She Did it Again!

Well, tonight before dinner Camilla pulled the other front tooth out.

She is holding both teeth in her hand.

A Couple of Things

I talked to Jacob last night and he is doing well. He also gave me his address in Iraq, which is:

Jacob Wilson

B/701st BSB

COB Speicher, Iraq

APO AE 09393

U.S. rate shipping still applies. He isn't actually there quite yet, but will be pretty soon. I would tell you all when, but this is an open blog, and I don't know if any of you are insurgents :).

And, to answer some of your questions, I am not moving to Phoenix, but will be staying here.

Also, today Camilla finally lost it . . .

her first top tooth that is. Not only that, but she pulled it out herself. Good for you Camilla! Her other front one is super loose, and so maybe this Christmas we will be singing "All I Want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth."

Boots on Ground

Early Tuesday morning (3 AM) we said our goodbyes to Jacob.

11 o'clock tonight he called to tell me that he is now "boots on ground" in Kuwait where he will spend some time before going over to Iraq. He's doing well, and we are doing well back here. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.

Good Weather Adventures

The weather this weeked was absolutely perfect, highs in the upper 70s and sunny, which facilitated us finally doing what we wanted to do before Jacob ships out.

He really wanted to try out kayaking, and so on Friday we rented a kayak.

Iactually did like it better than the canoe, but what a workout!

Becuase the temperature was so cool, no one was in the swimming area, or at the lake at all, which meant the kids could give it a spin around in the shallow area.

On Saturday we did the entire River Walk Trail with one way being 4.8 miles. We went a little further to the lake, and so all in all we walked no less than 10 miles. We left at 10:00AM and got back at 4:30PM. We had a great deal of tears on miles one and two, but had running and laughing on miles 9 and 10, go figure. Anyway it was great fun!

Our Newest Adventure

For years now Jacob has wanted to go kayaking. When he found out that Outdoor Rec. on post had some you could rent, he has been determined he was going to rent a kayak before he goes to Iraq. Well, we discussed it, talking about just him going or him and I going, and then he went to outdoor rec and found out that some of their kayaks roll, but while there he saw some canoes. Well, he decided to put the kayak thing on hold, and thought we as a family should go canoeing. So, on Thursday we rented a canoe, and went on quite the adventure.

Canoes are very unsteady and the slightest movement makes them rock like crazy making you feel like you are going to tip and fall out, but thankfully we didn't.
I was nervous practically the whole time, especially because we had Mary Emma with us, even with her life jacket on I was worried, but soon the rocking of the boat didn't get to me anymore. Jacob was having the time of his life, but the kids would cry and yell at each other when either of them moved and the canoe rocked.

After we finally managed go against the current and get back to shore, I took Mary Emma out and the kids got a chance to row, and Jacob got to tip the boat over. We all really did have a good time, and look forward to trying out a row boat next time.

Another Eventful Week

For any of those not aware, Jacob is leaving for Iraq in just a couple of weeks. The days are limited and so are the funds (after our vacation), and so we are finding as much to do as possible close by and for free. This is what we did this week.

We found an incredible hike that starts at Moon Lake on post. It's beautiful, and challenging. I think it's our favorite Kansas hike so far.

The only problem with it is that a tree has fallen down right in the middle of the path, and you can't go around it because of the poison Ivy, so you have to go under it.

On Saturday we went to Homestead National Monument. It's just over the border into Nebraska, and it doesn't charge admission. The monument was set up in the 1930's to honor those who took advantage of the Homestead Act, and is situated on the first homestead under that legislation. It was really interesting, and we all learned a great deal.

Camilla under the windmill.

The one room school house, which is also part of the monument.

You can also see the kids earned yet another Junior Ranger badge.

I took this picture while Jacob was talking to the Ranger about the possibility of him becoming a National Parks Ranger. I guess being a veteran is one of the best ways to get in. So who knows in 15 years when he retires . . . :)

I don't know what those red ferns are, but they sure are pretty. I never knew how beautiful the prairie was until we moved here.

On the way home we stopped at all those places we see on the way to the temple but never have time to stop and explore.

This is another one room school house in Marysville, KS.

Camilla and the little red schoolhouse.

A demonstration sod house. I can't imagine how they lived in these tiny little houses. This one was complete with the spiders and everything.

The more places you go, the more random things you see. I only wish I had been there to see that thing come traveling down the highway.

Here we are in Waterville or Blue Harbor, I can't really tell when one ends and the other begins. We had to stop, a real teeter totter! It's been years. Unfortunately, none of us could play on it for long, as there was a yellow jacket's nest in one of the metal holes. We all played on it, but pretty soon they started coming out, and I thought it best we leave. Oh well. Camilla took the picture, she's getting quiet good.