My dad made the rank of Colonel in the Air Force! It’s quite the accomplishment and we’re very proud of him. We attended his pinning ceremony while in Massachusetts.

Before the ceremony we had breakfast at my dad’s new office. Chris enjoyed sitting in the big man’s chair.

Ben kept himself occupied by giving bear rides in the stroller.

After breakfast my dad headed out to get ready and the rest of the family were bussed to the base’s hangar where the ceremony would be. We did kind of make goofs of ourselves when we first entered because we walked right past our military escorts and entered talking really loudly. When we rounded the corner and saw hundreds of airmen in attendance we quieted down and found our seats. *hangs head in shame*

My dad taking the rank of Colonel.

Leslie putting on my dad’s pins. Full bird baby!

Us kids got to participate too!

Speech, speech!

Ben was a really good little boy during the whole ceremony. I kept giving him suckers to help with the being quiet ;-)

After the ceremony, everyone wanted to shake my dad’s hand and talk to the family. Danielle and Gabby sung the National Anthem, I didn’t get any pictures though because I would have felt really awkward stepping out to interrupt things. They received several compliments though, their duet was beautiful!

There were military police cars and fire trucks on display for the ceremony too.

Ben was fascinated with the fire trucks. Gabby overheard one of the military police officers muttering “Kids always like the fire trucks better.” Haha.

Ben got to sit in the tunner which loads pallets and equipment onto planes.

The family also got a tour of a C-5.

The cargo plane is huge!

Learning about the plane’s cockpit and controls.

Graffiti in the cockpit.

Bathroom facilities on board. Sleeping arrangements weren’t much better with bays where men were basically stacked on top of each other.

My dad and Ben. Love.

Silly boy.

My dad and Leslie.

We actually managed to get a halfway decent family picture too!

Colonel MSG Commander. So proud of you dad!