Gift #486- Promotion Day!

Hank was promoted to Lt. Col. On Monday (Dec 1).  We had a very impromptu and informal ceremony in the middle of our living room.  His very kind friends came at 7am so they could celebrate with him before the kids and I left for Yokosuka.  Frank Savarese read the promotion warrant, Jack read the oath, and Josh ripped off the old patch and replaced it with the new.   It was short and sweet.  Hank thanked his friends for coming over so early.  They joked and said that they didn't know that they had a choice.  :).  Congratulations Lt. Col. Thomas.  We are very proud of you.

Gift #485- This......

Jack and Avery Grace last night just after the tree was lit 

at the annual Iwakuni Tree Lighting Festival.  

The tree lighting is probably my favorite base event of the year.  It has such a great community feel.  The weather was a bit warm this year, but the music, hot cider, santa's arrival on a firetruck, being together with friends, and the countdown to the big light-up certainly gave it a holiday feel.  It never fails to warm me up when I hear all of the voices together counting down from 10 and then seeing all of the faces when the tree is finally illuminated.  We came home, grilled brats, and watched a funny movie.  Life can be so very good sometimes.

Gift #484- Thanksgiving 2014

We had such a happy Thanksgiving this year. Many of our friends live on the 6th floor of one of the mid-rise apartment buildings here on base.   They opened up their homes, put tables out in the hallways and we shared the day together.  There was so much food, so many happy children and so many friends.  It felt like we were home.  We shared our lunch with the Denardos- some very good friends of ours from Beaufort.  We actually left the with more food than we showed up with!  We spent the evening with our neighbors here on the street.  The Goerings set up the movie projector out in the yard and played Elf on the side of the building.  The Topels made desserts and appetizers to share.  It was a great way to celebrate the many things that we have to be thankful for this year.   

Gift #483- 2 of my Pumpkins!

This was from Halloween so I am a little behind.  Just wanted to make sure to post a picture of this belly of mine.  As you can imagine it is quite a bit bigger since the above photo was taken!  AG, the twins, and I leave for Yokosuka on Monday to wait this new little guy out.  We are excited about our adventure together.

Gift #482- Dad and Me

Yippeee!!!  Daddy's Home!

Gift #481- Hanz and Franz

We enjoyed a nice day at the Kintai when Hank arrived home.

Gift #480- The Anticipation before Dad's plane arrives!

It had been almost 11 weeks and the kids were anxious for dad's plane to arrive.  It was 9:15 at night. The airport was very quiet, except for Sam and Macy and AG.  They couldn't keep quiet and still.  And I loved watching every minute of their happiness.

Gift #479- Halloween Howl 2014

The adults get to have some fun too.  My friend Jess and I at the Halloween Howl.  Our theme was Mag of Thrones.  A good time was had by all!

Gift #478- Will Smile for Candy

After the witch costume didn't work, my neighbor Marisa offered a soft ladybug costume.  It was not well received, but was tolerated as long as she could play in the candy bucket.  AG had her first lollipop this evening and she will never be the same again.

Gift #477- An Inflatable Tube Man

Josh wanted to be a tube man this year.  He thought that it would be really funny.  And it was.  But he said that it slowed him down a bit while trying to ride his skateboard and hindered the efficiency of the candy hunt.  Next year he said that he is opting for something a bit more candy-gathering efficient.

Gift #476- My Little Blue Angel

This has been one of my favorite costumes of the boys for years!  I think that Sam can get one more good wear out of it before we pass it down to his little brothers.