We're Engaged!!

Kevin proposed on February 16, 2010!! We were on top of a mountain in Lake Tahoe, when he popped the question. It was an amazing moment that we will never forget.
We were on top of the world!!

HOMECOMING CEREMONY!!!!!

Mason City Homecoming Ceremony

Wednesday, October 28, 2009
11:30 AM


Anyone is welcome to come!!


If you aren't able to make the ceremony, no worries.....
there will be lots of time to catch up with Kevin -
He will be home FOR GOOD!!
He's so excited to see you all again!!!!

Welcome Home SSG Kevin Olson!

WELCOME HOME KEVIN!!!!!

As you take the first step,
Stop.

Take in all that you can from that very moment you arrive.
Listen.

The hearts that surround you are pounding.
Watch.

Tears will flow because you are home.
You are safe.
You make us proud.
You make us free.


You make us who we are because you are all you can be.

**Unknown Author

Last Night In Kuwait

Time In Kuwait Has Come To An End!!!!

The time has finally arrived!! All missions have been completed and awards have been given!! Kevin is coming home!!! He will be leaving Camp Arifjan TOMORROW, October 22!!!!



After leaving Camp Arifjan, he will be flying to Fort McCoy, Wisconsin where he will do his Demobilization. This should take about 5 days to complete the briefings and medical exams. Then as soon as they get the go ahead, he will be heading to Mason City for the homecoming ceremony!

I don't know specifics about the homecoming ceremony yet; but I do know it will be held at the Mason City Fairgrounds. Stay tuned....I will post again when I know all the details!

The deployment is finally over!!!
I'm SOOOO excited to see him again!!!

Kevin at the Awards Ceremony - Camp Arifjan, Kuwait

Kevin enjoying a little downtime with the guys at the 1133rd pizza party.
He had a good time, but he's definitely ready for an American Pizza Pie!!

Replacements Are There!!!!

Great news!!! The replacements for Kevin's group have arrived in Kuwait!!!! We have hit a huge milestone! This is definitely the home stretch now! I couldn't help but get a little emotional when I heard the news. We've been waiting for this so long.

Kevin said they got there on Wednesday night and are getting settled in. They will begin their training and hopefully be done in the next 3 weeks or so. Once they finish the training they will be leaving Kuwait and on their way to Fort McCoy, Wisconsin for their medical evaluations and debriefings. They will be there for about 5 days before they come home.

The homecoming ceremony will be in Mason City. I will keep you all posted on specifics as I find out more.

Next Month!!!

I'm SO excited that I can actually say that Kevin will be back next month!! We still don't know specifics, but everything is right on track for him to be back at the end of October.

Next weekend he will be switching back to daytime hours so they will be ready for their replacements to arrive. They should be there soon after that. This is a HUGE milestone for Kevin as training the new troops is the final stage before coming home!

We are both so excited for him to come home and for things to get back to normal. I have a shirt of Kevin's that I haven't washed; and every now and then I'll pull it out and let Goo smell it. Goo still gets excited, sniffing and licking the shirt. It will be so fun to watch his reaction when he sees Kevin again.




I will keep everyone posted as I find out more on final dates for his arrival and homecoming ceremony. It's getting so close...We will see him NEXT MONTH!!!

Kevin's Mission

Kevin went on his first mission at the beginning of September. Things had been so busy with the missions coming and going that they needed someone to go, so he did. He went into the southern part of Iraq and back. The mission lasted about 4 days, and thankfully it was uneventful. Kevin enjoyed getting out of the base for awhile to do something a little different and out of his normal routine. Here are some pictures of Kevin on his mission.

The wrecker

Kevin and his truck partner, Chad Holt

Kevin driving the wrecker