Saying Goodbye

Why do I have time to start catching up? Because we've finally reached D-day (deployment day).
This morning we dropped Phil off to catch a bus that would lead to a flight out of our country and onto another.
He'll be gone about 7 months, give or take. We're all handling it well so far but we have a long way to go, of course. We're taking it day by day. Right now is the end of day one. Tomorrow is another day.
For now... here are our pictures from this morning!

Command Christmas Party

Yep I'm super behind. Thanksgiving threw a wrench in my schedule... and so has getting ready for Christmas. Needless to say, I'll be doing some catching up.
A couple weeks ago was Phil's command Christmas party. We had a great time! A night out without the kids? Really yummy food? Good friends? A recipe for a great evening indeed!
This is Lauren and Rachel. I love these girls. They do, however, make me feel really really tall.
It was the the aquarium. Phil gave the crocodile the stink eye and the crocodile gave it right back.


It was a great way to kick off the holidays this year!

Williamsburg and Washington, DC

As I wrote earlier, while my folks were here we took a drive up to DC and Williamsburg...

Joshua sucking on a licorice root. Very colonial, I think.

We did see a few things here but just didn't take very many pictures. The next day we were on our way to DC.
We booked a room at a military hotel of sorts that required us to check in on one base then drive to another. Odd, I know. Fortunately the first base we stopped at had a side entrance to Arlington National Cemetery! We were able to park and walk in without fighting for a parking space.
The changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
After stopping off at the hotel we headed out to see what we could find. As it got darker, Joshua noticed the Washington Monument, but he doesn't call it that. To him it's a big giant robot. He came to this conclusion based on the evidence of the glowing red eyes that flashed at the top (you can see the two little squares in this picture).
We just happened across Ford's theater and the house where Lincoln died while trying to locate some food. Not so easy when it's 7-ish on a Sunday night, believe it or not!
On the walk back to the vehicles, we stopped by the Navy memorial because I wanted to see the Lone Sailor statue. We just happened across this little marker that we found significant. It's for the US Navy River Operations in Vietnam (ie the first Riverines ever).
This is outside the hotel we stayed at on the base. It was really pretty beautiful even though the A/C didn't work in my parents room.
We found the Smithsonians first. This is the National Air and Space Museum. Jeremiah has decided he's going to be an astronaut, just to let you all know.

This is the 4 of us in thermo imaging.
Phil and the boys staring at some guys hind end...
We've been to DC a couple times before but always seemed to miss this memorial so it was on my "must see" list this time around. I'm so glad we went!

This is from the top of the Lincoln Memorial looking at the reflecting pool and the Washington Monument.
Us and the big guy.
Bonus points to the one who figures out what Josh is trying to show you.
Next up was the Vietnam War Memorial. Can you believe it took them 10 years after the war ended for them to put this up? Memorial day was the perfect day to visit here.

After taking in a few more sites we ventured back to the Museum of Natural history for the boys. Jeremiah has a particular affection for dinosaurs so we wanted to make sure we got here for him.
DINOSAUR!!!! He said that like... I don't know... 50 million times while we walked through this area.
Fossil Lab. They labeled it for you, really.
Shark teeth. Josh needs to get a few more to catch up.
Anything you can do, I can do better, Josh.
Jeremiah the tiger. Rarrrrr....
Riding on Papa's shoulders seems to be a really exciting place to be if you're 2.
Phil keeping the trip lively. Waaaaay back there is the capital building.
I'm sure we'll visit again. We still have some other things we'd like to do in this great city. I love living near here!

Cakes for Iraq

A friend from the FRG asked me earlier this month to put together a couple cakes for her husband and friend who are in Iraq with Phil's squadron. She intended to mail them their way in time for their birthdays. How fun is that? I did my best to make something that might hopefully survive the time and postal service handling. Here's what I came up with...
I built them on the lid of ziplock like containers that fit snugly, hoping it would hold them both in place for the long journey.
I've been waiting rather impatiently to see the results and finally got this from Cristina the other day...
Yeah not so good, but the guys enjoyed them anyway!
Hope you guys had a really Happy Birthday, Brad and Boomer! We'll see you home soon!

FRG

Phil's squadron will be home from their deployment in less then a month and everyone is so excited! Tonight was the pre-homecoming brief. They asked me to make a cake to help celebrate and this is what I came up with.
Talk about work! 3 little boats that resembled the boats our guys drive. In front are little sea bags and helmets. All the camo I hand-painted. In the picture are Lauren and Lisa, the FRG president and vice-president. I've recently taken on the secretary role in the FRG. I love these girls! It should be fun once all our hubbies are home for a bit.

My Husband the Riverine

Phil is back! For good... well, kinda.
As most of you know, this command that Phil is stationed at is going to be a lot different from what we've been with in the past. So Phil is home... for now. When he will leave again we're not sure. In the mean time, we are so happy to have him home! Phil has graduated from his latest class that officially makes him a Riverine.
To commemorate that I thought I'd share something I just read for the first time with Phil's latest certificate, The Riverine Sailor Creed:

In our nation's time of need, there are Sailors that stand ready... honor bound... to defend freedom. They serve on shallow waters and rivers, around the world, with honor and distinction. I am proud to be one of these Sailors... a Riverine Sailor.

I am a quiet professional; tried, tested and dedicated to achieving excellence in Riverine warfare operations. I am a disciplined, confident and highly motivated warrior.

My honor and integrity are above reproach; my commitment to duty unquestioned and my word trusted. The American people depend on me to execute my mission in a precise and professional, military manner.

I maintain my craft, equipment and myself at the highest possible levels of combat readiness. I set the standard and lead by personal example. I am responsible for my actions and accountable to my shipmates, superiors and the American people.

I am ready for war, but hope for peace. In the event of conflict, I will close and engage the enemy with the full combat power at my disposal. My actions will be decisive, yet measured. I will always complete my mission and do my duty leaving no shipmate behind, dead or alive.

My heritage was born during the revolution that made ours a free nation. The legacy and courage of those warriors who went in harms way before me guides my actions. I shall never forget the selflessness, perseverance and sacrifices made to secure our nations freedom. I will always uphold and maintain the honor of those who fought before me and staunchly protect our proud history.

What Phil Has Been Up To

Phil's not in this picture, but these are the guys he was with. This is a hole you're supposed to sit in for an undetermined amount of time. Notice the water.

Riverine Squadron 1 Article

I just clipped this out of the paper today. Thought you all would like to see it!
http://hamptonroads.com/node/485804

Video About Riverines

New Orders

The official orders came in today. We will be leaving here early September to head toward Virginia. Phil will be in Mississippi for about a month for training so he won't be in Virginia until November. Phil is going to be attached to a Riverine Squadron. We'll try to put up information on here as we find it. It's a little exciting and a lot scary at this point, so please be praying for us! Now it's time to buckle down and really get the house ready to list so this will be as smooth a transition as possible!