I'll Be Home For Christmas

About a week or so before Christmas I was asked if I would be willing to to be one of the first three people on my PRT to take leave. Of course I said I would be more than willing to do that, especially since it was not only going to be Carter's first Christmas but while I have missed several events such as Thanksgivings and birthdays due to my military service I have yet to miss a Christmas. Then about a week before Christmas I was told that I would in fact be going. The next morning I drove a 2 1/2 ton truck for five hours as part of a convoy to Bagram and started my journey home for midtour leave. They were about 700 people behind schedule at Bagram and a bit of bad weather so I didn't get out of Afghanistan until the 19th, which was one day behind schedule but I wasn't complaining.

I flew from Bagram to Ali al Salem in Kuwait where I spent about 18 hours waiting for a commercial flight back to my family. I am fortunate that my final leave destination was at an overseas location. The people going on leave back tot he States had a three day wait before they could get a commercial flight out of the Kuwait City International Airport. I got to KCIA Saturday night for the hour long flight to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates on Emirates airlines (which, for the record, is a really nice airline. If any of you are considering a leisurely vacation to the Middle East anytime in the near future I would definitely recommend Emirates... and really, who wouldn't want to vacation in the Middle East, especially at this time and as an American. They love us there... right?). From Dubai I had about an 8 hour flight to Osaka and then a two hour flight to Naha and back to wonderful family. I got back to Okinawa a little before 10 PM on the 21st.

It has been such a blessing to be able to spend Christmas and New Year's with Lisa, Coryn and Carter. I have been able to see the new house, catch up with old friends and see Carter take his first steps. I'm sure either Lisa or I will post some pictures of my time here but for now I would like to post a few more pictures from Gardez.

Here is my crib... actually I only occupy 1/4 of this plywood beauty. At least it's warm and I have a mini fridge to keep my Dr. Pepper cold.

This is my office and supply room. It is literally 15 feet from my hooch so I won't have to spend too much time outside when it gets to 20 below... except when I have to shower... or eat... or do laundry... okay, I'll probably have to spend a lot of time outside in freezing temperatures but not when I'm going from my room to my office (more pix of the best office on the PRT to follow in a future post). That would be crazy Senior Airman Mayo coming out the office... not sure what he was doing in there but from the look of things it wasn't official business.

Here is the sweet ride that the Army has given me.

There is a little beauty to be found around here.

This may be my favorite picture of all time. I know when I'm not wanted, but I though the boys from Chicago would be a little more tolerant.

Atypical Army Day

Cor On this not so usual motorpool Monday, the FRG had a fundraiser pie-in-the-face auction. Here Mr. T is letting Coryn take his picture while we set up, in the orange in the back is our lovely president.

We were very careful on the first pie recipient. She's new to the unit so no one had a vengance yet anyway.
You can't tell its him, but thats the commander that just got creamed... we got a little crazy after the first one, as you can see from the pie on the water cooler behind him.

Mr. T even got into the action... he didn't bid on anyone, but they put him up for auction and he bought his own pie... so he went after the one who nominated him!
Coryn spent a good deal of time in this truck, often honking the horn. the rest of the time he wandered around with little dabs of whipped cream on his finger saying "I'm going to pie you!" and then getting people's noses... there are pictures I have to go get one of these days. I even joined the festivities in Jackson's name of course.

Tidbits

First fork attempt, loves to use one, he kept handing the fork back to me to put something on and then when he picked it up he would give this same super proud grin.

Doesn't he look like Gilligan?

He was tired this night, he's not sleeping though, he just resting his head while he chews.

He almost always sits with his legs crossed like this.


Yes, Coryn knows how to play some x-box games already, he's so spoiled!

Brotherly Love

Coryn loves to play cat, which usually involves him in the box meowing, then when Carter comes toward him he starts screaming (gleefully) which makes Carter laugh... its bizarre to watch.

Coryn occasionally wants to feed Carter... a little late bud, he's almost out of the spoonfed stage.

Duh duh.... Duh duh.... duh duh duh... (Jaws theme)

I squish you!
He always has liked crawling on people who are on the floor. At least Coryn seems to like it too!

Carter de Jour

Smiley!
Tip toe

Ooo! Shrink wrap! Fascinating...

I can roll my R's better than you!

A Coryn photo, aren't those eyes pretty!

Spinning

oh yes, he's doing that himself

On Your Marks... Get Set... Move!

Two weeks after getting back to Okinawa and three days after Coryn's birthday... the move. I was scheduled for a Thursday and Friday move, but the HHG guys called Wednesday asking to move me that day because they had a heavy load the next day. I agreed... I wasn't ready, but I wouldn't really have been the next day either... but it went smoothly. These guys are so fast! Not to mention limber and strong. It took them from 1330 to 1800 to pack, ship, weigh, and unpack everything I told them to. They stood on the roof and passed boxes through the second floor window. It was crazy!


It was a much needed move though... we had really old wall air conditioners, and while we were visiting Boise one leaked and ruined a few things, including two full cabinets. By the time we left the house Coryn was calling it the moldy house. So now we have central air, carpet in the bedrooms, and a separate dining room. I'm quite content.

Here's a shot Coryn took in the partially unpacked new house.

Here is the front of our new house... yup thats the boys sitting outside enjoying the warm November weather.

Happy 3rd Birthday Coryn!

It wasn't a big party or anything, but he had a good birthday. Coryn's smiling at the camera, Carter at the balloons on the ceiling.
We started off the morning making Coryn's cake. He got to help, and he chose what it was going to be. Its the thing he remembers about his birthday. "What did you get for your birthday?" "A tractor!"

Here he's pretending to blow out the candles because we were at the Schilling Community Center so that we could go mini golfing after cake. Unfortunately it was raining that day, and the course is outside. :(

While I slacked a bit and didn't get invitations out, we did have a guest, Judy Barney of course, the same surrogate grandmother as at his last birthday. Here are her arms....

He loved all of his presents and has used every one.

In The End

And.... this is what they would have looked like next to eachother if we had actually gone trick or treating in Okinawa... but let me explain.

Coryn loves making angry faces for the camera, especially when he's not angry. This was taken after we got told we made it on the plane. We had traveled to the states in space-available seating. which means that when we left we had to get up and be at the airport by 6 am to wait until 1130 to see if there were enough seats for our number on the list. This also means that we would be attempting to travel back using the same method, which didn't work the first time because the flight was full. So we had to travel back to Boise from Seattle, stay another week, and try again. We had to get to Seattle the night before so that we would be on time to sign in and wait again until 1130 to see if we got on. We spent these nights at the USO in the airport, not knowing the Seattle area very well and not wanting to miss roll call. The USO people are wonderful, and understanding. But on the nights that we stayed there I can't say I was very comfortable. They offer beds, but not enough for the nights that the patriot flies, and there is a childrens room with toys and cribs and sofas, but its loud from the people in the next room and if other children aren't sleeping. They don't have enough blankets and pillows for everyone, nor do they have enough room. I love what the USO provides and appreciate the wonderful volunteers, but it about broke my heart when I went into the luggage room in the morning and had to step over a dozen soldiers in uniform lying on the floor sleeping and then making them wake up so we could leave. Thank you USO for everything you do, in the states and out.

Things we wouldn't have gotten to do if we caught a flight (1)

Attend Aaron's birthday!

I don't care if its your birthday man, get a room!
Seeing Great Grandparents, smiling at MarySue and Brian again... doh!

Carter loves Great Grandpa and that massager... its almost assuredly the thing that had him standing at Grandma's bookshelf all the time.

Lets not forget Katie, Coryn always asked when he would get to see her again, fun to play with and all. Here he's recovering from a tickle.