Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal

Anyone who knows Reece, especially in a work setting, will know that he always gives it everything he's got.  No matter what the assignment.  We learned earlier this week that Reece would be receiving a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (NAM) for his accomplishments this past year.  Although the news was exciting for Reece, it was also very humbling.  We were reminded again of God's faithfulness, the talents he has blessed him with and the opportunities he's been given to put them to use while serving in the Marine Corps.

'We have different gifts according to the grace given to each of us.  If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.' - Romans 12:6-8

To God be the Glory!

With love from, Krissy


A few pics from this morning's presentation ceremony.

My handsome Marine!

Oooo…I just love surprises!

Reece loves to surprise me and most of the time (apart from one occasion) he is successful in doing so.  Airplane rides, no reason flowers, dinner cruises and the list goes on.  I don't mind though, or rather, I quite enjoy it!

We were invited out to a friend's place Friday night to which Reece responded 'We've already got plans'.  We do?  I wasn't aware of this. Turns out Reece had a surprise date night planned for Friday.

Lucky for Reece I still don't know where many things are on our beautiful island. So, I really had no idea what was in store when we headed out to Honolulu. We parked in a parking garage downtown and headed down the street.  We passed by a number of nice restaurants and each time I waited for him to turn in until finally we stopped in front of HirOshi.  It was a small Eurasion (which apparently is a combination between European and Asian) restaurant.

When Reece first got to Oahu he made of list of all the restaurants that he wanted to try out.  HirOshi was one of them.  Being the dutchman that he is, he discovered that the restaurant has happy hour between 5:30 and 6:30 on weekdays.  Half price entrees and $3.50 martinis.  Now that's a good deal.  We ate till we were full (SO delicious) and enjoyed a couple of very tasty martinis.

After dinner Reece had yet another destination on the agenda.  He made me close my eyes this time.  I could tell we had gotten to a parking lot because I could feel the speed bumps under the truck, but he still wouldn't let me open my eyes.  He escorted me out of the car and led me by the hand (eyes still closed) to the entrance of ICE PALACE! A little taste of home in Honolulu.  The ice was bumpy, ridged, thin and crappy and I don't think they know what skate sharpeners are around here, but it made for some very entertaining skating.  Normally I'd consider myself to be a good skater, but in these conditions I looked like Bambi from the scene where he is just learning to walk with his long, awkward legs.  After many laps around the ice, a warm cup of french vanilla coffee and a Churro (I'd never had one of these until I moved to the US) we finally headed home.  Thanks to my hubby for a wonderful evening :)

With love from,
Krissy

Our delicious plate of Swordfish.  Yumm!

Strawberry Lemondrop Martini

So ghetto, but oh so fun :)

BayFest 2011 (my first post!)

Okay, so I'm not a talented writer and photographer like Reece, but I thought I'd do my best to blog about all the exciting and boring details of our lives and everything in between.  I'll be the first to admit that our lives are really not all that entertaining, but hopefully this will give you a better idea of what we are up to over here on our tropical island.

Here goes nothing…

Have you ever gotten to Monday and felt like you needed another weekend to recover from the one that just past? That was the feeling for both of us waking up yesterday morning (although I did sleep in a little so Reece was probably feeling this much more than I).  Anyway, the reason for our tiredness is a good one.  It was BayFest weekend! Reece was tasked with doing a two page spread covering all the highlights of BayFest.  This is an annual event at the Marine Corps Base here in Hawaii and consist of rides, games, vendors, concerts, contests, military displays and of course pretty much every deep fried food you could possibly imagine!

The highlight of the weekend for me came on Saturday night when I got to be Reece's 'assistant' and join him for his interview with rock group Puddle of Mudd and later shoot their concert.  The interview confirmed for me the 'rockstar' stereotype.  Wes Scantlin, the lead singer of the band, was so drunk and/or high during the interview that 98% of his responses made absolutely no sense!  We had a good laugh about it after.

After all was said and done we capped off our BayFest experience with a ride on the ferris wheel in the pouring rain.  Oh so romantic :)

With love from,
Krissy

To see Reece's photos of the events click here:
http://www.dvidshub.net/image/429083/bayfest-2011-kicks-off-with-boom

Our rainy ferris wheel ride!

Reece sitting on the ground taking photos.