.  We met up at the beautiful Beach Bar and played some beach volleyball.  It rained again.  But was still a lot of fun.  And, par for the course on Guam, even though we were supposed to meet up at 3:00, when I arrived at 3:30 I was the first one there.  The next person didn't show up until about 3:45 and most of the people didn't show up until after 4:00.  I guess that's just how island time works.  At least there was a spectacular view.

Sunday was a very relaxing day for us.  We went to church and then spent the rest of the day at home.  We had a riveting game of Scrabble and played some Wii Jeopardy.  Sadly, we don't get Jeopardy in Guam so we were both going through a bit of withdrawal.  On Monday we went diving in the morning with Jen from Drew's office.  She's almost a master diver & is so kind to always take us out for dives.  It was a great dive because Drew & I both got to see our first sea turtle on Guam!  It was so cool being in the water under him & looking up to see this sea turtle just swimming around.  It was a great weekend all around & when we got up to drive Drew to work on Tuesday there was a double rainbow waiting for us right outside our building.  Guam really is a wonderful place.  And the best part is that we get to share it together!

Spelunking

Definition of spelunking: the hobby or practice of exploring caves.  Drew & I went spelunking this morning with the other attorneys in his office.  Jen led the two of us, Craig, Heidi & little Malachy on an exploration of Talofofo Caves.  We explored five different caves and crawled through one of them for a beautiful ocean view.  The neatest part of the cave that had the ocean view is that as soon as you get close to the opening, there is a huge rush of ocean breeze.  It is such a great experience & the cool air feels great in the middle of a hike!  We also got to go up to this lookout called Window Rock.  There is a natural window cut out of the rock and you can see right through.  It is phenomenal!  It was a wonderful morning of hiking and a great use of Drew's extra day off for Columbus Day.  Hope everyone has a great, long weekend!

Cave #1 - We crawled in this little opening, but the cavern
 inside was HUGE & amazing

Heidi & Malachy - so cute!

Cave #2 

The ocean view from Cave #3

Jen climbed up higher for a better view

Window Rock