Fun...fun...fun!

The girls

I had a blast. The week that I spent with my cousins was full of love and very rewarding. Everything from meeting my new baby cousin Capri [or Capri-licious as I soon began to call her] to sharing meals with them. The week went by so quickly as everyday there was something to do. The big thing we conquered was purchasing and wrapping Christmas gifts for all her siblings and their kids for me to take back to HI. After much thought and lots of wrapping paper and tape, we completed the job and packed a huge suitcase.

 I also got to walk her boxer Koa almost every day and he

Koa

really enjoyed that. His favorite thing was to chase the squirrels as they played by the road. Escoba Bay is right by the ocean so on my walks I got to see the water. The weather was in the high 60's low 70's the entire time, and what a pleasant surprise that was.

My cousin took me on base, Camp LeJeune, also one of the bigger Marine bases. Driving thru the base we passed by huge war machines, bigger then tanks. They had small signs on them reading "Student Driver". Well, I guess a base is a good place to learn to drive those big things. While on base there was hardly any phone reception and forget trying to look at a GPS. They scramble everything so from a satellite it's as if there is nothing there. They also keep the grounds very natural. Building are disguised and ammo bunkers look just like rolling hills. In a way the base is also a little city of it's self. You can find everything you need on base and if anything were to happen they could survive on their own. We went to the commissary where I found lots of good deals on stuff that I needed. Not only is everything discounted from regular price but it's tax free!!!

Oh, did I also mention that there were

men in uniform all over the place? Makena would say "Look, daddies!!!" as all of them were dressed just like her dad. Hannah would then say "Yes, they look like daddy, but where is our daddy?" Makena would enthusiastically say "Afghanistan!". As cute as that was, it was a sad reminder to me that I was enjoying his family while he was thousands of miles away. But, thank goodness for technology, they are able to Skype each other often. One time while they were skyping I was there and wanted to express my deepest gratitude to him. But when I opened my mouth I got so choked up that I barely made out a small "Thanks for everything". 

All to soon it was time for me to pack up and get ready to leave. We spent the last night together with her mother in law. As we said our goodbyes I was choking back the tears. It was such an awesome time and I didn't want it to end.