Cas, Julie, Jack, Jonathon, Cade, Joe and Lane.

McKenna, Alix, Jonathon, Mike, Pat and Conor.

Pete, Theresa, Jonathon, Meghan and Kiley.

John Flanagan, Taylor, Jonathon, Ronda and John Samuel.

Jack, Cas, Jonathon, Meghan, Cade, Lane and Kiley.

Jonathon and Jack.

Waiting for the hat toss.

More Pics from Party (thanks Julie)

Cas, Jack, Cade and Lane

Kiley, Cas and Meghan

John Yenny and me.

Cas, Julie, Jonathon and Cade.

Sisters: Julie, Pat, Ronda, Me, Theresa at the party at the Marriott.

Commissioning Day Newspaper shot

A friend of Jonathon's from the east coast scanned this picture and sent it to us. That's Jonathon in the Marine blues in the lower left-hand corner. And looking happy, I might add.

Misc Pictures / Superintendent's Garden Party

All these pictures were taken either at the Garden Party, or on our way out the door. As I posted on FB that night: Free food, free drink? We may never leave.

With the superintendent and his wife. The Supe asked me how I felt about Jonathon choosing Marines as his service selection; I answered that he was the first to think my thoughts or feelings were relevant! And I told him we were glad to have Jonathon in the family; we finally had someone who could get us into the good parties.

Alix, Jonathon and Elle as we were leaving for the Superintendent's Garden Party.

On our way out the door to the Superintendent's Garden party. It was early in the week, so Jonathon is still in Navy whites. The last time we'll ever see him in that uniform.

On Sunday night, after the garden party, John Yenny, Jonathon, Elle, Alix and I went to a party hosted by one of Jonathon's rugby buddies, appropriately nicknamed "Bonesaw". Never did get his correct name, when I ran into his parents on Commissioning Day I addressed them both as Mr. Bonesaw and Mrs. Bonesaw, to which they both happily answered.

Commissioning Day

The view from my seat across the field to where mom was sitting. She's on the top row, immediately to the right of the outcropping windows. Notice the door leading the the blessedly air conditioned and catered room.

Jonathon marching on the field. I don't think he was as worried as he looks; maybe it was the thought of sitting in wool for three hours in heat and humidity that accounts for the expression.

Jonathon taking his Marine Corps oath. Blake Taylor graduated in the top 10% of the class of 2011, which scored his family seats on the field. I have his mom, Jeanie Taylor, to thank for this great shot.

That's Jonathon in the lower left-hand corner during the hat toss. This picture was on the front page of a east coast newspaper.

Party at the Marriott during Commissioning Week

We celebrated Jonathon's graduation and commissioning along with six other families and their Midshipmen at the Waterfront Marriott on Wednesday, May 25. We had a dinner in the ballroom and drinks and bagpipers on the patio overlooking the Severn River and the USNA campus.

John Yenny and Nan Flanagan. All dressed up, thank heavens somewhere to go!

Jonathon and Anne Yenny.

Jonathon and John Yenny.

John, Ronda and Taylor Flanagan.

Jack Flanagan, Kiley Wright, Cade and Julie Flanagan, Elle Yenny, Lane Flanagan and

Sam Yenny.

Conor Leighton, Theresa Wright, Alix and Pat Leighton.

Jonathon in uniform

I am learning to grab the opportunity to get a pic of Jonathon in uniform whenever it presents itself; he is out of that thing as fast as possible.

He is on the way tonight to an event with Brian, I withheld the car keys until he would cooperate.

He is in a wedding on Sunday and I am confident he will cooperate for the photographer much more than he does for me. Mother of the groom has promised copies.

Commissioning week 2011

Where to begin? We had a fantastic week, lots of moving parts so the potential for disaster was huge. Mike Leighton was the last of the family to arrive; his scheduled Friday at 1:00 am arrival turned into a 10:00 am arrival just in time for the commissioning ceremony. Lots of worry for all of us, especially Pat, but a happy ending when he showed up at the stadium, luggage in hand, after taking a cab from DC.

I have complained mightily this past year that my dad seems to be bored in heaven and is spending his time throwing his loved ones unexpected challenges. But he must have been on our side this past week (or he knew I'd HAD IT) because everything was perfect. Except, of course, that he wasn't there to enjoy it all with us.

My mom was amazing, spent an entire day in DC with various Flanagans, another day in Gettysburg. Walked to the USNA chapel with me on Sunday, and back several times to see the campus and visit the mid store.

We all had a great time at the big party on Wednesday night, friends Greg and Cheryl Brooks, along with Greg's girlfriend Ann even drove from PA to join us. A friend from church's son who lives locally also joined us. That, along with two bagpipers and an open bar? How NOT to have fun?

It's hard to describe the actual commissioning, hearing hundreds yell "I Do" taking the Marine Corps oath, and then hundreds more for the Navy, was overwhelming. Robert Gates' speech was inspiring and the announcers said each Mid's name with the enthusiasm it deserved.

After Jonathon received his diploma we all met in a pre-determined spot on the field where all the kids lined up. Once those hats were tossed they ran onto the field and each returned with at least one.

My mom had provided Jonathon with his silver dollar and by luck we were all there to witness him receiving first salute. JY pinned on the whatever-it-is that goes on his collar and a Marine was made.

I'll be posting pictures and details over the next couple of weeks.