Birthday Lunch at Red Robin

For Jacob's actual birthday, we went to the mall to spend some of the gift cards he got and then we ate lunch at Red Robin. He loves to eat there, but his one stipulation was that they NOT sing to him for his birthday. He did, however, want the sundae.

My Boys

Em playing Aunt Katie's ipod touch

Me, Katie, and Mom

Andy and Alora

Ellie trying to escape from Uncle Andy's hug

Yay! A sundae and no singing!

Andy didn't mind the singing though!

I was really impressed with Red Robin today. Once they found out that Andy was deploying tonight and would miss out on their Veteran's Day special on Friday, they gave him his meal for free. It was a nice gesture to show they appreciated his service to our country!

Here He Goes Again

Andy is getting deployed again, so I'll be updating his blog as he sends us information. He leaves for Qatar on Monday, November 7th and will return to the states sometime in May 2012. Please keep him in your prayers while he is gone.

Photos from Iraq

Here are some pictures from when Andy was in Iraq. He is in the middle in the above pic. under some of the squadron patches that he painted.

He also painted this mural (he's in the middle again)

Sandstorm on base

Andy, next to a picture of Sadaam that used to hang in the palace

Andy's Home!

Andy came home from Iraq today! He's actually been in Qatar for over a week, but it was still nice to have him back in Ohio finally. His arrival made for quite a busy day. We picnicked for lunch, drove to Cincinnati for his arrival. The plane was late flying in, so he didn't touch down until 5 pm. I had a book party to do at 7, so I gave him a quick hug, chatted for a few minutes, and then we hit the road. Nathan actually had to drop me off at my party and then come pick me up later because we were cutting it so close, but thankfully, it all worked out. Here are a few pics. of Andy's arrival. I'll put an album on facebook with the rest of the pics. soon.

Waiting for Uncle Andy

Walking off the plane
Andy is the second from the right

Hugs from Mom

Andy and Alora

Goodbye Until May

This morning, my baby brother (okay, he's 23 now, but still...) deployed to Iraq with his Air National Guard Squadron. He'll be gone until May which isn't terribly long, but we'll still miss him. We are so proud of Andy as he serves our country. Please keep him and all of our troops in your prayers. We're counting down the days until we see him again.

Packing the van to drive to Blue Ash...so little luggage for 5 1/2 months!

The Sign at Andy's base in Blue Ash, near Cincinnati

Giving Dad a goodbye hug

Until May...

Andy's Last Supper

Andy deploys to Iraq tomorrow morning, so we ate dinner at my parents' house to spend time with him before he left.

The Kids and Uncle Andy

Emmy's never quite sure what to think when Uncle Andy holds her

Uncle Andy and Jacob play video games for the last time together until May

Alora and Andy

Dad, Andy, and Mom

Siblings: Katie, Andy, and Jen
It cracks me up how we all have our hands the same in this picture...we must be related!

Andy with Our Family

I love this picture of Dad and the kids

What a ham!
Whenever Emmaline see us taking her picture, this is the smile she gives...silly girl!

Andy's Deployment Ceremony

Andy leaves for Iraq next week. His deployment ceremony was today in Blue Ash.

Andy and Mom

Dad and Andy

Katie and Andy

Andy and Alora