The Hills' Adventures: August 2009

Monday, August 31, 2009

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:).

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

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.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

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!

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.

Monday, August 31, 2009

DOUBLETAKE--2ND 1ST DAY OF SCHOOL!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Katie's 1st Day of Kindergarten

Sunday, August 9, 2009

BREAKING NEWS: MIKE AND CASSIE HILL MARRIED 11 YEARS!

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FROM THE MOUTHS OF BABES

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DREAMS DO COME TRUE--Mike's New Job