Farewell: The Henning Family

May 10-11, 2012

There are not a lot of farewells at the legal office--few and far between. Well the goodbye season has begun. The Henning family started us off with a goodbye bbq at the park area on base. It was a long day for the boys. We started off at the spouse club breakfast where they played for 2 hours, I drove around so they would sleep for an hour in the car, and then we went to the bbq at 1 p.m. Despite the circumstances, they did great--just played, played, and played!

Playing with Mrs. Linda.
Porter loves Brett.Erin bought "Guido" and is shipping him back to the states. Everyone had a good time honking the horn--especially all the kids.

I remember watching Caden throw the baseball with Sean when the guys and Erin had softball games. He was a tiny little person just about the boy's size. Now he's super-tall and all grown up. The Hennings live past us in Sacile and have always been so helpful to us--Sean with our cars, Erin having us over for American night (she's a fabulous cook), and Kaden for entertaining the boys when we have office functions. They will be missed!Friday night we went over to the Davis' house for an impromptu grill night. We were not quite packed for Switzerland, but you have to eat right? Porter and Eli had fun running around, kicking the ball, and throwing their water bottles into the well near the front door.
My little Italian man standing and watching with his hands behind his back.This is very Porter-like. So observant.

31st Fighter Wing Annual Awards

Evan was nominated for Company Grade Officer of the Year for the Annual Award Ceremony. What an honor to be nominated with four other deserving officers. There were 13 categories and there were 3 nominees in 3 different categories from the legal office. There was a great representation that night as so many from the office showed their support for Evan, Chris, and Sonia.

This is prior to the medal ceremony.
Waiting in the wings to receive his medal.
To start off the event, all the nominees walked through a saber arch with their escort. I was his lucky date!The nominee.
The Robinson.The Watsons. AKA The Boss and the guy who nominated Evan. Thank you for the opportunity!
Dr. Sonia Posocco and her Mother. She is an Italian attorney in the office.
Chris and her firefighter husband, Michael. Chris is the resident cook, diva, and front office person at the office.
We did not plan the black and red theme.I am really proud of Evan and all he has accomplished this year and the past 4.5 while we've been on this adventure. Try something new and different turned into Little Rock. It turned adventurous coming to Aviano. It turned life-changing with the birth of the boys. All the while he has plugged away at the office. As long as he's happy, I'm happy.

JAG Holiday Party

The Watson family hosted the JAG Christmas party again this year and we made it this time around. Last year it was on the day we got back from the states. It was a fun evening of food and presents with the white elephant gift exchange.

Deb was the best hostess! She cleared out her son's room and had some kid toys for the boys, a drawing area downstairs, and a movie going with game options. The boys ate and ate and ate, then played and played, then crashed on the way home as it was past their bedtime.
This was Eli's first time drawing. Mrs. Linda was very patient and brave to hold a 1.5 year old with a marker dodging this way and that way.After all the presents were opened and we were cleaning up the trash, Eli played with Missy and April by hiding his pacifier in the box. Over and over and over and over again.

Major Davis' Party

August 5, 2011

Major Davis is leaving for his deployment next week. To send him off, he and April hosted a party. It was great to spend a nice evening in their FANtastic yard and house. We took the wagon for Porter and Eli to push around.
Porter really likes to push!
Major Davis preparing the paella. April bought a pan and did a test run! It was delicious.
Major Davis, Colonel Watson, and April--with the HUGE pan of paella!
They had great bier-garten tables for the entire office to make themselves comfortable!
Eli waving his hands. It was a late night for the boys but they played so great and pushed the wagon all over their yard.
Ella helping Eli practice walking.

Ciao Joni & Stella!

July 16, 2011

Tonight we went to the Watson's house for a joint going-away for Joni and Stella.
There are always lots of hands around to play with the boys. Ella is helping Eli toddle.
Stella, one of the guests of honor, on the right.
Linda and Sonia, our Italian grand-mothers, work in the office.
Part of the Motley crew.
Deb outdoes herself every time on the set-up.
Lt Col Watson getting some of the homemade goodies.
Porter and Eli walked around the fabulous yard with their wagon. They also loved peeking through the porch wall. The Watsons also have a beautiful view of the mountains, as they live in Dardago, which is on the way up into the mountains. It is gorgeous, open yard and they have a trampoline, which I may or may not have jumped on with all the other little ones. To be honest, I was wearing a sundress before we left and Evan mentioned that the Watsons had a trampoline. I quickly changed to shorts in hopes that bouncing would be allowed--it was. We played Crack the Egg. I miss having a trampoline.
Ladies enjoying dessert!
Joni is very generous--she hosted us for Christmas last year, even with our 2 little bundles. Joni is also good for a laugh. She got into a little fender bender early on here in Aviano. It was not her fault at all, really, but after the Carabinieri investigated and gathered information, it was decided—she was at fault. She was wearing flip-flops. No question, she was guilty. She is headed to Dyess AFB in Texas.
Porter looking into the cooler. I think this was when he started grabbing pieces of ice and taking them out.
Evan assisted Stella with her application/interview process for the JAG Corps back in Little Rock. It was serendipitous that her first assignment was Aviano and we followed her here. Every now and then Stella and I would sit and chat about the food we miss from Little Rock. Stella is such a sweet person and she will be missed.