A Christmas To Remember

December 24 - 30, 2009

This year Donnie's sister, Jennifer, and our niece, Kaitlynn, flew out from Utah to spend Christmas with us. Their visit was definitely something memorable for all of us. They arrived just in time for dinner on Christmas Eve. The kids were so excited, it took a little longer than usual to settle them down and get them into bed... but once they all laid down, they were OUT!

Our boys never wake up early on Christmas morning... which was a relief to both Jenn & Kait, since they are on Mountain time. =) Once everyone was awake, we started opening all the gifts... our great room became a bit of a wrapping paper tornado!

Then we just spent the day together... talking, laughing, playing, eating... just spending time together.

It was so fun to be able to watch Kaitlynn open her gifts this year!! =)

Santa was very good to the kids this year... bringing them some great books and board games... and of course some yummy chocolate treats!

Donnie LOVED the photo collage Jenn put together for him of all his family members. =)

It was a great Christmas day!

Kaleb, being silly as always!

The next day, we went up to Callaway Garden's Butterfly Center.

We couldn't believe how many butterflies were habitating in the middle of winter! Including this beautiful bright blue one, we were unable to get a photo of. It was obviously very accustomed to being around people... it land on one woman's head and on a man's beard... crazy!!!

While we were at Callaway Gardens, we also took a little nature walk. It was really sunny out... there was a chilly breeze, which wasn't too bad as long as we kept moving.

We stopped to feed the ducks. They sure were some feisty little things!

We spent a day in Atlanta. When we saw this giant tree... we just knew we had to get a photo!

The World of Coca-Cola was really cool. We listened to a guide give us some background history. Quite interesting to learn Coca-Cola started in Columbus, the town right next to Fort Benning. We also walked around and looked at a bunch of memorabilia... and even got to sample soda from around the world. They gave us little glass bottles of Coke, which we had at lunch the next day... of COURSE we did a toast! =)

During Jenn &Kait's visit, we did some other really fun things... like rock climbing, swimming, touring Fort Benning and the Infantry Museum, watched a 3D movie, had an adult night out, and did a LOT of playing. But mostly... we were just together... which was the BEST part of all!!!!

We hope you all had a very blessed Christmas!!

On The First Day of Christmas, My Parents Gave To Me...

December 5, 2009

... A PUPPY!!!!!

Casey is the newest addition to our growing family. Donnie & I went to go look at puppies without the boys... we were just going to look at different breeds, and had no intention of adopting right away. But when we saw this adorable German Shepherd/American Bulldog mix, we knew we had to bring her home! She is the sweetest little dog, always giving us kisses. The puppy phase is quite a busy one, it's truly like having a baby all over again... a baby who chews, that is! We haven't started obedience classes yet, but we've already taught her some simple commands & she listens quite well. If she can now just learn to stop jumping on Kaden & Kaleb. =)

When choosing a name for her, we had a family vote & decided to name her after a dear friend who lost his life during Donnie's last deployment. We made her a dog tag that resembles a military one, that says 'CASEY, In Memory of Ryan Casey McGhee, KIA May 13, 2009.' We know Ryan is smiling from above.

We Are SO Very Thankful...

Friday, November 27, 2009

I'm waiting for my sis-in-law to email the rest of the photos she took... I was enjoying myself SO much, this is the only one I have & Sky was the one who took it. =)

This was taken in their backyard, just before we left.

This Thanksgiving was the first one we've celebrated with family in years, and we had an AMAZING time!! We had Thanksgiving dinner with my sister-in-law, Ursula, her husband, Keith, and all of Keith's family. Keith's sister, Deanna, was so gracious to open up her beautiful home to us all. The adults had a formal meal in the dining room and the children ate at the kitchen table... poor Sky had to eat at the kiddie table, but I honestly think he may have preferred it. =) After we ate, Deanna surprised Keith & Ursula with a beautiful homemade wedding cake... since they were married in Vegas two years ago and never had one. It was SO yummy!

After dinner & dessert, we all went outside and played a game of touch football. It was a pretty brutal game... Ursula & I are quite aggressive, haha! =) Her loving husband gave her a little something to remember the day, a black eye... poor girl was hit in the eye with the corner of the football! She sat down for just a moment, until Samantha, Deanna & Oliver's daughter, asked her if she was going to "just sit there and cry like a girl, or get up and play." Hahaha!! Needless to say, Ursula got up and played! The boys had so much fun playing with Michael & Samantha and can't wait to see them again. Deanna sent the boys home with chalkboards she made, for them to write their wish lists to Santa... Keith has the sweetest family.

We stayed the night with Ursula and Keith and left Friday afternoon... Keith had a big motocross race in Savannah. We had the BEST time! This year, we are SO thankful to have some of our family living close to us... who we have been able to create some wonderful memories with.

We hope you all had a very blessed Thanksgiving!! We are also so very thankful for all of you, our family & friends!

A Walk Through History For Two

November 14, 2009

Fort Benning's Infantry Museum is a multi-million dollar museum that just opened in June of this year. Benning is known as the "Home of the Infantry,"so this museum is the largest infantry museum in the world. Retired Gen. Colin Powell was the guest speaker for its Grand Opening, who said,

“This is what we owe to those who went before. This is the place. This is the home. This is their legacy. May God bless all those who have worn the crossed rifles over the years.”

Behind the museum is Parade Field, a baseball stadium. Dirt was brought in from a battlefield of every war America has been in and sprinkled under the field's sod. What a great honor for all those who play there!

The giant iron statue behind us is 'Iron Mike,' the famous Follow Me (the infantry motto) statue, which was moved from the front of Infantry Hall.

It was my first time going to the museum since its Opening. I met Donnie there and we spent the afternoon walking around exploring every inch of the museum... I LOVE military history! Skyler is at an age where he'd truly appreciate the museum... but the younger two will most definitely have us hurrying through some parts of it. So it was nice to take our time together before our visit with the boys.

I'm heading into the Civil War...

There were several metal statues displayed, each made from an actual photograph. This photo above, Donnie is standing next to one of a soldier looking around the corner for a German soldier. Historically, this photo was said to symbolize America's looking from WWI into the future...

I made Donnie stand in front of this so I could take a photo, haha!

"Fort Benning: Home of the Infantry, World Class Training for World Class Soldiers. At Fort Benning, we transform men into soldiers. Every time our nation has gone to war, Fort Benning soldiers have led the way. These soldiers remain the bedrock of our fighting force, taking the fight to the battlefields of our enemies around the world."

Donnie is trained in all of these weapons... along with a few other larger ones that wouldn't fit in this display case. =)

A ceiling display I thought was cool. The helicopter is a Black Hawk.

A display case for the Officer Candidate School (OCS) here at Fort Benning. Fort Benning is the home to MANY different schools, men and women from units all over the world come here to train.

A photo wall in the Airborne display area.

A very cool display case showing Fort Benning historical memorabilia.

The AMAZING Wall of Honor

The reason Donnie, and MANY others, joined the military.

Operation Enduring Freedom display... Infantry Operations in Afghanistan.

Our guys don't play with your typical deck of cards, haha! Donnie played a part in capturing the "King of Spades." =)

Since living here at Fort Benning over the last six years, we have been able to capture a few historical keepsakes of our own. I had the opportunity of meeting and speaking with both Gen. Hal Moore (We Were Soldiers Once... And Young) and Gen. Ralph Puckett (Words for Warriors: A Professional Soldier's Notebook), and having them both autograph a copy of their book for Donnie. I have no idea how, but both times I came to the book signing when no one else was there, what luck! In 2005, we were invited for an early viewing of "The Great Raid," a movie documenting the world's largest rescue mission to this day. After the viewing we met director John Dahl, who thanked the men for their service. At our amazing Balls, we have had the honor of listening to Vice President Dick Cheney, Ret. Major Robert Prince (captain who led the rescue in "A Great Raid"), and the Honorable Les Brownlee (Retired Secretary of the Army) speak. Donnie's first Platoon Sergeant was on the rescue mission in "Black Hawk Down," which he, of course, never talked about it... nor did his wife. But we all know who he was in the movie, God bless him.

I never tire of hearing these stories, of learning about our country's history... and honoring the great men and women who work so hard to serve us.

Donnie's First Weekend Pass

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Donnie was able to get a pass this afternoon, so the boys & I went on-post to spend the day with him. But first, we had a bit of running around to do... Donnie was elected Treasurer of his class yesterday and had some things he needed. We honestly would've followed him anywhere though! =)

After we ran around and had dinner, we took the boys to see 'A Christmas Carol'... the new 3D movie with Jim Carrey. It was really good, we loved it! The little boys got a BIG kick out of the silly glasses, it was so fun!!

It's amazing Donnie has only been in school for a week now, but is really embracing this new career path of his. The OCS Commander had pulled Donnie aside and recommended he do something other than infantry with the pins & screws in his back and shrapnel throughout his body... he says it will catch up to him at some point in his career and cause him a great deal of pain. So Donnie is considering all of his options, including possibly Military Intelligence. He asked me what I thought, and I told him I just want him to be happy... whatever he chooses I will stand by and support him. I know, with the Lord's guidance, he will definitely make the right decision!

After such an incredibly long and difficult week... this was absolutely the PERFECT way to end it! We can't wait to see him tomorrow!!!

OOOOOOOOOCS!!!

Friday, November 6, 2009

Today was Donnie's OCS Class Opening Ceremony. The ceremony was really short, literally 10 minutes long... it simply represents the passing on of leadership to the new officer candidates before they officially begin OCS. When they did the change and the new leadership ran up (Donnie's a platoon sergeant so he took part in this), they all yelled "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOCS!" It was too funny to me because I KNEW Donnie was just hating it! =)

Even though OCS is here at Fort Benning, Donnie has to stay in the barracks on-post when he's not in class. So the boys and I haven't seen him all week, and I received just a few very short phone calls that lasted less than five minutes. So, it sure was good to see him today!!

Tomorrow Donnie will get a pass, but we'll have to stay on post... so we plan to take the boys to see 'Where the Wild Things Are' and to dinner. Can't wait... I know we've been apart for a LOT longer before, but I have MISSED him!!!!!

A Day Of Snuggles

Sunday, November 1, 2009

After saying goodbye to Dad and sending him off to Officer Candidate School, the boys decided it was a good day to snuggle together on the sectional and watch 'The Transformers' together. Notice Kaden & Kaleb are STILL wearing their costumes?? Haha, it may be hard to get them to change out of them for school tomorrow!!

Following A New Career Path...

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Arlington Cemetery near JFK's grave

"And to my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. And fellow citizens of the world, ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man."

Today Donnie is leaving for Officer Candidate School, and retiring the tan beret of his Special Operations unit. I have so much respect and admiration for the Rangers and their families, I feel so fortunate that we have been able to be a part of this elite family for the last six years. We have so many friends who have gone into other aspects of the Army, who chose a life outside the military, & who remain in the unit... and it gives me so much comfort to know no matter where we go, that kinship will always be there. As one girlfriend said "Once a Ranger Wife, always a Ranger Wife!"

As Donnie pursues a new career in the Army, I look forward to the new opportunities it brings our family. We have met so many amazing people throughout our journey, and know there is more yet to come.

Good luck in school, Donnie... I know you're going to make one AMAZING officer!!!

Another Happy Haunting!!!!

Saturday, October 31, 2009

My girlfriend Shelly & I decided it would be fun to put on a Halloween party this year and invite some of our other friends. The Gerlings, Jones joined in on the fun with us & the Calls, and we all put together a frightful menu of Chicken Chili, Spinach Lasagna, Garlic Soup, Shrimp Wontons, Green Salad, Witches' Brew Drink, Ghost Cake, Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bars with Cinnamon Ice Cream, and Pumpkin & Ghost cookies. It was all SO yummy!!

Above is one of the wooden signs Shelly made... SO cute! =)

Before we ate, the kids played a few games. The first game was a 'Frankenstein Walk,' where they walked around the swing set between orange cones. They were put into two teams to race each other... they both did so well though, they actually tied! =) Here's Kaden's best friend, Braydon (a SWAT team member in the black) and Kaden (Megatron in the gray) neck and neck... they LOVED it!!

Here's Kaleb's Frankenstein Walk. He did great! If you look closely, you can see his nose poking through, haha!!

Shelly put together a really cute ghost scavenger hunt, which sent the kids all over her house searching for dum-dums made into little ghosts.

They all had such a great time taking turns reading the clues that sent them into the laundry room, to the fireplace, to the kitchen... and here they are "where the ghosts bathe."

After we ate, we had a toilet paper costume contest. Kaden laughed just about the entire time while I was wrapping him. Here he is... ninja Kaden!

Here are all the creative costumes everyone came up with... from left to right, Lydia was a nun, Kaden was a ninja, Braydon was a bride (hahaha... look at that pout, Shelly! =), Ethan was Pippy Longstocking, and Elin was a Ninja Turtle. SO fun!!!!!

This photo is just too funny of Bumblebee & Mikaela... Bumblebee's eyes look as though they are about to pop right out of his head! =)

After the games, I gave all the kids glowsticks and we turned out the lights. The Calls turned on a strobe light, which was awesome, and I told them a few scary stories... well, they were kind of scary. =) The kids loved it!

After our bellies were full, we were tuckered out from all the fun games & scared out of our minds =) ... we went trick-or-treating. The weather has been SO sporadic down here over the last several weeks... it was in the 80's one week and dropped into the 50's that weekend, rained the entire next two weeks (which is unusual since it rains year 'round), and went back up into the upper 70's and low 80's these last two weeks with a cooler weekend. So Shelly and I wished aloud that we wanted it to be cool again on Halloween. What were we thinking?? It was even colder then last year... with an addition to chilly wind and drizzle! So we made our way walking around the neighborhood and 'parented up!' Haha... just a little inside joke!! =)

While we were trick-or-treating, we came to a house that decorated their garage into a haunted house and the kids received their candy after they walked through. There were a few people inside that jumped out so it was pretty scary for little ones. Afterwards, poor Kaleb was crying and said, "They just want to scare the Autobots, Optimus Prime just isn't up for that!" We all couldn't help but laugh... he's SUCH a little cutie pie!!!!

The kids really did have the BEST Halloween ever, thanks to everyone's efforts, so thank you girls for all of your time into making it a great night! I know us adults had a really good time too!!!

We hope you all had a VERY HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!