Thanks!

I really appreciate all of you taking the time to write to me and send pics....brings a smile to my face. Pretty busy over here but when I get a chance I will respond to the messages. Mail from home is great, but really don't worry about sending anything...I have everything I need here. As far as the calling cards, we have other means of getting ahold of everyone back home; so I don't need any calling cards as I will probably not use them.

Atlanta peeps...you guys rock...thanks for everything. Tara, please take care of Zimmy...Mere, tell Ryan I said whats up and to my two families..don't worry about me I will be home before you know it. And to my absolutely amazing wife...I love you more than life it self. You make me able to do the things I do and I wouldn't know what to do without you. Every time I get to talk to you it warms my heart and make me feel all gooey. Okay thats enough for the public but I just wanted to give props to my badass wife.

Anyway, got to go...I love you all and thanks again.

Also I am on the right in the PIC..will send a photo of the whole team when I get a chance

Ford

Kate and FM:
Wonderful reading all of the blogs on this site. I'm so glad my nephew is SAFE!!!

Gramma and I will be sending a 'care package' soon as I return from Jill's pinning. Uncle Stosh, Sheri and I will all attend. Stosh will be pinning Jill. Wish FM was here to do the same. Gramma gets tears every time she talks about you FM. I try to assure her that you will be fine.

Nothing much new in CA. Gas prices through the roof - $4.29 for regular unleaded and of course my BMW doesn't like regular so I'm paying $.10 to $.20/gal more. My commute to work is getting very expensive. Maybe I will take my retirement from this county and go to work in the county I live in. Could happen.

Kate - will you send the blog information to April. She's in FM's neck of the woods right now but will be coming back fairly soon. She is at boulderrocks.com. I was hoping she would be flying FM to his destination. Guess not. Anyway, think she would love adding to the blog.

Gotta go, have to get my end of shift report together so I can go home on time for a change.

Love to all,
Aunt Carla

Okay - this was yesterday. Happy as a clam. A happy clam with no braces....





This is today.... superduper sadface.... Braceface.


Family and friends can now look forward to 2 years of "Magnum" in all your pic's of me ---

From Iraq

We have now all arrived safely and are trying to get accustomed to the difference in weather between here and Fort Lewis. For the most part the mercury has risen above 100 degrees in almost all of our locations. The common refrain is, "yeah, but it's a dry heat." Dry heat or not it is simply hot. All our Soldiers are performing in an outstanding manner and doing a great job of looking out for one another. As is often heard we had to hit the ground running. I am amazed at how quickly we were able to get ourselves established and quickly gain an understanding of the areas where we are operating. To say our area is vast is a bit of an understatement, it is equivalent to several Southeastern States lumped together. While we have certainly stayed busy setting up our areas and getting into the rhythm of our operations I know that our thoughts often drift back to our Families at home. We have only been here a couple of weeks but already the countdown timers for when we will be home have shown up on many computers. The one that counts the seconds is a bit like torture to look view.Most of us have a decent ability to communicate with back home but sometimes those systems fail or we are in a surge of activity that prevents us from staying in touch. The fact that we have not called or emailed is most likely based on circumstances not under our control. I cannot tell you how proud you can be of all the Soldiers here in Iraq, there discipline, attention to detail and superb training is already earning all of them an outstanding reputation. The CSM and I have been out an about seeing some of the Companies and teams and we are always impressed with how they are conducting themselves.

-Submitted by Bat. Commander

Hey there Ford

Hi Ford, so fun to get to see all the updates...your wife is the Wonder Woman of all army wives for sure. I just talked to Ryan this morning and he made it safe and sound. He sent his hellos and as soon as he gets internet access I will get him included in this great blog. I wish you lots of love and hugs and can't wait till you boys are back home and we can have our famous margaritta nights. Take care!!!!!

Hey ya kid

Just for the record...I'm not sure if you're familiar with Apples to Apples but I'm gonna create a stroke for myself and say the "sweet" and "freedom" pair were totally mine. A hell yeah and high five for ash...and well, I'll give you some of that stroke b/c you know you're kinda playing a fairly large role in the sweet freedom biz. Also, to let you know there was a girl's pillow fight in your honor when Kate was down in the ATL....it got a little nasty.

The goings-on in my world...I'm in the market for a couple of goats to eat my yard b/c novelty and pride of lawn maintenance is no longer appealing and I'm getting to slice and dice a little more at work which makes me happy.

Zoe and I were perusing some pics the other day, some spectacular ones of you....and by spectacular I mean interesting, curious, and laughter provoking! Miss and love you, ash

Team Lannan! Hi from CO! I am sitting at Panera getting stood up for a meeting, someone must have had something better to do than meet with a super cute financial rep that would have poured her heart and soul into making a positive impact on their financial future....oh well.

Wow! This blogging thing is so fun! And to think I was worried about how you all are doing since
NY! Now I know! And yes, I am still around....good work R! :) Also, thanks for the insight on the ring....note to self, wait to convert to a fiscally responsible Jew until AFTER I have the ring!

It is a beautiful CO summer, although I find myself missing Chi town and Virago occasionally....a near death experience in the middle of Lake Michigan will create a unique attachment to a place I guess! OK, we weren't near death, but absolutely near swimming in 45 degree water in our ski gear....the story gets better every time we tell it.

Ford, we will get on a care package right away, and I will supervise just in case..... ;) Thanks for all you do, we are so proud, and you are missed every minute of every day. Be safe.

Miss you guys...all of you! xo from CO

I'm still alive

Sorry, team. Have been floating around a little. So much to write, so little profanity in the english dictionary. The first picture I come across on the blog is Kate's smoking hot friend in a pool of humpable coeds. Not sure whether to write fordo or entertain timmi for a couple minutes.

I miss your little guy, ford. Be sure to wear a jacket out in the frigid desert or you'll catch pneumonia. Are the girls hot? How is the nightlife? The middle east wouldn't have been my first vacation spot. Although, I'll be close in a few weeks. Tara and I are flying to Israel. I figured the hard sell would be easier in the holy land. If she's jewish too, I think I can spend less on a ring, what with her new religious fiscal discipline inherant in my people and all.

We crossed Lake Michigan over memorial day. I flew the tattered american flag on Virago in your honor, buddy. Then again, I almost drown the damn thing, along with the other 5 passengers. Can get a little windy in the middle of the lake...who knew. We're safe now, except for my Jockey boxers.

Tara and I are still hot and heavy. My phone bill is almost as high as my hand lotion bill these days. She's great and there will be another New Year's wedding in the not too distant future...Colorado setting ok, I hope.

Tara just texted hello.

Anywho, I'm no good at this blogging thing. Much better in a cocktail dress after a boot, some green, and a polka.

Send some love back to the Chi.

Be safe. I love everyone reading this...Kisses.

New Mailing Address !!!!!!!!

He's on the move...if you sent a package already, it will get there - don't fret!
If you are about to send a package or a letter, please send to the new address below and make sure to read the link to the right from USPS about sending packages to APO addresses overseas.

A Co. 3-1 SFG (A)
Soldier's Name - NO RANK
AOB 1310
APO AE 09334

Mail from home makes all the difference, so thank you to everyone who takes the time!!!

Remember my friend Emily?

Guess who was just named 1 of only 4 new rookie"Sea Gals" this season!!! She'll be on the sidelines for all the home games, calendars, etc. Go Emily! Middle row, last on the left-

You met her at my Christmas work thing, we walk at lunch together...I was going to set her up with Chris at the Superbowl party...

Sorry Chris!!!