2012: A New year and a new phase

I am taking this Sunday afternoon to wrap-up our Fall and Winter of 2011, and the new beginnings of 2012. In many ways this will be our belated family newsletter to family, friends, and coworkers.

Mike is nearly finished with CBRN BOLC which started in late Sept 2011. There Mike has been learning all things chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear pertianing to WMD, and learning about his new responsibilities as a Bn Chem-O(fficer) . On top of the normal work/school week, Mike has been training with the Ranger Preparation Program for CBOLC 2LTs, doing crossfit PT, rucking, landnav, basic patrol ops, knot tying, etc. Its just like Ranger Challenge/SANCOM all over. Selection for Ranger school was limited if available at all, so Mike will be requesting a slot once we are settled in Ft Campbell. He is one of 5 honor graduates in his class, and is excited to finish BOLC this friday....as is Allie :) As usual, our experience these near 4 months has had its high and lows, but we just count our many blessings while looking forward to our next assignment. AIR ASSAULT!

Allie and James spent a very good portion of time at homebase Brawley, CA. Anyone following news via facebook has seen all sorts of pictures of James and cousins having a good time on the compound (Smith family lingo for the family 'homestead'). We were fortunate to have a couple extended stays with Mike at FLW, MO. His little two room apartment is best described as "cozy" which gave James a greater appreciation of playing outside. By the end of Nov, James had all of his teeth come through and mastered the words "byebye...NO...ouch...more...done...agua" and others. For Christmas, Mike came to Brawley for 2 weeks for a wonderful, yet flu-filled vacation. All three of us were sick at one point, and Christmas morning we had an exciting visit to the emergency room because James had croup. James had to be flown by helicopter to the children's hospital in San Deigo, but was discharged that evening. All the cousins welcomed him home with fireworks from that mornings presents. All attention was on James as we opened presents at 7pm. It was a Christmas we won't ever forget! Thank goodness for TRICARE Prime.

We also met Mike's brother and sister-in-law at Disneyland for a great time. And they joined us for Christmas with Allie's family. They also got sick...along with the rest of the family. Mike left to finish BOLC and we stayed in Brawley till after cousin Valerie's wedding, and flew out to FLW for the remainder of the month. We were just recently offered a home on-post at Ft. Campbell and we (Allie especially) are so excited to anchor down for a solid period of time. Enjoy the pictures and please drop us a line on facebook. THANKS and God bless!