I apologize for going so long without posting but after my last one things got busy. We left March 29 for Oklahoma. It was a pretty good road trip to Lawton, OK (Ft. Sill) with 2 kids. THanks goodness for the invention of DVD players LOL! We finally got to the hotel after 4pm on March 30. I can’t tell you how glad I was to finally be in the same city as my husband after almost 10 weeks.
The next morning we headed over to the Basic Training facility side of the base to see some demonstrations and see Dan. Captain York (company commander) gave a mini-breifing on family day and graduation day, passes etc. Then they lead us over to an area where they were going to do some BCT demos. During the demonstrations with the first group of guys all of us are looking for Dan. I thought I saw him but couldn’t tell. All of a sudden, my youngest daughter Becca confirms it. “THATS MY DADDY” she yells at the top of her lungs. (she’s 3 1/2)
After all the demos were over, all the guys came down in their dress uniforms (Class A’s) Boy did they all look good! 
(but especially one in particular) He still looked like Dan but different. His face filled out a lot and he was a lot more muscular. (he gained about 10 lbs) Kiersten was very happy to see him and give him the biggest hug ever. Becca on the other hand was not so happy. She didn’t want to hug much less look at him. He tried to pick her up and she screamed for her uncle Pat. Dan was pretty upset about that but he understood. I think it took 2 hours of him “convincing” her that he was her daddy. Finally, it was like a lightbulb going off in her head…she realized it was him . After that, she wouldn’t leave his side.
We spent the rest of the day hanging out with Dan at the hotel. It was a nice time and I think the first time I was “relaxed” since he left. He had to be back at the base by 9p to get ready for graduation the next morning.
Graduation Day was pretty interesting…not what I expcted at all. I was expecting it to be outside like a parade type of thing. (Guess I’ve seen too many movies about BCT LOL) THis was inside a theater with all the guys setting at the front together. There were a couple of speeches, they announced everyone’s names and then they marched out singing cadence. Pretty simple if you ask me but nice nonetheless.
We spent the rest of the day hanging out at the hotel then Karen took us all to eat at Outback. It was a great time! Dan’s friend Mattimore(only know last names LOL) and his new bride (they got married on Family Day) joined us for dessert and drinks.
We headed back to the hotel and end up watching my nephew too so Karen and Pat could go to the casino in town. It was a nice time just spending time with our family.
The next morning we got up, had breakfast with Karen, went to the PX and headed home for Minnesota. The road trip back seemed harder than coming down but I think thats because we tried to do it in one day. We left OK at 1pm and got to MN at 530am…very long day.
I’ll post more later…!
Tammy
