FROM THE MOUTH OF BABES

"You know what's not a good Christmas present???" Dallas, 7 years

"What?"

"Socks!"

I guess I'll take those back.

The Hill's just finished reading The Book Of Mormon. What are they going to do next???

We are going to Disney World!!!!

It took just a shade under a decade (Jake is 9), but we did it!

We've had many stops and starts. We've tried all different ways to do family scriptures with a young family. We decided the best way is to just read from the scriptures and never give up hope that something, anything is sinking in. If nothing else the habit of reading scriptures every night!

It's such a great feeling. You know I usually get to the end of the day, tired, wondering where the day went and thinking of all the things I should have done. I decided it's just easier to DO IT!!

Just do what you are supposed to be doing. You know it's actually easier than putting it off. Who would have thought?

In the beginning of forming our scripture reading habit it was hit and miss or a BIG headache for mom. Nothing close to a spiritual experience.

As we finished The Book of Mormon last night I felt an overwhelming feeling of gratitude. A calm feeling of sincere joy. It was worth the struggle and it has strengthened our family, as promised.

And we really are going to Disney World... when we get to Alabama. We have a savings account for it and everything!

Happy Halloween 2009!

Jake and Dallas have been Star Wars characters for three years now. Jake is Anakin Skywalker. Dallas is Obi One Kenobi. Katie is a witch and crying Natalie is a bunny.

"Ok, lets put Natalie down and see if that helps."

"Nope, that didn't help."

"Ok, Jake look at me and smile."

"Ok, now Dallas smile."

"Katie, you are my camera girl."

We started a new tradition this year. Pumpkin pancakes for breakfast...YUMMY!

...And that's all folks.

Jake's 1st REAL Deer Hunt

Is there anything better for a 9 year old boy than three days in the mountains with his BB gun???

...Well I can think of a few things, but I don't think like a 9 year old boy. Lucky for Jake, he has a Dad that use to be 9 years old and is still there at heart.

Here is the prize. Jake was excited, but tired and a little put off by the strong scent of a fresh kill.

And here is the STUD that made the trip happen. Mike loves the outdoors and craves hunting season. But more than that he loves his children. This isn't the size buck he was holding out for, but he will do anything for his boy.

Mike wanted me to remind you of last year's hunt where he got this BIG buck.

The Pumpkin Patch

My mom came up to visit and to save Mike this fall. The day Mike was heading out on a deer hunt I woke up to the world spinning. It was scary until we figured out that it was an inner-ear infection that caused some serious vertigo. Vertigo...What a trip! The only cure was a shot in the buttock to stop the vomiting and pills to help until the fluids are balanced again. I honestly laid in the same position for 5 days! Mike did everything for those days. He always appreciated me, but just like when he was gone for 17 weeks out of this year, now, we REALLY appreciate the service each of us give to make our family work.

And we really appreciate my mom for coming up to stay with us for several days so we could enjoy her and Mike could get his hunt in without the guilt of leaving a sick wife:).

Having my mom come is such a treat for all of us. She lets me sleep in. She spoils my children with her mickey mouse pancakes and cinnamon rolls and her love and attention. This year she treated us to the pumpkin patch.

Dallas taking Natalie on the bump slide.

Katie in the corn box.

Duck race for Jake and Dad. Jake won!

Air Assault School=Two weeks of 'COOL' army helicopter stuff!

Mike's commissioning

Mike says the reason his eyes are glowing in this picture is because he is part of a top-secret experiment in the army heading up laser-vision. One of the pins stuck him and he almost melted the podium.
On Sunday, Mike was commissioned an Officer and 2ND Lieutenant in the US Army (Idaho Army National Guard). It was a very special day.

His dad, Boyd Hill, was in the Guard many years ago. He was a Sergeant First Class. There is a tradition, when you become an Officer, that you need to buy your first salute, but after that you have to earn them with good performance. Mike's dad gave Mike his first salute and Mike then gave his dad a silver dollar. It was a sweet experience for the two of them. Some tears on dad's part, but only I got to witness that.

Before his 1st salute, I had the privilege of pinning one of the gold bars on his shoulder along with the General. It was really cool!

(We thought it was best to leave Natalie in the loving arms of a friend for this adventure, but we are sorry she is absent from this picture.)

I want to put in a note of thanks to everyone who has supported and served us through this adventurous journey. (I want to name you all but that would make this post too long, but I do have to mention Melanie for taking these pictures and taking charge of my children.)

Oh, and By-the-way...

I turned 30 years old, August 31st.

This is the only picture I have to show. I'm usually the one with the camera so when it comes to documenting me...we all forget. Mike got my favorite...Cheese cake. I had lunch with a friend. We all went to dinner and Mike did the dishes for three days straight! ...and he never forgets the flowers:).

Turning 30 is a big deal. Those of you who have already crossed that bridge know what I'm talking about.

I have reflected a lot this past month over my life. What a interesting adventure life can be.

I realize I have much to learn, but a few things I have learned in my 1st 30 years(some the hard way) are...

Stay close to Christ

Keep a journal

Load the dishwasher at night

Turn the other cheek

Clean the spill when it happens

Show them you love them, don't assume they know

Serve when you feel picked on

Run to relieve stress

Remember who's children they really belong to

Call your mother on Mother's Day

Kiss and make up, every night!

HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY DALLAS!

Better make sure you get a good breakfast...

Because the birthday games are about to begin...

(I tried to get a picture with all the kids, but have you ever tried to get 9 children, mostly boys to pose for a picture at a birthday party???)

May The Force be with you, my young padawan.

Master (Mike) and apprentice (Jake)

We are thinking of having Dallas's mediclorine count tested.

Funny story about Dallas's cake this year. It went something like this...

(Mom)"Dallas, what kind of cake would you like for your birthday?"

(Dallas) "A rainbow cake!"

(Dad) "How about a camo cake with guns???"

(Dallas) "Yeah!!!"

FYI: I was going to make him the rainbow cake. (Innocent child), but this one actually turned out alright. It was fun for all. I didn't take a picture, but the inside is camoflauge.

DOUBLETAKE--2ND 1ST DAY OF SCHOOL!

Came I go to school too, pleassssssse.

So after some 'careful consideration' we decided take Katie out of the Charter school. She was loving it and I enjoyed it too, but we decided it was best to have everyone at the same school and it's a BIG plus that I can see the school from our house.

So, 1ST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN, AGAIN!!!

Jake started 4Th grade. He's in Mrs. Fogg's class. We've heard great things about her.

Dallas started 1st grade and has Mrs. Singleton, who just happens to be Jake's primary teacher. We are excited to keep close tabs on him.

LITTLE BROTHERS ARE THE BEST!!!

Just a little explanation about the bug holder Dallas has...On back-to-school- night Dallas brought in a leaf bug in a cottage cheese container that he found. He wanted to show it to his teacher and everyone else he past. She gave him the bug holder so he could make the leaf bug a nice home and bring it to school on the 1st day. Unfortunately the leaf bug died yesterday.

But, this morning the grasshoppers were out and he took three into the classroom.

They all came home happy, looks like things are off to a great re-start:).

Katie's 1st Day of Kindergarten

Katie started Kindergarten this week. She is feeling so grown-up and has been so excited! Her teacher's name is Mrs. White.

And I must say she is as sweet as she looks.

BREAKING NEWS: MIKE AND CASSIE HILL MARRIED 11 YEARS!

So what is it like after 11 years???

He got breakfast in bed.

She got flowers.

They went to dinner and used a coupon. Nothing fancy, but she did paint her nails and he put on Hugo. (A gift she gave him several Christmases ago, which he wears only on their anniversary.)

And his kiss...still magical!

WELCOME HOME DADDY!!! AHHHHHH!

The Officer Candidate School experience: 8 weeks of sweat, bruises, sore muscles, blood, tears, physical exhaustion, sleep deprivation and intense stress...And that's just what I went through at home with the kids! (Mike had it tough too)

We picked Mike up at the airport on Saturday after 8 weeks of Officer Candidate School (OCS). Here's Mike (soon-to-be Lieutenant Hill) with his best supporters and fans, Dad and Mom Hill.

[Mike] Here I am at OCS in South Dakota. It's my last major step before Flight School in Alabama. It was eight weeks of intense training, including a combination of classroom instruction and field combat training. At this point I'd gone 6 days without a shower. Still didn't keep the bugs away, though. Or the instructors.

[Mike] The guy on the ground is an "opposition force" enemy combatant being searched by officer candidates, while the instructor (the guy without a 40 lb. rucksack and 30 more pounds of gear) observes.

[Mike] Here's my team moving tactically through the woods toward an objective (but more likely an ambush). Note the green straps worn on helmets and torso: it's a "laser tag"-type system.

[Mike] Here's a typical break between classes: a "smoking" session. The guys in the black hats are our instructors. Their goal is to create mental and physical stress to test and increase our ability to function in stressful, confusing combat conditions.

God Bless America

Happy Independence Day!!!

Summer Adventures

Since Mike is gone for most of the summer we decided to spend most of our time at Grandma Condie's house. Some of our adventures in a nut shell.

The Dinosaur Museum

Natalie digging for fossils. She's a natural.

Katie digging. This was the most fun for the kids, something they could touch.

The boys could have stayed here all day. I'm thinking of giving Mike a project to build one of these in the backyard, hours of entertainment.

Shark bait.

Cousins...Abigail is my sister Emilee's little girl. She is 8 weeks older than Natalie. They get along really well, can you tell:).

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90 degrees + a pool full of ditch water + cousins = that's right, vomit and fevers.

Every one loves Grandma!

Grandma's house holds many adventures...

Jake catches butterflies.

Lessons on the pecking order

Friends, cousins and Popsicles...All you can handle.

The hammock...My personal favorite.

Baseball and lessons on good sportsmanship:).

Good Eatin'.

Horses

Children's own personal parade

Best of all... Good folks and laughter!

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The Heber Creeper Train




The boys were so excited for a train ride. Although, they were anticipating a bit more speed. The cowboys who hijacked the train made up for it though.

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Hike up to Timpanogos Cave

A mile and a half up a steep mountain was very tiring for these tough guys, but they made it. The cave was awesome and the hike back down was slow.
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And some fun reunions with some old friends.

Dixie Sullivan, me, Sally Eves and Kimee Greer

We have really multiplied. (minus Jake) Dallas is sitting next to his first girlfriend, Sally's daughter, Kate.