AUGUST 13, 2010 - USS ALABAMA & USS DRUM

After Chris' graduation we made our way to Alabama. We stayed in Mobile and so we decided that we take sometime as a family and visit the USS Alabama and the USS Drum, which is a submarine. It was again pretty hot but we all had a lot of fun exploring the battleship and the sub.

USS ALABAMA




Rowan and Isabel walking up the ramp to the USS Alabama.


Rowan our future military officer.

Japanese Flag.



We had to send Isabel and Rowan to the Brig.




Rowan's ready to kill the enemy!



Trying to fix Isabel's hair so that it stays out of her face. 



Yes, Rowan our future solider in training.


"I'm the king of the world!



Stealth Bomber, pretty cool to look at.

USS DRUM


Isabel and Rowan at the helm.




AUGUST 12, 2010 - OCS GRADUATION

Well finally the big day has arrived.  Chris is graduating from OCS today and we are so proud of him and his accomplishments.  Congratulations sweetheart. 

Chris and his sister, Deanna.



The graduates starting to walk in.

They are always so serious.


Pic of the guest speaker, whose son was also graduating today.



Chris getting ready to get on the stage to graduate.


Below are two pics of the graduating class taking the Army Officer Appointment Acceptance
 and Oath of Office!



Chris' mom, Carolyn, Isabel and Chris.

Carolyn getting ready to pin Chris' 2nd LT bars on his beret.  The kids and I pinned him inside on the stage, I just don't have a pic of that.  I know someone does.


It's official now, 2nd Lt. Chris Ruggles.

AUGUST 11, 2010 - CALLOWAY GARDENS, GEORGIA

So for Chris' graduation his family came down to Georgia to see him graduate as well.  So unfortunatley for Chris' he was unable to spend time with any of us because he had to practice for like 6 hours the graduation ceremony(totally a waste of time).  So me and the kids just hung out with his family.  We went to Calloway Gardens which is a 13,000 acre resort complex.  It has a recretional area for the kids, i.e. a beach area with plenty of things to do for the kids, there is also a circus there but they had already closed down for the remainder of the year.  We visited the gardens, the butterfly exhibit, the horticultural center, azalea bowl and the birds of prey show.  There was plenty to do and lot to see.  Unfortunately I would enjoyed it more if the heat wasn't so overwhelming. I hate the heat.  Between Texas and Georgia there is no way I want to retire in the south, it is just too hot. 

These are pics from the Butterfly Center.  There were a lot of butterflies and let me tell it was very hot in there because they have to keep it pretty humbid for the butterflies.




Below are pics of the horticultural center.




Kristin, Isabel, Rowan and Nolan.





My sister-in-law Deanna and brother-in-law Noel





I have never seen so many bananas they were all over the place. 




Such a pretty dragonfly.  I am surprised he stayed long enough for me to get this pic.

Yes finally a pic with me and the kids.
Below is a pics from Robin Lake Beach. The kids were able to get on the floatables out in the water! They had a blast with their aunt, uncle and their cousins.


 


Below are pics from the Birds of Prey show.



AUGUST 10, 2010 - OCS FORMAL DINNER (FT. BENNING)

Well on August 10, 2010, me, Rowan and Isabel flew down to Ft. Benning, Ga to see Chris graduate from OCS.  The flight there was noneventful and so we landed and Chris was waiting for us at the gate.  Unfortunately by the time we landed in Altanta and got to Ft. Benning we had about 40 mins to get ready for the formal dinner.  For those who know me know that I do not like pictures of myself because frankly I never look good in any of the pics so the pics we took are only of the cocktail hour and the museum that the dinner was held in.  Chris' mom did however take pics of us getting ready and I will have to get them from her and when I do I will add those to this post. 

The dinner was pretty good and the evening was very nice.  It was nice to meet some of the other Officers that Chris had become friends with and be able to spend some time together. 



This is the National Infantry Museum in Georgia where the formal dinner was being held.