Finally, a little catch up...We have a Marine!!

Don't know where the time has gone!  We left here on Wednesday the 20th a little after 0600 and got into San Diego near 1630.  We ate on the road, I made sandwiches etc to eat in the car.  

Our Marine on Family Day...

Eric and family were out and about, he stopped in when they got back.  The weather wasn't the best, but Family Day and graduation would happen no matter what.  We visited and had a little Happy Hour with Eric.  

Thursday morning dawned a little overcast but not bad.  Weather got better as the day went on.  We got there a little after 0800 or so, we could see the boys practicing for graduation.  Made a run over there to see what we could see. Luckily Eric and Christina were already there so I've got some pics i stole from them.  

Right before the moto run!

2nd red head..left..

They had a moto run, which we watched and could see Seth clearly! :) The base certainly kept family and friends busy until the Marines were released for Family Day!  We found him!  Hugs all around, maybe a few tears, as it's been over 3 months since we said good bye at MEPS.  

Diane,Jesse and Seth :) 

Ken, Seth and Bobby

Seth, Mason, Natalie, Aaron and Jacob

Brothers :)  Seth and Mason..

Practicing...

Family...Mason, Seth, Christina, Eric (you will never see Eric in
a printed shirt..except to showcase his son, the Marine!)

We walked around a bit, visited some of the stores that were there.  On Family Day and graduation visitors can buy where normally only military can shop there.  
We visited the museum and just visited and got caught up.  

Eventually everyone was hungry so we went to the car and got lunch out.  We were able to secure a nice picnic table outside for lunch.  Seth wanted tuna sandwiches, so I made up probably 10 cans of tuna just in case some people wanted them too..they did!  I had lunch meat, cheese and potato chips.  It was all a hit and made for a nice lunch.  Dessert too, I made some chocolate chip cookies and then the fruit cocktail cake. All worked :)  

Visited some more, shopping too.  Eventually it was nearing 1700 and that's when Seth had to be back to his barracks.  Hugs all around and back to the motel. We were all whooped!  

Eric came down for a beer or two, the kids were in Colton's room and ordered out for dinner.  

Friday morning, graduation day we all wanted to be there early.  We watched the color ceremony which was very moving.  We could see the Marines on the Parade Deck and then they were gone.  After the ceremony we all headed for the grandstands as we wanted to sit together and have some good seats.  Russell and Lori got there not too much later as they got in at 2330 the night before driving from Sacramento.  

Seth and MOM!

We waited and enjoyed chit chatting until here they came!  Such excitement for us!  I've got to say we've been to many graduations but my favorite is the Marine Corp graduations ( of course I may be a little prejudiced, as we've got two Marines now) along with West Point coming in a close, very close second! 

Once it was over it was a mad dash to the Parade Deck to hug our newest Marine! 💙 We're all so PROUD of HIM! 

Eric sent me this pic.. 💗Love this boy!!

Since it was nearing 1200 and everyone was hungry we headed to a place in Ocean Beach called Pizza Port..very good food, drink and a great place to interact with everyone.  

After a few hours we headed out and walked to the beach.  Eventually we headed back to the motel.  Later Seth and Holly took our car and Jacob drove the rest of the young people to the mall for awhile.  Eric, Chris, Russell, Lori and Jesse decided to take Uber and go check out some breweries, tap rooms etc.  Diane was with us for awhile and then decided to take her rental car and head back to her motel.  We had sandwiches for dinner and then that was it. We were done!  

Ready to graduate!! 

As a mom I am so proud of how my son is so
proud of his son :)  💙💗

Cousins...Jacob and Seth!

Practicing!

I love this!!

Mason, Seth, Mom and Dad! 

Two Marines....Russell, and Seth..: )

Seth and his friend Colton, who surprised him
coming down! 

B4 PT...:) 

About 2130 or so ( I thought it was like, 0100) we had a knock on the door and it was our kids trying to get us up to party for a bit, as they had brought some special beer back. Thinking there was some alcohol involved as they were trying to get us up haha.  A good time was had by them all!  We just couldn't do it, but appreciated the attempt! 

Sunday morning everyone was meeting about 1100 to head for USS Midway Museum.  Ken and I considered not going as we were going to be heading home. As Russell said, " you're retired!" ...ok we're going. haha. 

We all met there and thanks to Seth for being active military, everyone in his group got in for FREE.  Tickets aren't cheap (seniors $20.00) and well worth it even if we had to pay it.  We all enjoyed it for several hours. 

We were all starving, so Lori found a taqueria nearby that filled our tummies and everyone said goodbye.  Lori and Russell were driving to Sacramento, Jesse, Diane and Eric and family were heading to the airport and we were heading to Nevada.  We knew we wouldn't go far as it was after 1600 when we took off.  Traffic was terrible (welcome to southern CA) and it was nearing dark. By 1900 hours we were in Adelanto, CA and that was as far as we went.  Found a motel and spent the night there.  

Monday morning we were on the road a little after 0600. We arrived home a little after 1230.  We looked for someplace to have breakfast. Didn't work..most of the towns didn't have a place but if they did they were packed. So finally I told Ken, lets just eat sandwiches from yesterday.  That's what we did, no problem.  Yum and we were home early. Cleaned the car and then headed over to Karen's in the evening.  Some of her kids and hubby, John were home.  

I was going with Ken this am over to CA to drop off trailer because of storm set to come..well in the end I stayed home and he went..I made turkey, ham, Ree's mashed potatoes..can't believe how the day went.!!! 

Ken got home and we went ahead and decorated the tree! Done! Tomorrow we he'd out to Eric's place for the night and then to Cal Expo the next night. 

I'll catch  up on the Midway and other things next time..just wanted to get something posted.! Have a great night!