Loads of Fun in Georgia--Airborne!!

Jake was very ready to graduate from Airborne School and go home.

Jake's graduating class didn't get some famous general to address them; just a lowly Lieutenant Colonel, me.


It was fun to be there and talk to the nearly 300 new Airborne students for their graduation.




I got to go down and pin Jake's wings on him. I had to behave myself though. Phil got to give him wings with a little more "character".



Trying our best to look dignified. Me and the Airborne School's Commander.

We were very proud of Jake and he was happy to go home and work on his mission papers.

Pinning on the wings.

The proud new Airborne soldier. A new "5-jump chump".

"I made it Mom, and they didn't have to push me out of the plane even once."

Phil showed Izzy how to give wings with "character". "You just put the wings on like this, don't put the backs on the pins, and then just hit it real hard with your fist!"

Three Airborne Garners were there. One was in Iraq, another in Germany; but all Airborne.

"DOUBLE TIME, MARCH." All done.

A view of the 34 foot tower on the left and the big towers on the right. Jake had to be hoisted up, then dropped with a chute from the Airborne towers on the right.

Grandma and Izzy were happy to see Jake graduate too.

Just glad to be done. Chillin' at the hotel afterwards.

After Jake's graduation we went to Savannah to see Phil and Paula's new place. Izzy loves Savannah.

Izzy helps Dad by picking up sticks while he mows. She's a good worker.

She's hard at it.

Of course, she takes time to smell the flowers.

Izzy and Jake enjoy just relaxing; playing and watching TV.

Of course, going to Savannah means a trip to the beach! Izzy had lots of attention to herself. (that may come to end soon when little brother arrives in July)

Yeehah!!!

Fun in the water.

She really loves the water. Even when the wave surprises us.

It was early in the year and the water was still cold.

Paula got to test out her new bicycle.

Grandma Betsy got in the sand and got dirty too. Ok, not very dirty.

These two would go to the beach everyday if they could.

Yes, I'm cool.

Izzy loves hanging with the guys.

Could life get any better? Not likely.

"I don't want to go home yet!"

Yes, still cool.

This girl loves the water and everything at the beach.

Let's not go back to work, ok?

Go Izzy!

Fun stuff.

"Put down the camera and play with me."

Izzy loves animals and trains.

Speaking of cool....

Grandma is like the best book reader in the world, am I right?

AIT (Advanced Individual Training) Graduation

It's finally over! 22 long weeks of training, now it's graduation day!

This is Jake's platoon from his Advanced Individual Training at Ft. Gordon, GA.
Jacob did well; was named one of the Honor Graduates with an overall score of 94.5%.

Congratulated as an Honor Graduate, yes, Jake, the one who never liked to study, earning honors, crazy, right?

His Batallion Commander recognized families from all over, trying hard to be witty; good guy.

Yes, you'd think they'd look happier, right? Too many sergeants still around, I guess.

After Ft. Gordon, Jake and I traveled to Savannah to see Phil, Paula, and Izzy. Izzy loves company!

Just hanging out with Dad, watching TV.

Jake and Izzy had a good time together; she loves Uncle Jake.

She was always telling Jake something cool; problem is understanding what she says. It all sounded good to her, and Jake seems to understand, he was the Honor Grad after all.

They had fun just chillin'.

She even liked having Gpa around. She would just out the blue say, "Hello, Paca!" whenever I'd walk into the room.

While Jake and Gpa were at the gym, Izzy went with her Mom and Dad to the strawberry festival. She was a hard worker and picked lots of strawberries.

She had a very pretty dress and took the work very seriously.

She was good about training her Dad on the intricacies of strawberry selection and picking.

And she rewarded him by letting him walk around with her on the pony rides.

And after Priesthood Meeting, we got to enjoy the "fruits" of her labor, Paula made us some delicious strawberry shortcake; fantastic!

Next we're off to see Jacob graduate from Airborne School. Yes, the fifth Garner to learn how to jump from a perfectly good airplane. Who knows? It's just what we do; check back soon.