~2009 Remembered~ Part 2

We are now moving forward into the later part of 2009. These six months had even more activity and fun! But it also had its heartaches and challenges. It is said that 'a picture is worth a 1000 words'. I hope that you will find that to be true as there are many pictures to follow and not so many words! :-) Let us begin...

After the 4th of July celebration, we put Garrison on a plane back to NC.

Then the girls and I got busy preparing for the 'Ladies Tea'...

During the early session of the 'Tea', speaker Mrs. Erber called on the Sanford girls to help her illustrate older sisters setting a good example for younger sisters.

Mom lead the hymn singing. Melinda sang with some of her favorite friends.

We decorated three tables for the lunch then hosted them.

The boys helped with serving. Aren't they so cute...er...um...handsome!!

Melinda with her dearly loved Pastor!!

After a lovely lunch, Melinda and I were the next speakers. It was a lot of fun even though it was terrifying!!

Melinda showed her 'true self' in a skit with Mrs. Ware. Not only was it a bit true to life but it also showed Melinda's talent for acting!! The story goes that 'mom' was teaching her daughter how to cook making sure she does not spread any germs first...needless to say the 'daughter' is not to crazy about all the extra gear.

So once it is all removed except for the apron, they proceed to make brownies. Daughter place them in to cook but alas she locked the oven having turned it to self-cleaning!!

But no fear, a call to a help line saves the day. So they unplug the oven wait for it to cool...

Then 'pop' goes the oven lock and out come perfect brownies!! Good show, ladies!!

The day closes with cookies being served to music from a quartet, and a good-bye song.

And good-bye it was as we rushed home to finish packing for our early morning departure to Virginia. Our main destination being North Carolina to see Garrison graduate from his MOS school and to bring him home on leave!

While in VA we visited Bob's parents then went to Katherine's parents. That visit included a picnic at Maymont Park in downtown Richmond which has been a favorite zoo to visit for our family since Joshua was an infant. (There would be more photos of the two grandparent visits but Peter deleted all those pictures! Oops, Petey, that is what you get for playing with the buttons on the camera!)

Now the time as come. We have made it to NC with both sets of grandparents coming along to watch Garrison graduate. The night before we were able to meet up with Garr in the parking lot of his barracks.

Some MP's were suspicious of that large van full of kids and came over to investigate. Dad assured them we were harmless and just waiting for our Marine.

Yeah, Garrison finally arrives after his last class. Gramma and Papa (Martin) are watching father and son. Garr is almost the same height as his Dad!!

Meme with Granddad (Sanford) behind her is giving the hungry Marine some of her homemade cookies. Yum!

Garrison had just received his 'red patch' the week before. It signifies that he is in 'Landing Support' and the only one who is allowed to stay at the 'entry point' from plane, train, or ship. Curiously enough it also gives him the right at those 'entry points' to command non-LS officiers to keep cargo and mode of transportation safe. After a brief visit with the 'red patch' Marine we say good-bye till tomorrow....

Friday begins with a visit to the Beirut, Lebanon Memorial...'They came in peace.'

There was also a piece of the World Trade Centers at this memorial. It was a bit surreal to see.

Then we load back into the van and drive the .3 to enter the Marine Base.

Up front are the Sergeants who were Garr's "momma and papa" for 6 weeks.

One of the Sergeants a week before had asked his men 'who goes to church regularly'. Garrison said he did so the Sgt. asked him to give the prayer during the graduation ceremony. Here a sibling caught the Unit preparing for the prayer.

Garrison receives his Landing Support Specialist Certificate.

Meet some LS buddies, one of these guys is with Garr in Japan.

Gift from Gramma and Papa.

A yummy barbecue dinner at Smithfield's after a fun swim in the hotel pool. The next morning we began the 16 hour drive home!!

One other exciting thing that happened in July...we were invited by our friends the McDonalds to join them in being interviewed by the BBC religious correspondent regarding having a 'full quiver' of children.

Two drama queens!!

Special interview with the oldest (at home sort of) yet moving on into the adult world.

Two days later we put Pvt. T. Garrison Sanford on an airplane to Okinawa, Japan for a two years tour of duty. See you next May Garrison!

August came and went with out to much fanfare other then a blur of birthdays starting with Mom's... the children drew pretty cards and Peter gave me some Marine earrings.

Not too old to beat two girls at arm wrestling!!

Next comes Peter's 16th birthday. He received his long awaited knife and knight!!

On her 18th birthday, Susanna chose to go live with her birth-family after twelve years of separation.

Melinda was the last of our August birthdays having turned 19 years old on the 30th.

The middle of September had us celebrating Zachary and Adrianna's 15th birthday.

Meme and Granddad surprised us by providing the means to go to Branson, MO for a three day vacation. We arrived on Nathan's 14th birthday...

Fun, fun, fun! At Silver Dollar City!

Before we hardly got into the park Peter joins the Confederate Cavalry!

Then like a good 'Rebel' soldier he went to the raising of the colors (the guys saluting are all Veterans!)

Now the rides!!

Day 2...even more fun!!

After shopping at a few antique stores on the third day, we headed home. But the best was yet to come....in just ten more days Joshua and Jennifer were going to be home for a visit!!

~to be continued in part 3~