SURPRISE!!!! - Ryans R&R

So a couple Fridays ago Perry called a family meeting in our backyard. MiMi and Grandpa show up promptly at 4:oopm. The kids played in the pool out back while we sat and talked about this surprise we were awaiting. I thought it was a job raise for Perry or a job offer in a different state or city. We were super anxious. Just as 4:00pm arrived out walks my Brother Ryan from Iraq. Our jaws just dropped in disbelief. My response was " I know that guy...he's my brother...yeah this could happen....and this seems some what normal...but totally not....How did he get here...what just happened to me? And after that conversation in my head I finally realized this is reality and this really did happen. I then ran and gave him a big hug and welcomed him home. MiMi and Grandpa were beyond excited and had tears in their eyes. My brother is home on R&R from Iraq and what a wonderful surprise. Tyler would not let go of his Uncle Ryan the whole afternoon. He was as happy as a kid on Christmas morning all snuggled in his lap.




And so from that moment on we dropped any and every plan we had and spent the whole week playing and having fun together as a family. Heres a recap of our week.

A Night at the Coconut Bowl up in Reno at the Wild Island Water Park. We went Miniature Golfing in the neon light golf course. Played in the giant kid/adult playhouse. Got a few tickets and red flags racing bumper cars...ROCK ON!!! And finished the night off with a giant Popsicle at 11:00pm. That was a fun evening...the kids have never sleeped so good as that night. We wore them out.








Spent some good old family time out in our backyard making S'mores and visiting with each other.


We all got to witness Trevor's 1st S'more. He usually just eats the roasted marshmallows, but this time he requested his first S'more and made it all by himself.

We went out to dinner at the Olive Garden (Ryan's request). Even our Cousin Jasmine was able to come. She drove all the way from Sacramento to just have dinner with us. It was her birthday to so we surprised her with a special dessert at the restaurant.

And we spent our last night together at the Reno Aces Baseball game. This was Melanies first time ever at a live Baseball game. We had so much fun just hanging out together laughing, telling jokes, talking, and just being together. We even got to view their fireworks show after the game. It was a great way to spend out last night together. Great memories.



I dont have pics for some of the things we did, but Ryan did spend a special day with Tyler one on one. They went for a long bike ride to a park and played basketball. They also rode their bikes to a nice mexican restaurant for lunch. That meant the world to Tyler. He really loves his Uncle Ryan.

I do have to say I shed some tears as I watched him drive away. Knowing he has 4 more years of fighting this war and few seldom times to come home and see us inbetween. But the moments we do get to spend with him are moments we cherish as a family more then anything. We are so proud of him for his courage and bravery to fight for our freedom and remain level headed and strong willed through the whole experience. I love my brother and continue to pray for another safe return home. As our little saying goes...Rock On!!!