Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo

Yes, we went to a rodeo. I realize some people grow up around these things but I have never ever seen or heard of a real life rodeo. In fact, I have never seen a corn field which some people we have met since Matt has been in the Marine Corps just simply cannot believe. But our friends wanted a little taste of home (which apparently includes rodeos) so we tagged along.

When we got there, there were SO MANY PETA REPRESENTATIVES! I never really considered a rodeo as being cruel because I know they are such a treasured tradition in some places but I can definitely understand why. When I saw the cowboys grab calves by the ears and throw them on the ground or rope them around the neck I could barely stand it. I know the calves don't usually get hurt but how do people cheer the cowboys on? I had to turn my head at parts. But regardless, it was amazing to watch the cowboys on the bucking horses (until I learned that they are bred to be mean) and on the bulls. All in all we had a blast but I can't say we'll be going to another rodeo as long as steer wrestling is involved!

Untying a poor little calf.

The rodeo midget/clown in his barrel. haha

On a positive and therefore food-related note, I realized that I really like beef jerky. I never tried it before but Matt, Scott, and Sim said this was the best beef jerky they ever had and I believe it. If you are ever in this area and see it somewhere, BUY IT! I sampled like 10 flavors and they were all delicious.

Even Jack likes it.

I also realized I desperately need a new pair of cowboy boots for fall. I'm getting on that right away!

P.S. We made Matt ride a mechanical bull. :)

House Guests

I mentioned a few posts ago that Kelly was here visiting. We had such a good time and it was so nice to get a little taste of home. Well, not even two weeks later, Matt's brother and cousin (Nick and Steve) came to visit. We did a lot of the same things with both of them so I'm combining posts, but a lot of it was new to us! There is SO much to do here and we are so lucky to have an opportunity to experience it all. I just know that when we leave we won't have even done a fraction of what we want to! Here's a little taste of our last few weeks:

Had to imitate the famous statue!

Us on the U.S.S Midway with San Diego in the background.

Me in the brig on the Midway, desperately in need of a haircut!

The front of the GIANT aircraft carrier.

War of the Worlds at Universal Studios

Bates Motel

Whoville!

The sets on the studio tour were the coolest part of Universal. They use this for Central and South America, the American Southwest, and even some European countries.

Fake Chinatown

"New York Street"... 50's movie theater, limestone, modern skyscraper, and Chinatown all right next to each other. It's amazing that they make this actually look like New York in movies.

Playing tourist!

Us at Santa Monica Pier

Nick and Steve at the beginning of the pier

Muscle Beach!

I didn't expect Venice Beach to be so beautiful!

Venice Beach Boardwalk.. it's as weird as they say. See the hobo with the cowboy hat on the bike?

Visiting my husband's star at the Walk of Fame. :)

I really need to make an effort to make more posts about the things we see and do instead of giant posts where I can't go into detail. I can't do some of our experiences justice that way! We toured a battleship and a submarine in Pearl Harbor, so I thought the Midway would be sorta boring, but we wanted to take Nick and Steve to something military-related and it was actually one of my favorite experiences. There were vets there from all different wars and I teared up just listening to their stories. We also went to the Gaslamp Quarter and Old Town in San Diego but I was too tired to take pictures by that point. I absolutely love the cheesiness and kitschy-ness of Old Town. I'm dying to go back!

We will be doing absolutely nothing for the rest of the month because September will be super busy and super expensive! We leave for San Francisco in 12 days, Big Bear in 19 days, and Virginia to see the Howards in 27 days. We have so much to look forward to and I'm so excited!

Matt's first cycle graduates!

This will be short. Me and Simrin were late to the graduation (that's twice I've been super late to Matt's important work events.. oops) and couldn't sit in the special seats for wives of instructors so it was hard to get good pictures. Since he was instructor of the cycle he held the guidon (flag)... and that makes it even more unfortunate that I couldn't sit in the special seats since he legitimately stood like 5 feet in front of them. But.. oh well. I'm so proud of him and I know he feels accomplished for not only helping "make" these Marines but being named the best at doing so for the cycle!

Matt performing the guidon ceremony.

Matt and the 1st Sgt finishing the ceremony.

All of Bravo Co.

Me and the instructor of the cycle. :)

The best part was watching the students being released to their families. There is nothing sweeter than watching daddies being reunited with their little babies and mothers of Marines crying in their sons arms. I think I'll go to every graduation just to watch the libo release!

"You're the only girl I've seen for a very long time that actually did look like something blooming..."

I'm obsessed with books. I've covered that in a post before. Just saw these F. Scott Fitzgerald titles:

also by the same cover artist of my precious clothbound books.

These are the number one thing on my Christmas list. And I will be using this technique to display them.


Just sayin'.

Sergeant Callahan!

So Matt's aunt called me and reminded me that I left everyone waiting for good news on the blog. Sorry peeps, I didn't know you took this seriously. The good news (that all of you probably know by now) is that Matt got promoted! It was a long time coming and I am so proud of him. He requested that his promotion ceremony was small (other instructors only, no students) and that I be a part of it. It was beyond amazing to hear everyone say such good things about him. Some of the other instructors with higher ranks even told him they looked up to him. Of course, I teared up like a fool. Luckily, Kelly was here to take pictures for me and even though she didn't really know what parts were important to capture she got some good ones (and I'll post more about her trip later):

Matt accepting the duties of a Sergeant

Matt requesting that I be the one to pin him

Me sticking the chevrons in his skin as hard as I can. I promise that's what you're supposed to do!
(P.S. I know I look pregnant, I'm not, just bloated.. or chunky, whatever.)

His Captain telling him he has been an inspiration and motivation to the company :)

Me laying a big, juicy wet on him after the ceremony was over!

Sgt. and Mrs. Callahan! And a 7 ton.

Some love from my sweetheart :)

But that's not all. I do have some more exciting news. Matt was awarded instructor of the cycle! Meaning that over the past two months of teaching this particular group of students, his higher ups thought he was the best instructor in his whole company. And this is a huge deal because it's his very first cycle! He'll be recognized at graduation on Wednesday and I'm so insanely proud of him! He's incredible isn't he?