236th Marine Corps Birthday Ball

This past weekend was the Marine Corps Ball.  I look forward to this event every year.  It is one night we get to dress up and spend time with the good friends we have met in the Marine Corps.  This year a whole group of us decided to rent a limo to take us to the ball in Waikiki.  There's nothing like getting dressed up and being chauffeured to the Ball.  

Everyone but Kyle (He was still wrapping up loose ends)

Our stretch Excursion

A group of us before everyone arrived

 We listened to music and joked around on the way to Waikiki.  It was such a good time. 

Once we arrived, we got our official ball picture taken and then got to enjoy cocktail hour before the ballroom opened.  We caught up with some other people that we know before finding our table.  The ballroom was beautiful.  Once everyone was settled the ceremony began.  They played the Commandant's birthday message and it was very powerful.  It made me very proud to be married to a Marine.  The guest speaker was retired Sergeant Major McGuirk and he was great.  After the ceremony was completed it was time for dinner.  The food was amazing.  Once our bellies were full it was time to get on the dance floor and work off some of those calories.  We did the Cupid Shuffle and the Electric Slide.  That is about where the good music ended.  People were making some very questionable requests.  Smooth Operator by Sade?  Not really Marine Corps Ball dance music if you ask me.  So instead of dancing we enjoyed the company of our friends and had a great time. 

Me and the girls

Me and my Marine :)

The Birthday Cake

Gunny, Kyle, and Master Guns

Before the night was over we took one more group photo outside on the balcony of the hotel.  It was such a fun night!

It takes a lot of planning and anticipation every year before the night of the ball and it is gone in a flash!