Michael's MCSD Graduation Weekend

We just returned from spending 5 days in beautiful San Diego.  I now totally understand why so many people dream of living there---the weather is gorgeous!!  Warm days, cool mornings and nights---sign me up!!  I think I managed to get a little spoiled running in the cooler temps because it feels sweltering here even though it's a few degrees less than before we left.

So we all traveled over there to be witness Michael's graduation from Marine bootcamp.  I had not seem my baby brother since early March nor had I been able to talk to him.  Our only communication has been through my weekly letters and his 4 return letters (I know, he was a little busy).  So needless to say, we were all super excited to finally see his face.  Savannah and I left home on Wednesday morning and met up with Grams and Grandad during our layover in Dallas.  It's so much easier traveling with a wild toddler when I have backup.  After arriving in SD, we picked up Granny, met up with Rachel, and grabbed dinner downtown.  After an early morning run on Thursday, we all headed to base for family day.  After a lot of waiting, and more waiting, it was finally time for the Moto Run.  All of the platoon ran by all of us screaming and cheering family members before stopping in front of us.  I have to admit, I shed a couple of tears when I finally spotted Michael and I know I wasn't the only one.

Charlie Co. Platoon 1046 during the Moto Run

Michael is in the very center of this picture in case you can't spot him.

After a few minutes, the marines ran off to shower and change before we met up again on the parade ground.  Once again, we (the families) quickly relocated to the bleachers where we waited some more.  I now understand the Marine term "hurry up and wait".  After a short ceremony, our Marines were let loose to spend the day with us on base.  It was so great to finally be able to see, touch, and talk to Michael.  He also looked super sharp in his uniform.  Throughout the day, Michael told us bits and pieces about his time in bootcamp while leaving out all the not so pleasant details that would make me and mom worry.  At 1800 (check out my use of military time) he had to return to his room and the rest of us set off to find a place for dinner.  After several wrong turns we managed to find an Olive Garden.  Since we don't have one in Chapel Hill I was pretty excited---gotta love the salad and breadsticks!

the very proud family sporting the Charlie Co. colors

Rachel and Savannah doing the wait-thing

say "cheese!"

Friday was the actual graduation ceremony so we got there early to make sure we had good seats.  Even Uncle Chuck flew in for the day to watch.  The Marines definitely put on an impressive show. Thankfully Savannah slept through both the Thursday and Friday ceremonies or else we would have had a terror on our hands.  Finally at noon, Michael was free to leave with us to begin his 10 day leave before reporting back to SD at the end of the month.  After quickly changing into civilian clothes, we had a yummy southern California mexican lunch.  We spent the afternoon just sitting around and catching up.

Michael and Rachel

Savannah right after a nap = grumpy Savannah

Trey, Michael and Rusty

another shot of the proud family

Michael and Oscar

Dad, Michael and Uncle Chuck

Saturday morning, mom, dad, Granny, and Rachel flew home but Michael stayed with us to go to Sea World and to spend some time with his wild niece.  I think he got a glimpse of himself from about 20 years ago :)

Savannah loved petting the mini horse

watching the penguins

"Look! Big fish!"

happy beluga whales

waiting for the dolphin show

typical Michael pose

flying dolphins

The sea lions are my favorite!

 Back in our hotel room, we helped Michael go through all his stuff.  Savannah especially loved getting right in the middle of it all.

modeling Uncle Michael's boots

I think they were doing a dance here.

Savannah versus the Marine.....

it looks like she may have the upper hand.

Poor Savannah started having stomach trouble on Friday and I started throwing up on Saturday evening.  Then Michael got sick on his flight home and I later found out mom, dad, and Granny had all gotten sick on Saturday and Sunday.  I'm not sure what we all ate but it definitely got the best of us.

Now Michael has about 8 days left of his leave before he reports back to San Diego for the next 30 days.  Then he's off to Pensacola, FL for 5 months before he gets deployed somewhere, hopefully in the US.  I don't think I'm cut out to be a military sister.  I don't like saying goodbye when I don't know when we'll see each other again.  It makes me very sad to think it may be a long while before I see my baby brother again.  At least moving forward he will have his cell phone and eventually we can Skype.