Before Kyle's Deployment

The Pankau Family at WWII Memorial

Last weekend, the Pankau's got together with the Smiley's to welcome Kyle home from training and to say goodbye before he heads out to Iraq for a year. Kyle is getting ready to deploy with his unit and this was the last time that the family could get all together. So we packed up our car and headed north for the long 15 hour drive to Northern Virginia. We left right after I got off work and drove through the night arriving before everyone else. This was good cause we had planned to get some rest, but instead we headed to Sterling Elementary to say hi to Janet. It was more so she could show off her boys :-) After a brief visit we then headed to Guilford Elementary to see Trevor's dad Mark at his school. Derek immediately fell in love. He finally realized that his grandpa is a Gym Teacher. Oh boy both boys were in heaven. Instead of staying for a quick 10 minute visit, it easily turned into an hour. All of us were playing like we were little kids. Trevor and I had a great game of horse, in which I won. We played kickball, tried hockey, basketball, jump rope, etc....we definitely had our fill of exercise for the day. The boys were so cute. They kept going into Mark's office and pulling out more and more toys. Derek enjoyed it so much that he wanted to stay the whole afternoon, and so he did. He helped his grandpa with his afternoon classes. According to Mark, Derek took control. He helped some kids with their skipping, and was ready on the microphone to belt out instructions to the class. Too bad we didn't get pics of any of it.
In Front of the White House (Austin was pointing at a plane that went by)

So by the evening everyone started to arrive. First BJ and Andrea, then Meghan (Kyle's fiancee), and finally the guest of honor, Kyle. (Eric was the only one who didn't have to drive in from somewhere.) Derek wanted to stay up so bad so he could see Kyle, but he fell asleep at the table. It was too cute. Once Kyle arrived we hung out and talked and listened to some of his stories from training and we all had questions. This was Kyle's weekend. Whatever he wanted to do is what we did. Well kind of.
Derek is one cool dude "reflecting" at the WWII memorial.
Aunt Andrea and Austin going for a Stroll

Saturday morning, us "kids", as in no grandkids and no grandparents, went to have pics done. We decided that it would be a good idea to get pics of all four boys and their wives/fiancee prior to Kyle leaving. Something for mom to have and to hang up. It was a good time. The boys were their usual self and could not stop from being goofy or laughing. We did manage to get a few good photos of just them. Then we did some of just the girls, and of course some of all of us together. Once we got back, Meghan's parents were there and we were ready to head downtown to our Nation's Capital. We took a leisurely stroll downtown and visited the different memorials. It was a perfect day to do so. The sun was shining and it was actually in the 50's. Perfect for those of us from Florida. After our afternoon we headed back for pizza and wings. That night the rest of the kids went out to party with Kyle's friends. The perfect send off. Trevor and I did not participate since we knew we had a long drive back on Sunday.
Derek and his bud Uncle Kyle.
The boys with their girls.
The Pankau chics
All of the Pankau kids.
Charlie's Angels. (You know it)
Forboys
Aren't they cute :-)

So Sunday morning we woke up, had breakfast, caught up some more and then we packed up and headed back to Florida on our very long 15 hour drive. We are surely going to miss Kyle while he is gone. Derek adores his Uncle and hopes to skype him a few times while he is away. So please keep Kyle in your prayers and for his safe return so that we may celebrate his wedding next summer in 2011. We cannot wait.