Hometown Heroes Salute

The first Friday in November Eric's unit had a special awards night, honoring all of those who just returned, or have recently been deployed. They called it a "Hometown Heroes Salute". It was really neat. They served dinner, and had a couple speakers.

The coolest part was they invited the employers of those who had served and honored them as well. One of the owners of the company Eric works for came with his wife! We thought it was awesome they would come all the way to Salt Lake for it. (They and only 1 other employer came.) I guess they only gave them like 4 days notice! It was definately a feel good moment for Eric when they walked in. They had to walk through the line up and receive a special plaque. We took a picture, but it somehow must have got deleted. :(

Here is the "line-up". Kind of intimidating. Each of us (wives and families included) had to go through the line-up and receive awards. Eric received a very nice plaque, I received a medal, and a nice pen/pencil set and all the kids got dog tags. It was really nice.

This is a picture of Eric's boss getting her award. She is retiring here in a couple weeks, and they are really going to miss her up there!

This event was extra special for their unit also, because they were eliminating their specific unit, and combining with another one giving it a brand new name/title. It was kind of sad for a lot of them. Here is a picture of them retiring the unit flag.

All in all it was a great night, and everyone had a good time. We had a guy take pictures while we were getting our awards, and have yet to see them. Maybe someday.

Eric Comes Home!

Well, the day finally arrived! On October 21st at 9:00 p.m., Eric's unit returned home from Qatar! They were greeted by many employees lining the hall with flags clapping as they walked towards us. It was great to see them!

The smiles were big ones as they began to see family and friends awaiting them there. They were so glad to be back on U.S. soil.

I had to take a back seat for a hug because my kids desperately needed to hug their daddy. Except for Cade. He was still not too sure he was ready to go to him yet.

I tried to give him a backwards hug, but Cade still wasn't ready.

Eric's uncle Russ came to welcome him home as well. I know that meant a lot to him!

Several of the officers from the unit were also there to welcome them back.

The girls even made Eric carry them down the escalator.

My parents, and my sister her husband and their 2 kids came to the airport with us.

Finally Cade decided he wanted to go to his daddy.

He got to ride the luggage cart out to the car. It was the only way he would let Eric put him down. Grandpa couldn't even carry him, which is rare!

The kids crashed the minute we got on the road.

I had hardly got to wish Eric home because I let the kids take over. Eric decided to steal a kiss on the way home while I was driving.

Cade woke up as soon as we got home. Then he wouldn't go back to sleep. Eric had to hold him and rock him, and he wouldn't let him leave his side.

All in all, we were very glad to have him back!

Eric Leaving for Deployment

Today was the day I had been dreading for some time now. I don't know how these women do it for 3 to 4 times longer than I have too. It is the life of a military wife, and I guess you get used to it. We had to arrive at the airport by 5:00 a.m. The plane was leaving at 7:00 a.m.

They were able to get special permission for us to go straight through to the gate, so that was really nice. I was able to linger clear until take-off.

Here is Eric checking his monster of a bag. It was big and huge, and so HEAVY! It is truly a good thing that they waive overweight baggage fees for the military.

Everyone kind of standing around. Waiting until each one was checked in and ready.

We had one of the guys take our picture while we had the chance. While I liked the picture, I was smiling a little too much considering the circumstances. Someone was joking with Eric though so I started laughing, and I was caught with a big cheesy grin.

Here is the group of them. Several of them went on the deployment to the same place last time too (almost exactly 6 years ago), so things will be fairly the same.

Time to stand in line and board.

Here he goes.

Here is the plane they are flying on. It was a Boeing 737.

Backing out.

Heading down the runway to turn around.

Back again.

Off they go!!!

Sorry for the play by play. I was a little camera happy, and knew my kids would love to see every detail.

Good luck sweetie! We will all miss you!

He Passed!!!!

My hubbie passed his 5th and final test for rank advancement yesterday!! I am so happy & proud of him. Those are some pretty tough tests, and I don't know anyone who loves taking tests. He has to wait until his Senior retires (should be after the first of the year), and then he will replace her as SENIOR MASTER SERGEANT!!!!

If any of you know Air Force, it is not an easy task to obtain this. This should all happen this fall/winter in between deployments, but he is now next up for sure!!! When it happens I am sure they will have an official "ceremony" type event. When they do, you can bet I will post those pics for sure, but the hard part is over!!!!

Way to go honey!!!

Flashback Friday!

In March of 2007 Eric had a training that he had to attend in California. It was a military training, and it was just him that had to go. He got special permission for me to go with him, and we drove. It was about 9 hours, but so much fun!!

We stayed in miltary housing. This is the outside hall on our floor.

The beautiful California trees!

An old Air Force building.

A old plane that was displayed on the base.

Here is Eric and I in our hotel room. Grandma & Grandpa Robison kept the kids, and it was a nice getaway for us. Even though it doesn't look it in this photo, I was 7 months pregnant. I laid around all day watching t.v. while he was in class. I was never officially put on bed rest, but this trip was very good for me!

Fun times!

2 Down 3 to Go!

On the 13th of January, Eric just hit his 20 year mark with the Air Force. Because of student loan repayment issues, and needing more "points", he has enlisted until August 2012. Above is his goal at the moment.
After 20 years, he is currently a Master Sergeant. In order to achieve the rank above, he needs to pass 5 tests. Today he passed the hardest one of the 5, test #2. He is so relieved!!!!
So, in a couple more months, and three more tests (which next to this one he just took are fairly easy), he will have met his goal. Then, this summer when his senior retires, he will be the new Senior Master Sergeant!!!

Way to go honey!!!