Who goes to Missouri for 10 days? We do!

I feel like I have to explain why in the world a family would plan a trip to Ft. Leonard Wood (aka Ft. Lost in the Woods) Missouri for 10 whole days.  This is how it happened in a nutshell, well, a big nutshell!

I having one of the almost daily calls with my little sister Sam, who lives on an army base in the middle of nowhere Missouri and I heard some music playing in the background.  She explained that they have music blaring on loud speakers (the same loud speakers also used for tornado sirens) at certain parts of the day - like wake-up, lunch, dinner, bed-time. I was amazed.  Then she also explained at the 5pm music, the whole base pauses. If you're outside, you stop whatever you're doing (even driving) and stand at attention if you're a soldier (f you're in uniform I think you have to salute) or hand over your heart for civilians.  I had no idea about this part of military base living.  From there, our conversation turned into "Mandy, you would love it, you need to come out and see what it's like living on the base."  Well, she thinks she appealed to my very patriotic side, but really she appealed to my even stronger family side, because my brother and his family live on her same street - but the base was definitely an added bonus though. 

Sam started looking up flights, I asked Jason what he thought, and he is ALWAYS game for a new adventure, and the rest is history.  We found some very cheap flights and off we went a month later.  Thank goodness Sam's house was a duplex, that had been converted to a single family house (nice to be an officer) so there was plenty of room for our "little" family of almost 7.

This is how this trip all started.  Here's the 5pm call to attention. Jack and Ashton saluting (Jack was working on his balance too).  My brother Ben is doing his soldierly duty.  I must admit, it is pretty cool to see everyone do this.  Definitely makes me proud of our soldiers, especially my family members who do this!

 Kimball and Ashton were very happy to have each other to play with.

 

One of the first days there, we all went to a park that had some of these evergreen trees.  They are a climbers delight and off went Kimball, Ashton, and Jack to see who could get the highest.  I think Ashton may have won.

 

Cousins bonding.  James and Danny are just a month or two apart.

 Jet lag, or maybe just lots of fresh air!

 Kimball and Kate enjoying a sandy beach down by a river and building a beautiful castle.

This pic of Danny just explains what I did this whole trip.  My sister Sam and her husband David fed us very well (cinnamon rolls, chicken piccata, pulgogi meat and lots more)!  And then, my brother Ben and his wife Emily definitely added to the food intake with birthday parties (with the most delicious cream filled cup-cakes) and a night out to a delicious restaurant.  Thanks to all that added to my pregnancy weight gain!!!

On post there is a Army Engineer museum and this was one of the cool statues outside, with the cousins.

 A portion of the Berlin Wall.  My kids have no idea what it is, even for me it's a vague memory.  But they'll learn about it in history books and will be able to say they've touched it.

Cousins playing at Ben and Emily's.  My kids couldn't believe the yards with no fences.  I was lucky not to lose any of my kids to the woods.

 I guess lack of sleep made church the ideal place for Jack and Tod to crash.

These two just being silly.

Bowling on base!  Jack loved it.

This is a "proof picture."  To prove that yes, I was actually there too.  Pregnant belly and all.

Kimball had a great time too.

 

Danny enjoyed the arcade more than bowling.

Ashton and Jack looking like they're up to no good!

Danny and Mallie enjoying the toys.

Proof pictures so I can say they've actually been on an airplane.

 Danny did great running between Jason and I's seats.

Kimball loved the treats for the plane ride.

 "We get to ride a train too?"  We love the LAS airport.

 

And finally, one last adventure climbing on the turtle before we go find grandpa to give us a ride home.

It was an amazing 10 days with my sister and her fam, and my brother and his fam.  We had so much fun playing games at night, eating way more than we should have, going to Sandy Hollow, swimming, bowling, and just lounging and cooking.  One of the best vacations/adventures we've taken.  It's always very fun to watch my kids play with their cousins and build those relationships, and for me to enjoy the late night chats with my family!  Thanks for having us!  Hope it's not too long before we can do it again.

Easter Weekend Starts the Craziness

Easter was the start of a fun and busy couple of weeks for our family.  We started off at my parents house for Easter Weekend.  I drove up by myself (which is a miracle) and Jason joined us for the weekend and the drive home. On Sunday, we made it to early sacrament and then came home and had an Easter Egg Hunt in my parents backyard before we had to get on the road and head back to Las Vegas.  Kimball noticed that there weren't any eggs yet, and told her that the bunny was on his way and that maybe she could catch him. The "bunny" hurried and hid eggs as the kiddos quickly changed out of church clothes. Kimball was so bummed because she just missed the bunny. 

Danny didn't care who hid what, he was just happy for his basket and a couple of treats.

Tod thought the bunny was pretty sneaky, but he caught on quick.

Good finding skills Jack!

This girl loves to climb so, of course she finds the eggs at the top of the slide.

With their baskets and lots of eggs - aka sugar for the ride home.

Happy boy with his loot.

Any trip to Nana and Papa's always includes a hike up the hill.  This is the top of Memorial Hill that is right across the street from my parents house.  Jason lets the kids climb up the side instead of following the dirt road around and around.  They love it! And when the get to the top they have their snack and juice.  

Family pic by the memorial of  fallen soldiers.

Our "twins." They're starting to fit in each others clothes.

This girl is always ready with a smile! And always ready to take off her shoes anywhere!

March Weather in Las Vegas and the Loudest Snorer in our House

 One of the best times to ever visit or live in Las Vegas is March.  When everyone else is still trying to thaw out from their winters our weather is usually perfect.  The boys were busy in the backyard enjoying the weather while Kimball was at school.  Here's some of the more classic moments caught on camera.

Have I mentioned how Tod needs to be in gymnastics?

Jack testing his balance and playing King of the Slide.

 

Before.

 After.

I actually managed to get a pic of Danny without him running at the camera. Must be because he was transformed into an angel with sun beaming off his hair.

Jack just being happy.

Danny coming to get the camera.

 Nothing like a delicious apple and a friend to eat it with.

Jason and I have determined that Kimball is the loudest snorer in our house.  It is crazy.  We can hear her when we are downstairs and she's up in her room.  So, we figured we had to capture this to black mail her later.

Tod turns 3 years old!

What can I say about this cute little guy.  He sure is growing up fast and so is his sense of independence and determination.  He does everything he can to keep up with his big brother and sister and can get frustrated when things don't go the way he wants.  He needs lots of hugs from me when things are going right, even if I'm the one who is making him mad.  When he has to go to the sad corner for not listening, he actually cries and says "I need to hug you mom."  He's never afraid to get a hug from me, even when I'm mad at him.  I can't help but love a kid that is never too afraid of "mean mom" to get a hug.

Really, how can you not love this face?

Birthday day morning surprises waiting on the table.

Too cool with his new sunglasses!

Tod's cousin Alia, was born the day before, and her mom let me piggy back on to the AWESOME party that she had planned.  It was a "How to Train Your Dragon" party and the kids had a blast!

Tod practicing his dragon fighting skills.

Jack was busy taking on one of Alia's cousins.  I'm pretty sure this little girl was feisty enough to take down Jack.

My awesome sister-in-law planned this amazing party, and all I had to do was make a dragon cake.  Pretty cool, huh?  Who know fruit roll-ups could make such awesome dragon wings.

Tod checking out the cake.

I can't believe Tod is 3.   If I tell him I love him, he is always the fastest to respond with "I love you too mom!"  And he has the cutest sing-song/cartoon voice.  Also, he is our gymnast in training.  When we go the park he loves to swing on the bars and always has his legs together and toes pointed.  My mom is always so impressed.

Cool Kid and Bath Time

 Kimball got the Cool Kid award for January for her class.  It's the all-round award for just being awesome.  At least that's how I'm going to describe it.

Kimball with the other kids from her class and their "most improved" or "best speller" awards, and with her teacher, Mrs. Orr, who Kimball loves!

She was very excited to take a picture with the Treem Bear.  All the kids love him.

The post bath time picture.

How do we manage to get all 4 kids clean?  Here's how it works, with Kimball giving us an extra hand in making sure the boys were really clean.  Danny loves the camera and decided to ditch the bath and come and attack me.