The Hills' Adventures: November 2009

Sunday, November 1, 2009

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.

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.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Happy Halloween 2009!

Jake's 1st REAL Deer Hunt

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MIKE AND CASSIE HILL

Jared Michael Hill

Dallas Condie Hill

Katherine Condie Hill

Natalie Brooke Hill

FROM THE MOUTHS OF BABES

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DREAMS DO COME TRUE--Mike's New Job