What on Earth have I been doing!!?

Hello! Once again, I have dropped the ball on blogging. I have been keeping quite busy with my job which usually makes me so tired by the end of the day, that I forget about blogging (sorry!). However, today I am vowing that I will begin blogging on a more regular basis.

I have had a WONDERFUL two weeks. As most of you all know, my very handsome and brave husband had R&R (rest & relaxation) which is a two week break from war to come home and see yours truly. While home, John and I were able to get quite a few things done off of my list.

R&R begins now... ready, set, go!

 I know, it's a terrible picture, but you can see how excited it was. This picture definitely captures the moment.

My absolute favorite thing I did off the list though was perhaps, #100. Kiss my husband. I'm never one to kiss and tell, but it was absolutely fantastic to actually be able to touch my husband after six and a half months of not physically being able to touch him. So, to be able to reach out and hug him and kiss him, was awesome. Over the two weeks, I got quite used to him being home that now that he's gone, I have a feeling the next five months will go by quite slow.

#15. Visit Hawaii, specifically the Thomson's
#81. Plan a fancy two week resort vacation for me & John
Numbers 15 & 81 go hand-in-hand. For R&R, John and I went to Hawaii. We didn't stay the entire two weeks because we wanted to come home so that we could see John's parents and siblings. In Hawaii, we saw a range of wonderful things. We were able to go on a hike (#1. Go hiking), a dinner cruise where we witnessed some wonderful traditional dances, sit and relax by the pool & ocean, shop, and see the Thomson's!

 On our way to Hawaii! All of those people behind John are all waiting to get on our flight. Thank goodness John and I have traveling down otherwise, we'd be one of those people waiting for hours to get on our flight instead of gracefully walking up to the ticket counter as our plane boards... no wasted time here, folks!

Here are some of my favorite pictures from Hawaii.

 Hiking with great friends, the Thomson's.

What a view!

 

 

On our dinner cruise. The Thomson's & Barone's. We're just missing a few other great friends.

  Traditional dances.

#24. Watch an entire UNC Basketball game.
As a freshman at UNC, I learned early on that the Tarheels take one thing more seriously than anything else -- basketball. They believe wholeheartedly that UNC is the greatest basketball team in the nation and that their neighbor, Duke, is the worst place on Earth. So, that being said, whenever there is a game versus this hated school, everyone who is even remotely acquainted with this rivalry, tunes in to watch the game. John, my wonderful husband, is a Duke alum. I am a UNC alum. ... most would consider this a bitter pairing, however, we both don't care too much about basketball (except we give into the rivalry and root for our Alma maters when they play each other). Throughout the game, John had a pretty sour face and was yelling at the tv the whole time because his beloved Duke Blue Devils were losing. That is, until the last few minutes of the second half when Duke had a phenomenal comeback and sunk a three point shot at the buzzer, winning the game for the Blue Devils.

 I had to leave this beautiful spot to go and watch the game... See, Kathryn, I do care about basketball ;-)

#74. Meet J&T Bambino #3
Joel, Trish & co. came to visit me and John for the second half of his R&R. We had a GREAT time. The weather was not very cooperative while they were here so we mostly just hung around the house. One day though, we did venture out to Pikes Market where I was able to check off # 69 Buy something other than flowers at Pikes Market. # 69 consisted of buying kumquats. These are mini oranges. They taste a lot like sour patch kids without all of the sugar. When the guy explained it to me that way, I immediately thought of John who is one of the biggest fans of sugar (besides small children).

Joel, Colby, Delaney, and I putting our gum on the gum wall at Pikes Market.

This is Jett Barone -- J&T Bambino #3.