Something To Be Proud Of...

My journal has always been a way for me to share my life as an athlete and keep everyone updated throughout my career. Well, the “411” on me is that I’m really enjoying being home in Virginia and Summer training is well underway . I’ve been spending my spare time learning how to cook, talking to local youth sports teams, Cub Scout troops and grade schools. Being active with the community means a lot to me and I hope to continue to take part in activities and remain involved.

(Local Softball Team Coached by Jim Keys - Nike Field @ Forestville Elementary)

I don’t have much to report about my current events so I thought I’d take this time to write about something you may not know about me. I have two older brothers that I admire more than anything and I want to share their stories. They are a big part of who I am today...

I have to start by saying things weren't always "peaches and cream" between the three of us siblings… I spent most of my younger years resenting what my dad called “the pecking order of life”.
My oldest bother (Eddie) would pick on my middle brother (Rob) and Rob would then turn around and take it all out on me. I, on the other hand, had nobody younger to boss around or annoy. I imagine the youngest kid in most families can relate to this dilemma growing up. I can honestly remember counting down the days until Rob went away to college! Now I look forward to the seldom chance we all get to be under the same roof… funny how that works out! (This picture happens to be my brother's way of babysitting back in the day... hanging me by my overalls on the swing-set until my parents got home... definitely funny now!)

The Skeleton world knows my parents well. They have been to several of my races in Lake Placid and recently made the trip to Whistler for my 2009 World Cup Debut. Sadly, neither of my brothers have seen me slide due to their busy schedules, family commitments and living in California makes it difficult to get away. I understand considering they have both followed in my Dad's footsteps to serve in the military and are active Majors in the Marine Corps… A job that definitely deserves a standing ovation in my book.

(The 3 of us at Rob's Wedding '04)

I want to send a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS out to Eddie… last month he became the first Tomlinson kid to get his Masters Degree from the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California.

(Katy, Sarah, Eddie & Chase just as Ed got home from his deployment overseas)

Since then, the military has relocated him back to Virginia so hopefully we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other! He’s been married for 12 years and had two awesome kids (Sarah & Chase). Eddie is the musician/artist/comedian of the family so it’s super fun to have him around. He is always providing the background music in the house because you’ll rarely find him without a guitar in his hand… I challenge you to find a song that he doesn’t know how to play.J His artistic talent is also incredible and we look forward to seeing the next masterpiece he'll hang on the wall!

Although Skeleton may brand a slider as a risk-taker, Rob has always been the daredevil of our family. He turned his passion for remote control cars and airplanes into an aspiration of becoming a pilot. After graduating from the Naval Academy in ’97, he hung up his track & field spikes and pursued his dream of flying jets. He now sits in the front seat of an F/A 18 and resides in San Diego, California with his wife and new baby, Ashlyn. Rob recently returned home from his fifth deployment overseas in the last 7 years to a rambunctious 6 month old little girl. Luckily, he was there for her birth but was shipped off a few short days later… It was a priceless family reunion when he landed back at Miramar Air Base. I don’t know many people as modest as my brother. We recently found out he was nominated to receive the prestigious award of “Marine Aviator of the Year”. I’ll admit, I don’t know half of what he does but he definitely has some amazing stories if you take the time to pull them out of him.

(Rob taking off in Seattle, headed back to San Diego)

(Caroline, Rob training Ashlyn to be a Navy Seal @ 6 months... haha)

I can’t even tell you how proud I am of Ed and Rob. I’ve always looked up to them despite the taunting and teasing in our younger years. My one hope is that they will get the chance to see me slide next year… that would mean the world to me. As for now, I can’t wait for the whole family to be together at my cousin’s wedding next weekend in Georgia. Plus, they always look so sharp in their dress uniforms! I'll be sure to post some pictures!