Another class...another kicky new nickname...

Todd just graduated a new class. With a new class, comes a new sweatshirt and apparently he is now...wait for it...'The Equalizer'. Huh.

The class sweatshirt. Todd doesn't think his face has as much likeness as the 'Coyer the destroyer' shirt but of course he feels the representation of his muscles are spot on.

Being introduced at 'Hi Moms'

Giving his speech. He's getting pretty good at these. Each one is more motivational than the last.

Afterwards we all went to a bar called Billy Goodes. They have a open mic night and our friend, Sal (another DI) wanted to try out some of his new songs. He's really talented.


Marty and Maribel


Sal singing away.

Of course a post isn't complete without another picture of us! :)

Another year, another Marine Corps ball!

Ask my mom and she will tell you that I love to get dressed up. She could probably produce about 7 prom dresses and 7 bridesmaids dresses to prove it. If you need someone to throw on a ball gown and go somewhere in a pinch...I'm your girl. With this being said, its not shocking that I gravitated towards a husband that has a job that allows to me to dress up at least once a year! Tonight was the annual Marine Corps ball. As usual we had an awesome time. There was a group of about 30 together and we rented a limo bus to make sure that we attended this years ball in style. The ceremony was beautiful and we danced into the early hours of the night. Gosh I love the ball!

All dressed up!

Me and Maribel before getting on the bus

Our ride. oh la la.

The boys getting cozy.

Tif and Nikki enjoying a cocktail on the way to the ball

me and Tiff

We had some free time so we stopped at a pub downtown. Everyone loved seeing the boys in uniform

The ladies with Master Guns at the ball

Todd and PJ

The Coy-ays

There were a few 'snafoos' in my ball prep. It all started with the stellar idea to get a spray tan. Due to having arguably the palest skin ever, I trustingly told the tan lady that a level 1 tan would be more than sufficient. She apparently opted for a level 2. This subsequently led to issues with my makeup since I do not keep shades darker than super white in my repertoire of makeup. This then led to a very honest conversation with my husband that went something like this...

Shan: (sitting, humming happily putting on her makeup)

Todd: (walks in, turns towards me and immediately looks startled)

Shan: "Hey honey, whats wrong, why are you looking at me like that?"

Todd: "Ok I have to say something...don't get mad at me ok?"

Shan: "What? what?!?! is my hair starting to come out?"

Todd: "No your hair is great, however, you might want to go easy on that makeup stuff...it uh...doesn't...uh...quite match your body.....::awkward pause::...besides that you look beautiful.." (nice save)

So then in a panic I spent the rest of the prep feverishly putting bronzer on my face. As you can see I was only somewhat successful. Moral of this story is the spray tan and I are going to part ways. We just weren't meant to be. I know somewhere right now my mom is thanking the heavens for deciding against getting one for our wedding, yikes that would have been a disaster!

oh well, lesson learned.

Amy and Mike's Wedding...

We have met so many awesome people since we have been here and Amy and Mike are amoung our favorites. Amy and I have worked together for well over a year and quickly became good friends. They have been planning their wedding for a quite a while and we were so happy to be able to watch them make this step together. I miss wedding planning. :(

The newlyweds

The Coy-ays

My other co-worker and friend Kathy with her beau, Don.

I think at this point in the night I asked Todd if he would mind if we had a lavish vow renewal ceremony/reception for our 3rd anniversary. I believe he patted me on the head and said he'd rather buy a house. Different strokes I guess.

Congrats Amy and Mike!

Holy Christmas decoration inappropriateness!?!

The people across the street have their Christmas tree and twinkle lights up on their house.....

Please refer to the date of this post....

::waits for everyone to shake their head::

Seriously, its November people, like early November!

At least some people ::coughs:: know that Christmas decorations have no place up until at the very earliest November 27th..which is....uh....when ours go up.....

Oh well I'm just going to go the classy route and wait in utter jealousy and envy patiently until the socially acceptable time when we can put all our christmas stuff out...::hmph:: :)

Happy Halloween!

We love Halloween and were really excited that Todd’s Master Guns and his wife decided to throw a party! Now, usually we are pretty prepared for Halloween and start thinking about possible costume combinations well before September. This year...ya not so much.

The plan was simple. Walk into our local costume shop, select 2 brilliant and completely original costumes (that would no doubt wow all our friends), purchase and walk out hand-in-hand with the knowledge that any and all best costume awards would surely be ours.

What actually happened was not as simple. The plan was flawless until we entered our local costume shop. For there, Todd promptly picked up a Harry Potter costume while I picked up a pirate costume. We then stared at each other for awhile. Things only went further downhill as we wandered around muttering "well what do you want to be?", "I don't know, what do you want to be?" and "are you absolutely sure you don't want to be Hermione?"

Two hours later (yes two hours), with our dreams of winning awards now a distant memory, we selected goddess and gladiator costumes. We were tired, hungry and slightly annoyed with each other.

Fortunately the party was much more fun!

All dressed up!

The ladies

The cute Martinez family. They were far more successful in selecting their costumes.

The boys.

Ricky and Lucy


The group.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween!

Two down!

Today is our two year anniversary! I can't believe how fast time is going. I pinch myself everyday for being so lucky in my life. I have a husband that wakes up every single morning, tells me he loves me and then spends the rest of his day working hard to make our life together the best he can for us.

I am truly blessed to be his wife.

I love you honey, happy anniversary! ::gives hubs a fist bump::

Flowers and presents and candles...oh my!

As per usual the Thunder cat never misses a photo op. Its her world, we all just live in it.

The Traveling Tranbargers

Now that my parents are retired and have nothing but time on their hands to do fabulous things, they decided to pack up their car and go on a great cross country adventure. They are so cool.

Of course a stop in Newport was on the itinerary to see their homesick daughter and we were so excited to see them. As usual the week went by way too fast. I wish they could have stayed longer. :)

Cute Dad. I believe he spent the entire week out on our porch reading and chatting up people as they walked past. Seriously how cute is that?

Cute Moms at Fort Adams. Of course in typical Mom fashion she greatly improved our quality of life by reorganizing many areas of our home. When they left Todd and I were amazed at how much more our laundry area and kitchen made sense. She's the best.

Notice something missing? After being together for over 35 years, my dad shaved off his mustache. My mom, us kids and anyone for that matter (besides my grandma and my uncles) have never seen him without it. It wasn't as shocking as I thought it would be, he's still my handsome dad. Only time will tell if it will return.

Out to dinner in Newport. We ate more this week than I care to admit ::rubs slightly larger tummy::. How spoiled are we?

It rained all day on Saturday so we went to the movies and than later off to the VFW. Any place were you can hang out and drink cheap beer is a-ok with the Tranbargers. I think its in our blood.

Playing some pool. My dad 'claimed' he hadn't played pool in years however he slaughtered me every.single.time. I think I got hustled.


The weather was much better on Sunday and since its fall we decided to test our luck at a corn maze. Who would make it through first the Coyers or the Tranbargers? The competition was pretty thick.

We were pretty lost here.

Hello!



Silly parents. They had a pretty good lead on us until they hid in the field to pop out and scare us half to death.

After this we saw them take a questionable turn and didn't see them again until we all got out.

The maze champs!

The map. Without this we would all still be in that maze.

Afterwards we treated ourselves to lunch in Bristol. We had the perfect table right on the water.


The next day they left to continue their adventure. So sad. I did hear a rumor that another trip in spring may be in the works ::crosses fingers:: We miss you!!

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In loving memory - my parents Maxima 2005-2009

My poor parents. While driving in Virginia a deer walked on the road in front of their car and the Maxima did not live to tell the tale. Thank god my parents were ok (I couldn't be more thankful) but it cut their trip short and caused a lot grief. :( You were a good car Maxima and will be missed RIP.

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