So I could give the excuse that nothing has been going on, and therefore I have nothing to write about, but then that would be lying. Because really a lot has happend.
Well soon after my last post in August all of my family, along with Michaels parents and sister, came for Zachary's baptism. It was awesome having all my family here, And by some miracle we all fit into this house!!! Lets see there were 12 in all. And they were all adults! So as you can imagine it was elbow to elbow. But we were able to spend a lot of time with family, it had been exactly 2 years since I had seen my family. I was sad that Joan couldn't make it (my dad's wife). But I had missed dad a lot. He had a stroke about 2 years ago, and I have been really worried about him. He is slowing down, he will be 70 next year! That is hard to believe. But we were able to do a lot of things, we just worked around his nap schedule =o)
I hate to say this but it seems as though I missed Zack's baptism, I was so organized with Anthony's. You see I wasn't able to find someone to play the piano, so I had to do it. That was my big mistake, we also had the baptism on a Sunday, that is what we did in Texas, right after church, well it seems everybody decided to stay, talk about standing room only!! Before I knew it, it was over, and I didn't get one picture with Zack in white. My warning to those who haven't had there kids baptised, delagate everything!!!! Only worry about your child!
What better way to spend time with family then to show them around the Black Hills. It is really beautiful area. So on Anthony's 10th(yes 10 years old!!!) birthday we loaded up the cars and headed for a day of sightseeing, we started out going to Crazy Horse. Not a lot of people know about Crazy Horse, it is also a carving out of the side of a mtn. But it is of Chief Crazy Horse. If I remember correctly you could fit Mt Rushmore on the forehead of Crazy Horse. So it is quite big. It is a work in progress, and will be for many years, it is worth the trip. Afterwards we decided to go through Custer State Park and take the drive throught Needles Highway. There are 7 one way tunnels, and it is fun watching the huge motor buses, squeeze through those tunnels. I am sure there has been more than one mirror lost while going through those tunnels. We stopped to feed the chipmunks. That is the favorite thing for the boys to do. And continued the drive, we were hoping to run into a herd of buffalo, but we didn't get lucky. We saw a few, but not like we did the first time we went through. However we were lucky enough to run into a couple of burros, who wanted something to eat and we curious enough to stick there head into the van!! Talk about close encounters, it was hilarous!!! it was inches from Michael face. Towards the end of the highway, one of the last tunnels features a wonderful view of Mt Rushmore, you can see it while driving through the tunnel. After the winding roads we stopped for a bite to eat at Hill City, at the base of Rushmore, and then headed up to the monument. We made it just in time for the lighting ceremony, they do every night during the summer. It is a wonderful bit of history, and then they have groups of scouts retire the flag, After that they ask for all the members of the military past and present to come up and touch the flag, and tell the audience there name and rank. We surprised Michaels dad, who spent 7 or 8 years in the Air Force, and Michael brought him on the stage for that. It was a great way to end the day.
We also made trips to Wall, and to Spearfish, both of which are fun to visit. We had a blast at the Fish Hatchery, one of the caretakers let Anthony and Zachary take the big buckets of fish food and feed the fish. That was awesome, the fish literally jump out of the water.
Well after family left, we had one weekend to recoperate, and then boys started school!!!! YEAH FOR ME!!!!
Anthony is now in the 4th grade, we have a great teacher, she is exactly what Anthony needs. She is strict, and has high expectation, but she is also very caring, and has a lot of concern for her students.
Zack is in the 2nd grade, he also has a good teacher. She also expects certain things from the kids in her class, and has great communication with the parents of the class. I also am fortunate enough to spend 2 days a week in both of the classrooms. I am thankful that I don't have to work, at a normal job anyway, and that I can spend time helping out at the schools.
As for me, I decided to go back to the commissary. I am working for different people, and have maybe a 1/3 of what I used to stock. I am there for only about an hour or so a day. I also somehow managed to acquire 10 piano students!!! Unbelievable!!!! But I have great students, and they all show great potential! We are now getting ready for our Christmas recital, which may take place in January. Since I am taking a trip to Texas, for Mandi's custudy hearing. I am scared to death of testifying in court. But she needs to have her boys with her, so if I can help I am going to do what I can.
Well Michael is now getting ever so close to that elusive Master's Degree. We now have a huge incentive to get it done. They have just opened a campus for Embry Riddle, here on base, and have told Michael that when he gets his degree that they need a safety instructer!! So he will be able to start teaching here, which is what he loves to do.
Our last bit of exciting info is that we have booked another Disney Cruise!!!! This time it is a 15 night through the Panama Canal! We are stoked about this, as ya'll know how much we love cruises, the only bad part is that it doesn't leave until next january! But that is okay, we need to start paying it off, as you can imagine it is going to take every extra penny we have to pay for it. But it is going to be so worth it.
