"Then It' Hi! Hi! Hey! The Army's On It's Way"

Halle, With A Red, White And Blue Coco

Well, it's after 7:00 in Bristow, VA, my daughter Jill and I are the only ones up, though the others a stirring.  It looks like a fine day for summer in Virginia, the high only in the low 80's and sunny, perfect for my son in law's retirement ceremony from the Army.  We are leaving this morning at 9:00, for Ft. Belvoir, dressed up, with a van full of sandwiches, drinks, and a cake for after the brief ceremony.

Yesterday was another seven hour drive, more traffic than usual, especially some large  trucks on the hills in PA but we still made it by 3:00, leaving close to 8:00, with only stops for gas or food.  When we arrived, Jill and Halle were here, helped us move our clothes to our room, then we sat and relaxed, catching up, finding out what needed to be done over the next two days.  Jill is super organized, has to be, so she has a list by day of what needs to be done for today's official retirement party, then tomorrow, Saturday, another big party at their house.  Drew came home from work for the last time around 4:00 and I helped him move some chairs around, getting ready for Saturday.  Jill and Evie drove off at 6:00, dropped Hayden off at dance, then went to Coscto to pick up the sandwiches for today's gathering at the base.

Dinner on the Deck With Jill

They were home by 8:00, and we had a dinner of brisket barbecue, with cole slaw.  We ate outside, perfect weather, enjoyed the evening until Drew had to go pick up Hayden from dance.  They got home around 9:20, Hayden starving.  So Evie made her one of her favorites, home fries with cheese, and we stayed up talking with her until 10:00 when all of us went to bed.  We were really tired from our drive, and Drew was getting up at his usual time, 4:30, so he could get his last run in on the base before the ceremony.  Better start getting ready and wake the girls up.  It's going to be a special day.

The Deck, Party Ready!