Happy Holidays Everyone!

More of the 2009 Marine Corps Marathon

Running by the capitol. Finally done!

Bling


Michael and Nikki by the Marine Corps Memorial at the finish

A Can of Soup and 26 More Miles (Nikki Runs the 2009 Marine Corps Marathon)

It all started on the Thursday night before the race when Michael, faced with having to stay home for a "required training" (see below), asked Nikki "what am I supposed to eat while you're gone?"

You see, Michael has only been home alone one time during our entire marriage, and therefore can't feed himself. At all. Ever.

While Nikki was, (in a farily animated manner) showing him the contents of the pantry, Michael dropped a can of soup on Nikki's foot. Nikki cried. So did Michael.

So, Michael sent Nikki off alone to Washington D.C. in flip flops. She couldn't get her running shoes on. Check out that swelling!

But, Nikki's weekend got significantly better when Michael unexpectedly showed up the next day at the door of her hotel room. You see, Michael's command figured out on Monday of that week that Michael didn't actually need the "required training." But, nobody bothered to tell anyone until the very last minute (the day before, 9am.) So, Michael hurried to find plane tickets, (roughly $500 more than they were 6 days earlier), board the dog, pack a bag and get to the airport for a redeye to DC.

(VAQ-140 Organizational Leadership/Communication=FAIL.)

So, Nikki got to run a marathon with Michael there! Running stuff....

Michael on the Metro at 3am our time. Early.


Michael and Nikki at the Start


Startline flyover by the ugliest plane the USMC owns; but it does some pretty cool stuff!


Start line!


Running past the Kennedy Center


Running past the Monument...one of many.

Running, Running, Running,,,

Nikki was fortunate to have one of her oldest friends, Lynnette, there to help Michael cheer her on. Thanks for the signs Lynnette!

Beating the Bridge (You have to run across this bridge, at mile 21 by a certain time or they make you ride a bus to the finish!)

Very excited to run past this guy instead of riding on a bus.

This guy was standing alone on the freeway around mile 23. He won the poll for "Best Course Entertainment" even though he wasn't officially part of the MCM.

Michael needed a girly drink at Clydes after the race.

He worked hard...spectating.

Nikki and her friend Kelly, wearing matching finisher jackets.

Yay for us!

Soup Foot after 26.2 Miles (read: 30 after we had to walk from Rosslyn to Georgetown for lack of Taxi/Metro service after the race.) Two weeks later, the swelling still hasn't gone down, and a chipped bone is suspected.

Check back later for actual pictures of Nikki running!

Tailhook 2009

We went because the airplane ride was free...

Turns out free aiplane rides are free for a reason...we thought we were going to Fallon, NV....but instead we went to Nowhere-in-the-desert, CA. Where a bus picked us up and took us to Reno.

We made it to Reno...biggest little dump in the world! We hear the suburbs are nice...

On Friday we got out of Reno and went on a winery tour at Tahoe Ridge Winery...pretty mountains!


Friday night was a reception (drunkfest)...hot and crowded and tons of fun.


The old retired guys who come back to Hook every year are...characters.

Saturday night banquet

Home....well, not deloyed at least.

Since Michael returned home, we've gotten to do some "normal" things for once!

Like a lovely picnic on the beach in Bellingham...it does get sunny up here once in a while!

We went home for Alumni Band where Michael got to meet his niece Erin for the first time

And see her drink beer....like any good future Badger would be doing on gameday.

We got to see college friends for the first time in a while

And spend time with family at the game

And of course Erin picked her instrument! Good choice Erin!

Nikki is running for Team Fisher House...and needs your help!

On October 25, 2009, Nikki will run 26.2 miles across Washington, DC as a part of Team Fisher House in the 2009 Marine Corps Marathon.

Team Fisher House is a group of runners dedicated to raising $400,000 in support of Fisher House http://www.fisherhouse.org/

Fisher House is a non-profit organization that supports the families of servicemembers wounded in the line of duty.

Over 30,000 American servicemembers have been wounded in the many years of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. The cost of travelling to wherever the service member has been hospitalized (Often Washington DC or Germany) and staying for prolonged periods of time is astronomical. Fisher House provides airline tickets, travel assistance, and room & board at various locations near VA medical facilities. (Similar to Ronald McDonald houses.)

Fisher House supports families, so they can support their loved one for what is often a fight harder than the one they've come from while deployed.

Please visit Nikki's fundraising page here, and donate: http://www.active.com/donate/FisherHouse2009MCM/nicolecraig

Even $5 can help! If everyone who visits this blog regularly donated just $10, we'd raise over $1000!

You can learn more about Fisher House, including how to donate your frequent flyer miles at http://www.fisherhouse.org/

Please help, you never know when someone YOU know may need this kind of assistance.

Home at Last!

Michael climbed out of the jet crying!
Finally husband and wife again.
5 month due kisses

Sweaty, but all in one piece.

Airplane pictures mandatory.

The boys after unloading the luggage from the first passenger airlift...walking in from the sunset (Danger Zone playing in all the wives heads...)

America's Prowler arrives 24 hours later after a broken fuel line in Spokane kept them overnight.

A Little Bit of Waiting Goes a Long Way....

Waiting in the VAQ-140 Ready Room-It's the hottest week EVER in Western Washington, and our buildings don't have airconditioing.

Heading down to the hangar!
Megan and I waiting...and waiting...and waiting...

Welcome home accessories

Trying very hard not to spaz...Jen helped.

We saw the first flyover!

Michael is in the lead jet.

Which made me burst into tears!

Second flyover and break. Michael is in the jet that is turning.

Just a few more minutes now.........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!