Uncle PJ Visit

Uncle PJ just left yesterday to fly back to TN. It was a busy but fun visit. We started off going to Lake of the Woods and the boys played and played in the water up there.

Look at the commitment on W's face...he was intent on that log...pretending to build campfires and rafts and he was just as committed to bringing that log home with us. We eventually convinced him to "hide" it so it would be there the next time we returned. I guarantee he will not forget.

We drove seperate because I attended a baby shower that day so Katy and Bear got to come along and do a little swimming. And resting.

Good thing they got a mini nap because we then dropped off Uncle PJ, Geoff, and the dogs for an 8-mile bike ride (run for the dogs) while the boys and I headed home. Speaking of napping, I have vented enough on how little sleep our boys seem to need. I don't even suggest sleep anymore because then they will use all of their will not to sleep. But they relented with about 30 minutes of the drive left (please excuse all the towels and sheets in the back-that was for Katy and Bear) and passed out.

And they even woke up as we arrived home, but I must have caught them at the deep-sleep stage because they laid on the couch for a moment looking at me, then fell back asleep. And it was after 5:30 p.m.

The next day everyone but me went to CA for some boating on Lake Shasta. I got a much-appreciated day to myself at home to get caught up on laundry and projects. Then they headed back to CA the next day for more cave exploring.

Here is a picture of J--he made a helicopter with this Winnie-the-Pooh puzzle. He said Rabbit was the pilot.

Then we went out to Geoff's work to watch ten F-15s take off...one of them being Geoff. Here is W, J, and Uncle PJ in the back of the truck out on the runway.

There goes Geoff with another jet taking off right next to him.

Off they go...Geoff is the one on the right.

And one final squeeze from Uncle PJ at the airport before he returned home. Bye and thanks for the fun visit!

Sentry Eagle

I don't know about you, but the summer started slow and now it moving crazy fast. Time is also flying by now that I am in my last trimester. The first trimester was SO slow and now our due date is approaching quickly. My most recent belly shot...29 weeks...or according to my first ultrasound, a little over 30 weeks.

We had a few visitors in July and experienced our first Sentry Eagle at base. Sentry Eagle is the largest Guard exercise in the Air Force and there were lots of events and things to do. Here is a photo someone took while getting a back-seat ride.

I thought it was just a one-day air show kind-of-thing but there were events three nights in a row in addition to some activities during the day and a full open house for the city on Saturday. Some pictures during the open house.

J touring a helicopter-he looks SO big to me here!

Pull the stick W!

While walking around, I noticed people kept looking at my stroller and laughing and pointing. W had poured a couple of water bottles into his seat and was playing with his toy boats in the water.

J and I watching the F-15E demo team:

We had a sitter for the boys for two nights and got to see the featured guest. A comedian who used to play Ross Perot on The Tonight Show. That is why Matt, Amy and the kids got to come because Matt flew in the exercise with other pilots from his unit in Texas. Matt managed to confuse more than one person being here in his flight suit.

One of the F-16s broke down so Matt stayed longer until it was fixed which was nice to get to visit with him more. He even watched the boys one night so Geoff and I could go out to dinner. Thanks Matt! Excuse the boys random pajamas here...they wanted in a picture with us pre-date night.

And we are excited to have Uncle PJ coming to visit in a few days followed by the boys' birthday, followed by Mark and Jan coming to visit. Time to get busy finishing projects before the baby arrives and the winter returns.

Family Visit

Matt, Amy, Chloe and Logan braved the long trip from Texas to visit us last week. Before they even left Texas, they learned that their last flight was cancelled so they had to stay overnight in a hotel without their luggage. Which, by the way, did not arrive for another day and a half after they arrived! Aside from the travel drama, we had a great time sightseeing and visiting. Right after we picked them up from the airport we went on a jet boat trip.

C, W, and G on the way to the lodge for lunch on the jet boat. We got to see deer, bald eagles, blue heron....

Amy, Matt, and J enjoying the sun and the scenery (notice everyone is dry):

G, C, and W on the boat on the way back-and a little damp from being splashed.

The driver did multiple 360 spins and raced two other jet boats back and worked hard to get everyone splashed on the way back.

The next day everyone (but me) went rock climbing and Matt helped Geoff set up an outdoor fireplace and a grill (thanks Matt!) Then we headed to Crater Lake the following day.

Whole group in the park:

Snowball fight in July!

Matt cooling off:

J and C by the lake:

The kiddos:

And we ventured out to another National Park. The Lava Beds in CA. L and J by some cool black rocks:

J enjoying the cave. This one took us down lots on stairs (in the complete darkness except for our flashlights) to the bottom of the cave to see ice on the bottom.

Coming out of the first cave flashlights in hand:

Heading into another cave.

Geoff and Matt went into a more advanced cave themselves and Geoff found himself inches from a bat! There are hundreds of caves at this park but I don't think you come across any bats unless you start crawling in tight spaces which is what Geoff and Matt were doing.

Smores!

On their last day here, Matt and Geoff had to work so Amy and I took the kids to walk downtown and enjoyed some time relaxing while the kids played for almost two hours at a park. The weather was awesome. Thanks for visiting!

Roughing It

We rented a cabin to go "camping" last weekend. Several families in our squadron own campers and venture out to some beautiful camping spots around the state and we wanted to join in on the fun. The trouble is...we don't have a camper, and we don't have a vehicle that will pull a camper. Sleeping in a tent wrecked havoc on the boys' skin the last time they slept outside. Luckily the campsite destination also had cabins to rent. It was a great little cabin...mountain view, full wrap-around-deck, outdoor hot tub, full kitchen and full bath, one bedroom with a queen bed and a loft with two twin beds. Really.roughing.it. The digs:

Geoff and the boys stayed two nights and I stayed one. I had a garage sale Saturday morning and wanted to get back to finish cleaning up from the sale: taking boxes to Goodwill, catching up on laundry, dishes, and just to have a night to sleep! I think this is the first time I have ever had the house to myself overnight since we had the boys...I got so much done!

While camping, we ate the best fish tacos we have ever had (courtesey of two families in the squadron) with freshly caught fish. The boys played in the lake for most of the day and then they were all about the hot tub at the cabin. J really enjoyed his trip out on a fishing boat with Geoff and Mr. Jay - he even caught a fish on his little Lightning McQueen fishing pole.

Returning:

Poor W had a bit of a rough time on our trip. He lost his turn on the fishing boat and had to sit out of the hot tub for the first day. :( I think he was overtired. He enjoyed playing in the lake though.

Bloom!

It has been fun to see our landscaping take shape and bloom this summer! I didn't even really know what color some of the flowers were going to be. Here is a picture just after completing landscaping last summer:

Now!

We are loving all the pink.

Geoff finished the fence and it looks great! Will post more pictures soon.......

24 Weeks* Update

*Update from OB appt.* My belly is measuring 27 weeks. And I received yet another "wow, she is moving a lot" from the doctor trying to hear the heartbeat. I have another appt. in three weeks for glucose testing and a possible Rhogam shot. So far so good!

24 weeks today...possibly a little further due to that first ultrasound. But let's just say at least 24 weeks.
There is a little kick-boxer in my belly. I cannot believe how much and how hard she is kicking in there. Maybe she just has a lot of room to move around due to my extra-large uterus and is taking advantage of it!
I have been terrible taking belly photos this time. I took one religiously every week with the boys and here I am with picture number three. I have an appointment tomorrow so I might post more later.