Matching Dresses for Cousins

How about the two little "great cousins" in matching dresses? Abbey modeled hers in some photos from last November and Berneice in January. Aren't they adorable.... and the dress is extra cute too!

Learning to play UNO

Last Sunday, we had the three youngest Ely kids here before church. Gretchen has recently been teaching Nathan and Drew how to play UNO and they are starting to really enjoy it. So, here are some action photos of the trio in action. Enjoy.

Gretchen has them set up on the coffee table...and all the cards are on the table!

And you can see that Miss B decided she wanted to play as well!

With pencil in hand, Berneice decides she can keep score!

Enjoy!

Family Photo

Here's the whole family from last week. Wow, is it great to have everyone together!

For those of you trying to keep the twins straight, Andrew is in blue, Nathan is in red!

Thanks for your prayers!!

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.