Michael's Promotion to Major!

The day finally arrived! Michael picked up Major! It was a pretty big shock to us since we didn't think his number would come up until around Jan/Feb 2015 ... so we are so excited that he was promoted before baby girl arrived!

My brother and his family made the trek from Charlottesville to help celebrate with us!

Scout and Caleb causing trouble in the background - Savannah really classed up the ceremony with her velvet dress :) (I so love that girl!):

Cousins on the Blank side!

People started filing in to the Chesty Puller memorial statue at the Marine Corps Museum right next to Quantico:

Michael's brother Bryan was able to promote him! This is extra special because Bryan was the commissioning officer for Michael back in 2003 at Texas A&M!

Yep, I'm huge.

Promotion pomp and circumstance:

Taking the oath:

Yeah!!

Pinning on the new rank!

Michael's speech:

The start of the congratulatory line led by the Colonel:

Our friends from Lejeune were able to make it! The really tall guy was on the MTT team with Michael back in 2006 to Ramadi, and Phil was Michael's TBS roommate and logistics school classmate back in 2004!

Bryan found an old Aggie that was in his same outfit at A&M!

Yeah - our soon to be family of 4!

Phil and Michael:

Jeff and Michael:

Bryan and Michael:

Our joint-family (i.e. Navy, Marines, Army):

All of our family at the promotion - we are so thankful to have so many family members close by to help us celebrate! This is a first in our military career!

Hanging out with Michael's boss after the ceremony:

Savannah helping keep Caleb out of the surrounding forest:

Afterwards our families went out to eat - what a sight we must've been:  6 adults, 6 kids and 2 babies!

Little CJ gives some great grins and really sums up how we felt about the day!

The kids flock to Michael (not a picture you would have seen 4 years ago!). So thankful for the changes in our life and the path that has been set before us!

Congrats Michael! You are one hell of a Marine Corps Officer and I'm so proud to call you my husband! You deserve this!