Busy, busy, busy....

I am so sorry that it has been so long since I have posted anything, but this week has been busy.
We have had a whirlwind of a week, and next week is not looking any better.

This is just a little bit of what we did:

• Zach had to talk in our church last Sunday and then was asked to speak at the adult session of Stake Conference. He will be mad at me saying this, but he gives great talks.
• Jax got is 5-6 year old shots. Bad Day!!
• We registered Jax for Kindergarten. Another bad day!!
• I am sure a lot of you have heard, but we had a very tragic accident on our base. A T-38 (the same plane Zach flies) crashed, and we lost 2 great men. One of them was Zach's friend. We have all been dealing with the loss, and trying to take care of the families. We have been trying to spend time together as a family.
• Visiting Teaching
• Soccer practice
• Having friends over, and babysitting others.
• Trying to stay caught up on Laundry and house work. I didn't do very well on that one.
• Taking Jax back and forth to pre-school

There is so much more, but as you can hopefully see I have been just a little busy to blog. I promise I will try and do better this week.

On a good note, Zach and I got a babysitter on Friday YAY!!! We went to the graduation of some of Zach's students and got to mingle with other adults. It was great!!! Zach also won favorite Instuctor. Yay Zach!!

Aynslee is starting to walk. With her cute little arms up in the air she is taking about 5 or 6 steps before falling down. I love that stage.

Jax is loving his new soccer friends and is now signed up for T-Ball. We are excited to start that new chapter. At Kindergarten registration he didn't care about the teachers or the classrooms, he thought the cafeteria was the best. What a boy!!

Shade is having a great time on the gator. He learned how to drive all by himself and is enjoying calling Jax over for a ride and then driving away right before Jax can get in. It is hilarious because he had to learn that from someone. (jax)

I will post some pictures of the kids next time. They are all growing up so fast.

The coolest day EVER!!!

I am sure that you have all heard of "Go to work with daddy day." Well, today we kind of had that, except it was "Go to work with your very cool Air Force Pilot husband day." It doesn't get any better than that!! Today I got to wear a flight suit, put on my own wings, and head into work with Zach. Today was "Spouse Taxi Day." I was so excited!! I got to go through a formal briefing on what the day would consist of, then we headed to another briefing on how to put our harness on, our helmet and mask, and then they proceeded to show us what we do if "something bad happens." Egress, Egress, Egress. Anyway, we got to get into a T-38 shell and test out our skills on getting strapped in and looking at what the cockpit would be like. Then, we went and got our helmets and parachutes. It was so awesome getting all fitted like I really was a pilot. Do you think I am done??? Well... after I got fitted I got to go out into a real T-38, I strapped in, Zach turned everything on, I put on my helmet, gloves, and pulled the canopy down. Zach did all the hand maneuvers to the crew chief and as a four ship( there were four different planes going with us) we started to taxi down the runway!!! Lights were everywhere, it was SO hot, the parachute uncomfortable, but the coolest thing ever. Zach let me taxi down the runway, and I even got to talk on the radio for everyone to hear. I got to say "four" when it was my turn. I know, hard stuff. It really was though. I was so nervous. We got to the end of the runway, we all lined up, and then each plane took off down the runway. We waited four minutes (since we were four) and started our own taxi down. Zach put it in burner and we got to 100 knots (about 115-120 mph)!!! We didn't get to take off, but the taxi was THE BEST. I finally got to feel a little bit of what Zach does everyday. I never give him the credit that he deserves. There is SO MUCH stuff to know. It is not like getting in a car and driving. There are about a million different lights and buttons to know about and so many different situations that they are in, and then to top it all off, he has to teach it to kids who have no idea what they are doing. I have always been amazed at what he does, but now I see how much goes into it. Today was honestly one day that I will never forget. As cool as it was though, I will leave the flying to Zach.!!!! My own wings, and certificate

The flight suit. Not very flattering

In the cockpit (during the briefing)

Getting my helmet ready

How do I look?

Ready to step to the jet

A once in a lifetime picture

To see or not to see.....

After many, many, many migraine headaches, and lots and lots and lots of persuasion from Zach and Courtney, I did it. I made an appointment with the base optometrist. I was at the point that I would do anything to stop having these migraines. The dr. was shocked when I told him I had never had my eyes checked before. I didn't think the local 80 year old Lions club member checking them in 7th grade counted. So, I was lucky and got the entire check-up. Air blown into my eyes, some sort of scanner looking inside my eyes, and the" click when you see the lines" test. I passed all of those with flying colors. The problem that I had was that I could not read the bottom line of the chart!! I had always prided myself with having great vision. Everyone in my family needs glasses except Matt (my brother) and me. I thought I had gotten away with it. Well, the dr. informed me that I need.........READING GLASSES!! WHAT???? I am only 26. I thought you had to be a few years older than that for reading glasses? After the shock had worn off I headed to get my glasses made, and I picked them up today. The kids were with me and when I put them on they laughed and said I looked like Aunt Sonnie!! They think it is hilarious to see me wear them. I do have to admit that when they are on, I can actually see the computer! I only have to wear them when I read or I am on the computer, but either way, I have now joined the club. I wear glasses!!! I posted two pictures so you could see the glasses I chose. *** Please remember, these pictures were taken by Jax and he is 5. Please just laugh at me with the glasses and not the picture.*** Trying to look smart in my brown pairMy red pair

Guitar Hero

We finally did it!!! Zach sent me on a random Wii chase to Wal-mart(the only store in town) last Saturday to see if they had any in. (They never do!!) We were not really expecting them to say yes, but I asked if they had one, and they said that they did. I got a little scared after that. We bought it anyway, and have not stopped playing it since. On Saturday Zach played Guitar Hero for 4 hours straight!! He had to beat the level he was on, but the problem is that we forgot to buy the memory card, so I am sure another 4 hour round will be coming up this weekend when we get one. The boys and I love bowling the best. Jax actually got a 189 score the other day!! Not bad for a 5 year old. Anyway, I thought I would post a few pictures of one of the Wii nights in our home. Bowling
Guitar Hero

Rock Star

Not following the notes!!

Go Jr!!!

I don't know how many of you know NASCAR, but Zach and the boys are big fans. Well, this year Dale Earnhardt Jr. is driving a new car. He was the number 8 and now he has changed to the National Guard number 88. I know, but it is a big deal. Zach has an uncle that is a General in the National Guard and he got a few hats, so Zach's awesome cousin Nick and his wife Meagan sent us some. The boys (including Zach) were so excited to have their own Earnhardt hat. I just wanted to say THANKS to Nick and Meagan for sending them!!! You guys are the best!!!!!! Modeling these great hats (just a little big)
The great side view
I had to throw this one in. This is what Ayns is ALWAYS doing. Screaming. It is a happy scream, but ear piercing non the less.

Tag on Jackson

Jackson got tagged my Mattie. I get to say a few fun things about our "Jax Man"

• Jax loves to learn. Every single day he is asking me so many questions about a million different things.
• Jax is learning to read, he is learning really fast and can already read a few words!!
• He is a very determined little boy. He decided it was time for him to count to 100 (because Mattie can). I told him he had time, but he said he could. We have been practicing and now he can.
• Jax loves to be outside. He doesn't like to be alone out there, but if there are people out he could be outside all day.
• Jax LOVES Idaho. He is always asking when the next trip "home" will be.
• He is a shy little guy. When he first meets someone he is very shy, but quickly comes to life.
• Jax is VERY into Ben 10. He is alway being some sort of Alien.
• He is the BEST brother to Shade and Aynslee
• Shade idolizes him, and Aynslee loves to be around him. She calls out for him all day and just wants to be near him.
• All day long he is asking for a snack, when I give him one he will give it back and ask for something healthy. He keeps us eating well.
• Jax has a very good heart. He always comes and gives me a hug if he thinks I need one.
• Jax has an old soul. I know that sounds wierd, but those of you who know him well, knows that he has NEVER acted his age. He has always acted a few years older. I feel like we are on the same level sometimes.
• I could go on forever, but I will stop by saying how happy we are that he is in our family. He is just a fun, cute, and happy boy. We all love him so much!!!
  Jax tags: Sophie, Colter, Ben C., Laynee, Brooklyn, James, Mack, Aiden, and anyone else who wants to.

My babies

I was cuddling with my kids the other night, and I was looking at them thinking how big they are all getting. I was remembering holding Jax when he was just so tiny, and the summer Sonnie stayed with us and Shade eating an apple that was SO FUNNY, and now I look at Aynslee and see her trying to walk and I can't believe how fast the time has gone. I also have been getting a lot of comments lately about how much my kids look alike. Some people even ask if Jax and Shade are twins. I know, they are two years apart and Jax a whole lot taller. I think it is funny, but they are serious. I thought I would post a picture of each kid at 11 months. That is how old Aynslee is now so I thought it would work. Anyway, here they are. I can see a resemblance. I had to scan the picture so it looks funny, but here is Jax.
Shade

Aynslee