the best SURPRISE yet!

So there is a lot to catch up on.  About two weeks ago Cole officially went through his "Change of Command" in Afghanistan.  For all of our friends and family that aren't military this means that he physically signed over and passed over the company he was in charge of.  This included the responisibility of overseeing the soldiers, their missions, and lots and lots of equipment and property.  (Still hoping that when everything is finalized we aren't out much, if any, money on that!)  He had to undergo this process while in country in order for the unit to be able to release him in time to move for Grad School. 

And that brings me to another piece of news.  Cole was granted admissions to his top choice program at Georgetown University.  He will be studying international relations, counter terrorism (go figure) amoungst other things.  We are very excited to be heading back to the DC area this summer (and I'm stoked to be back near my sister for a couple of years!)

Once Change of Command was completed he didn't know what was next for him.  There were a few different things thrown out there and each of his superiors had different ideas of what they would like him to do.  Ultimately, I recieved the email almost two weeks ago that he was going to be returning early to take a job planning for the Brigade.  Woo who... we decided to keep it a secret and surprise Sierra. 

I had already planned a week vacation/visit with my grandma, mom, sister and nephew for this past week.  We had to do a little rearranging but managed to fit it all in.  Mom and Grandma/Mimi arrived and a couple days later so did Auntie Aim and Sean.  We had a great time together and experienced all four seasons here in Colorado.  Sean and Weston had their first brawl over a toy, practiced some WWF, babbled together, and Sierra was in heaven being the super big sister/cousin. 

Yesterday morning the kids and I loaded up and took Amy and Sean to Denver airport.  Returned home for a brief lunch and play time and then headed to post to see if any of daddy or uncle Nate's soldiers might need a ride home from the gym.  We got there a bit early and Sierra enjoyed bouncing in the bounce house and dancing with many other kids present.  When the soldiers marched in she still had no idea that her daddy was among them.  As I stood there shaking with excitment, relief, and joy I fought back the tears and tried to hold it together and not blow the surprise.  Once the soldiers were release I had to stand up and wave Cole over.  Sierra was still scanning the croud of camoflouge when her daddy stood straight across from her.  She looked right past him until he spoke up and said hello to her.  At which point her eyes lit up and I'm not sure what all washed over her but she grabbed hold of Cole and didn't let go until they were retrieving his bags together.  (Our dear friend, Melissa got it all on video for us which I will put on youtube and share later.  But in the mean time here are a few photos of the event.... we even made the front page of the local newspaper, the Colorado Springs Gazette!) 

Hope you enjoy... We are planning to enjoy our time together with a very joyous Easter indead!!!

And the best photos yet...