Michael Graduates VAQ-129

Michael finished his final events at training squadron VAQ-129. He received his orders to report to the VAQ-140 Patriots in the next few days. (They don't have a website, sorry.) Soon after, Michael's helmet will be painted and taped in the style of Evel Knievel.

VAQ-140 is part of Carrier Air Wing Seven, which is based out of NAS Oceana, Virginia. (VAQ-140 is stationed in Whidbey Island, so we will not be moving anywhere.) Carrier Air Wing Seven is based on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower: http://www.eisenhower.navy.mil/

Right now, VAQ-140 is tentatively scheduled to deploy in early 2009. Michael will be in and around Oceana during the summer and fall of 2008 for work-ups.

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower

Happy Birthday to Michael!!!

Today, March 4th 2008, is the first time that Michael DIDN'T figure out what he was getting for his birthday before he actually got his gift.....

Michael received "Quarter" of Beef, (That's 1/4 of a cow, about 125lbs of meat.) The beef came from Three Sisters Cattle Co. here on Whidbey Island:

http://www.3sistersbeef.com/

Three Sisters is an AWESOME place, they have grass fed & hormone free beef, free range eggs, and lots of other fun stuff.

The oldest sister assured us it would fit in the freezer...as long as we didn't have anything else in there.

Michael opening his gift. (He originally thought he was getting a Keg-O-Rater since Nikki told him his gift was in the kitchen.)

Nikki's first creation with the new beef: Rib-eye steak with blu cheese, arugula and thyme.

(Eat me, Bobby Flay!)

Michael enjoying his birthday dinner

Cracked-out icing cupcake with Green & Yellow candles to celebrate (or in Michael's case mourn) the retirement of Brett Favre

Henry helping Michael re-arrange the beef:

Maya got some love too...$2 "dog bones" from Three Sisters:

Gimme gimme....

Yummmmmy!

...nothing...

We haven't done anything really exciting since Christmas. Sorry. Check back later.