Living in a Can

I basically live in one third of a metal trailer. Well my roommate and I do. Right now I am sitting in a foldout chair next to our trailer with my laptop using the internet. It's quite a site in the desert. The weather has been getting cooler which is nice. I'm actually wearing a fleece pullover. Randi and the kids seem to be doing great. Actually they seem to be doing better without me, which kinda bums me out a little. Brady, Abby and Ironman, Daddy misses you a lot. TV must stink back home. We only get a few channels and they are all showing election or financial bailout stuff. I did get to see a small part of the VT vs NEB game. Go hokies # 20 in the AP. They are looking pretty good right now. Well, hope everyone is well. I am hoping that my schedule will get more routine soon and I will be able to post more often.

On Deck

Here are a few pictures of my trip into country this time. One of my last junk food and one of my C-17 flight.

Now that I'm here again, I'd say it hasn't changed that much. Still lots of sand, some funny looking creatures, lots of sand, weather is terrible and there is a lot of sand. Randi has posted an update on Colby's page and some new pictures, so make sure you check that out. I will try to post another update soon.

I don't dig packing

If there was one part of deployment I hate the most it is packing. I should hire someone to do it for me. A certain Eagle Scout named David comes to mind...

Some Pre-Deployment Fun

I haven't left yet, but I wanted to share a bit from my day today. Colby's surgeon came to the air station and flew the simulator today. I truly hope he enjoyed himself.
I have added a link to Colby's Carepage on the side bar so you can check my page and his at your leisure.
Just like before, I hope this blog can be a conversation among friends and family. As I see people join the blog I will be updating permissions to allow you all to post messages. That way we can all keep up and share funny stories.

Deploying Again

It's that time again. I haven't used this blog in about 2 years but I hope to reinvigorate this site and stay in touch with family and friends again this way. My deployed email address is eric.j.keith@aa.mnf-wiraq.usmc.mil. I will let you all know on here when that is active. Hope to hear from you all soon.

One Year Old!!

Brady had a very fun Dinosaur Birthday Party.

Look out he's on the move...

Brady is now becoming quite good pulling himself up and cruising between the furniture. It won't be long till he is standing alone and walking. I guess Randi will never get a break now. He also has his two front teeth top and bottom so look out, he bites.

Another one bites the dust...

Well Kev, welcome to the land of the married. I am very happy for you. Maura, take care of our Kevin and I hope that we can all find time to hang out in the future. Your wedding was beautiful. Good luck.

Prison Break

I havn’t seen this one either.  Although its not the wiggles, barney, or teletubbies so I am sure I would enjoy it.

 

JB

I haven't seen it yet

JB, I haven't watched that one. The previews look pretty good. I'll have to set the DVR to record it. How about Prison Break, have you seen that one?

The Unit

What do you and your military buddies think of the new CBS show “The Unit”?  I find it very interesting and is good for the entertainment value, however, I question the realism.

 

JB

 

What neat fishes...

Brady got to see the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher today. He loved it and so did Randi and I.
Here he is with his new buddies.
Oooh, shimmery.
This Grouper followed Randi all around the tank. We even walked from one side of the tank down a hall with no windows to the other side and he came over and found her.

Don't Call it a Comeback...

Now that I am finally home and settling in with my terrific family, I really hope to keep this thing up to date. It really is great to be home. SO to all of you (It might just be you Randi) who read this, "What's up" and "Hope you can write on here soon and often to keep in touch." Track record on that isn't good as of yet...

Check out my new Ride...

The CH-46E Sea Knight, affectionately known as the "Phrog" is slowly retiring after more than 40 years of dedicated service. Though I will always love this old girl, shown here on NVG's, it's time to move on. My email address and this blog site won't change names, just my aircraft will.

I just got selected to fly the MV-22. I will finish up my time here in Iraq and then stay with my squadron until June when we stand-down. Then my training on tilt-rotor aircraft will begin.

What kind of a Dad would I be if I didn't post this one...

Football Season is almost over...

Well, the college football season had its ups and downs. Tech finished with a nice win over Louisville, but then lost its QB to stupidity. I hope Glendennon or one of the other back ups are up to the task next year. The Steelers are looking good. If they can get pressure on Manning and keep the Bus rolling then I think they can beat the Colts. Hope everyone is doing well.

More Posts...

I have found myself with the tendency to not write here unless I have pictures. I have no I idea what has led me to that and I will try to fix it. We are on the downward slide here in country. Won't be long and I will be breathing American air again.

My Trip to Baghdad...

I just got back from Downtown Baghdad. Myself and one of my Marines, SSgt Michael Rivera, got to visit the city for his reenlistment. His tour was up and he had chosen to reenlist for another four years. This involves a short ceremony and for someone like him with eleven years in, he was deserving of something special. We flew into the city on the 22nd and stayed till Christmas morning.
We stayed in the U.S. Embassy, which is one of Saddam's old Palaces (the top picture here, not the bombed one here), and did his ceremony at the Crossed Swords next to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The Tomb is from the Iran-Iraq War and is for the same purpose as our own like memorial. The Crossed Swords are bookends for a parade deck where Saddam used to hold daily parades. We conducted the ceremony and then took a tour of the city. Here are two of the Saddam busts that were removed from the palaces. This guy really thought a lot of himself. It was quite a trip and was a very unique way to spend Christmas Eve and Morning...

Merry Christmas...

Here is my version of a Christmas Card. It is from Al Taqaddum Airfield. Merry Christmas to all...

"Chewy's" Aircraft and Crew...

Here is Ole #5. My Crew is Capt Drew "Buck" McFarland and LCpl Sabrina Lopez. Lopez told us we could put a picture of Vida Guerra on our armor if she could put our names in pink... Capt McFarland is a talented artist and he freehanded this drawing while looking at a Maxim picture of Vida.