We got there Friday around noon. We checked into the hotel and then went to classes. It was great because the battalion provided childcare anytime there were classes going on, except for Sunday morning. So, the kids are in the childcare room playing xBox 360 and watching movies, and I got to go to Friday's classes with Charles and listen to the CSM and LTC, which I do enjoy. They're pretty funny. After the classes I went upstairs to shower and read and Charles took the boys to the beach for a bit. It was very windy on Friday and I wanted no part of that. Then we had our Company party. The First Sergeant had a 3 bedroom condo so the 50 or so people in there wasn't as crowded as it could have been. Lots of food at the party, so that was nice. Then they showed the 'training video' that Charles and his station made. It was hilarious!! It was the right way and wrong way of dealing with future soldiers in different situations. The wrong ways he came up with were just too funny. If I can figure out a way to get it on the computer I'll let you know. This video was shown to the battalion on Saturday and was a huge hit. Everyone loved it and I'm very proud of Charles for putting it together. It saved the company from having to do a skit. (By the way, if you're confused, command structure goes: station -> company -> battalion -> brigade) I guess we stayed at the party until about 10 or so and then went back to the room.
Saturday we woke up early and realized the sun hadn't risen yet. I looked out the window and saw that we would have a perfect view of the sunrise, so I woke everyone up. The kids weren't quite as impressed as I was. :) Then we had classes from 9 - 2. The spouses broke off for about 3 of those hours and had our own classes. Then we got to go back with the recruiters and watch the skits. I love watching that stuff. We had about a 3 hour break Saturday afternoon. We went to Wal-Mart and Charles took the kids to the beach again. Saturday evening the kids went back to childcare while Charles and I went to the awards banquet. This is the part where we're all dressed up and uncomfortable. This year they got the 82nd Airborne Chorus to perform, which was a big deal, and they were awesome!! I just love watching cadences and military performances like that. Very cool. We had dinner, a speaker, awards, blah blah blah. After they retired the colors we got the kids, changed clothes, and then went back down to the ballroom for the dancing. Carter showed his moves a little bit (he is SO funny). Then, since Charles had promised the kids another night time beach experience, we went back to the beach at MIDNIGHT. It was pretty cool being out there at night. The waves are different at night, racing toward the pier 'like a jet ski' Chad said. So...late night Saturday night. But we had already decided that we wanted to go to the beach for the sunrise since it was so pretty Saturday morning, so...
Sunday we were up at 6:15 and on the beach by 6:40. The sunrise was nice, but not as pretty as Sat. morning, but it also wasn't as cold, so that's good. We beat the rush for the great breakfast at Embassy Suites and then we were back to classes for the morning. No childcare today, so I stayed out in the hall talking to another spouse and the LTC's wife while the kids played a bit. Then we all went in for the closing remarks. After we checked out of the hotel we went to Broadway on the Beach and had lunch at Johnny Rockets. When certain songs are played on the jukeboxes, all the servers take their places around the restaurant (to include on the windowsills) and dance. It was pretty cool. Reminded us of the Friends episodes where Monica works at that diner where she wore the big boobs and had to dance like that. After lunch we went to the Ripley's Aquarium and can I just tell you we LOVE LOVE LOVE Ripley's. They have the most spectacular military discount in the world. We got the combo ticket (5 attracations) for only $6.55!! This is normally $52 or something like that. Heck, even to just get in the aquarium is $18. I really need to write them a letter. I say that every time we have taken advantage of this awesome deal and I never have actually done it. So, the aquarium was nice (but I sure am glad I didn't pay full price) and the lady said we have a year to go to the other attractions since we didn't have time yesterday. We ended up getting home around 8:00I guess. Great weekend though! And we weren't out very much money since our room was paid for and Charles was authorized to drive a government vehicle (usually kids aren't allowed in the GOV, but there was an exception for ATC). So, as much as recruiting sucks most of the time and the hours are horrible and the respect is non-existent...this one weekend of the year it worked out in our favor. Yet we had a man at the hotel question why the Army would pay to have our conference there instead of at a barracks since we "have so many barracks". That offended me. Firstly, the hotel gave our battalion a huge discount, charging only $70 per night for the rooms(Thank you, Embassy Suites!!). Secondly, with all the sacrifices our military members make for our country, including recruiters, I think a weekend away with their families one weekend a year is reasonable and well deserved.
Sunrise as seen from our room 
Sunrise shining on Carter's face 
After breakfast Saturday morning 
Charles showing the kids something cool 
My man in uniform 
Us before the banquet 
Carter feeling the music 
Chad feeling the music LOL 
Sunrise Sunday morning...he was a little tired 
Sunrise Sunday morning 
Carter and the jellies Story...in Charles' video, after each 'correct' way of handling the situation, they would turn to the camera, flash a cheesy grin, and give a thumb's up sign. Chad thought this was SO funny, so in all of our aquarium pictures he did this. LOL
Big Scary shark
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