Renlistment

Well it's official I'm in until 2015 at least. And the other two are of one of my view from the back of the Stryker and me sitting in an MRAP on the way back from FOB Warhorse. Just a little taste of life from Iraq

Here is a picture of our friendly neighborhood moose that likes to hang around the house. Here he is munching on some plants growing in our back yard.

Seeing as how I have a few extra min. I thought I would add some shots of some of our adventures here in Alaska. These are some pretty shots of our trip to Valdez, Alaska. While "the boys" went deep sea fishing Dallas and Alex went on a bear hunt. We finally found a small black bear fishing not even 20 feet from us catching fish to eat. Also some shots from our cruise of a whale swimming close by and some of the many ice burgs we saw. We did all of this in the summer of '08.

Well, boy do I feel old, Matt turned ten this week. We had his birthday party at glow in the dark Putt Putt in Fairbanks, Alaska. He had many friends from school come and celebrate with us we just wish Dad could have been there. We miss you so much.

Well, I finally got the pictures made that all the grandparents have been asking for. I got a family picture of me and the boys I think it is darling.

Well, now for the unveiling seeing as how Travis has seen me now. I have my first before and after. THe before picture was taken the day Travis left for his deployment. The after photo was taken 3 months post op. I have lost more weight than this picture is reflecting. I will try to update it periodically with all the cute clothes I get to buy now.

just me

just thought i would say hi

Wow, the snow in North Pole, Alaska has been incredible this year. It is now April and I am getting sick of looking at it. However, as I am typing away I hear the sweet pitter patter of snow and ice melting off the roof which means break-up (that is code for spring for you non-Alaska types) is near. We got nearly 4 feet this year which is unusually high for this area. Temperatures reached -50 and below for weeks on end, so our outdoor wood stove came in handy. Also, Dallas gets the bragging rights of shoveling over 9 tons of coal and at least 3 cords of wood single-handed. Please, save your applause. I'm ready for the summer sun. Bring on the sweat.

Our Christmas tree at home. The kids got way to much, and of course Travis was there via webcam

Alex's 4th birthday was December 8. It was at McDonald's and we had a blast.

My new bed

So after 5 long months I have finally got a bed, no more cots for me. I am sporting my superman sheets and no one lives on the top bunk. Just one of the perks to not being one of the low guys in the rank game. I did have to move buildings but I am more than willing to trade my old spot for this one. Now maybe I can finally get some good sleep.

Me and the Boss

This was Superbowl morning it was 2am my time and it was just me Spc Johnson and the 50in plasma. What could be better, well no beer, no chips, no commercials, and no women. Other than that it was a great game wish AZ would have pulled it off but very entertaining none the less.

Christmas Decorations

Sorry for being so late but these were three of the projects the cooks down in Fob Caldwell worked on for Christmas. I was lucky enough to be down there for Christmas so I got to have a good meal and relax for awhile.

Bathroom Break

I have been meaning to post these photos for awhile so we have two shots of the latrines. Just thought y'all would like to see.

Marry Christmas

Even though I could not be home this year I was able to feel as close as I could. Dallas was able to set up a web cam so I could watch the boys open up there gifts. It was good to see the smiles and piles of trash that surrounded them. I am a truly lucky man. Once again thanks for all the support and I will try and put some pics of the chow halls decorations.

Santa came early

Thanks to a wonderfull lady Christmas came early for the boys and me. We recived a box that had a present and card for everyone in the platoon. This turned out to be a great time due to the fact that the power went out right before I open the boxes. So imagin 19 to 30 year olds (yah thats me) out playing with nerf balls playing games in the dark, building gliders that were amazingly hard to construct. Getting frustrated with brain teasers, and generaly haveing a great time. I would like to thank TaNeal a special lady with a big heart. Thank you

Alex

This is a recent shot of Alex waiting for speech therapy. Alex was born with a bilateral Clef Lip, he underwent surgery when he was 3 months old and will need more as he grows, but he is doing so well and is such a happy kid "most of the time" that Dallas and I could not be prouder.

Why go Army

I just had to let you all see this, I new I should have been seamen in a tube.

Deep in the Mud

These are a few pictures of my truck during one of my recent trips to FOB Caldwell, this was taken in front of our conex that we store stuff in. That’s right this is not out in the dessert or on patrol this is in the motor pool. Not the best drainage you might say. Oh yah this is my driver Locke

CNN

Yesterday I had the opportunity to work with a CNN reporter named Alex. She is doing some stories that should come out sometime within the next year. If they make it past the editing room floor I will post the link.