Good Job Army!!!

Even though they lost yesterday, Army played a great game. I love it when I can watch the Army games on television, especially the home games. The foliage at West Point looked simply beautiful in the background around Lusk Reservoir. I've never seen a more gorgeous fall display of colors than up around West Point in all the places we've lived so far.

The Cadets played a tough game, scored a season high, and covered the spread (15 points). Hats off to them. The kids love putting on their West Point gear and listening to Daddy go nuts when Army scores, and when they blow the big plays! Can't wait for Army/Navy!!!

Fall...finally

Fall is struggling to take hold here at Fort Leavenworth. We'll get a few cool days then warm up again. Possible mid-70s by the end of the weekend...great weather for September but not mid-November!!! It looks like next week, though, the cold weather may be here to stay!

Everyone is doing great. Each weekend seems to be filled with something. From Daven's cub scouts to Julia's shows to SAMS get togethers, time is flying by. We can't believe Thanksgiving is right around the corner. We've got friends coming over to eat, drink and hang out. The weekend after that is ARMY/NAVY!!! Truly the only football game I really care about! We'll have most of our SAMS group over for that one. Let's hope for a close game...hey, I'm an Army fan and a realist!

We're hoping to find out some news in the next couple weeks about our next assignment. Right now we are in the running for either Fort Lewis, Washington or Fort Stewart, Georgia...both are top on our list. Of course this is the Army and as always, subject to change. But Mike had some great interviews and is hoping to land one of those two jobs. No matter where we move we'll be happy! We'll have our family and almost guarenteed, a house that is LESS than 100 years old...and a fenced in yard for the kids and Chloe to play in.

That's all for now. Talk to everyone soon!

Back up on the net!

Hello again everyone! Its been a busy couple of months here at Fort Leavenworth and our blog unfortunately fell to the bottom of the list! Mike started SAMS in the beginning of July and really loves it so far. Lots of readings every night and great discussions during the day. Mike being Mike, however, also decided to pursue an additional masters degree in Security Studies with Kansas State University AND is teaching undergrad history online with his Masters degree Alma Mater, American Military University. Needless to say, Mike has been pretty busy but now has reached an equilibrium with everything he signed up for!

Julia's jewelry business is going great. She has shows lined up from now to the end of the year. She continues to enjoy meeting new people and taking her jewelry show on the road all over Kansas!

Daven started 2d grade yesterday! So far he really likes his teacher and his class. He finished up his swimming lessons for the summer making into level 5!!! He's become a real fish in the water complete with doing flips off the diving board! Soccer is rapidly approaching and he just signed up for cub scouts...busy just like Dad!

Timmy also finished up swimming making it into level 3B. Not bad for a three year old! It is amazing to see how much he's improved just in a few weeks of lessons. He even jumped off the diving board during his last lesson...no fear! Tim kicked off his 2d year of pre-school and so far really likes his teacher.

Miss Katie just celebrated her 2d birthday last week and is getting bigger every day. She was pretty lost when both boys went to school after a full summer of sibling bonding...but has plenty of toys from her birthday to keep her busy!

Mom and Dad were out last week for Katie's birthday so we'll try and get some pics up on the blog. So far no word on where we will head to next but pretty much anywhere will be fine for the Sullivans!

It's been a while!

Well its almost been a month since our last post. Lots has happened since then. Mike finished up work and has been on leave since his birthday spending lots of time at home with the kids. We are outside constantly from sunup and past sun down.

On 9 June we flew out to New York to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa. They and their house survived intact!! Pictures are coming soon. We spent a day down in Manhattan, taking the ferry from New Jersey then having a great lunch at Carmines and making a stop at the M & M store! The next day we drove down to Sea Girt, New Jersey and spent time with Aunt Nancy and crew. We went to the Beach (cold water!) then to the joyous heated pool at Aunt Nancy's house!! Larry, Stacy, Larry Jr. and Lindsay came over to keep us company making the trip a great time! On Saturday we hit the Palisades Mall to do some shopping then spent time with Brendan and Jeanelle, our good friends from Germany and Katie's Godparents. Sunday was the first time in years that both Kevin and I were home for Father's Day and spent the day outside, playing with water guns. Monday took us up to West Point to visit the old Alma Mater and stock up on West Point stuff. The day ended with a trip to Woodbury Commons then some good old New York Pizza for dinner! We flew back on Tuesday and Julia did great on both flights!

Since then Mike's office had a farewell ceremony for him which the whole family attended. We've been spending alot of time with friends, staying up way to late every night and went to Michael's birthday party at the pool on post yesterday which was a lot of fun. Mike has one week left before the start of SAMS and he can't wait to get back into the military groove!

We'll try and get some pics up today or tomorrow. Hope everyone is well!!

Mike's 35th Birthday

Talk about getting old!! Well, its been a great birthday so far. I got to sleep in which was really nice and Katie didn't have that bad of a night as the medicine starts to work against her ear infection. After sleeping in, I got to open presents. Both Katie and Timmy were helping me. I got some really nice clothes from Eddie Bauer, a digital photo frame, the first season of one of my favorite shows, Scrubs, and I'm sitting outside right now writing on our blog with my Gateway laptop....wireless internet is awesome!!! All the kids and Julia had some really nice cards for me as well.

We had calls from Germany including Julia's family and friends of ours from Parsberg. The Sullivans called from New York and I've received some Happy Birthday e-mails as well. We went for lunch at the High Noon Saloon and for dinner....Subways!! Mom and Julia keep giving me a hard time but I've been in the states nearly two years and haven't had a subway's sandwich. I actually went to the subways in Baghdad Airport on my way back from Iraq in March...but still haven't gone to the one right outside the gate! So tonight its subways and birthday cake!

The army gives you a new perspective on birthdays. Every few years, your PT test scores get easier based on your age. When you have a birthday where you have to either do a few less push-ups, or your run time gets slower, it makes that birthday Army special. Not this year for Mike. Oh well, guess I"ll have to keep doing a few more push ups!

Thanks everyone for the congratulations and great gifts! Like Harrison Ford says in Indiana Jones: "Its not the years...its the mileage!". I figure I've got plenty of miles left so I feel pretty good for a 35 year old guy today!

The Red Clones

Here's a picture of Daven's soccer team, the Red Clones. We finished up our season after a lot of rain delays. The team did great considering the two coaches didn't have clue one about soccer!

The Great American BBQ Festival and Royals Game!

Well we had a busy weekend!! On Saturday we went down to the Great American BBQ Festival here in Kansas City. After seeing what looked like a really cool festival on the Food Network, we were alittle disappointed (and confused) as to what the festival was. We expected to have BBQ of all sorts thrown our way (for the $10 per adult admission fee). Instead, it felt more like we were intruding on someone's backyard BBQ. The spotty rain didn't help I suppose! Anyway, we did get to eat some BBQ and the kids were on a few rides! We were able to hook up with our good friends the Dentes and Galingers who were equally confused at the lack of free BBQ for all!

On Sunday, the Dentes arranged for a day at Kaufman Stadium for a Royals baseball game. Again, the weather didn't cooperate, causing us to make a dash out of the outfield seats at the end of the sixth inning. Timmy literally ate his way through the game and Daven got to hang out with some of his friends. Katie thought all the water from the rain was "cool"!! The Dentes, the Cogbills and the Burnetts all braved the rain, wind and terrible Royals pitching staff (almost as bad as the Yankees right now!). We had a good time eating hot dogs, cheering for the Royals and spending time together!

Soccer...finally!

Daven has managed to squeeze two games of soccer in between all the rainy weather we've had here at Fort Leavenworth. His team, The Red Clones, have 9 kids on it. We play 7 kids at a time including a goalie, a step up from the 6 and under soccer league of last fall where there was no goalie! One of the coaches had to step down so I dug out my old Coach's jersey from last season and now I'm coaching again. Fortunately we were the red dragons last season so I'm not out of fashion!

Daven has progressed in his soccer skills from last fall. He's much more alert on the field and has had some great runs down the field. His defense is also getting alot better along with his persistance in trying to get the ball. I couldn't be more proud of him!

We literally have nothing but games from now until the end of the season. We even have a few Saturday games to play catch up from all the rain outs. Hopefully we can get some pics and even a video or two from an upcoming game. For now, Go Red Clones!!

Mother's Day

We had a great Mother's Day yesterday, right up until last night. We let Mom sleep in on Mother's day and had some nice surprises waiting for her. Mom got another "Atta Girl" award for her bracelet, some new italian charms for her charm bracelet, and a gift card for her new favorite store, Ann Taylor!

We went for a nice walk as a family around the golf course and Daven walked Chloe the whole way. I then treated her to a home cooked meal at the Chinese buffet restuarant down in Leavenworth. We then moved outside for "water sports" which lasted until the evening. I went to Connor Cabrey's confirmation as his sponsor (quite an honor) which took me out of the mother's day mix for a few hours. Once I returned, Julia and I were invited for dinner upstairs at the Cabreys. We had a great meal and our favorite babysitter, Dee-Dee watched the kids. It was looking like a great ending to a good mother's day.

Then the Katie struck. She started crying around 9:30 PM and nothing we did could get her back to sleep for more than a few minutes. Long story long, she finally crashed around 3:30 in the morning! She was tired and grumpy this morning but there doesn't seem to be anything "wrong" with her. All I can say is thank goodness for coffee!

I hope everyone enjoyed their mother's day! Back to my caffine curve!

Look at that fish!

Daven's first fish!!! Opa would be so proud going fishing with Daven!! ...some day :)

I made it through Friday!

Well, it is 9:43 p.m. and I'm tired like never before! I feel like I have had the longest week ever- not a bad week -but long! We had something going on every morning, ever afternoon and every night! On top of that I had my party for starting my new business! I'm so excited and I really think I can do this! I was so nervous all week because I thought nobody will come,what if no one is interested,...!! Then I kept telling myself that my friends will be there and that is all that matters and I made it to Friday night! The party started off great and people started showing up- and my friends! For my friends who could not be there, I love you and I know you were thinking of me and you would have been there if you wouldn't be so far away!
To my friends that made that night so special- thank you! Thank you for bringing food and drinks and helping me out so I could spend time with my kids on Daven's field trip in the morning! YOU GUYS MADE ME FEEL SO SPECIAL! :)

Timmy and the goat...

Katie feeds the goat...beat Navy!

At Diana Rose Farm...

The singing first graders...

Daven's Show...

Storms and Tornadoes!

We're still here! Lots of thunderstorms late last night but fortunately we haven't had any tornadoes near Leavenworth. Last night we were in a Tornado watch and everyone woke up to some loud thunder this morning but so far, its all been rain and noisy thunder. We're looking at a solid week of rain and storms...not a good forecast!

We had a great "Cinco De Mayo" party with all our great neighbors yesterday that went until about 11PM! We'll try and get some pictures out today. Daven's school had a trip down a farm in Kansas City. Julia took Tim and Katie. Everyone had a blast being around the animals, feeding goats and riding horses. Daven caught his first two fish EVER!!! He must get his fishing skills from the German side of the family!

Also, Julia had her Premier Jewelry Welcome Party on Friday night. For those of you "not in the know", Julia is no longer selling Mary Kay cosmetics. She's started working for Premier Jewelry and had a great first show! No comments on her "Mentor" but if I won't name names, I must not have anything nice to say! I'm real proud of Julia and she really enjoys this business better than the MK. It was also great to see the support Julia received from her friends here on Post. She has a GREAT group of friends, by far the best group we've had in the nearly two years we've been here.

OK, the kids are screaming for food! We'll post pics and videos later! As for now, we are tornado free!

A Tuesday Update

Hey Everyone,
Here's the latest and greatest from Fort Leavenworth. Julia is wrapping up her time as a Mary Kay Consultant and switching to selling Premier Jewelry. They offer better benefits and we think the product is easier to sell. Her "Open House" is this Friday evening. Wish her luck and if you need any jewelry for a birthday, anniversary, etc, let her know!

Daven is doing well in school but soccer this season is taking a beating because of the weather. It seems like it rains every Tuesday and Thursday. He has a game today but the threat of thunderstorms may cancel another one. You don't even want to know what the forecast for Thursday is...get out the boat Noah!

Timmy got a pretty goofy looking haircut on Sunday...we'll have to get a pic or two for everyone. He's in his last month of pre-school and enjoying going to class twice a week. Plus its nice that he's one of the only boys in there!

Katie got her first haircut EVER this Sunday and fortunately, it came out much better than Timmy's. She looks cuter than ever if that were possible. Again, pics coming soon.

Mike is down to his last month at his current job. I plan on taking a few weeks of leave prior to SAMS starting at the end of June, although I'll start my first KSU Masters class at the beginning of June. I'm also starting to teach undergrad history with my Master's Alma Mater, American Military University. The two courses will be online and should be a good introduction to teaching.

We had a CRAZY garage sale this past weekend. Over 4000 cars came through the front gate alone on Saturday. We were literally selling until 9:30 PM Friday night and started at 5:30 AM Saturday. If it wasn't nailed down, it sold! We got rid of alot of bigger (and super heavy) furniture, some older baby strollers and alot of Mike's army junk he no longer needs. Plus we had fun with our neighbors as well.

That's the latest from Leavenworth!

Tim the future Yankee!

Daven the musicmaker...

The Digging Crew!

ANZAC Commemoration Day

Today, 25 April, is ANZAC Commemoration Day. Today Australians, New Zealanders and Turks remember the start of the invasion of Gallipoli, the subsequent campaign and the resulting 400,000 casualties over an 8 month period. The invasion began on 25 April, 1915 at exactly 0428. The ceremony, which occurs all around the world today at dawn in each time zone, was at the Fort Leavenworth Military Cemetery here in Kansas. The Australian officers stationed at Fort Leavenworth put on the ceremony and it was first class. It was a foggy, rainy morning which echoed the memories of the fallen. I played the bagpipes with two other local pipers. We weren't great, but better than I'd though we'd be. After about a 15 minute prelude by us three pipers, the ceremony began. Flags from all three countries flew at half-staff, speeches and poems were read, and finally, a bugler played Last Post, the ANZAC version of Taps. A very moving ceremony and I was proud to be a part of it! Of course I had to play my bagpipes once I got back to the house at 0630 making sure all the kids were up in the neighborhood!

On that note, I'm starting to pick up the bagpipes again. After playing for only 15 minutes (in my kilt, army uniform top and boots!), my lips were going numb! Time to start practicing again.

Here's a good link with the history of the Commemoration Day:
http://www.anzacday.org.au/education/tff/anzacday.html

Thursday in Kansas

Hey All! Well we're on the downhill side of the week! Mom and Dad are on their way out as I type! They fly in today and will be here until Monday. Its their 38th Anniversary today so HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM AND DAD!! We've got a babysitter tonight and plan to take them out to celebrate! The kids are so excited to see Grandma and Grandpa. I don't think they'll believe how much the kids have grown in the few months its been since their last visit. Pictures will follow throughout the weekend!

Its been a busy week for everyone. Julia has been under the weather but still managed to get out for dinner on Monday and then to her friend's birthday party last night (Kelly). They got Kelly one of those Italian Charm bracelets which are suddenly very popular with the "West Ender" wives of Doniphan Drive!

In other news, our caring Mayor of our housing area got the housing people to switch on the air conditioning. Unlike many of you with your own ability to control when you go from heat to air conditioning, the residents of where we live get one big switch over...and that's it! Our mayor, who is moving out, for some reason decided we need A/C even though its still in the 30s at night here! Common sense is not as common as one thinks! Time to throw on a sweatshirt and an extra blanket!