Chris is in Taji

Chris moved safely to Taji and we have his new address:

CW3 Chris Pedersen
A Co, 2-285th Assault Helicopter Bn
Camp Taji
APO AE 09378

I know the second line wraps to a third line over there in the Chris' address section of the blog's left margin, but it's supposed to look like this. We're all used to just writing AHB - I'll check with him to see if we can keep abbreviating it.

He's sharing a room with another pilot in temporary quarters until they can move into CHUs. He said he could throw a rock over the guard fence near their building and hit an Iraqi freeway/highway. He hasn't, he's just giving us an idea of how close he is to the ouside world. That's very different from COB Delta. And he says this base feels very old compared to COB Delta. But he still has food and showers, so that's a good thing.

Gunner finished summer school (woo hoo!) and Lauren's getting ready for classes at ASU. They're both working hard at relaxing.

Love to all, Linda

Graduates!!!

I took waaay too long to get to this post. We have two new graduates in the family. Gunner graduated from 8th grade on Friday, May 28th and Lauren graduated from high school on Saturday, May 29th. Both attend Veritas Preparatory Academy - and we are very proud of their achievements.

Gunner - the new high school freshman. Woo hoo!!

Gunner with Gommie and PaLo. Nice blue coordination going on there!

Gunner and his friend Geneva  - and I don't think they planned to match because Gunner's wearing a brand new shirt. Just worked out that way. Geneva's off to India for 2 months to help at an orphanage. Be well, Geneva!

Lauren and Tara just before graduation. You two made it!!!

The new graduate with Laura Sergent, Matthew and Molly Workman...

...and with the fathers: Poppy, Fr. John Bethancourt and Fr. James Coles.











We are especially grateful to our extended family for making this weekend so special: Mom and PaLo (Happy Birthday, Mom!) from Albuquerque, Fr. John from Santa Fe, and the Workmans, the Sergents, the Coles, the Dodds, and Ann Carroll from Phoenix. And for everyone who's been praying for us.

Chris is back in the Middle East. We're just waiting to hear that he's safely back in his CHU with Trigger. That must be one lonely bike!