Aurora Laura Rohring

While Glenn and I were in DC the other weekend, we got to catch up with our friends, the Rohrings. They were stationed with us in Japan and when they left, Angelica was pregnant. I finally got to meet Miss Charlotte Hana. She was a cutie and even let us enjoy our late lunch and chance to catch up! When we lived in Japan, Angelica joked that she was going to name her Aurora Laura Rohring. With the way that the Japanese mix up their Ls and Rs, it was pretty funny. Arora Rora Roring is how it would have ended up sounding. Charlotte Hana is a little bit better I suppose.

It seems now that we are back in the States, most "Navy" cities that we visit, we have a friends or two in that town that we have the chance to catch up with. Now if only my family and friends lived in these cities, we would be great.

Konichiwa and Gutentag, maybe...

A few weeks ago, some friends stopped by Norfolk enroute to tour the US visiting family before they moved to Germany. I'd almost forgotten about this picture until I've seen a few of their first pictures of Germany on Facebook! Mike and Toni were stationed with us in Japan and are doing another overseas tour. I'm a little jealous of their European tour. Maybe someday!

While they were in town we got together with a few other Norfolk Liberty Bells. It was fun to reminisce! Good luck in Germany Ross family!

My last night in Japan!

I've finally uploaded the pictures from my camera! Since my farewell from Japan was moved up one week unexpectedly, my farewell party was the night before my 30 hour trip to America. I don't necessarily recommend a night of heavy drinking the night before flying around the world, but I would have missed one last night with all my girls (and Mike) for the world. So much fun.

We went to a yakiniku (Korean BBQ) restaurant in Yamato and enjoyed yummy food and a few mystery items, but it wouldn't be Japan if we didn't have some questionable item I figured.

How has it already been 6 weeks since I've seen some of my favorite people?! I miss you all!

My dear Japanese friend, Yuki, came too. And thank goodness because we needed her help with ordering! Thanks, Yuki!

I miss my Liberty Belles dearly and all my other friends from Atsugi. Everyone back here asks, "are you happy to be back?" "Do you miss it?". Yes and yes, but mostly, I miss my wonderful friends in Japan. It is such a wonderful community both military and the Japanese. I miss everyone terribly.

And of course, since it was my party after all, we ended up at the O'Club. I miss it too! I need to find a bar around here that is walking distance from my house and everyone I know goes to it all the time. Oh and the bartenders all know my name and drink. Gotta work on that...

I miss you all!!

Addicted to Love

For our theme this year, we went dressed as Robert Palmer's Addicted to Love Video. Apparently, I'm not quite old enough to know the video, but we watched the video a few times and I think we came pretty close!

We changed the words of the song to make it more "homecoming" themed since this is our half-way party, after all.

And the rest of the night was shenanigans as usual!

My Liberty Bell ladies and man and Det 5 ladies know how to have a good time! 

It's doesn't hurt when you get first place again!

Badgirls!

This weekend was the annual Badgirl Ball and games. It is always an awesome weekend and this year didn't disappoint. The Liberty Bells/Det 5 combo team was the Badgirl Games champions for the second year in a row! This weekend is topped off by the fact that Glenn is coming home TODAY! Deployments are finished for 3 years!

This year we competed in a few relay races, tug of war and a few other "family reunion style" games.

Thank you to the CAG 5 ladies who organized the events and party. You did a great job!

Glenn's Bail

Glenn left on deployment again on Monday (and then randomly appeared for 3 hours on Tuesday) but is gone for a short time. How long? Good question. It depends on the weather, a tiny baby girl's arrival and who knows what else! Hopefully, it will be short though.

Before he left, the squadron "bailed" him and said good-bye.

 We passed on the Liberty Bell bucket to the Gilberts. It was passed on to us by the Lemoore's and not it is on to another party planning couple!

This is the tiny baby girl that we are waiting for so Glenn can come home!

Congratulations on a wonderful 3(+) years as a Liberty Bell, Mr. I am so proud of you and all the hard work that you have done to make this squadron great. 

Come home soon!

Happy Labor Day!

Glenn and I hosted a BBQ on Monday for a few coworkers that were in town from Virginia. The typhoon that hit Japan over the weekend wasn't really cooperating, but somehow we got a few dry hours to grill and enjoy the company of our Liberty Bell friends.

As soon as we were cleaning up, the rain started coming down!

 

Moo! It's a COW party!

After a massive earthquake, an evacuation, kids in new schools, relocations and all the drama, we finally got around to welcoming Kathy as VAW-115's newest Commanding Officer's Wife (COW). And in Navy tradition, we threw her a COW-themed bash to thank her for all the hard work she has/will put in as the "lady in charge" of all of us!

Kristy and Diann did a great job planning the party down to the smallest details including these personalized coasters with pictures of Kathy! How cute is that? I'm gonna have to steal that idea in the future!

Kathy opened many cow gifts. Some cute....some not so cute, but all in good fun.

We were joined by all the CO and XO wives from the other squadrons as well. They are always a good time!

What's that you're wearing Kathy?

Oh yes, of course! PJ pants!

Perfect for the event!

This party was just getting started. Let's move the sangria to the bar!

Who Glenn was playing with in Guam

Here is the photo exercise photo from Cope North 2011. It was a multinational joint exercise of some sort or something. Glenn got to ride in the B-52 (the plane in the front) on one of the days too. Neato!

Farewell Catherine!

Along with CoC comes the farewell of his COW (CO's wife). Catherine and her family headed back to the Land of Milk and Honey this week, but before they left, we had one dinner together as the OSSG.

The job of a COW is just that, a job. Her husband may be getting paid for the job, but she does a lot of work as well. She keeps us updated while our husbands are gone and has the somewhat difficult job of keeping spirits up.

Catherine did an amazing job during her time as our COW. I definitely thought of her as a mentor and her organization and communication has made my time here even better.

Good luck in Washington D.C., Catherine! You are going to be missed!