Memorial Day Pool Party

Petey and Ryan LOVED playing with Forest a.k.a.- The Escape Artist! He loved finding the holes in our back fence and exploring the various canyons in the back.

Janice Bush grabbed my camera to take a few pics of us....I was surprised to see a pic of me enjoying our pool on a beautiful San Diego day!!

Ryan climbing out just to jump back in!

Such a big boy!

Our good friends Allyson and Alexis Ream....Ryan is ready for a nap!!

Enjoying the day with the Rehm's and Fairleigh's!

Ryan held onto this flag from about 0830-1100 and kept waving it! I showed him one time and he just kept doing it...He tried to say, "American Flag" which was hilarious!

We had a wonderful Memorial Day hanging out with our Red Devil families at our house! The pool was open and a perfect sky was above us! It was truly a GORGEOUS day! The crowd started rolling in around 1100 and the final guest left at 1900, so it was a long fun-filled day full of chatting, swimming, jumping in the bouncer and A LOT OF EATING!!! We had a token husband, Jason Rehm, who volunteered to man the grill and did a fantastic job of it! I know he would have rather been golfing or flying the dusty skies of Afghanistan, but he was a trooper and we really appreciated it! The house was CRAZY busy with about 15 kids running around screaming, laughing, etc. I loved it all! I am/was so thankful for all the mommies that helped me keep an eye on Ryan while I performed my hostess duties and tried to chat with my guests! I think everyone had a great time. After everyone left Ryan looked at me and said, "Night Night B" So sweet! Now I will do the same!!!!

Trav-the pool got up around 90, which was perfect. PERFECT! Love you!!!

Yee Haw!

Look at that little face!! So serious!

He loved wearing the cowboy hat!!!

There is a new sheriff in town!

Look at that grin! He had such a good time!

Last Sunday we went to the Ramona Rodeo with our friends Sarah, Petey, Betsy and her BFF Shannon and her son, Tommy who were here visiting. We got there first and immediately called Sarah and told her that it was super small and there really wasn't anything kid-friendly to do. There was nothing but a few food vendors, jewelry vendors, etc. I asked a few people if there were animals somewhere for the kids to see and the response I got was, "Once the rodeo starts there will be plenty" Nice. So, as I was waiting for them I noticed a big horse trailer backing up and then a donkey and two ponies stepped off. I instantly ran over to see if they were giving pony rides....and they were! The owner said to give him 10 minutes to saddle them up!! So, we walked to meet Sarah and the gang who had discovered the area where they kept all the cows, bulls and horses for the rodeo. Ryan was super interested in them all, but didn't really react. However, that night when we were reviewing the day he said, "Moo, cow and hersey (horse!)...so he was just being Ryan and taking it all in!!!

Well, we made our way back to the pony rides and we were 1st in line! Ryan picked a pony named Katie and hopped on without any fear at all. This was his 4th pony/horse ride, so he is a pro by now. He was listening to everything the owner had to say and just sat there while he buckled him in, watching every move. So cute! Off they went. Round and round they went....and he just sat there....so serious! HILARIOUS! No smiles, just that serious wrinkled forehead look he gets! I have noticed that he does it when he is actually enjoying himself, but doesn't want to show it. Ha! Once the ride was over we made our way over to a booth that was playing country music and Petey and Tommy CUT A RUG! Ryan just stood on the sidelines watching....waiting for the perfect moment to jump in. My little observer! Then off to eat some yummy festival food on the lawn while watching the locals start to arrive for the big rodeo and while watching the kids dancing again! Petey Nannen has got some moves!!! They all had to leave, but Ryan kept eyeing the ponies, so me being a sucker of a mom let him ride ONE MORE TIME! This was the good ride....he wore the hat again and this time we added the sassy leather vest which I thought was hilarious! He looked so cute!! He loved wearing the hat and just walked around with such confidence. I loved watching him. He loved the little badge one of the booths were handing out and kept checking to make sure it was still attached. Ha!! All in all....our little Ramona Rodeo was a success and I was so glad that we decided to stay!

D-DAY

DEPLOYMENT DAY

Well, he is gone. Sunday was a hard day for the Kelley family. Travis had to be at the squadron at 0630 which meant we had to leave the house at 0545. Trav loaded up the car, we made some coffee and when we were ready to go I went and got Ryan, his blanket and night night juice for the dreaded trip to the base. Ugh! I had butterflies the whole time. When we finally got on base Trav pulled into his XO parking spot right in front of the gate to the squadron, put the car in park and looked at me. We hugged each other, said "I love you and everything is going to be okay" grabbed a quick kiss and got out of the car. He then made his way around the car to say goodbye to Ryan. I didn't go over there or look at them because I didn't want to burst into tears and make it harder for Travis. He then made his way to the back of the car to get the bags, another quick kiss and off he went. It was awful! I jumped behind the wheel and burst into tears. I sat there for about 25 minutes trying to compose myself, but right when I thought I was good to go I saw other pilots and their wives walking up to the gate, hugging, holding hands, etc. and I would start crying again. So, I decided it would just be best to go. Travis didn't want to say goodbye and then have to walk out to the jet which was fine with me. I cannot imagine flying a high performance jet with eyes filled with tears! So, Ryan and I drove home, had some breakfast, played with the choo choo and puzzles and waited for our friend Tricia to give us the word that he was taking off. Finally at 1015 as I was backing out of the driveway to go meet the other wives for lunch, I heard him roar above our neighborhood. I jumped out of the car to see if I could see him, but he was a little too North, but I did hear him! I stood in my driveway waving like an idiot with tears streaming down my face. I was so proud, yet so so sad! He wasn't just flying away for another 3 week trip in Key West, Tampa or 29 Palms where he would be staying in a nice BOQ by himself furnished with a bed, tv, private bath. Nope... He was flying away to go and live in a country 9000 miles away where all hell breaks loose everyday! I then hopped in the car, grabbed the steering wheel, took a deep breath and off we went to meet a few of the other sad wives for a recap of the day and lunch at Islands! It was good for me to get out and socialize with the other wives and kids and know that we were not the only ones feeling so cruddy! We then drove home to our home, grabbed a sippy of night night juice and curled up in my "nigh nigh B" to read a zillion books before taking a 2 hour nap that we both needed....especially me! Then we woke up, went for a walk and tried to figure out our new life for the next 7 months. We are going to be okay.

Trav's last day

Reading in the "Nigh-Nigh B" aka- Mom and Dad's bed

Eating dinner on our back patio. Yummy King Crab legs and Scallops!

My sweet family! Ryan isn't so sure about the camera/tripod combo!

Trav got to have the Inaugural swim in the hot tub and pool. He has put a lot of work into our yard and pool and I hate that he isn't going to be able to enjoy it with us this summer!

Family Hot Tub Photo! So much fun!

We had a great and relaxing last day home with Travis. We hung out all day and just enjoyed each others company. We had yummy orange rolls for breakfast, made our way to the Yak for one last thing to help goodbye, lunch at Rubios, a fun dip in the pool and hot tub, dinner on the patio while enjoying the beautiful San Diego weather and fantastic view of Mt. Woodson! Then off to enjoy one last night of bath time and reading books in mom and dads bed. We always start off with 3 and end up reading about 12.....a few times a day! Ryan loves it and is just so cute asking to go to the "nigh nigh B" signing for more "B" -books! Trav rocked him one more time and the he and I snuggled up in our "nigh nigh B" and watched a so-so movie together....the last time for 7 months! And then finally- tears were shed. Much needed tears. The stress of having your loved one leave is awful and a good cry always helps!!! I have had a few!

Bottom line...it was a great, yet sad day that I will cherish forever!