USMA Ring Weekend

What a fabulous weekend we had celebrating Dominic. Traditionally West Point Cadets receive their class ring at the beginning of their final year to honor The Long Gray Line. We were lucky enough to be able to make the trip to the US to celebrate with Dominic.  

We arrived on Thursday night and Dominic was able to leave campus to have dinner with us. We do love to maximize our time with him.

Panoramic view

Friday was the ring ceremony. It takes place overlooking the Hudson and it's incredible to see the Firsties march in and line up by company in their India Whites. It was hot and humid but somehow they have learned just not to think about the heat. Their commanding officer individually handed them their rings, it was a beautiful ceremony.

Dominic's Company

After the ceremony Dominic found us and we have to say, he is looking really happy to have reached this milestone at West Point. He also presented me with a necklace and Steve with a pin that are smaller versions of his ring. A really thoughtful, meaningful and sweet gift from him.

Super proud parents

Dominic and his friend Johnny are happy to show off!

Afterwards, the cadets head back to the barracks to change trying to avoid the plebes (freshmen) and they following them around and shout the ring poop at them. See the video above.  The words are as follow:

Oh my god, sir! What a beautiful ring!

What a crass mass of brass and glass!

What a bold mold of rolled gold!

What a cool jewel you got from your school!

See how it sparkles and shines?

It must have cost you a fortune! Please sir, may I touch it?

May I touch it please, sir?

We then spent the evening with Dominic, his two best friends Johnny and Michael and their families at a great steakhouse, enjoying really happy cadets. These families have been such a wonderful blessing to us over the last three years. We are all so happy our boys are such good friends.

Saturday night there was a dinner and a "hop" but we had the day free. We took a "quick" drive up to Albany to visit Steve's mom, his sister and her family. Dominic chose to spend the day this way and we were happy to oblige and enjoy the time with family. We forgot to take a lot of photos but did get some of our super cute great niece and great nephews.

Dominic and the twins

My favorite great-niece!

Saturday night was fun. We met more of Dominic's friends and enjoyed all of the cadets celebrating their start of their last year at USMA. We think Dominic looks pretty darn good in his India Whites too.

Dominic

Steve, Missy & Dominic

Michael and Dominic

Charles and Dominic

Life size version of the class ring

First Day of School!

It's that time of year! Everyone has started school!

Dominic is a FIRSTIE at West Point. That means he is a senior - one year to go. He's majoring in Environmental Science and looking forward to the privileges being a Firstie brings.

AJ is a junior at BGSU. He is majoring in Middle School Education and loving all things about it. He is also president of his Club Volleyball Team.

Stefanie is in her FIRST year at BGSU. We are excited to see where freshman year takes her, we know she is going to be awesome!

Rachel is a junior at Munich International School and now living the life of an only child. She's not sure she's a fan yet. She'll be busy this year - she starts the IB, soccer/basketball/track, and all her different activities, and of course friends. She's working hard to be busy enough for four kids.

Fly Stefanie Fly!

And here we go again! Stefanie is off to college, she has flown the nest! She has chosen Bowling Green State University for her next educational step. She is also excited to have AJ there with her.

Is Grandpa Teddy excited for Stefanie to be so nearby or to have his basement empty?

Moving a daughter into college is decidedly different than a son. We have progressively had move to move in with each one of them.  Of course Dominic was limited to a duffel bag when he reported to school but still, what Stefanie has compared to AJ is significantly different.  Thankfully my parents were kind enough to let her "stage" her packing in their basement.

Love these carts!

We missed all of the regular orientation dates so Stefanie was part of the International students orientation. The best part about this was she got to move into her dorm early. This meant avoiding the chaos and crowds of a normal move-in day. AND having the entire space in her dorm room to unpack.

Looking good!

We got her all settled but since no one else is moved in yet, she spent the night with me. Her roommate is from Bowling Green and her family was kind enough to have us over for dinner. I think they are going to be GREAT friends.

Freida Falcon, Haily, Stefanie & Freddie Falcon

I know Stefanie is ready to SOAR to success at school!

Meanwhile at USMA...

Dominic only had a short summer break. After classes ended he spent three weeks at Cadet Leader Development Training. This is to train the cadets in the kind of scenarios they might find themselves in when they deploy. This falls into the category of things moms don't want to think about.

Training is nearly done!

A very tired Dominic...

Dominic then had a quick three weeks with us which we all enjoyed. He took the time to recharge and read as much as he could. Some things just don't change.

He had to report back to West Point the second week of July. He was a platoon leader for the second half of Beast, the summer training for incoming cadets that he endured the summer he began at West Point.

Dominic's Platoon

The Gillies!

AJ, Stefnaie, Becca, Chris, Maya & Shannon

Our good friends from Delaware relocated to Ohio last year. Lucky us they were willing to drive from the Cincinnati area to meet us about an hour away from my parents. We had a great afternoon with them A superb catch-up lunch and then a fun afternoon at a nearby park. It was a great day, plus we got to meet the newest addition to their family, Shannon's daughter Maya. She's adorable!

Kevin, Missy & Patrice

Indians again!

What do you do when you find yourself with a beautiful sunny day in Ohio? Go to a Cleveland Indians game! How lucky for us that there was an afternoon game and my parents were also available to go.

Stefanie & AJ with Jim Thorpe

We picked great seats with a great view and shade which proved useful on a hot afternoon! The only downside of our day was that the Indians couldn't hold on for a win, but they'll get them next time!

Granny, Stefanie & Missy

Grandpa Teddy, Granny, Stefanie, AJ & Missy

Ithaca - Part Two!

We headed back to Ithaca for a few more days of a family time (unfortunately without Dominic) before Steve and Rachel headed back to Germany. This time was spent swimming, fishing and relaxing. And Steve added a new toy to his collection, an excellent photo drone.  This adds a new element to his photography!

All controlled with his phone!

Steve, Stefanie and AJ are our most patient fisherpeople. AJ is often successful with a just a stick and a string ala Huck Finn!

And sometimes it rains. Stefanie chose to embrace it!