First Post of 2020!

Can it really be year 2020 this soon? Time is really flying by! Shannon and the kids returned back to California after their Christmas trip to VA. It was back too school after their winter break and back into their familiar routines. LC was involved in girl scouts and gymnastics, and E was also in Gymnastics, along with dance. Staying busy is a must at the house - or else the kids turn into mischievous girls. Plus, its California, and the weather here is perfect for outdoor playing year-round. 

As for me, the ship started it long journey back to the USA from the middle east.  

It was also time for the kids to get haircuts. E's friend Emma accompanied us and even lender a helping hand during E's shampooing. 

As previously mentioned, the winter weather in SD is great and the girls keep taking advantage of our neighborhood heated pool. They usually are the only ones in there so they get free reign of the place. 

For Thanksgiving, my ship pulled into Bahrain. It was a different Bahrain then I remember 11 years ago on my first deployment. Everything was much more built-up and when I visited last, it was in the summer. The cool 80 degree temps were perfect. We set up a round of golf, purposely picking a tee time that would let us finish up the round at night. Because of the hot temps during the day, people find that playing golf at night is more comfortable. They light up the course so that you continue playing once the sun has set. It had been years since I last played, so I didn't break any scoring records, but it was fun none the less to get off the boat and hit that little white ball. 

Most of my time in Bahrain was relaxing by the pool. It was a nice 4 day port visit but back to reality once it was all over. 

After we departed the Gulf we slowly started making our way east. We were underway for Christmas and New Years which wasn't my first time being at seat for the holidays. I was able to talk to the Shannon and the kids on the phone which was nice. And nothing was scheduled for those days so that we could chill out and relax. 

The ship pulled into Hawaii for a couple days for a brief port visit. The goal was to relax some more and eat some good food. We found a really awesome ramen place near the hotel that we visited. We had to wait outside for 20-30 minutes but it was well worth the wait. I hadn't had authentic Ramen like this since leaving Japan in 2016. 

Relaxing by the pool was just what the doctor ordered. 

The weather wasn't all that great. I think it rained every day we were there. But there were a few hours of patchy sun that we were able to soak in. 

A buddy and I ran from the hotel in Waikiki up to Diamond head. It was only supposed to be a quick run to the crater and then we would grab an uber home. But the wait for an uber was too long so we ran back. I think it was a total of 7-8 miles. I wasn't able to walk well the next day, but the touring of the Hawaiian scenery was lovely. 

The obligatory picture from the top of Diamond head. 

We made it back to San Diego on January 20th. About 3.5 months after the original intended day. I was up on the flight deck for the transit in. It was great to see the SD skyline as we entered the channel. 

The homecoming celebration was incredible. There was tons of people, bands, food vendors and news/radio stations awaiting our world record around-the-world cruise. 

Shannon and the kids were up in WA the day we pulled in. They had planned this trip for a while and the date of our return was always changing and/or up in the air. So I took duty that day and let everyone get off the boat to see their families that they hadn't seen in 10+ months. The family did come back to day after we pulled in and we surprised LC and E at the airport. They didn't know that I was coming home so it was a nice surprise for them. I walked passed them a few times while they were walking towards the baggage claim and eventually they realized it was me.

Now that I am back, they wanted to show me all the things they had checked out in SD while I was away. We went to the beach a few times and climbed on the breakwater rocks at the Del. 

We got our annual passes to the zoo and tried to hit it up for a few hours each week. Here is E posing with the Chbby unicorn (Rhino). 

The tourists aren't yet here so we get free reign of the place. Its nice because we can check out different areas of the giant zoo and not have to feel obligated to see everything in one day. 

I went to the Kids' open house night at their school. 

More trips to the beach to enjoy the CA sunshine. 

And more trips to the zoo...

We even acquired a pet. LC's class raised crayfish for a school project and at the end of the project they let the kids take them home. We were "lucky" enough to get one. We named it Shelby and he stays in a tank in the kids' room. I am the only one that is brave enough to pick it up. 

More pool time!

And E started to lose more teeth!

Shannon was going through some of the kids stuff and we came across their Japanese school uniforms. So we decided to do a little fashion show and talk about our times in Japan. 

E's fit her the best between the tow girls, but it was still a bout snug. 

But LC's was outgrown, but still able to squeeze into it. 

We also made it out to the Safari Park. Its a little more open then the zoo but still offers all the exhibits and animals. E was brave enough to feed a bird in one of the aviaries. 

And Shannon (finally) got a job at CrossFit Coronado. She went there 9 years ago while pregnant with E and kind of kept in touch with the owners. And how that she is certified, she was hired as one of the trainers. Congrats and job well done. 

I found a fire pit on one of the local yard sale adds. It is nice to sit out back and watch the girls wrestle on the mats while Shannon and I sip wine and roast marshmallows.

So far, Spring is off to a good start....