Joca January

Happy New Year!
As with every year, the Joca's have a lot of celebrating to do. There are many, many birthdays!
Our special two are Andy and Amelia.  A January shout out to our friends Jen and James, family Uncle Billy, Buddy, Lisa and Annalisa.

We rang in the New Year just the four of us in southern style with black eyed peas and collard greens and of course a few noise makers and confetti.  At first I breathed a sigh of relief when I realized the kids couldn't make a noise out of the noisemakers... that was until they got the hang of it and what a racket.  I did truly love the fact that I could drink champagne, watch the ball drop at 8pm Alaska time, and then head to bed :). 

Andy's birthday was next. He turned 38.  This year it was on a Sunday. Sunday Funday.  We started the day off with breakfast and presents. Had a huge lunch of all of Andy's favorite sea foods, halibut, oysters, black cod and cake.  It was fantastic.   With all good things we got some great news that he has been promoted to Facility Engineer of Base Kodiak. He will take over the position on or around June 1st.  We will stay on our current orders and will have the opportunity to extend our stay in Kodiak next year.  He will also be able to "frock up" to Commander.  Essentially he will wear the commander ensigna but will not receive the pay raise. This is a fantastic job and we are really proud of him.

He has also been working very hard on our house installing Laminate flooring. He may have found his calling after the Coast Guard... Just Kidding. It does look great and we are really enjoying our living space.

Next Up Amelia's birthday.  Amelia turned 3.  Its hard to believe that three years ago I was walking around the Providence Boat Show thinking, are these contractions...am I having a baby?. For my RI friends, the Providence Boat show is a fun outing.  Anyway, we had a great day celebrating with friends, lunch out on the town and a family dinner and presents.  Amelia then had a birthday party with her new Kodiak Friends. Princess and Pirates. The kids played games, did a craft, we ate lunch, and blew out the candles.  The day was a balmy 40 degrees and sunny.  A sure sign that Amelia's 3rd year will be one for the record books.

Molly and I are doing great. We are selling Girl Scout Cookies and if anyone wants to make a donation to our troop, please let me know.  We also have started youth basketball on base. This is Molly's first year playing but I can see lots of potential.  In swimming she is learning to jump off the 3ft diving board, and do the crawl stroke. 

Its been a whirl wind. We are missing our families as we celebrate but are steadily making plans for trips off the Island. We will be in Portland OR next month, Anchorage the beginning of June, and the East Coast Mid-July.  If you want to see us let us know and we'll tell you where to meet us. I should also tell you that Andy will be in Barrow, AK (check a map) the top of the state for a month in August.

Lots of Love. Enjoy the pictures!