He's Home!!

Jonathan arrived home on Sunday. He managed to get a last minute seat on a plane to Atlanta. YEAH!!!

Jim & JoJene arrived last night (Tuesday). So we have a full house of people here for Jon's graduation.

Jury Duty

After 30 years of having a driver's license (no wait... 30 years can't be right!!!) I was called to serve on jury duty. I was to report on June 3- right at the start of our mad rush to get everything packed or disposed of to be ready to move in July. I requested a deferral until after we get settled in Colorado.

I got the letter today that I've been excused from duty. I'm grateful I don't have to go to Oregon in June, but it might have been fun to be on a jury. (or else incrediably boring waiting to find out if I get on a jury- this according to friends who have served).

Oh well, maybe there will be a next time--- sooner than the first time though.

Operation Purple Camp

I received an email last night informing me that Naomi has been accepted into an Operation Purple camp this summer. She will be attending camp in Silverton, Oregon the first week of August. (boy what a way to get out of unpacking!!!)

Operation Purple Camps are for children who have a parent (of any military branch- hence the purple for joint operations) who is or was recently deployed. It is a time for them to have fun and be with others their own age who are in the same situation. The kids attended twice while we were in Washington and had a great time.

These camps are fully sponsored, so the only fee will be for us to get her from Colorado to Oregon and back. If you would like more info, here's the link:

http://www.operationpurplecampinfo.com/page1.html

And for details about the specific camp:
http://www.militaryfamily.org/our-programs/operation-purple/camps/silverton.html

JROTC Awards Night

Jon was a member of the Color Guard (as usual). He received the American Legion Scholastic Excellence Award. Naomi was named an Outstanding Cadet-Sophmore division.

the kittens are growing

Venture camping trip

The Venture Crew went camping & hiking along the Appalachian Trail this weekend.

Jon Paul leading the hike

sitting around the campfire

sleeping?

another campfire shot

Denise's garden

Denise is trying again this year to have a garden. She has planted an eggplant, tomatoes, squash, onions, herbs and flowers. All of them are in buckets or other containers as they will be moved next month to the house where she will be living after we move to Colorado.
These were taken last Friday. The buckets are in the back yard. Notice Charlie is training to be an assistant gardener (not!)

Eggplant

seedlings growing

Denise's helper

the gardener in her garden