A Daddy Returns...

Wow, it seems crazy to think that my sister Brooke's husband Elliott has been gone almost a whole year! In case you don't remember, he got a phone call the end of last March telling him that he was being deployed to Iraq and they wanted him the next day. Since it was a complete surprise to him, he was able to get 3 extra days but that was it. He quickly packed up all of their belongings, got his stuff together, and then got on a plane bound for Texas to meet up with a group of soldiers he had never met for what he thought would probably be over a year. Did I mention the part where he had to leave behind his 1 1/2 year old daughter and 3 month pregnant, and SICK, wife? He got a few days to come back and visit in May before his group left for Iraq, but then he was off! When he returned for his 2 week leave in November, he came home to a happy wife, a wild 2 year old, and a sweet 6 week old baby girl. He left again the first part of December, thinking he might be back in March or maybe even February. Imagine everyone's surprise when he found out he would be home in January! We got to go to the welcome home ceremony this past Saturday. Of course we got there just after all the tv news crews had left. But then again, maybe that's okay. But he is famous! His picture was on-line in the story about the group returning! Maybe I can find it...

For several days before his return Ellee had been waiting, getting more and more excited. We didn't know for sure when he would be back until Friday when he called Brooke to say "I'll be there tomorrow!" Needless to say, we dropped everything! We were so excited! After getting to the Army Reserves offices Ellee started looking for her Daddy. It was cute to see her looking at all the other soldiers in the room, knowing that they were wearing the right clothes but they weren't her Daddy. She kept saying "I On't See 'Im." When we were asked who we were looking for every other soldier said, "Oh, the tall guy!" :D I guess he's easy to spot!! :P Ellee was super excited, until he walked into the room. She kind of smiled at first, enough for him to give her a new ladybug bear (she LOVES ladybugs! And he always brings her something special... What a sweet Daddy!) and for us to take a picture, but that was it.





Then we got this face, for seriously the next hour!


The funniest part was when Elliott had to go into the other room for a few minutes and he set Ellee down, but before doing that he said "Can I have a kiss?" And as he went to kiss her she pulled her head back, threw her hands in between their faces, started waving them frantically back and forth, saying "No, no, no, no, no!!!" Oh, she's a funny girl!!

But Emelyn seemed happy to see him... She is such a happy, sweet little baby!


Then we went into the room where they had the ceremony and the returning soldiers were given some awards. There were some pretty funny moments but over all everyone was just glad to have them safely home. Emelyn was the highlight of the room! People were asking to take her picture because she was so happy -- smiling and giggling! And she sure seemed to know when people were watching! She's gonna be a little performer, that one!! :D

When Elliott got his awards they invited his family to come up with him. I thought that was a really nice thing to do since it wasn't just him that has sacrificed over this past 10 months.


And there isn't much that a juicy and cookie won't fix...


Oh yeah, and Daddy sharing his presents helps too...


Here's a Daddy with his 2 sweet girls...


No, make that his 3 girls...


And at the end of the day we have the Happy Hinckley Family together again!!


We sure are glad to have you home Elliott!!


But boy are we gonna miss these girls when you all head back to Colorado... :(