Team Fun

Unfortunately the loss of team members is what it took for all of us to hug more and get together with each other more.  Even though Brad is recently out of the military it is a brotherhood thing that he will always belong to and bonds  that can never be broken.  Everyone took some family and regrouping time after the Memorial on Thursday but by Sunday we were back hanging with our friends. 

Before I get to all the Sunday pictures, here is Gavin as Buzz.  He came up to me and said “on” and held it out.  He was so giggly and happy with himself.  Hopefully Halloween will be this cute and maybe the pacifier will be gone by then! That’s a lovely thought.   

Easton dressed in the “Major League Redhead” shirt passed down from Gavin.  The second picture he is sneezing! Now we are ready to barbecue Brian and Becky style……

Meet “ducky” as Bradley has named her since he was 2 and couldn’t say Becky.  She loves the name but not as much as she loves her Bradley.  He really knows how to charm her.  She is such a sucker but it was her house so I guess she could do whatever she wanted!

Lacey and Easton

Tom and Brad.  Tom and Brad go way back from early on in the pipeline to become PJ’s.  Tom and his wife Marie traveled from Albuquerque to be here for everything. 

Adam and Lace.

Gavin trying to back through the doggy door while getting his hands on a keg for the first time.  Wow, that came early.  I thought we had at least until his teenage years before he tried beer!

Bradley swimming with Wyatt and William and Torey in the background. 

He loved this raft and relaxing on it. 

 

Gavin sliding.  I love his excitement and enthusiasm. 

Men mingling. 

Gavin was a little overwhelmed when the dogs both wanted to hang around him.  They had just licked his face. 

All the guys that were able to make it.  Some stationed in other states and some out of the military like Brad.  Let me see if I can name all of them….

Wes,Tom, Clint, Pat, Liam, Brian, Zach, Adam, Ben, Mike, Brad and Rob.

We stayed until 10:30 so this is how Bradley looked when we left.  Easton slept in the porta crib there and Gavin was a trooper and stayed up and was happy the whole time. 

We really do have a great “family” in our friends.  Everyone is grieving tremendously in their own way.  You can see we all try and make the best of it and we know spending time with each other is what is getting us through but you can literally feel them missing.  It is a big elephant in the room in their place and who knows when it will go away and when people will be healed from all of this a little more.  They will always be missed but I know there is a healthier way of missing them that has to come.  Instead of me sobbing all the time.  Johns wife was their and Dan’s girlfriend was too.  Amazingly strong women who are silently in deep intense pain.  They have a long road like all the family does so when you think of it a little prayer from time to time would help.  They will need them for the long haul.  

Give your friends big hugs today and tell them you love them.  If their is someone you think of calling and reconnecting with but keep putting it off, well now is the time to reconnect.  We are just passing through in this world but that doesn’t mean we should let life pass up by.  The friends and family that breathe life into you and that you appreciate with all your heart, make sure they know it! If you are reading this, I love you!