September 29, 2008

• Alex is HOME!

  We got back from San Diego, California last weekend after seeing our son, Alex, graduate from marine boot camp.   It was quite a week.  We flew out there Monday morning September 15^th and we took Miranda and our oldest daughter.  It was baby’s first airplane ride and she loved it   We had a few problems once we arrived in sunny San Diego though…  First we had to pay an extra unexpected deposit on our rental car, then we got to the hotel to find our room reservations had gotten messed up..  We finally got into our room but ended up having to change hotels after the first night due to a reservation mix up.  The new hotel was in downtown San Diego and talk about a nightmare trying to get around! 

                  We were able to do some sightseeing.  Mainly we went to the Ocean and then just did some driving around to see the sights.  Thursday was Family day on the Recruit Depot. We were there shortly after 5am and we saw Alex getting ready to do his morning run with his platoon.  We walked around until it was time to listen to one of the Drill Instructors tell us about the rules for the day.  After that we were able to sit in the stands and wait for the platoons to be brought out for our official first look at our new Marines     We were able to visit Alex for 5 hours after he was released from formation for on base liberty.  He looked so good!  It had been 3 months since we had last seen him.  There were lots of happy tears and hugs.  We walked around the base and looked at everything and just enjoyed spending time with him.  When his leave ended we went back to the hotel and relaxed for the night.  Friday morning we were back on the Depot bright and early to get a good spot for graduation.   Graduation ceremony ended about 1pm and Alex had all his gear ready and we left the depot.  After a wonderful walk thru Old Town we had a nice dinner at one of the outdoor cafés and then it was back to the room to pack up for our flight home Saturday morning.

  My first hug after 3 months!

  Me (my sunburned face) and Alex & baby

  Alex marching with his platoon

  Waiting to be dismissed after graduation

  Alex & baby having dinner at the Cafe Coyote

  A tired baby asleep on the plane ride home

                  Saturday morning we dropped the rental car off and was shuttled to the airport. By 10pm we were home at last..  Sunday all the kids came over for a welcome home party.  Alex has 10 days of leave which are up tomorrow.  He was lucky and got Recruiters Assistance which means he can stay home for an extra 14 days but must report to the Recruiter every day and help him out.  Once his 14 days are up Alex has to go back to California, this time to Camp Pendleton for his last 30days of infantry training.  Once that is done he will be heading to North Carolina to Camp Lejeune to begin his diesel mechanics schooling.  After his schooling is up it is anyone’s guess where he will be sent…

  Alex home and seeing his new nephew

  Alex with his welcome home cake

  Alex and his nieces and nephews

  All of us

  In schoolbus news…   My old bus was turned into a spare bus and I was given one of the other spare buses.  This one has well over 100,000 miles on it so I am reasonably sure next year I will get an updated, newer bus.  Not one of the new buses cuz I don’t rate that high, but one of the newer, older buses

  I am loving this cooler Autumn weather we are having   I have always loved Autumn, the colors, the smells.  I would be happy to have this weather year around.  I am definitely NOT looking forward to the ice and snow that I know is just around the corner…

  That’s it for the news from here.  Stay safe everyone and have a great week

  • 3:52 pm
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