Weeiindy's Album

Long Weekend in Boone: July 2008

2008-12-10T17:30:00.002-05:00

Two months to go until Erik returns from deployment, so I drive up to the Boone, NC area to spend a long weekend at my aunt and uncle's house on Sugar Mountain. My parents meet us, and we all have a wonderful, relaxing time in the mountains. Below are some photos from a drive along the Blue Ridge.

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My parents and I relaxing on the back deck of my aunt and uncle's house. It is so quiet in the mountains...just the kind of vacation that I stressed military wife needs!

2008-12-10T17:17:00.001-05:00

My Aunt Terri and I taking a walk around her Sugar Mountain neighborhood.

The Airforce Wife's Trip to Albuquerque: June 2008

2008-12-10T17:11:00.002-05:00

While Erik was deployed for 6 months this past year, I realized the only way I would survive was to always have something to look forward to each month. To mark the halfway point of his deployment, I took a trip out to ABQ to spend a few days with Erik's family. It was wonderful being bathed in so much love and support!

No trip to ABQ is complete without a trip up to the Sandia Mountains via the tramway. You get an amazing view of the city.

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During my trip to Albuquerque, I went with my parents-in-law and niece-in-law south of the city to the Acoma Pueblo. This reservation includes a tall mesa, on the top of which the original village was built. A tribal elder hosted a wonderful walking tour of the mesa town. Many of the older tribe members still live on the top of the mesa, despite the lack of running water and electricity.

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The above image is a traditional Acoma stove. Below are great views from the top of the mesa.

2008-12-10T16:15:00.001-05:00

After taking the tour of the Acoma Pueblo, the guide told us we had two ways to get back down from the mesa: a bus or the steps. The steps had been cut into the side of the rock by the Native Americans and were the only way for the villagers to descend to ground level for hundreds of years. So as not to look like a chicken in front of my in-laws, I cheerfully agreed to climb down the side of the rock. As you can see from the photos below, the descent was not as simple as I thought. I made sure my father-in-law was ready to catch me at any time.

To clarify: I am NOT afraid of heights! I actually love heights. I'm just quite clumsy and have some depth-perception problems that make climbing down from the heights a bit sketchy!

2008-12-10T16:06:00.006-05:00

My Nephew Rowan!

2008-07-09T00:18:00.000-04:00

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My mom and I with my baby nephew, Rowan. I was able to meet him for the first time in May, when Kenny and Cris visited my parents in Virginia. I love being an Aunt (or "Tita" in Tagolog) and have already found myself in Babies R Us on more than one occasion!

2008-07-09T00:01:00.001-04:00

My brother and I with Baby Rowan.

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2008-07-08T23:58:00.000-04:00

Proud Tita Wendy!

Photos from our Trip to Aruba Last November

2008-05-09T22:48:00.002-04:00

Unfortunately, I did not take as many pictures as I should have. But here's what I've got...

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Our little ocean resort on the Dutch island.

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Snorkeling near shore.

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Erik and I dining at an oceanside restaurant with Mom and Dad.

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Sunset on the beach.

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The funnest part of our Aruba trip was the 4-wheel drive, off-road safari tour around the island. Mom actually was one of the drivers! She did an awesome job and handled her vehicle much better than the others.

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Mud puddles and trenches were not avoided on our safari tour. We had mud spewing up to the doors in some places of the trip.

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Good thing neither of us get motion sickness!

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Erik keeping watch on the two ladies in the front of the vehicle!

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A little hideaway on the opposite end of the island.

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Mom hanging out at one of the stops during our off-road trip around the island.

Hans and Elena's Wedding in Albuquerque last August

2008-05-09T21:52:00.000-04:00

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Erik and I at Hans' wedding reception.

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Erik at our table, next to his brother.

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A view from our table at the Tanaon. That's Erik at the far end, then Hans, Elena, Elena's sister, and Elena's cousin.

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Another view of our table.

Our New House in South Carolina

2007-11-29T08:38:00.001-05:00

2007-11-28T19:56:00.001-05:00

This is our new house! It's a Cape Code style, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, former model home that is approximately 2 years old. There are two large front rooms for formal living and dining areas, making the house about 2000 sqft. You'll have to excuse the brown grass...this photo was taken after the first frost of autumn, and all grasses in the Charleston area have officially gone dormant until next spring.

2007-11-28T19:51:00.001-05:00

Here's another view of the house from the driveway side. The house next door is still a model home, so being a corner house next to a model, we have zero direct neighbors at this point!

2007-11-28T19:19:00.000-05:00

Now a closer look at the driveway side, with the two-car garage connected to the house by a nice little deck. The window overlooking the deck is one of the main windows to the first floor master bedroom. Behind the house are certified wetlands, so there will never be anyone building behind us. I plan to post some more photos of the interior as soon as I feel that everything has found its place.

Our Honeymoon in Ruidoso, NM

2007-10-28T20:52:00.000-04:00

2007-08-22T15:25:00.000-04:00

Erik and I honeymooned in the little mountain-town of Ruidoso. The large mountain in the background is Sierra Blanco, home to the popular ski resort Ski Apache. Can you believe this is New Mexico? This town has great shops and a surprising variety of gourmet-ish restaurants. Most of all, it was very peaceful and quiet...perfect for two newlyweds!

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Ruidoso is cold and beautiful in January. Erik and I took a walk along the river one afternoon after having brunch at one of the wonderful local restaurants.

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Erik peering over the bridge.

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Erik and I stayed in luxurious, brand-new cabins. These first few pictures are of the inside amenities, including the jacuzzi!

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We loved the 3-sided fireplace and swiveling television. Whether we were in bed, on the couch, or in the hot-tub, we could always see the fire and watch the tele.

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The front of our Ruidoso cabin. Blue-eyed boy not included.

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The side of our luxury cabin.

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These little wooden bears are a popular item in Ruidoso. This bear became the honeymooner's best friend, since he is meant to display the "Do not disturb" sign for housekeeping!

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Erik was surprised and pleased with our grill, which he used to make a chicken dinner one night.

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The frozen lake outside our cabin.

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The little cabin "community."

The Wedding Day!

2007-08-11T22:03:00.000-04:00

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Mom makes a last minute fix to my shoes before I take the big walk down the aisle.

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Dad walks me down the aisle.

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The ceremony was conducted by Pastor Bruce, with Hans and Kenny acting as our witnesses.

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We're saying "I Do!"

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Kenny holds my flowers for the exchange of rings.

2007-03-26T19:46:00.000-04:00

A great shot of me and my blue-eyed husband. Photo credits go to Steve Markkanen. Thanks!

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After dinner conversation at the reception.

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Erik's dad and I dancing to Moonshadow by Cat Stevens.

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Erik's mom and brother doing a mother-son dance.

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The bride and groom fast-dancing...with my mom and dad in the background.

2007-03-26T19:35:00.000-04:00

I think we're all dancing to Stayin' Alive by the Beegees in this photo

2007-03-26T19:20:00.000-04:00

Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting!

2007-03-26T19:09:00.000-04:00

More Kung Fu Fighting! Hiyaah!

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Yes, the groom is still under 25, so the bride had to drive the rental car to the hotel that night!

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Brunch at Le Peep the morning after the wedding. Notice that my dad traced a heart in the dew on the window.

2007-03-26T19:03:00.000-04:00

Erik and I opening gifts during the brunch. We escaped to Ruidoso, NM later that morning!

Christmas in Omaha

2007-03-25T22:26:00.000-04:00

Erik and I spent this Christmas together in Omaha. He had just moved into his cute little apartment just 10 minutes down the road from base. We set up a "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree in the living room.

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Cheek to cheek.

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Erik lounging on the couch Christmas night. He doesn't know why I like this picture, but I think his expression is just adorable. However that hair is seriously out of regs, airman.

2007-03-25T21:41:00.000-04:00

Our one hiccup during the holidays occurred on Christmas Eve. Erik and I returned from a sidetrip to Sioux Falls the afternoon of Christmas Eve, but just in time for all the grocery stores to be closed. Since Erik had just been in his new apartment for a few weeks, food was scarce in the fridge and cabinets. Our plan to have an elaborate Christmas dinner for the two of us ended up being chicken and refried beans!

Sioux Falls, SD

2007-03-25T21:34:00.000-04:00

Erik and I visited Sioux Falls, South Dakota during my holiday visit, which is an easy 3-hour drive north of Omaha. I must say, I was quite impressed with this small city. It has a pretty little downtown and a free trolley service that takes you to Falls Park, pictured here from atop the observation tower. One of my top 10 meals of all time was in downtown Sioux Falls at a restaurant called Minerva's.

2007-03-25T21:30:00.000-04:00

The city of Sioux Falls has done a fabulous job with the park surrounding the river and falls. Since we visited during the holidays, the park was decorated with lights and garlands. The visitor's center was even playing Christmas music out over the grounds for those strolling the sidewalks to enjoy.

2007-03-25T21:28:00.000-04:00

That building used to be a hydro plant. Now it's a cute little cafe, where Erik and I stopped to warm up with some hot apple cider.

2007-03-25T21:26:00.000-04:00

There's my beautiful boy sitting next to the icy river.

Taylor's Birthday at Basil

2007-03-25T21:01:00.000-04:00

In November, a group of us went to Charleston's best Thai restaurant to celebrate the birthday of our buddy, Taylor. Robyn and I frequent Basil about once a month to partake on their chilled, unfiltered saki.

2007-03-25T20:59:00.000-04:00

Robyn and I are getting ready to show the boys how to drink saki!

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On one side of the table is John Q in front, me, Robyn, and Joe toward the back.

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On the other side of the table is Doug, Taylor, and Anna and Bob toward the back.

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Throwing back the saki! One ounce down...17 ounces to go!

Omaha Trip in November 06

2006-11-15T21:13:00.000-05:00

Erik and I at the Cheesecake Factory in Omaha for Erik's 24th birthday.

2006-11-15T21:10:00.001-05:00

Erik lounging in the hotel room in Omaha. Blue bed, blue shirt, blue eyes.

Wendy's New Ride!

2006-11-15T21:06:00.000-05:00

My new car! It's a 2006 Ford Fusion in Dark Blue Pearl Metallic. Now I can actually accelerate past those dern semi trucks limping up the Wando Bridge! My little red Contour is now enjoying retirement with Erik in Omaha. What better way for it to spend its last days, then cruising through the gently rolling grassland of Nebraska?

Monterey Forecaster Reunion

2006-11-15T20:53:00.000-05:00

Former Monterey forecasters were reunited in Chucktown, SC in October! I had a get-together the first night at my apartment in Mt. Pleasant. Note the lovely sunset in the background. From left: Scott, me, Steve, and Shawn.

2006-11-15T20:51:00.000-05:00

Former Monterey forecasters meet current Charleston forecasters! On the left side, from front to back: Jonathan, Bob, Anna, Shawn and Dawn. Right side front to back: Scott, Scott W, Jon J, me, and Steve.

2006-11-15T20:49:00.000-05:00

Bob and I being the locals, took the Monterey folks to Vickery's on Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant. From left: Steve, me, Shawn, Scott, and Bob.

Omaha Trip in June 06

2006-06-02T03:04:00.000-04:00

I made my first of many trips to Omaha in May to visit Erik at his permanent base. Here we are at Johnny's Cafe, a steak restaurant operating out of an old theater. Yes, since I was in Nebraska, I did eat some real Omaha corn-fed red meat beef...the first red meat I've had in months!

2006-06-02T03:00:00.000-04:00

Erik in his flightsuit at his dorm on Offutt AFB.

Pictures from My Trip to Albuquerque

2006-06-02T02:57:00.000-04:00

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Erik and I met up in Albuquerque in March. Our first morning together, we awoke to a fresh snowfall. I absolutely fell in love with Albuquerque during the week that we were there.

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A view of the snow covered Sandia Mountains on a stunning Sunday morning.

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Erik and I rode the Sandia Peak tramway and got a birds eye view of Albuquerque.

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A view from the top of the tramway.

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Toward the end of the week, Erik and I took a side trip up to Pagosa Springs, Colorado. This hot springs resort was absolutely beautiful, with pools of varying temperatures spread out along the hillside. Yup, there we are outside in swimwear with snow on the ground!

Robyn and I Do Savannah

2006-06-02T02:40:00.000-04:00

My good friend Robyn and I took a weekend trip to Savannah in February. Like proper southern ladies, we took a trolley ride through the city in the pouring rain before we decided to hit the bars that night! And, holy cow, Savannah has quite a night life!

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We picked out this hotel right off of the river front! The place was so cool. It was over 100 years old, the hallways were a maze, and we were sure the place was freaking haunted!

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The room had an awesome view of one of the main streets of Savannah.

Erik's First Visit to Charleston

2006-06-02T02:30:00.000-04:00

Erik was able to visit me in Charleston for the holidays. We met some of my buddies at a restaurant on Shem Creek for New Years. Note the palmetto in the background!

2006-06-02T02:27:00.000-04:00

Erik took to my new kitchen like a duck in water!

2006-06-02T02:26:00.000-04:00

Opening presents on Christmas morning.

Wendy at the Grand Canyon

2006-06-02T02:22:00.000-04:00

I stopped by the Grand Canyon during the cross country drive to move to Charleston, SC. I loved the high-altitude buzz!

2006-06-02T02:19:00.000-04:00

Sunset at the Grand Canyon