San Francisco Girls Trip 2009

A few days after we got home from Virginia, Chrissy, Brianna, Joey, Alex, Pete and I all packed into Brianna's suv for our road trip to San Francisco to stay with Kevin's house just north of the city. Maura has a beautiful home and made us sooo comfortable right off the bat. We were only going to stay 5 days but extended the trip to 7 because we were having so much fun. We saw all the sights we could and ate some great food and spent some quality time as a family. Enjoy

Starbucks stop

A wedding location option for Brianna and Kevin's Wedding

My Best Friends and I at the Bridge

Wishing Daddy was here

Macy's at night

San Fran at night

Sonoma

Swinging in Sonoma

You know we shopped too

Sushi Dinner

San Quentin is my favorite Locked up show!

Cable Cars

We have cute shoes and feet

Locked up Alcatraz

View of the city from Alcatraz

Our last dinner...Cheesecake Factory

As always, all 29537982938 pictures from this trip are on our Shutterfly  

http://alexjrich.shutterfly.com/

Gunfighter Update

Family and Friends of HMLA-369,

We have quickly settled into our operational tempo and continue to support the Ground Combat Element despite low temperatures that would make a New Englander throw on an extra layer of clothing. While it has often been cold, it has thankfully not been wet. And hopefully, the wet and windy Iraqi winter will continue to be relatively mild.

The Gunfighters have established our ‘battle rhythm’ here in Al Asad and our two detachments at Korean Village and Sahl Sinjar. Your Gunfighters have started the New Year just like they finished last year: as consummate professionals. While the tactical situation has greatly improved from previous Squadron deployments over the past few years, the Squadron is busy “flying and fixing” from three different locations. The three locations vary greatly. However, we have been rotating the Gunfighters amongst the detachments and will continue to do so. Finally, the end of January was an exciting period here for the Iraqis. The first national Iraqi elections in three years could bring change here in Iraq just like our national elections this past November.

This past month has seen lots of changes, both in Iraq and at home. I’m sure there have been lots of rumors. I just want to assure you that nothing has changed with respect to our estimated return. Any official communication from me will come through the Mass Communication Tool (MCT) after I have talked with the Squadron. The spirits and morale remain high and all of the Gunfighters remain highly motivated at accomplishing the mission here in Al Asad and at our Detachments in support of Marines across western Iraq. I continue to be very impressed and proud to be a part of such a strong Squadron.

Thanks again for all the care packages and keep the mail coming. Please remember that with our move to Al Asad, the email addresses for your loved ones have changed as well (the generic email address is firstname.lastname@aa.mnf.w-iraq.usmc.mil). Take care and have a wonderful and safe February.

If there are immediate questions or concerns please feel free to call or e-mail Mrs. Barbara Greenbush who is our Remain Behind Family Readiness Officer. Her MAG-39 office phone number is (760) 725-8681. Her cell phone number is (760) 936-2994. And her e-mail is barbara.greenbush.ctr@usmc.mil.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

LtCol Zamagni

Commanding Officer

HMLA-369

Sometimes I forget!

Today I was reminded that what Patrick does is very dangerous. What a terrible and anxious feeling it is to read in the news that two Helo's crashed and 4 were dead (which means two pilots no crew = cobras) and not know for sure. There weren't cobras and I'm so thankful Patrick is safe today...but I am praying and thinking of the families that weren't as lucky.

Walkee Walkee Alex

Alex started walking January 14, 2009 while we were in San Francisco!

Its only been a week and he is a walking fool, thank goodness for his "safety first" attitude because he has great balance and was able to just take off when he was ready

 

My silly son

This video will show you all of Alex's new tricks =)  He is sooo funny and entertaining.  

Old friends...New Adventures

Who knew I could have a blast out in Manassas again even though I haven't lived there in forever. Its weird to go to all my favorite bars and not see a soul I knew or my age.  Walking into a bar and seeing all of my friends little siblings drinking made my stomach drop and I suddenly felt OLD =)  Heather, Penny and I painted the town red...well as red as you can paint Manassas.   I got to see some great friends from high school and college.  

My favorite time spent in Manassas was the night our WONDERFUL family friends, the Lynch's and Tamer's, came to meet Alex.   We have all been friends since preschool but as with most things time and distance keeps our get togethers few and far between.  We had a great night catching up on stories and our favorite youtube videos.  

Here's to 2009!!!!!

After Christmas, Alex and I headed to Richmond for the rest of our Vacation.  Its so fun to watch Alex and Lillie play together and picture what it will be like in the next few years when they are big enough to talk and really play.  So fun!  

I got to go out for New Years with India and her crew which was AWESOME.  It was nice to let loose and enjoy a night out with adults =)  

The part of the trip I had been dreading since I got there was the day Brandon was leaving for his workups and Iraq.  I broke my heart to watch another member of my family say goodbye to everyone and I relived November 2nd all over again.  I am so glad Alex got to spend some QT with Brandon before he left.  

Luckily that same day I got to see two of my favorite people in the world Matt-e and THE Weinstein (and their wonderful girlfriends).  

My other boyfriends

Alex's future Basketball coach...Matt-e

Alex, Evan and Brandon

Lindsey and Betsy

The rest of the time was spent watching the kids play, Alex take the ornaments off the tree, eating yummy food and one last night on the town with the girls!

TV and Christmas trees...his favorites

Cousins at bathtime

treat time with Grandma

Watching Daddy on the computer

Fighting for Grandpa's affection

Love Hate relationship with Tickle me Elmo

Getting smart watching Wheel of Fortune

My Richmond favorites

The morning we were leaving I woke up with a terrible head cold but luckily Mom called from her cruise and told me where she kept her medicine now. It was a rough flight home for me but Alex slept every minute of the flight....THANK GOODNESS