Kyle's Graduation from Boot Camp

Kyle graduated from Marine Corps. boot camp at Parris Island, SC on Aug. 25, 2006. Sixteen people traveled to South Carolina to witness this event. Tim & Jill flew in from San Diego, CA, so we were finally able to get a "real" family picture. (I usually have to paste someone into our family picture as it is hard to gather everyone together these days.) Other family and friends that were able to attend were: Uncle Charley, Aunt Margie & Jacob DeBoer from Wind Gap, PA; Aunt Dot & Julia Whitbeck from Glenside, PA; Nicholas from Camp Lejeune, NC; Grandma & Grandpa Williams from Hudson, MI; Kyle's girlfriend, Lauren and her mom, JoAnne Shaffer from Hudson, MI; and of course the rest of the family - Chuck, Barb, Michael & James from Pittsford, MI.

We had a great time. The weather down in Parris Island is HOT & MUGGY. It actually thunderstormed every day we were there (that's why Chuck has the umbrella). The weather did cooperate for both Kyle's Family Day ceremony on Thursday the 24th where he officially becomes a Marine by receiving his Eagle, Globe & Anchor and again on Graduation Day on Friday the 25th.

Kyle gets to come home for ten days of leave and then he is off to Camp Geiger in North Carolina for Marine Combat Training. That training will last for approximately one month, then Kyle's first school will be in Pensecola, FL. He has a year of schooling before he will actually be stationed somewhere. He's hoping to be stationed on the West Coast because he doesn't like the humidity on the East Coast and he would like to be stationed near Tim and Jill. We'll have to wait and see where he finally ends up.

Kyle & Lauren

Uncle Charley & Aunt Margie congratulating Kyle.

Jacob trying on Kyle's "cover"

Aunt Dot, Kyle & Julia

Tim, Kyle & Nick

Here's a pic of my three U.S. Marines. Tim is stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA, Kyle just finished boot camp at Parris Island, SC and is headed home for 10 days of leave, and Nick is stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC.

French Creek 2006

We had a great time at French Creek. I got to know Tricia's daughter Marissa a little bit. She's a cutie. Also got to know Gracie Smith, Susie's (Duggan) daughter. It was great having her at camp. Julia, Dana & Allegra were also up there at our week. It was fun getting to know them. Allegra was too busy most of the time to hang around us because she was a camper, but Dana & Julia were able to just hang out with us. We did get to play basketball with Allegra. She almost beat everybody, but Jacob just wouldn't let that happen - she came in second! I'm so glad I went to camp this year. It has been ten years since I've been there and the place has changed a little. The unit wash houses are great - too bad they didn't put showers in them! Okay, in the picture that was taken inside, Uncle Charley is sitting next to Gracie, and Allegra is a couple of chairs down from them - she is holding her ears for some reason. We were practicing the "orchestra" song, and as you can tell, Gracie is a violin player. Behind Uncle Charley is Marissa. The outside picture is of everybody at camp. Our nurse, Kristy (Wright) Rosenbaum, had to leave early so she is not in the pic. I had a good time getting re-acquainted with her. Hope she comes back next year. Hope I come back next year, too!!!