Happenings of Young Clan

Got a few more pictures from Chimge today. I must say it does sound like she is enjoying her time away from the office. It is not every day you get to shoot various weapons and even get to throw a live fragmentation grenade. This is not your kid's summer camp; that is for sure. Again, not every one's cup of tea, but I would have loved to have been there enjoying the warm weather with her. 

I requested this one. Chimge in full gear with M-4 and M-9. The mismatched body armor is due to the real stuff is issued just before you leave.

Here is her vehicle. I am sure this make the commute much safer.

Here is a nice picture of Chimge showing here Aloha spirit with a Shaka. I hope the State of Florida does not see this since she is now a resident of the state.

 

Anyway, with the Labor Day weekend approaching, we are hoping the basic labor laws cover Air Force Personnel working with the Army so we get a chance to see her. All in all I think, she is doing great and actually having some fun. 

Like the title says, this is our 600th Post. The 600 post span from some time in 2008 to today.

 

That said, on to the post!

 

 After the visit with the USS Alabama and before the light house, we visited Fort Barrancas, which was built on the ruins of an old Spanish Fort, between 1839 and 1844. It is currently located on Naval Air Station Pensacola. It does not look a day over 150 years old to say the least.

 

The view from above, Daddy borrowed a plane to get this shot.

 

Here I am riding a cannon at the amusement park.

Me and Daddy at the front door.

Me exploring the inner ring of defenses.

Looking out the window at the outer ring of defenses.

Me and Auntie and a bench. You would think they would have better furnishings. It is a Navy Base. 

At the end of the outer defenses.

Me exiting the dark stair case.

This place is big. This is the very front of the fort.

I really think this place was built by the Aztecs.

More evidence of Aztec influence.

Back at the entrance of the dark stair case.

Me and Auntie doing the iconic Cannonier pose under Old Glory.

Me refusing to get down, I am not ready to leave and you can not take the cannon with you.

 

All I can say is the fort was really neat. And if you like doing the stair master, this place is a must see. I counted a lot of stairs, but since I can only count to 10, it was hard to keep track. If your ever in the area, go check out Fort Barrancas.

Talk about a disappointment. I am not the biggest guy, but I was denied entry to the Pensacola Light House, because I am not tall enough. How is that for not nice. I was totally willing to ride up on Daddy's shoulders, but they just would not let me. I had Daddy totally sold on the idea and then the lady was like you have to be 44" and walk on your own.  

The light house.

Me and Auntie and the light house.

 

I know this is a pointless post, but we went there, so we had to blog about it. And the next blog post will be number six-hundred. So we could not put a disappointing post, as the 600th, so we changed things up. Well when I am 44", I will return and I will climb the light house.

It was a cloudy day and we had to think of something to do. I am three now, so I can not just watch TV and sit around. So Daddy figured a trip back to the USS Alabama would tire me out and give us something to do. He was right.

 

 

I am ringing the ships bell. I was just tall enough.

Just like at Fort Benning, I am manning a machine gun. Just this time it is not a simulator. And this ride comes with a chair so I can reach the trigger.

Looks better when you can't see the chair.

The USS Alabama is like a big city without public transportation. I had to walk everywhere.

The view out the front window.

They may have taken all the sailors off the ship, but they left all the cool buttons to push.

Inside fire control for one of the 5 inch guns.

Back on Terra Firma with the aircraft.

A view over the tank park. That is me in the middle.

 

It was a nice trip and I enjoyed Auntie and Daddy's Company. One thing is certain, by the time I am six, I will have visited almost every military museum, park and battlefield east of the Mississippi River. By the time I was two, I had covered most of the ones west of the Mississippi River.

About twenty-five days ago Chimge left for her adventure of a life time. Since she has left, we have been able to keep in touch, I write her a letter every day. Yes, I mean an actual letter I have to put a stamp on. I know writing is a dying art, but some of us remember life before e-mail and texting. It is just our thing and we have volumes of letters from my three adventures.

However, getting good pictures of her has not been easy. It is hard to put digital pictures inside of an envelope. The two below were taken during her Foreign Weapons training, about a week ago.

 

I wish I had the pictures of her doing some really cool stuff. Now keep in mind, that is cool to people like her and I. She has learned to drive large up armored vehicles, bigger than the HMMWV, use various navigation and communication devices. She has learned to assemble, disassemble and fire the Squad Automatic Weapon (M-249), the Army's Light Machine Gun (M-240B), the 50 Caliber Heavy Machine Gun (M-2) and the 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher (MRK-19). She actually qualified on the M-240B and M-2 day and night tables. And that is just the tip of the iceberg.

 

Chimge lining up the iron sights on a Avtomat Kalashnikov (Russian: Автомат Калашников). It is also known as a Kalashnikov (AK-47).

Here she is smiling while sizing up the RPG-7 (Ручной Противотанковый Гранатомёт – Ruchnoy Protivotankovyy Granatomyot. It is better known as the Rocket Propelled Grenade.

 

Just a couple of pictures she has shared with us. I must say, she is looking very good in her new attire.

 

Well until next time. When I get some more pictures, you guys will be the first to see them. Well after me and Christopher. After all she does send them to us.

Some time after mid-night we finally got everyone fed and calmed down so we could open presents. It started like any other party, but it quickly slide into the chaos of the gift opening. 

I started off slowly. 

At first the crowds were calm.

and then they started closing in...

yet even closer.

Then the chaos began, whose party is this...?

Daddy had my back, but his was hanging out.

They closed in on me to see what I got....

And after the final package was opened.

 

The camera man was taken out and the toys were flying, driving and jumping every where. It was a great party. I really appreciate all the gifts and clothes. It was really nice to be surrounded by family. I look forward to my next birthday, especially since Mommy will be there. Thank you everyone who came, sent a card or present.

My real party with all the guests and family was just awesome. I sure am glad Daddy had a practice party, because he did a great job on the real one. After the museum, before the play we got the food and cake and Daddy and Grandpa Ed went to work.  

The man behind the scene! He is he reason everyone gets to eat. 

The chow line, just waiting for a free hot meal.

Me escorting out a line cutter.

Here is Cody, Jacob and Evan after I restored order.

Yes, even at my own party I get to eat. 

The "Christopher Cake"

Cody attempting to light a match. We learned that as a child, he never played with matches.

Aunt Bernie taking over and getting the fire going.

Cheese!!!

Cody working the ice cream scoop with those big guns....

They ate my cake and just left me sitting. I sure hope the presents cover the cost of the party.

 

Thanks Grandpa Ed and Grandmaunt Coleen and of course Daddy for good food and a place to throw a party.