Deployment Day

August 15, 2009 Another Deployment to Iraq another year of waiting........One more picture, a hug and two...three kisses. Not the easiest thing we do but we are so proud of him and the job he does for our country!

My handsome men Gavin, Rich, and Garrett.

Gavin trying on Dad's beret. I think he likes it and makes Dad proud.

Daddy Doll

Gavin's Daddy Doll that he loves and hugs a lot. You would never know how comforting this doll has been to a little boy who misses his dad dearly. He says "When I hug this then it's like Dad is hugging me back". These were distributed throughout our military families recently through the FRG. Thank You!Thank You!

Ultimate Gamers

You know the phrase "Like Father , Like son"? Need I say more?

So 3 computers set up in one room, this is the boys Saturday. Jessica and I usually go into Fayetteville and shop for the day and come home to this same picture hours later!

Jessica 16th and Gavin's 8th Birthday (early party)

The kids had their birthdays early this year so that Rich could enjoy spoiling them before he deployed.

Jessica , her dad and new bike!

Opening presents! She got an adorable Fossil purse, Burberry perfume, and Guess jeans!

Gavin's excitement after opening his Nintendo DS!! He's been aching for one since Garrett got one for his B-day!

Gavin loves swords so of course he got some Narnia gear.

Gavin's party with friends, the kids made their own mini-pizzas, painted ceramic cars, and had fun with making animals out of balloons.

Southport and Oak Island NC

We took one last trip to the ocean before Rich deployed again. We hadn't been to Southport before so I made reservations at the Hampton(one of our favs) and got an extra night free! I don't think that there are any bad beaches in NC. This one was great! They had the best restaurant called Provisions that we went to and they had some really good seafood there. Rich fished up on the pier for most of the 2nd day with the boys while Jessica and I got some serious sun on. Jessica drove us home the 3 hour drive now that she has her permit. I got to relax in the back with the boys while Rich was co-pilot. It was really nice to get away

one last time.

Jan's Birthday

Jessica made this Happy Birthday cake for me! YUM! Rich was taking this pic, I have a video of them singing to me and it is hilarious, they weren't all in sync.

Asheboro, Nc Zoo

This is the first zoo I have been to where I didn't feel sorry for the animals! They have so much room here! One of the reasons I love NC so much is all the trees.

This seal was in a sun trance!

The trails were so nice I just had to get a shot in! Gavin has style!

Trip to Twin Falls Idaho

Here are the boys getting to see the Pilots for their first plane ride before take off!

Getting close to landing in SLC Utah,.

Here are some of the fun things we did on our 8 day trip!

Boys day fishing trip to Crystal Springs. The girls came down later and brought a picnic lunch. It was a beautiful day!

Crystal Springs

Last group photo with the Miller's our best friends since high school!

Uncle Jason took his boat out to Wilson Lake in Hazelton and Aunt Estelle took the kids for tube rides, Rich did a bit of water skiing too!

Boise Zoo, Carleen with Cheri's Lily.

Kari and Vince drove to Boise for the day to meet up and we had breakfast and went to the Boise zoo. Brett and Cheri met us there too with their sweet little ones!

All the kiddos in our group. Jessica holding Lily, Gavin, Ethan, Lauren, Ryann, Garrett holding Vince.

Picnic at the Twin Falls. It had been 3 years since we were all together as brothers and sisters. Still missing 22 that couldn't be there!

Of course the kids had a blast playing games.

Girls night at Sandy's house!