Lovin' being Back Home

Let's just say it is Great to be home. We have been able to get to see our families and hang out with everyone. Last weekend we were able to help Stephanie and Jason do a little remodeling of their house. It was great to just be around family and help them for a change. Speaking of Jason and Stephanie, I can not thank them enough for the sacrifices they made over the past year in helping Adrianne, Emily and I. Stephanie took almost every weekend and stayed with Emily as Adrianne worked nights. Jason would come over and spray the house for bugs, kill the ants in our yard or entertain Emily so the girls could have a break. They truly were my heroes last year. The picture you see is a ribbon ceremony we had at their house. They hung a yellow ribbon in honor of me while I was gone and I was able to cut it down last Saturday. Pretty Cool.

Now here is my present to myself for the long time I spent away. The last deployment we bought a Volvo, so I went cheaper this time around and got the 46inch HD 1080p Samsung, I choose the PS3 even though I am really can't H$#* from the XBOX360 players. I am loyal to the Playstation. It already had the Blue Ray DVD so Adrianne can enjoy an aspect from it and it is free online play. So I am sorry Ben Butler, Brian Murray, and Piers Platt.

Anyway Adrianne works tonight. It is my first night without her to help me with Emily. Should be a piece of cake as me and Emily went shopping today and bonded while she helped her dad pick out new clothing.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is now and forever changed for us. It has gone from another day off to a day of remembrance. Having now served in the Army and in combat it really brings the true meaning to Memorial Day. While at Fort Riley, We were able to go to the OIF II Memorial that had gotten back from Germany and we were able to remember our fallen Soldiers from 2004 and 2005. I am very glad it had come back and I was able to see it again. This past year also marked another one of our good friends getting killed in action, David Boris was killed in Afghanistan last November. It is tough when you know the true meaning of this Holiday and let us not forget our brothers who have given their lives for our country.

Emily and I at the First Infantry Division OIF II Memorial.
SGT Scott Kinzer
Front of the Memorial

Emily's First Haircut

Emily had a bit of a rat tail/mullet- I'm not really sure what to call it. We couldn't let her keep a redneck "do" so she had her first haircut. She's all evened out now and well on her way to being a Southern Lady.
Putting the finishing touches on the new hair style.

We are Home

Well we have made it out of Kansas and back to South Carolina. We planned to stop in St. Louis, MO and Nashville, TN on the way home but decided this picture was good enough. I took the picture as Adrianne was driving by. That was the only sight seeing we did on the way home. We were just ready to be out of a hotel.

When we arrived at home Emily was very happy to be back home she could not stand it. As you can see she felt very comfortable in her room and fell fast asleep on her changing table.
It is great to be home. We have already seen a lot of people and this weekend are going to see Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Jason's (Adrianne's Sister) house and help them do a little remodeling as well get to see Granddad (Larry Adrianne's Dad), and Uncle Greg and Aunt Melanie (Adrianne's Brother). we just can't wait to see them.

Hanging Out

Yesterday we were able to just hang out and enjoy each other. As you can see Emily and Ben were enjoying the hotel bed. Emily is really beginning to warm up to her Daddy. Yesterday was also a first for Emily as she waved for the first time without help (very exciting for mom and dad).

We also have gotten to hang out with our friends, Nick, Sarah, Ben and Sophie Cook, while we have been in Kansas. They have been so gracious having us over to eat all the time and letting us play with their toys. As you can see Emily and Sophie have become great friends (Ha Ha). Yesterday we celebrated a belated birthday for Sophie who turned 1 this past March. We cannot thank the Cooks enough for letting us hangout with them as much as they have.

Hopefully we will be on our way to SC tomorrow or at the latest Wednesday. Ben will be finishing up tomorrow and will be officially on terminal leave starting Wednesday. It is hard to believe this day is here and we are ending a chapter in our lives. It is a little scary but God will look out for us.

Last thing before I sign off please vote, We are investing in a new TV when we get home and Ben wants to get a PS3 or a XBOX360. Please help him decide- this issue is of the utmost importance. :)

Man it is great to be back in the good ole' USA with the best people in the world. We went to Kansas City last Thursday and caught a baseball game. It was Emily's first game and she really enjoyed it. Believe it or not KC won beating Detroit 7-4.

I hope these girls are ready for me to drag them around to all kinds of sporting events. HA HA

Up on a blog

Well Hello out there. I am starting a blog to see if it helps my family and friends keep up with us. I am not sure how long I will keep this up nor do I know if anyone will read this. I hope people will be able to read this and know what is going on with us.

I am currently in the Army and have just returned from my second tour in Iraq. I have decided to end my current status on active duty and try civilian life for a while. Just to much time away from family and friends.

This past year was especially hard because my wife and I had our first child. Emily Love Thrailkill was born on September 11, 2007 and she is the love your our life. I can't wait to get to know her better and be home and start being a father.

I am not sure what the world has in store for us next but it will be an adventure starting a new career (do not have a job yet). Just stepping out on faith right now.

Well we will see if this is going to work out (the blog thing) so here goes nothing.