Dec. 14th: The most recent big news is that after being in Iraq for a year, Carolyn is safely home. Thanks for all the prayers and support. She got back to Minnesota on Nov. 29th and was released from the demobilization process on Dec 1st after a public welcome at the Red Wing High School. We had a welcome home party for Carolyn on Dec 10th. Our photo gallery page has pictures of her time in Iraq and her homecoming. Nov. 24th: Thanksgiving Day. As we were enjoying turkey with the Delaps, Pam's aunt Leah, Lynn, Joel, little Leah and Danielle, and David and Paul from the seminary, Carolyn was touching down in Kansas, at least back in the states. Be home in a few days. Oct 1st: Ben and Maria got married. Pam and I flew out to NJ with Dale, Lucy and Kent on Thursday, Sept. 30th. This was the first time flying for Dale & Lucy and the first time to the east coast. It was the first time to the northeast for Kent as well. Kirsten and her friend, Neil, flew in Friday night, just in time for the wedding. We had the grooms dinner Thursday evening at O'connor's Beef and Ale. Friday was a big day of site seeing in the Big Apple. Other than walking the modes of transportation were the train, subway, ferry, taxi and of course the automobile. A bunch of firsts for Dale & Lucy. The wedding was a real marithone celebration, starting with the wedding at noon, it was beautifully setup and done. They even had doves released from the church step after the ceremony. After the service and pictures we went to a local resturant for sandwiches and then to the hotel for checkin and getting ready for the reception. The reception started at 6 and went to 11:30. There were seven courses to the dinner spread out over the entire evening interspursed with dancing, and all the bride-groom activities like cutting the cake, kissing, throwing the garter and bouquite, featured dances and a lot of socializing. It was a wonderful time. After the reception the party continued at the hotel with karokee and generous libations, first in the bar and then by private arrangement in the hotel room until security moved us to the hotel library. About 3 a.m. I rolled into bed. On Sunday we spent the day in Philadelphia site seeing and then went to the Hard Rock Cafe for dinner. On Monday we flew home having spent four of the most wonderful days I can remember and Ben and Maria were off to Mexico for a week long honeymoon.