The Hills' Adventures: They're at it again.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

They're at it again.

Sawtooth Hike 2008

It's early, they were up late, but they are excited!

5+ miles, 2000+ vertical feet climb. In on Friday out on Saturday. Tough guys.

It was worth it! They named this unnamed lake "OUR LAKE".

The fishing was good. Mike wanted me to phrase it this way, "The boys caught some exotic fish." Because that is what they are.

Dallas holding his golden trout

Jake holding his Arctic grayling.
It was a great trip.

The Sawtooth Mountains are Mike's favorite place in the world. He loves sharing it with his family. I went the first summer we were married. Mike's taken a few trips on his own. Jake started at the age of 4. Last year Dallas was initiated into the club.

Sawtooths 2007

Last years trip was a little different. It rained, there were no fish to catch, no tent so Mike made this one. He gave the boys his sweat shirt to share. Still good times.

3 comments:

The Royce's said...: Looks like a fun time! Did'nt you guys freeze at night? We did! Cute pictures!; August 7, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Sydney said...: The first picture is such a great picture of the three of them!; August 7, 2008 at 3:47 PM
Heather and Don said...: This blogging is so fun! It makes it fairly easy to keep track of big and little moments! Don and boys are talking about hiking the Sawtooths again next year - Don will be in touch with Mike! Carmen and I will hang out in Boise! Take Care!; August 9, 2008 at 12:57 PM

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FROM THE MOUTHS OF BABES

"Work is no fun." Jake 9 years

"Candy." Natalie 22 months

"Oh mom, could you change her diaper somewhere else, it's making this taste disgusting." Dallas 7 years

"I know the answers to everything!" Katie 5 years

"The prophet says if you don't spend time with your kids, you'll regret it." Jake 8 years

"Mom, I wished you lived on Jupiter."
"Dad made me change my mind."
"What do you want to do before you die?"
"Mom, I dropped my hot wheels in the toilet." Dallas 6 years

"Come on husband, you need to read our daughter a story...I'll do it myself."
"When will you be able to go? I'm exhausted with you."Katie 4 years

"Dad, Mom lets us get one choice. You just get us what we need." Katie (4) and Dallas (6)to dad at the store

"No", "Toe", "Nose", "Hi mom" "Hi Dad" "a-da-no?" Natalie 19 months

DREAMS DO COME TRUE--Mike's New Job

Mike was recently selected to fly AH-64 Apache attack helicopters for the Idaho National Guard! We'll be in Alabama for flight school for two years, then back to Idaho where he'll be a part-time Apache pilot(this video is from the Utah Guard, but you get the idea).

[Mike] I recently embarked on a great adventure. My whole life I’ve been fascinated with military aviation. As a kid I could name any jet or chopper flying. I studied them, built models of them, drew them. But I never pursued my dream of flying because I didn’t think life in the military would suit me and my future family, and I thought that passion was something I'd grow out of. So I chose a career I considered more practical. In my 20s, though, I began regretting not taking that path. That regret grew worse and worse.

Long story short, in the fall of 2008 I put it all on the line and finally went for it. I joined the Army National Guard here in my home town, with the long-shot hope of flying the AH-64 Apache helicopter (the best attack helicopter in the world). The training just to be considered was tough and required quite a commitment: nine weeks of Basic Training, 8 weeks of Officer Candidate School, academic and physical tests, a 6-year commitment regardless of the outcome, plus the preparation on my own time. All that, just to qualify to go before a "flight board" that selects future pilots. The field is very competitive, but failure was not an option—given the wars we’re fighting, I didn’t want to be in the Army, stuck on the ground. I had to succeed.

By some miracle, everything lined up perfectly and I was selected for flight school, despite my lack of experience and prior service, and despite being 3 years over the age limit (I got an age waiver).

In the spring of '10 my family and I moved to Fort Rucker, Alabama for two years of flight training, after which I’ll come back home to Idaho and be a part-time pilot. I’m so excited I can hardly stand it. Getting selected to serve my country, flying the world's best attack helicopter, based right in my home town, is incredible. It still blows me away.

I have the best wife in the world for supporting me in this adventure. She initially told me to do something about this ache in late summer of '08. She encouraged me every step of the way, even while I was gone for months on end, leaving her to manage the home, business, and take care of our babies. And Army pay is not good, especially considering my life may someday be on the line in Afghanistan, Iraq or who-knows-where-else. Thank you, thank you, Cass, for all you are to me.

We may not have it all together...But together we have it all.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

They're at it again.

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DREAMS DO COME TRUE--Mike's New Job