The Big Event

Finally, I can tell you all about Ken's Assumption of Command and Promotion Ceremony.

We walked into the hanger where the ceremony would take place after a nifty bus ride from our morning reception. None of us were prepared for what awaited inside. Escorts for the family brought us into a hanger with over 600 airman standing at attention waiting for the official party (not us of course but wow, it sure made us feel special) it was a little embarrassing because we were being rather casual about the entrance until we got a glimpse of the crowd. Ken has over 1,100 airmen in his group and many came to show support.

Gabby and Danielle sang the National Anthem. It was beautiful and they got many compliments. Unfortunately no one minimized the moment by taking pictures (go figure- and on a military base :)

The Wing Commander, Col. Vautrain said a few words and officiated the assumption of command and Ken said "Sir, I assume command."

Now the fun part where the family got to get involved. Hoping we wouldn't get a heel stuck on the stair or trip our way across stage. We all maintained our usual level of dignity (ahhhemmm)

First Col Mounts and I changed his silver oak leaves and pinned on the eagles.

No, I wasn't sticking him.

Heather and Gabby removed his epaulets (shoulder boards)

Ken had to squat a little to help out.

Chris was pinning the eagle on his flight cap.

He looks like he's pondering joining ???

Justin and Danielle replaced them with the colonel epaulets.

It's trickier than it looks.

Col Mounts said some awesome things about Ken and led him through the Oath of Appointment.

All the girls got flowers and kisses. Pays to be female sometimes!

Ken got to say a few words to the troops. He was very good. I think that ministerial training is paying off. He challenged the airmen to look for opportunities to advance, work on their personal and professional goals and find someone to be their mentor. Basically, in his humble way he said, if he could do it-so could they.

I am so proud of Ken for all his accomplishments. I am proud of the man that he is. He is such a great husband, father, and commander.

Check out Heathers blog for another look at our weekend and the ceremony.

Pin On Weekend Cont....

Last Sunday was a beautiful sunny day with a little coolness in the air. What made it perfect was that it was the day of Ken's long awaited pin on ceremony. I can't wait to blog on the ceremony itself but I'm waiting to get some official pictures from Ken. So, I'll share the before and after in this blog.

We arrived on base about 8AM where they had a nice little reception waiting for us in the conference room. We hung out awhile with Steve & Nancy, Col. Mounts who Ken invited as a special guest to officiate the oath, and also had a visit from Col. and Mrs. Vautrain (Base Wing Commander).

We ate very large danishes.

Justin is wondering why we had to get there so early.

Heather was really excited about the day, working hard at keeping Ben in line. 

Sorry Heather, I couldn't resist.

Of course, he was an angel!

The ceremony was really impressive. Watch for my blog on that.

After the ceremony we got a personal tour of one of the C-5s. It was so awesome to see just how big these cargo planes are!

We climbed up a steep ladder-like set of stairs to where the seating is.

And back down and up another set of ladder-like stairs to the cockpit and crews area. 

Tough to do in heels.

Benny & Grandad found there way on board. What a sweet picture.

I think Benny was very impressed with the entire Air Force Experience.

Actually, we were all a little impressed with the day and what a special guy my husband is.

Benny got to sit in a tunner. It loads and unloads pallets on the aircraft.

We all enjoyed the tour and were ready to go celebrate some more at lunch.

All except Benny, he decided to sign-up and become a pilot. Bye mom...I'll write!

Stay tuned, more to come.

Reunited And It Feels So Good

There is nothing like having a house full of family. Boy, did we ever have a house full this weekend!

Our 3 bedroom ranch was overflowing with family, laughter, food, bedding, towels, toys, and luggage.

The family statrted arriving late Thursday night. Heather, Andy & Benny came late- hoping the little guy would sleep on the trip. I think they got 1 hour out of him.

The rest of the kids came in Friday- Gabby, Justin and Katie came in from Lockport and Danielle claiming the farthest drive came in from State College Pa. We even got a visit from my friend Chris that night, who had a conference in Albany and decided to drive an hour and a half each way for a visit. Plus she brought me Starbucks! What a friend!

Needless to say there where bodies everywhere: 3 girls in the livingroom, 2 in each bedroom, and poor Benny ended up in the basement (semi-finished) It didn't seem to bother him. Hopefully he won't grow up with any weird phobias from the experience.

The gang was in for Ken's Pin On Ceremony on Sunday. He was promoted to Colonel and this weekend we all got to be part of the official pin on. Festivities started Saturday night with a cookout, ice-cream cake and presents. This was a really big deal so we celebrated Ken. 

Steve & Nancy, great friends from WNY came to be part of the celebration and to be at the ceremony. Steve has been a great mentor to Ken throughout his carrier and a good brother in Christ. Steve ia a retired Chief Master Sargent. Ken worked with him at Niagara ARB.

The next morning we'd be getting 10 people up and ready to be on base at 8AM for the big event.

That will be another blog-more pictures to come!  

That's Not All

Not only was last week busy because it was our first week in the new house and I started teaching at a new school- "that's not all oh no that's not all"

Ho had a busy week of his own. Ho is the nickname for my new Rav4 which I affectionately named Horton after my favorite coffee. If you know me you would understand. btw Chris gave him the nickname :)

So, on my 4th day of school as I was driving in the parking lot, looking for a space, a women backed her car into me. Sigh.... he isn't even 6mo old. Anyway, it was all very civil except she eluded to the delusion that we were both at fault. We'll let the insurance companies sort that out. Estimate, about 3,000.00 for repairs.

At least his first incident is over- but I'll still be very careful with my Ho!

Little Darlings

The school year has begun and I have to share my little ones with you. It's my first year at LYA It is a Jewish Day School and I teach third grade in the afternoon.

It is a new experience teaching the curriculum in half of a day but since I have only 9 students I'm hoping that I can accomplish this.

For the most part they are sweet kids, but look into there eyes- the year will not be all fun and games. One of these angels is already giving me a run for the money.

It feels great to have a class again. I'm sharing the room with a Rabbi, super nice guy. He teaches Hebrew studies in the morning. 

On the way home from school the first day, one of my students told his mom it was one of the best days of his life. I had Open House today and heard some nice comments from the parents. 

It feels good doing something each day that invests in children's lives.

One More Item to Move In

I've been MIA for a while, the move took on momentum and then school started this past Monday. Pictures of the new house will follow but the unpacking process is taking some time.

It's not all been work though because right in the middle of all this fun, Ken's Vette was ready to come home- to our new home.

Why not have everything happen all at once!

It was a great break from the work to go for a drive with the T-tops off!

Day Three of the Move

Two more trips!

side view

front view

I;m so tired :)

New Episode of Hoarders

Today was day 2 of the move. Chris and I made 2 trips in the van- picture above.

Then we made 1 more (2 vehicle) trip with Ken this evening.
No one should have this much stuff!

Moving, Moving, Moving!

It's happening! Yes we are finally moving into a house here in MA. 

This past weekend we moved Danielle to State College PA. 

Where she will be doing her last semester of student teaching.  

The Van, plus carrier and her Kia were loaded. 

We drove about 7 hours and with  just a few cat incidents (bodily functions), 

and one change of shorts for Danielle, we got there and  carried everything up 2 flights of stairs. 

We came home Sunday and started packing our own boxes.

Monday after dinner we took 3 loads, Van & Horton (Rav4) to our new 2 car garage 

& started the move.

We will complete things on Sat. if all goes well- 

Ken goes out of town Sun. and I start teaching Mon. I guess Chris will have to do all the unpacking:)

I love when life is crazy!!!

Maybe We Do have Jewish Roots!

At Michael and Megans grad party we discovered that my grandmother's maiden name was not actually Cramer- which we have believed for our entire life. Apparently, her father (my great grandfather) went to live with the Cramer family when he was a young boy. His real name was Kisner. 

Well, we all got very excited about the prospect of having some Polish blood (especially Ted) but then we also realized that Kisner sounds Jewish. So, naturally we immediately claimed that Jewish heritage!

William and Sarah Kisner from Sullivan Co. PA

Could these people be our ancestors?

The meaning of the name is "one who made or sold boxes" or "made cushions, pillows, and quilts" or "one who dealt in fur"

Oh and the most I can find out on-line (free) is that it's a German sir name, or British, or Russian, oh and yes, I found many Jewish and some polish people named Kisner.

I have said all this to say: I GOT THE JOB!
I will be teaching third grade part-time at a Jewish day school. Lubavitcher Yeshiva Academy
The students have secular studies half of the day and Jewish studies the other half. So, my challenge will be to teach the entire third grade curriculum in half the school day. I am super excited about this opportunity, I believe it's a gift from God!

So, you may think this is all kibbitz and my mishpocheh is really a bunch of goyim. I don't mean to be a yente and spin  a tale about my bubbe. I don't want to kvetsh, so believe my shmaltzy story just a bissel, I'm no smendrik! Oy vey!