Extensions and Deployments

So I thought maybe everyone would like an update on our situation. It looks like Brien will be over in Iraq until late December or early January. He got caught in that extension and had three months added on to his deployment. I have been slowly finding out more about mine. The date I now have for my deployment is June 1st and I will be going to Ft. Bliss, Texas for 90 days of training before heading over to Iraq. So it looks like I should be back in October of 2009. Here are a few pictures that Brien sent me. I honestly can't tell you what is going on in them but thought people might find them interesting.

RandR Leave

Here are a few picture from when Brien was home on leave. I know he really wanted to get around and see everyone but we didn't have as much time up north as we had wished for. I should also mention that I am getting ready to deploy to Iraq this summer. We found out while Brien was still and here and it was a bit of a shock for us. So we are pretty busy between Brien and I. He just started "guard" duty at the dining facility meaning he has to check people's IDs. So he is having a pretty boring time overthere. He has internet access now so feel free to give him an e-mail. He would really appreciate that. Hope everyone had a great Easter.

Brien and Lena playing together at the dog park. We all had a blast there except Lena is very shy around other dogs and liked playing with Brien and I more than the other dogs.Brien and I the day before he left.

Here we are at Old Chicago (big surprise). I started the world beer tour that night and have 2 beers down and only 108 to go!

Brien's Article

I am not sure if everyone got to see these. An article was written about Brien's platoon and what they are doing over in Iraq. Anyway there are a couple of pictures of Brien in there. Hope everyone enjoys.
http://www.mnci.centcom.mil/Releases/MNCI-PR_2006-12-27-07_security.pdf

http://www.riley.army.mil/view/document.asp?ID=907-2007-01-08-54425-14

Well as many of you know I moved into a new apartment over New's Years. So far I am really happy with the new place and hope Brien likes it as much as I do. It isn't as nice as our old apartment but it has a lot more room. Brien also is moving to a new post over in Iraq. He was living at Camp Anaconda but made the move today to Camp Taji, about 40 miles south of where he was at. His mission is staying the exact same (convoy security) it will just be on different routes than they were on before.

Also for those of you who haven't heard Brien will be coming home for about two weeks in March/April and we will be up in Minnesota for a bit over spring break. The exact dates are still a little up in the air but hopefully he will get in a little earlier so we have extra time with family.

School is going pretty good for me and I also got a new job working at Alco here in town. So between school and work I am staying really busy but given the circumstances it isn't a bad thing. That is about all I have going on here. Hope everyone else is enjoying their spring (we've already had weather in the 70's!).

Christmas

Christmas is over and I am back in Kansas and starting to pack up for the move this weekend. Tomorrow my parents are coming down to help me with everything. I was a little late getting Christmas cards out this year without Brien helping me but hopefully I got them out to all of his relatives and mine. The 24th was spent with my mom's side of the family at our house for supper and presents. Then for Christmas day we all drove down to my aunt Kathy's for more eating. I actually think we had more cookies and sweets than real food there. The 26th we spent at my parents house with my dad's side of the family. We do a white elephant Christmas gift exchange. The hottest item at the party was a pair of my dad's zooba pants he gave away. We also headed over to the bar that my sister works at as her second job since she couldn't be at the party with us. Yesterday then I had to take the ten hour trip back to Kansas. Lena got to sleep the entire way home while I did all the driving. I hope that everyone had as good as Christmas as I did. I know Brien spent the morning of Christmas day in the Emergency room due to an accident he had playing racquetball, but not to worry he was fine. Here's to looking forward to a new year!

Lena and I on Christmas eve.

My mom, dad and sister at Stub's bar in Mayville.