A Basic Graduation!

Jacob Graduates from Basic Training!

As one career in the Army comes to a close, others just begin, so it is with the Garner Clan. The latest Soldier is Jacob. He just graduated from Basic Training on the 24th of October. His big brother Phillip and his family came along for the festivities. It is supposed to be pleasant and warm in Fort Jackson, South Carolina in the Fall, but not so on graduation day. We about froze in a very cold rain, but it didn't hamper the spirits of all those soldiers and their proud families. He is now at Fort Gordon, GA for his Advanced Individual Training (AIT) and will finish that in about 22 weeks, then will head off to learn how to jump from a perfectly good airplane at Airborne School in Fort Benning, GA, one of his childhood homes. All five of us are Airborne Soldiers now, quite a family feat. The most important thing is the willingness to give selflessly to their countries, which makes their Mom and Dad the proudest of all, as well as maintaining a strong commitment to their God, all being strong members of the Church.

Here we are, doing our best to not show we're freezing, just very happy he graduated and we can get in out of the cold. Izzie seemed to enjoy the celebration, but of course she got to be carried around wrapped in a warm blanket.
This is Foxtrot Company, he's back in the back, trust me.

"Where's Waldo?" He's back in the back right, whoever finds him first gets a cookie from Grandma.

Here he is, doing his best marching. They all looked good!

The oldest and the youngest of the Garner Strong clan, Phillip, currently a Captain and Jacob, a Private.

Spanning 24 years of Army service, but we're missing Alex, he's a Sergeant in Germany, and Ephraim, who was just promoted to 1st Lieutenant down in Fort Hood, Texas. Ephraim heads to Iraq in December, lucky him.

Still freezing. Lunch at Chili's is not far away now.

Hurry! Let's go!

NOW!

One of Jake's favorite Drill Sargents, SSG Dennis. See, they don't yell all the time, just most of the time.

Jake was a little less thrilled when we left him again for his 22 week stint in Georgia. He didn't want to say goodbye to his Mom this time. But of course he did, and he's doing well in his course, now sharing a room with just seven of his closest friends, instead of 60. He made us stay the weekend; we were going to hurry back for Church in Virginia, but if we signed him out on leave, he could have the whole weekend free. Needless to say the pleading was earnest on his part, so we made arrangements to stay with him for the weekend. We're back to being alone at home, but that's alright, we're getting used to it.

29 Years of Wedded Bliss and NASCAR

October 11 was our 29th Wedding Anniversary. We decided to do somethingwe really love. NASCAR! It might seem weird to some, but it's something we have grown to love. Kinda of nice when you and your forever friend share a common interest. We had such a great day. We saw and did so many things. It was a very long day, and we were both a bit worn out by the end of it. Enjoy the pictures.

She's in heaven!

That first drop of the green flag is wild (and noisy).

Our pit pass got us up close for all the big stars: Tony Stewart;

Kasey Kahne

Kyle Busch (BOOOOOO!)

Jimmie Johnson
Jeff Gordon!
Jeff Gordon!


It was a big Republican day, we saw Cindy McCain;

Jessica Simpson in concert (steady....);

Elizabeth Dole;

Cowboy Troy was in concert supporting McCain and the GOP;

Richard Childress and The King, Richard Petty were both stumping for McCain;

This is the GOP/McCain tour bus.

We were amazed to be down in the pits; way cool!


Striking the pose on the steep banking!


Tony Stewart's Home Depot car;


Jeff Gordon's pit box;


Me in front of Mark Martin's Army pit box.


Dale Jr's Amp/National Guard box.

It takes allot of tires to go 500 miles in a stock car.

Jimmie's box;

The happy Nascar fan;

And last, but not least, the very happy anniversary couple.

Last Hoorah!

We had a few final days playing with Jensen before he headed back to Germany

to be welcome his Daddy back from Iraq. Ron took him to the park and they had

a good time!

As always Jensen keeps us laughing as well as himself.

He has gotten pretty good at the hit the ball toy. He's got the power!
Jensen's last night there he helped with dishes and dinner prep!

We will so miss seeing him and his momma.




We don't have to miss KiKi for now. She is staying until her Mom figures out a way
to get her back to Germany.

Grandbaby Number 5 and a Trip to Utah

Little Ellie Roggia was born on Sept. 11, 2008. Two days later Mom and Ellie came home from the Hospital, and a few hours later we arrived to spend the next two weeks admiring our newest grandchild. We enjoyed every minute of it, and were sad to have to come back to the real world.
Adam, the proud Papa!
I even played Grandpa with Eileen and Zach's baby Anne, born 5 days after Ellie. (She sleeps allot more than Ellie)
They're never too young to mess with.
The proud but tired new parents.
Grandma Betsy was so happy to get two weeks with baby Ellie.

She was even happy to do dishes!
Ellie is extremely awake and aware of everything.
I think she is talking to her daddy.
Could that be the makings of a smile?!
She studies everything and everyone. Very intense baby. "Grandma, what the heck are you saying?"
"Yes, I love my Grandma!"
A brief moment of peace.

Utah is pretty most anytime of year. The leaves were just getting started to turn. So We decided to go on a picnic.
The new Mom had to just chill at Ellie's first picnic.
Grandpa doesn't know how to just chill.

He does love holding the baby though.
Adam did a little hiking in the rocks.
Little Ellie with Mom and Dad at about 6 days old and on her first picnic.

Singing helped sometimes to settle Ellie down.
She loves men's voices.
Hayley is a great Mom.

Betsy and I decided to hike to the top of the "Y". Not sure why, just because it was there, I guess.
Yes, even my knees made it to the top.
Betsy doing her best Hayley pose.
You can do it, Betsy! It is a pretty steep trail to the top.

Grandpa Garner with Chris, Addie and Natalie.
See, Ellie pays attention to everything, even looks at the camera!
Lynette came to see her blessed. I think she's asking if Ellie ever sleeps.

She has some big feet for such a cute little girl.
Dad's magic touch.
Natalie has obviously done this before.
Adam was the family grillmaster at the picnic in Provo Canyon. Fine job, I'd say.

The Great Grandparents with their newest.
Adam gave Ellie her name and a great blessing on 28 September 2008.
Four generations of Garner decendents.

We didn't want to leave Utah and come back to work in Virginia.
The Garners, the Roggias,the Youngs, and one Stevenson.

We were very glad that Grandpa and Grandma Garner could break away from their busy times in New Plymouth to be in Church with us.