What life looks like lately

Hyrum is here:

In case you ever wondered what Afghanistan looks like...

And I'm in Germany taking care of him:

Ever since the early morning that Hyrum took off...

It's hard to look presentable at 3 am

 Our family conversations look like this:

Our first family picture!  Probably not typical.  And if you notice my comment on the right that says, "You're frozen"-- that's pretty typical these days too!  Internet in Afghanistan is NO BUENO. 

I took a bunch of pictures from facebook, because they show what's going on in Hyrum's part of the world.  This was a different part of his squadron, so he's not in them, but you can an idea of what its like.

Arriving by chopper

Time to retrieve their bags. 

And a picture they posted of Hyrum!

Hyrum's commander writes a regular newsletter, and I thought this part was interesting about what they wear:

We have a lot of great equipment to help us do our job and protect us, but it takes a while to get ready for a patrol. Here’s an idea of what the “typical” Soldier wears.

First, you put on your Protective Undergarments (PUGs) – essentially spandex underwear that’s made out of Kevlar and fire-retardant materiel, affectionately known as “asbestos underwear” (no asbestos – that’s a joke). Then your Army combat shirt with its heat-wicking layer cloth around the body and heavy protective sleeves. Then combat pants that have built-in kneepads. If you don’t wear your combat pants then strap on kneepads. Over the pants go your Protective Outergarments (POGs)– a bulletproof speedo that looks like a camouflage version of something a Roman gladiator would wear. Then you strap on your restraining harness – a seatbelt that keeps you strapped into the vehicle. Then body armor, your ammunition, radio, and water, gloves, protective eyewear, and a helmet. 

Grab your rifle, pick-up your assault pack with three days of emergency supplies (and some extra snacks), head to the vehicle, strap on the radio headset, buckle in your harness, and you’re ready to go.

And as for life in Germany, here are a few more pictures of Santiago, because he's just cute.

Where's Santi?  
(A bit like "Where's Waldo").  I didn't realize until that day that he had a sleeper that matched one of his blankets.  

SLEEPY!

This is his "Give me some sympathy!" face.