Because I just didn't get it together last year...

Caveat:  This blog isn't creative.  Or very funny, really.  I literally copied and pasted.

Last year was a little crazy.  When the holidays rolled around, I wasn't prepared.  To be honest, I wasn't even sure what day it was on most days, so the fact that Christmas was right around the corner was unbeknownst to me.  Just ask my in-laws and brother-in-law, who still haven't received their gifts.  We aren't so terrible that we didn't get them anything - they're bought, just not shipped.  Here's hoping I get that done this week...Anyway, since I did a rush-job on the card and letter, it didn't get out to everyone it usually does.  Here's what we sent out, in case you care but didn't receive it.  I hope you enjoy it almost as much as if it came delivered to your mailbox, addressed personally to you. 

Greetings! I hope 2009 was as blessed for your family as it was for ours. Actually, since you are likely receiving this in 2010 – I hope 2010 is blessed so far, too! I’m making an effort to be as brief as possible with this update, but chances are this isn’t your first letter from me, so you know me better than to expect a short one :-). It has been a pretty exciting year around our house (we have actually had 5 physical addresses in two states and two countries this year alone), but these are the highlights.

TRAVEL: We took a few trips this year, as usual. We started off the year in Texas, where we had spent the holidays last year. It was a great visit and Adam even got a chance to try out his new fishing pole from Santa – and catch a big catfish! February allowed Alan the opportunity to go to the Daytona 500. I’m pretty sure he packed his mullet wig, so hopefully there aren’t many pictures. In April I sneaked away to California for a girls’ weekend and enjoyed the sun and sand of Huntington Beach. I had a great time catching up with some college girlfriends and hijacking the mic from the piano man at the hotel bar. In May we took a short drive north, to Fort Collins, Colorado, to participate in the Colorado Marathon (Alan) and Half-Marathon (me). Alan ran a personal best, leaving all the trash-talking cadets in the dust. That’s what they get for calling him “old”! The best part of that weekend was that we tricked talked a few friends into running their first half-marathon. We just told them about the free beer at the finish – they were easy. Thanks, Dave, Chris & Sherry for a great time and congrats on amazing finishes! Also, thanks to Grandma Sissy for making the trip to care for Adam – I’m sure it was total work and she didn’t enjoy any of it ;-). June was road-trip month. After driving to Omaha (where we would be living for a little while), we headed to North Carolina to visit Alan’s sister and her (recently-more-adorable-with-the-addition-of-our-nephew) family. After soaking up some baby time, we headed down to Texas for a few days to visit my family. On the way back to Omaha we even managed a stop in Altus, Oklahoma, to visit our good friends Chris & Sherry. Adam was especially excited about this stop because it meant he got to reunite with his first best bud, Cole. In August, Alan had to go TDY to Kadena, so Adam and my Dad and I headed to Texas for a longer visit. When Alan returned to Omaha, we hopped in the car and hit the road again, this time heading to Tennessee to spend some time with Alan’s parents. We had fun visiting Dollywood and Gatlinburg and riding the local “trolleywoods,” as Adam called them. About a week after returning from that trip, we headed to Disney World to let Adam have a little fun. The highlight of his trip was getting to meet Woody and Buzz Lightyear, which he waited patiently in line for an hour to do. It was priceless. Finally, about a week after returning from Disney, we took our BIGGEST trip of the year. At the end of October, with a short stopover in Hawaii to visit our best man, we took a one-way trip to Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan, where we will be residing for the next few years. It was a long and “Daytonized” trip, with plenty of chaos (imagine Alan rolling two luggage carts stacked with 10 bags and a dog) and complication (“Miss, you need come get dog. We think something wrong.” Yeah, that’s called diarrhea), but we’re here and safe and are feeling at home. The island is beautiful and the people are wonderful and we’re hoping some of you will take full advantage and come see us! Our house is small, but our doors are always open. No, really. They aren’t locked.


WORK: Obviously, Alan’s assignment at the Air Force Academy ended this summer. He played a big part in the USAFA graduation this year, which kept him busy for the months of April and May. In February he received a call offering him the job at Kadena AB, in Okinawa. We happily accepted since we had been hoping to go overseas. That began the adventure that is moving overseas. It was an 8-month ordeal, during which we sold our home, lived in two different apartments and a borrowed home in Omaha (thanks Brian & Carol!) while Alan got requalified, but worth it now that we’re “home.” We also received great news this year, as Alan was selected to be promoted to Lt Colonel. We’re all very proud of him for working hard and earning that promotion. As for me, I have the same job I’ve had for the last three years. Most of the time it’s the most rewarding job on the planet, but some days the tips are lousy ;-).


HEALTH: In March, I celebrated my two-year anniversary as a breast cancer survivor. I can hardly believe it’s been two years since we had to endure that. All test results look great and I feel incredibly lucky to call myself a survivor. Adam turned three this year and, apparently, got the memo about how three-year-olds should act. He’s definitely a handful and a ball of fire, but we enjoy him every day. He also started preschool when we got to Okinawa and is already telling me what time it is! I guess I should mention that in early July I got food poisoning from Popeye’s, but when I couldn’t shake it a week later, I got suspicious. It turned out that the “food poisoning” had evolved into something entirely different – as was evident by the TWO PINK LINES! You have to watch out for that Popeye’s…After a lot of other symptoms during the first trimester (non-typical weight-gain and size, incredible sickness), we had another suspicion confirmed – TWINS! Of course, Alan was still TDY to Kadena when I found out, so I had to tell him over Skype. I’m pretty sure he’s never looked so terrified before/during/after any deployment. It’s a lot to take in, but we have wonderful sources of advice and we’re looking forward to their arrival in February. We’re also looking forward to the three months of help we’re going to get from my Mom, who is coming to stay with us then. Again, all work and no play for her. So far the pregnancy has been healthy, despite all the traveling and chaos. And, no, we are not finding out the sexes!


I think that just about covers everything. I can’t believe I did it in less than two pages! Although we’re far away, there are plenty of easy ways to keep up with us. I’ve included all of our new info below. Take care, keep in touch and we wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2010.

Much love,
The Daytons