David back with his family!!

Today, January 9, 2008, was a special day for our family. Just before 8am this morning, after a 19 hour drive from Colorado Springs, David and Susan got back and were fully reunited with their kids. It was so awesome to see him again.

Gretchen asked him this morning "Did you think about this moment while you were in Iraq?" He smiled broadly and simply said "All the time!"

Around 9am, we all got together for what we came to call "Daddy Christmas." Nathan and Matt are here, Gretchen's parents joined us, Susan's parents were there and it was just a joyous time to be together. We opened presents, talked, had breakfast, talked and just enjoyed the hilt out of being together.

Here is David with all three kids. Drew is pretending to have binoculars, while Nathan and Berneice look on.

I realized we don't have a lot of good closeups of Berneice for all of you. There is a reason...getting an 18 month old to sit still for any period of time is a challenge.

Yet, here is a nice shot of her from this mornnig. Quite the darling, eh??

And here is a brief video I shot, which includes David, Susan, the twins, Nathan, Matt and Gretchen. Yep, David's home, and it is grand to have him.

Closer to Home

I got the email below from David yesterday and I thought you all would like to be in the loop. Although he is not back this is good news and thank you all for your prayers along the way. The end is in sight!

All- I just got back from my last mission ever. All that is left is the packing and the waiting. Thank you for your constant prayers and support, it has meant so much and kept me safe through many ordeals. I will be home soon and be able to tell you this personally, but I just wanted to let you know that the most dangerous part of this tour is done. I'll never have to leave post again except in the helicopter taking me home. I love you all David

Can't wait to have you back brother we all love you so much.

Nathan with Great-Grandpa Ely's Alfalfa Cap

This afternoon, Gretchen had Andrew and Nathan over as she often does on Mondays. Today, Nathan got here, ran upstairs to our room, grabbed a cap off a shelf and came back. And wore the cap for the whole two hours he was here.

Gretchen managed to get some good photos of both of them and when I saw the image, I realized he had grabbed one of Dad's favorite caps, the one I've kept. Look closely and you'll see the "Dominator Alfalfa" logo on the front.

It just makes me smile. Here's this little guy who will only hear of Gene Ely. Yet, he was directly connected with Dad for a short while today in a funny way.

Smile with us.

Tom's 70th Birthday!

Today is Tom's Birthday--- and officially he is the senior member of the group now!! We won't mention numbers, but he was born Nov 18, 1937. Get out your calculator and do the math.

I'll let the Deans chime in with the details of a surprise for him but the photo says a lot! Looks like a great family gathering in San Diego.

Update from Southern California

I know we have all been so concerned about the terrible fires in Southern California, with special thoughts of all our loved ones there. I thought I would pass along this e-mail from Margene in San Diego last night (Monday).

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For now Tom and I are fine. However, Michael, Maria, the children, and Bongo, the dog, are here. They came last night, although they had not been forced to evacuate. Their schools there in Santa Clarita were closed today and will be again tomorrow and it's a very difficult situation there now. So glad the family is here.

Then, about an hour ago, John called that their area was being evacuated, so John, Chris, the girls and two dogs will be here soon. Maria and I are cooking lots of pasta, big salads, great bread, and plenty of chocolate chip cookies. We should be okay for the evening and night. We borrowed another air mattress from our neighbors, so it'll be interesting. The kids are having a ball, not realizing the possible problem. They can't wait to spend the night with Karla and Allison! Get out the board games, kids, it'll be quite a lot of "togetherness!!" Thanks for thinking of us.

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I know we are all praying for their safety and for that of all the other families being so severely affected by these fires. We'll post other updates as they come along, as I know everyone's thinking of them all.

"Been farming long?"

Quick update here from Chicago.

Mikey is ready to help with the fall harvest and listen to a story or two about the house on G street.

While he appreciates the subtle humor of of the Osh-Kosh B'Gosh advertisements, he seems to think that a cow standing on its hind legs drinking a beer is just too silly to accept.

This pair of overalls is the first piece of gender specific clothing that we bought for him. It is just like Grandpa's -- except for all of the extra snaps :)

October Birthdays

Cheers to our three October honorees: Matt, Oct 6; Joe, Oct 9; and Chris Oct 18!

In Auburn, long ago, Oct 9 was almost a holiday. In 1953, the Elys had a baby boy which was huge news. It happened on a Friday morning and the word quickly spread throughout the town. AHS had its Homecoming football game that night so of course everyone was saying "The Elys have a boy! Can you believe it?" There was no need for a PA announcement. In Auburn, everyone just knows!

In his senior year at AHS, it snowed on Oct 9 and Joe played football in the mud! How's that for a memory! Usually, though, the weather is gorgeous in early October.... hope it is wherever you are too!

If you have some special memories for any of our October birthday people, just add them!