KATELIN LIKES IKE

Mitzi and Katelin are with me this week. Today, they visited the ship.
They definitely got a good leg workout climbing the miles of passageway's and stairways.

DINNER AT EL MESON

This week, we had dinner at the El Meson in West Carrollton Ohio.
On the menu was a wonderful selection of Brazilian and Spanish tapas to include empanada, Arepas de Choclo, Calamares a la Parilla o Rebozados, Spanish Chorizo and many other items.
Very good! Oh, the baby is my nephew, Parker.

CHRISTMAS AT WILSON FARMS

It was a very nice Christmas.

CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Mitzi made some delicious holiday treats this year.

HEY, STAY OFF THE SIDEWALKS!!!

Katelin shared part of the drive as we drove down to Virginia to take me back to the ship.

WILD GAME NIGHT

I went out with my friend Alex (one of my partners and crime in the eating department).
We visited Free Mason Abby's in downtown Norfolk, Va this week.
On the menu, ostrich. It was served medium rare with grilled sprouts on the side. For appetizers, calamari and crab stuffed mushrooms. Very good! No, we didn't didn't discover any of the nations secrets while we were there.

WORLDS FIRST ICE CREAM CONE MAKER

This week I visited Doumar's BBQ and Ice Cream. The place was recently showcased on Drive-In's, Diners and Dives.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATHY

Last week was Kathy's Birthday. I think she turned 45 or something close to that.

STAY NAVY

One of my Sailors re-enlisted today. I was the re-enlisting Officer.

YES, BROOKE HAS A JOB

Despite how much we spoil her, Brooke does have a job. Here is a pic to prove it.

GINGERBREAD HOUSE

Katelin made a gingerbread house. She's being very festive!

FIRE PICTURE

Katelin has been taking more pics. Here is a recent one..
I told her I would make her famous.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JD!!

JD turned 6!!! He had a nice Who-Dey Birthday Party

NIKE RUNNING

I've been doing a lot of running lately. For the obsessive compulsive like myself, I've found a couple gadgets to help motivate me. First, the Nike Running Chip with the iPod. This lets you record all your run times, distances and calories burnt. Second, I setup a Nike account on Nike web page. This provides more tools to help track your activity, set goals, map runs, etc. Finally, the Nike site automatically updates your Facebook page to allow others to see your progress (or motivate others).

GOLF VIRGINIA

I've been off-line for a bit. Just before going out to sea for a few weeks, I golfed 36 holes. 18 at the Ocean View Course in Norfolk and 18 at Little Creek Naval Base.

SCHNEIDER FALL FESTIVAL

Mom hosted a fall festival. The kids really had a great time doing crafts, face painting and Grandpa's hay ride. Brad took the photo's.

I ATE KERMIT!!

We took my mom out for her Birthday (Happy Birthday Mom) at the Houston in Mason, Ohio.
On the menu was frog legs and ribs. It was my first time eating frog legs. Very good!

SPOILED CAT

Our cat, Yuki, must be one of the most spoiled felines out there.
He wakes us up in the morning to fix him a cup of water. Then, he enjoys laying next to the fireplace on cold winter mornings.

SAUERKRAUT FESTIVAL

This week we visited the annual Sauerkraut Festival in Waynesville, Ohio.
We sampled Sauerkraut Fudge, Fried Apples, Sauerkraut Cookies, Stuffed Cabbage and Sauerkraut Pork and Mash Potatoes.

GOLF OHIO

While in Ohio this week, my brother Jason and I golfed Pebble Creek in Cincinnati. Very nice course!

GOLF NAS OCEANA

While on the course at NAS Oceana, in VA Beach Virginia, I came across a grave stone off the fairway....something you don't see everyday.

IKE Carrier Qualifications

We recently returned from a week at sea conducting landing qualifications.