OC - Spray

Every year, the Marines in A's unit spend a week in Ground Security Forces training, which is basically a military version of riot control. On the last day of training, each Marine is "OC-sprayed" in the face ('oleoresin capsicum,' a military-grade pepper spray) and then must complete a simple riot control exercise. Since A had previously experienced Level 1 (spray in the eyes), he received Level 2 this time, which is OC sprayed onto a cloth and then wiped on the face (not nearly as painful). Check out the video footage of A running through the drills with OC on his face (and having a little too much fun taking down some Marines).

Viva Las "Phantom"

For L's 25th birthday, we celebrated by going to see the "Phantom of the Opera" show in Las Vegas. After New Year's Day in Pasadena, we drove directly to Nevada and stayed for 2 days in a classic Main St. hotel, just a quick drive down the street from the famous Las Vegas Blvd. The "Phantom" was awesome (now a permanent Vegas show in a custom-built theater), and we also had a great time just walking up and down the Strip, checking out the extravagant hotels.
However, on our way there, we encountered a minor hurdle. Click the video to see what A had to say about that:

Here are some other random photos from the trip:
Too bad this one's blurry:
Here's another one inside one of the coolest hotels (The Venetian):
A at the famous Bellagio water show, and L ready for a date.











And finally, the view from our room in The Plaza Hotel:

The Rose Parade

On New Year's Eve, L drove up to Pasadena with her parents to see the famous Rose Parade. A had already driven up with the Marine Band the day before, in order to prepare for marching in the 5 & 1/2 mile parade. Seeing the parade in person was a quite exciting, and additionally, another memorable event from that day was getting to see A's face on the TV footage of the parade replay later that day. Check back soon for the video footage of A in Marine Band!

That night before the parade, we looked at the floats up close, and these floats are way more impressive than what is shown on TV.L and her dad sitting in a prime spot on the street corner right where the parade route begins.
Here's a nice smile from A while the Marine Band waits for the parade to start.
Right before the band stepped off onto the parade route, L was able to get a picture with the Marines in the background.
NOTE: Just to clear things up, this parade is called the "Rose Parade" or the "Tournament of Roses Parade," not the "Rose BOWL Parade." The Rose Parade existed long before there was a Rose Bowl Game.