Finally employed...

As of this past Thursday, June 26, I became employed. I will be working for Everest College in Chesapeake, VA. It's my first "big girl job" and I must say... I'm excited - though not nearly as excited as my Mom! The following pictures are from our mini "celebration" for my new job!

My Mom and me at Ocean Eddie's on the pier!

Nina and me celebrating with daiquiris! :-)

Nina, me, Mom, Susan, and Tom.... I apparently missed the memo about wearing blue/teal.

Pool time!

Before the guys went back out to sea, Justin and I had a fun BBQ with our good friends, the Hodapp's and Ben Riley. We've gotten a lot of use out of Justin's pool this summer so far! And it's way more fun with good friends! :-)

Me, Justin, Ben, David, and Nina at the pool :-)

A year ago...

A year ago, my Mom and I set off for the most amazing two week vacation. We flew from Pittsburgh to San Francisco where we stayed for 3 days and rode the cable cars, hiked from Coit Tower to Lombard Street, hung out in Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39, and saw "Jersey Boys" at the Curran theater. We definitely "left our hearts in San Francisco." From San Francisco, we flew to Kona, Hawaii and then on to Oahu, Hawaii where we spent 8 glorious days soaking up the rays on Waikiki Beach, hiking Diamond Head, driving around in our convertible just hoping to get lost (which we did - often), and an emotional trip to Pearl Harbor. It was the most amazing 8 days and we made memories that we will not soon forget. We hope to someday return to the "white sandy beaches of Hawaii." From Oahu, we flew to Los Angeles where we spent 3 days in Hollywood. We stayed near the Hollywood sign on Hollywood and Highland and enjoyed sightseeing and spotting celebrities. We attended a taping of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, chartered a Hummer limo to cruise around Rodeo Drive and 90210, and enjoyed hot dogs at the famous "Pinks."

My Mom and me in front of Lombard Street in San Francisco.

My Mom and me on Waikiki Beach in Oahu, Hawaii.

My Mom and me on Waikiki Beach in Oahu, Hawaii.

My Mom and me on top of Diamond Head on Oahu. We hiked it during the hottest part of the day!

My Mom and me in the Kodak Theater in Hollywood!

Monday Night Soccer

Summer soccer has begun! Last night, Mollie and I had our first game! We are playing on the Hooligans team. I hadn't played soccer in 8 YEARS but had a blast, though I complained the whole evening about being in pain, getting dirty, and being tired. :-) Mollie scored a goal for our team though we sadly lost 4 to 2. :-( We have games every Monday night... come watch!

Mollie and me after the game! :-)

Happy Anniversary Amy and Aaron!

Happy 1st Anniversary to my dear BFF and her husband Aaron! On June 23, 2007, I had the amazing privilege to be a part of the most beautiful wedding. It was emotional to watch my best friend marry her soul mate. May the years to come bring you endless happiness and love. I love you both! Happy Anniversary, Nickersons! :-) XOXO!

Amy and me before her walk down the aisle.

The cake! For those of you who know me well, you know that I LOVE wedding cake!

The Nickerson's first dance...

Amy and Aaron Nickerson and me :-)

Our turtle friend

Meet Hook, our turtle friend. Sunday afternoon, Justin and I found a turtle in the yard. After looking at it a little closer, Justin noticed something hanging out of its mouth and gave it a tug. The turtle opened her mouth and revealed a hook in the side of her mouth. I couldn't let the turtle go without getting her help and after debating with Justin as to how to best help the turtle, we put her in the "beer tub" and decided to figure it out the next day (Monday). I got up Monday and checked on the turtle and began researching online where to take her. The SPCA said to bring her there where I then found out that the turtle was a female eastern spotted turtle. I was then directed to take her to a "turtle specialist" where they would remove the hook and then be admit her into a rehabilitation program. Yesterday evening I received a call that I would need to get her today, Tuesday, from the rehab program and release her back to where she was found. Below is Hook, on her way to the pond in front of Justin's house. She was very excited and thankful to be back home! :-)

Bottoms Up!

Yesterday, June 14, Justin and I along with his parents and sister attended a "wetting down". A wetting down is a tradition in the Navy for newly promoted officers as they were tossed in the sea, hence the name, wetting down. Times have changed and so has the meaning of "wetting down." Now, a party is thrown by the newly promoted officer and in the past few weeks, the boat has promoted 7 guys! Congratulations LTJG Kirkpatrick, LT Bailey, LT Ceschini, LT Campbell, LT Im, LT White, and LT DeVorse!

The party was held at Shore Break in Virginia Beach and was attended by family and friends. We all had a great time celebrating the successes of these fine men. Below are a few pictures from the night! Enjoy! (For all of the pictures, please visit www.picasaweb.google.com/LaurenAC421)

The cookies, personalized napkins, and cake!

(LT) Paul and Amanda DeVorse and (LTJG) Justin and me :-) Proud of our guys!

Justin and his family! We were so glad that they came to celebrate wth us!

Justin and me :-)

Bottoms Up!

Happy Birthday Amanda!

Happy Birthday Amanda! I hope that you have an amazing day! :-) I am so thankful for our friendship and hope to make many more fun memories together! See you tonight! XOXO!

Amanda and me at the Boat Picnic!

Cookies for Officers

Justin and 6 of the other officers on the boat were promoted within the last couple of weeks and are celebrating tomorrow at Shore Break with a huge "wetting down" party! I've been baking cookies all day and night for the guys! I had a submarine cookie cutter made and baked tons of submarine shaped cookies and then wrote their names on the cookies! There were a few problems with this whole adventure... a) I have never mixed up cookie batter from scratch, b) I have never ever baked sugar cookies, and c) I have never written with icing. After spending hours in the kitchen and successfully covering myself and my condo with flour, the end product is pretty cute and perfect for the wetting down!

The cookies!

Close up of the cookies!

So proud of my LTJG Kirkpatrick :-)

Happy 24th Birthday, BFF!

Happy Birthday Amy! I hope that you have a terrific day! Thanks for being the BEST best friend in the world. Remember, you'll never walk alone... especially if it's into a mall! haha! Love you! XOXO!

Amy and me having fun trying on wedding dresses while in college in KY. Our FAVORITE thing to do! :-)

Amy and me at her Wedding Rehearsal on June 22, 2007

Justin is HOME!!!!!

After being at sea for a month... The USS Newport News came home yesterday afternoon! I got to be on the pier and wait for Justin to come off of the boat. While it was 104 degrees and humid, seeing him for the first time in a month was everything that I had dreamed of! I'm so happy to have him home! :-) Love you, Justin!