Circus with Nana and Papa

Today, the kiddos (Joel refused to be pictured) went to Nana and Papa's church 100 yr anniversary party/Circus, while I went shopping by myself....forgot what that was like by myself. The kids had an awesome time and I think the kids and grandparents both went home exhausted.

Swim Lessons

Chloe and Luke went to swim lessons for the past two weeks. Luke loved every minute of it and would jump in (like spiderman) every chance he could get, and Chloe had a good time, but was pretty timid about getting her head under water. They're really polar oppisites.

Change of Command

Well, 2 years ago John took command of B-52nd Co. An anti-tank company in the 2nd stryker brigade. Today he changes out to another job. His job has involved him training about 70 men for the deployement to Iraq and then once in Iraq, managing an area of land that involved over 100 US army soldiers, 5 or more Suni Sheiks and their men, and sometimes the Iraqi Army. I know he'll have lots of stories and that it will be one of the most interesting jobs of his life. He's pretty bumbed to leave his joint security station and his guys in the middle of the desert in Iraq, but is now heading to Camp Taji to work a battalion staff job. I, on the other hand, will be thankfull for a safer environment and possibly more consistent work hours. ?? Keep him in your prayers, as he is really sad to leave.

I'll have John write more about his crazy command job in Iraq, but I'm glad to see it come to an end. This job has been by far, the hardest on our family, although I think we've done quite well with the large amount of pre-deployment training and really long hours, and the deployment itself. John has had 4 change of command dates, the first being a year ago. They just kept needing him at B-52nd, and so he stayed there. I've been organizing the FRG for the company for 2 years, which is not ideal to do from the mianland, so I'm glad that someone agreed to take it over in Hawaii. Another big phase of life, now done and gone. It was a good experience, and God really blessed us through it, but I'm glad there are seasons to life :)

The Creative Transformers

I bought tile for our entryway/kitchen and the boys found the boxes to be quite entertianing. They are now transformer suits :) Who said kids need toys?

Happy Belated 4th of July!

4th of July is often an interesting holiday for John and I. Once he called me while he was scraping bird poop off a basketball court in Ranger school, another year he called me when he'd just finished Ranger school. This year, he was in Iraq and forgot it was the 4th all together! Unfortuantly, we rarely get the holiday together, but I'm always surrounded by family and friends :) This year we went to the Goldsworthys and were treated to 4th of July lunch with all the granparents and Bob and Genie were great sports and stayed up untill almost midnight with us to see the fireworks! :)

Lunch and Fireworks

The Goldsworthy/Ellis Clan (6 of them are 89 and older!). Good genes! Even special guests, Uncle Ed and Aunt Jake were there from CA.
Chloe and Great Grandpa Bob. He kept teasing her that he was going to cut her hair and transplant it on his head :)
Grandma Genie brought bubbles to play with while we waited for fireworks.

Grandma Genie and Chloe. My little man.

4th on the Goldsworthy Farm

Grandpa Bob reading to the kiddos

Bob keeps the house slightly above freezing, so I had to borrow the "ARMY" sweatshirt. For some reason it reminds me of a cheerleader.
Joel working on his masterpiece
Just hangin' out.