Nick is looking handsome as ever out in Afghanistan ;)

I miss you so much Nicky!

Greetings from Kandahar!

Hello Everybody,

Kandahar Air Field is starting to cool down as the rainy season is just around the corner.  I’ve been traveling throughout Southern Afghanistan and that has impeded on my ability to stay in contact as much as I’d like to.

Working with the Seabees is a paradigm shift from last year when I had a rockin’ beard and an SUV.  I’m in uniform again and I’ve got a haircut that would make Chesty Puller shit his pants in approval.  The Seabees think of themselves as the construction arm of the Marine Corps, therefore we are held to the same standards.  KAF is furnished with all of the creature comforts of home.  I’ve got Internet in my room and it’s FAST.  It took me an hour to navigate to the music section of iTunes and another 18 hours to download an album consisting of a total of 5 songs.  Needless to say, I’ve been reading.  I’m last place in Fantasy Football…so I’ve got that going for me. 

Deployment is flying by so far.  I’ve been staying safe and keeping my head down, albeit it’s behind a computer.  I hope you all are doing well and I look forward to seeing you all in March.

Nick

Yay for spring!

Rainy days

Lilly must be within 3 feet of Jeffrey at all times. 

New addition to the Boulette family!

Jeffrey in his new T-shirt!

Jeffrey playing in the living room.

Jeffrey and Nick

Lilly and Jeffrey!

More proof that I can cook.... sometimes... ;)

We all know that I am not the best cook, but I try! So every once in a while when I try something new and Nick approves, I get a little excited about it. LOL
Tonight I mixed some boneless chicken, chopped potatoes, and baby carrots in the slow cooker along with some apple butter from William Sonoma. Wasn't exactly sure if it would work out but I figured why not give it a try!? GREAT SUCCESS! If Nick and I weren't starting a diet soon I would be making this again in a couple of days. I am thinking of putting this apple butter on my thanksgiving turkey or maybe even my easter ham??... Just thought I would share!

Christmas in Connecticut 2010

Nicholas and his mother Kerry on Xmas Eve

Nick and Kristin on Xmas day

Peej and Nick smoking some cigars

Rachael and Shea opening gifts

Kristin and Michelle

 Grandma Doris, Kristin, Auntie Karen and Auntie Janet

Thanksgiving 2010

Decorating the Tree!

Nick and Shea bonding

Nick checking on the casseroles

Turkey time

Nick bonding with the kiddos

Autumn 2010

Nicky cooking on his new grill!

Zombie Bride vs. Jamoke!

Nick carving his halloween pumpkin

Kristin's sweet skull pumpkin

Our Babies.. Lilly and Frank

Miss Tiger Lilly and Frank Sinatra

Baby Lilly

Nick and Lilly

Frank relaxing on the couch

We Are Grown Ups Now

This past year has been a completely new experience for both Nick and I. In two months we will be celebrating our one year wedding anniversary! I can't believe how the time has flown... When Nick proposed there was no doubt in my mind when I said yes!! After a couple weeks of knowing him I remember telling one of my best friends that he was the guy I was going to marry. We are very much the same in one sense and very different in another but it seems to work for us.  As most of you know we got engaged and eloped very quickly which has made our year even more interesting but it made our relationship even stronger. Adjusting to being married was very weird for both of us. He isn't just your boyfriend anymore who you go out on all these fun dates with trying to figure out if he is the one. He is the ONE and now and you both have bills together, a joint bank account, and need to agree on furnishing a new home. This merging of the bills and the bank accounts was very scary for me in the beginning. This was the "omg I am married" moment. I have never had to worry about anyone but myself and either has Nick. We are both very independent people and have lived on our own and have moved out of our parents' house by the time we were both 18. I appreciate the way he was brought up because it is very similar to the way I was brought up. Nick and I both seriously appreciate the value of the dollar and working hard. Which, surprisingly can be hard to find in a man or woman these days.

I think Nick's "we are married and we are adults now" moment was when he finally got back from Afghanistan and we started building our home together. He went out to Ace hardware and went to town on buying tools, lawn equipment, and anything else manly that contributed to our home. He spent the entire weekend doing yard work and fixing anything that needed to be fixed. I called him in for dinner and the first thing he said was, "We are grown ups now," as he was holding a rake in one hand and scratching his head with the other. ;)

Trip to the Zoo in Dc!

\

Nick and Kristin

Taking photos of ourselves at the zoo!

Watching the lion cubs!

Love the pandas!

Eloping in Annapolis

He liked it so he put a ring on it.

Taking our wedding vows.

Look how nervous we were. LOL