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.