225 BSB Redeployment Ball

This past Thursday we had our Redeployment Ball with 225 Brigade Support Battalion. As always it was fun to dress up, be in a cool venue and spend time with some friends. This year the Ball was held at The Edition in Waikiki. This is a very new hotel with an upscale, modern flair. Check out the hotel link here, art on the wall behind the check-in desk is pretty awesome.

With my date

my deployment buddy, Sarah

friends--from left to right: Kevin and Jenn Anderson, Keith and Sherri DeSilva, Mike and me, and Chris and Sarah Cowan

Accessory Alert:

I was especially excited about my hair "fascinator" this year...it was awesome!

also, prior to the ball i treated myself to a mani/pedi which i don't think i have had since my wedding. It's unusual for me to get a manicure, but i definitely enjoyed it.

Back to the Ball:

This year Mike was the recipient of the Order of Samuel Sharpe Award. This is highest award presented to Ordnance Corps Soldiers for achievement and service.

Here he is with his fellow recipients

receiving his medal from LTC Murray

Mike and his friend/fellow Samuel Sharpe Award recipient, CPT Kyle Bair

Tracey and Me-- you may not remember but Tracey was who "harbored" my family when the first ever tsunami scare sent us evacuating from our home. As our Battalion Commander's wife and head of our FRG, and a fellow mommy, she's been a great support throughout this deployment. I will certainly miss her when they move on.

Mike's Party Shirt.

We've been meaning to have this made for a few years now, but it's tradition for guys to have their dress shirts "altered" to look normal when their jacket is on, but when the formal part of the event is over they can take off their jackets and it turns into a party shirt! Mike was super excited about it and it turned out great, yes?

Mike with a fellow Party-Shirter