My time away...

My first assignment with the USMC Reserves was scheduled to be logistics planner/action officer working out of the US Embassy in Estonia in support of BALTOPS 10 for most of the month of June. Truthfully, first I had to look up on the map where Estonia was, by the way it is next to Russia. Then I had to figure out what I was going to be doing. That one didn't really happen until I was in country for a few days. It turned out that I was very busy. We had over 1000 Navy and Marine Corps folks in country during that time and conducted land and sea operations. The highlight was an amphibious demonstration between the US and Estonia for the President of Estonia, all the ambassadors, military officials, media outlets, and the public.

There was some down time at the end of my Estonia stay, where I got to really get out and explore the city, tour the museums, sample the local cuisine, and pick up some cool souvenirs. Gardens of Kadriorg Kadriorg Palace View from Town Hall Tower of Toompea Castle, churches, and old city walls

View from St. Olav's Church Tower of the original city wall and guard towers

Alexander Nevesky Cathedral (Russian Orthodox)

Kiek in de Kok (38m high cannon tower that also serves as the entrance to a system of tunnels that connects the bastions under Toompea Hill)

Town Hall

Town Hall Square with cobble stone streets and lots of markets and festivals

Fat Margaret's Tower (defensive cannon tower that protects the sea side of the city)

At the very end of my reserve duty, I swung through Germany to do some administrative things with Marine Forces Europe. The highlight of Stuttgart was meeting up with my sister and darling nephews for a few days. We toured the zoo, and dinosaur museum, and checked out the awesome German toy store.

All those children's activities made me really ready to go home and see my own family.

While I was gone this what the kids did...

Life went on with swimming lessons,

(I still can't believe that Ava jumped off the diving board, and LIKED IT.)

backyard picnics,

bouts with viruses,

(that is our wonderful nanny Rachel who filled the role of chauffeur, cook, teacher, caregiver, housekeeper, etc. while I was gone) road trips to visit friends,

(Beau and Ali are pretty cool b/c they have a boat)

(and chickens)

and plenty of the routine things like school as well.

Good Byes are tough

I had a great opportunity come up with the Marine Corps Reserves. They offered me a position with Marine Forces Europe where I will travel to Europe once or twice a year in support of different training exercises for the next 3-4 years. I am not sure there are many people who wouldn't seriously consider the opportunity for an all expense paid trip to Europe, plus a salary for a few weeks. I did miss the adventure and brotherhood aspects of the Marine Corps, and I felt this was a great way for me to be involved without impacting family or work too much. So I signed all the paperwork, got some shots, took some classes, hired a nanny, and put in for a leave of absence at work. Still it was tough to say goodbye to Ryan and the kids at the airport. I knew I was only going to be gone 4 weeks, but that was 3 weeks longer than I had ever been away from them before. I know Ryan is an absolutely wonderful father, but I still didn't like the fact that I was going to miss all the little moments in the kids lives, I would have limited control over things while I would be away, and I didn't get to Ryan with me on this great trip. Elizabeth was the toughest to say goodbye too because she started crying also.

Season wrap ups

Before leaving for reserve duty, I had the pleasure of seeing the girls wrap up two of their activities for the season. The 1st being dance/gymnastics, and the second being T-ball. In their dance/gymnastics show, Ava put on a great routine. This was her best participation effort to date. Perhaps, an ice cream reward was a good motivator. She was showed off her basket hang and skills at tap dancing.

This was Elizabeth's 5th season of T-ball and Ava's 3rd season. I think they have worn just about every color in the rainbow. This go around it was the blue Poison Dart Frogs. Lizzy's eye hand coordination has gotten really good. Ryan enjoys being able to throw a ball around with her now. It was fun coaching a lot of the same kids from the previous fall and winter seasons, but we are all ready for a break. We learned last summer that June/July/Aug outdoor sports are not a smart idea in San Antonio. Swimming lessons, here we come!

Elizabeth's Graduation

This is the part where I get to brag about how wonderfully brilliant my kid is. Elizabeth and the other kids switched daycare centers last August. She was pretty bored in the 4 year old classroom. The center director told me she would waive the age cut off and let her move up into their private Kindergarten class. I thought it was a great idea. From 8:30 to 2:30 everyday, she and her 9 classmates when across the hall to room E for Kindergarten. Ms. Espinosa was a great teacher, adored by all the kids, but she worked them hard throughout the year. They even had to take a national standardized test, which of course Elizabeth rocked! Now, if she could just display a bit more common sense she would be all set.

Elizabeth picked up three awards:

• Math Whiz (she can count to 100)
• Reading Whiz (a step above the kids who just got phonics awards)
• Most Artistic (she is amazing, I will have to scan some art to share) The kids also put on a 50's inspired dance show for the parents, which is always good for a laugh. The girls danced to Lollipop and the boys to Blue Suede Shoes, and a group number to Twist.

P.S. Due to a February birthday, Elizabeth will be doing Kindergarten again this year at the local elementary school, but I really hope this past year of prep work set her up well and that she will find school enjoyable and rewarding.

Deloitte Family Day

We had a company family day at Six Flags Fiesta, TX with full access to the park and our own private catered BBQ with games, face painters, and portrait artists. I will let the pictures speak for themselves, but I think you can tell by the kids' smiles that everyone had a good time. However, Elizabeth who is now tall enough to go on some of the thrill rides with me is chicken, and Ryan won't go either. I guess I will have to see if Ava or Casey will be my "ride buddy" in a few years.

NASCAR Weekend

For the past 4 years or so Ryan has been making an annual pilgrimage to a NASCAR track. This year was Richmond, VA. After the first year, it was quickly determined that these weekends should be guys only, no because the guys didn't want their gals around. It was because the wives and girlfriends were embarrassed by what their men turned into during these events.

While Ryan met up with his brothers, best friend, and some other guys for weekend of beer, bbq, and racing, the kids and I spent a typical weekend in TX. We had T-ball and Sunday school. The special treat for the kids was to go to the children's theater to see "How I became a Pirate." After seeing all the kids dress up for the previous show, Pinkalicious, the girls were not going to be out done this time.

Casey got a haircut. I have hope that his new crew cut will help his hair grow in thicker and fuller.

I also met up with some of my girlfriends and their kids at our favorite outdoor restaurant/playground. The huge tree house was actually ignored in favor of a caterpillar that Elizabeth found. By the end of lunch they had built a whole habitat for him.

We ended the weekend with a sport a little slower paced than NASCAR but with even more collisions. One of our good friends, Ali (in white), is on local San Antonio Roller Derby team, and we made it a family affair to go out and support her. It was quite the affair with a band, beer, and some great crashes.

P.S. My Easter Lily finally bloomed!