Weekend at the Williams'

We had a very busy weekend here in Pittsford, MI. Here are some of the pics:

First of all, did you know that no matter how old they get, it never gets easy taking a group picture? Here's Jacob, Michael, Kyle, Jill, James and Nick posing in the living room.

While all the boys were at the race track (Michigan International Speedway) with their Grandpa, the girls (& James & Kyle) went to Lauren's graduation open house. It was a nice little picnic. Here's Kyle & Lauren.

Here's Dottie, Julia, James, Jill & Margie enjoying each other's company.

Jill & Chuck decided to join the rest of the race fans at MIS. Here's Michael, Jill, cousin David Williams (he's also a U.S. Marine who was up from Camp Lejeune to visit Nick), Nick & Jacob.

What is a visit to Michigan without a trip to Grandma's, who happens to live on a lake?! Here's the kids after a swim: Nick, Kyle, James, Jacob, Julia & Jill.

Aunt Margie, Jacob, Kyle & Jill all left early Monday morning. Aunt Dot & Julia stayed till Tuesday. Here's Aunt Dot & Julia riding the four wheeler. Aunt Dot is giving Julia instructions. Pudge is keeping his eye on them!

Time to get out the guns. Here's Julia shooting a civilian model of an AK-47 (I think that's what the boys said it is). Nick is giving instruction.

Here's Aunt Dot shooting a pistol.

Can you believe she hit that water bottle? Aunt Dot and Julia are very good shots!

Nick is Home!

Nick arrived in Atlanta via Germany this morning at 6:50 a.m. At 12:20 p.m. he arrived in Detroit to the waiting arms of his youngest brother, James. He is so glad to be home! His flight from Germany was a commercial flight with all military personnel on board - all going on their two-week leave from Iraq (mostly Army with only 7 Marines on board). His flight from Atlanta to Detroit was a civilian flight, so the captain announced his and one other Marine's name over the loud speaker as being special guests on their flight. After the applause died down, the beer arrived. Nick said everyone on the plane wanted to buy him a beer!


Nick and James at the airport in Detroit


Nick, James, Michael & Pudge


Nick and mom

Nick is Coming Home!!!

Nick is on his way home. Since he's in Iraq for 15 months, he gets to come home for two weeks. We are all so excited. He left Fallujah on Sunday, June 10th. He called today (the 12th) and is now in Kuwait. He leaves Kuwait in the morning (the 13th) and flies to Ireland. From Ireland he flies to Atlanta, then to Detroit. Aunt Margie, Jacob, Aunt Dottie and Julia are driving out this weekend to visit us all. Kyle is flying from Camp Pendleton Thursday night to Detroit, and Jill (my favorite daughter-in-law) is coming from Dearborn Heights, MI on Friday. I'll post pictures when I get them. In the meantime....


here's Nick and two Iraqi soldiers



Here's Nick in the outfit he wears everyday. Well, he probably doesn't keep the goggles on all day or the helmut, but you get the idea.

James' Baseball Season

James is playing baseball this summer for the first time since he was about 8 years old. Michael is the assistant coach.

Here's Mikey giving James some tips before he goes up to bat.

James up to bat.

James even pitches. In this game he pitched two innings. He struck out 5, walked one and hit one. Not too shabby!