Deployment to Korea

*****It only took 5 months for me to hog tie Jason long enough to have him help provide captions to his pictures.  ******

Yes - Jason made it home - early!  We were surprised when he called to let me know he was only an 1 hour away (that took about 5 to get here).

Riding on the HSV (High Speed Vessel).  

HSV with about 20 trucks inside and holds up to 800 people.

An MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected).

The individually wrap all of the fruit while still on the trees.

Trying out the Medical Highback HUMV.

Medical Trauma Bay.  Not near as fancy as the ER.

Jason really liked taking pictures of the Blackhawks coming and going. 

Jason went running in the rice fields.

Eating an MRE

Working on patients using an Adal unit.  Set up in a storage room.  Dentistry on the go.

Portable X-ray!

More field setup - sterilizer, distiller...

Super comfy dental chairs.

No explanation needed.

North Korean watching Jason take pictures of him.

South Korean patrol.  The one South Korean stays facing the corner of the building, only keeping half of himself visible to the North Koreans.

This building is half in North Korea and half in South Korea.  This is where they meet for talks.

Kijŏng-dong is a city just inside North Korea from the DMZ (demilitarized zone).  The city is mostly fake.  There are workers to take care of any thing.  North Korea used to broadcast nice invitations to South Koreans to join them.  Later it" switched to blaring, condemnatory anti-Western propaganda speeches, Communist agitprop operas, and patriotic marching music at high volume for up to 20 hours a day".  Read more about it, kind of interesting.

The Bridge of No Return.  At one time was used for prisoner exchanges.  An interesting history.

New Toys for the Boys (and us Girls)

This is Jason's Valentine Present.  He loves it.  It is the Jungle Gym XT.  It gives all of us a great workout.  

I usually find one of the kids in the middle of some acrobatic move.  More Pics To Come.

3 Boys and a 5K

This time Jason and Grahm also participated.  Grahm has been begging to run everyday since Jayce's last run.  It is going to whip Jason into shape because Jayce views running as his private Daddy time.   So, Jason has to run with each of them seperately and now Charlotte is begging to go.

 Since they were running so fast, I hadn't set my settings.  Next time I will be ready.

Jayce ran ahead of Grahm and Jason up till the end.  He ran a good quarter of a mile ahead, but at the end they had over a half mile up hill climb.  That combined with his faster pace took its toll and he couldn't be motivated too much at that point.  So Grahm and Jason came in just before Jayce.  Their times....  28.??  and 29.??  Jayce shaved off 5 minutes!  They both beat lots of adults.  We are so proud and hope they continue to enjoy running.  At this rate we might have to invest in that double jogging stroller!

Beat, but so proud!  Sign in was at 6:30am - I think they need to be up a little earlier so breakfast doesn't make them feel yucky.

Happy Birthday Post

Since Jason has the ability to not get a year older each year.  We just randomly pick a day and shower him with gifts and eat too much cake!  We enjoyed steak and cheesecake, of course.  Jason never wants me to do much, but maybe he is just saying that, hhhmmm.  Maybe next year we will go to the clinic and really make a big deal - then I will know if he means it.

You already saw pictures of the mis-marked pants.

I needed a little something for on top.  Who knew chocolate covered sunflower seeds were soooo good.

 Happy Birthday Handsome.  I love you so much.  You are a great Dad and Husband, and the second grouchiest person we know;)

Dental Visits

During the Holiday break we took the three older kids in for a dental checkup.  It was the first time Grahm or Charlotte had been to see "The Dentist" - Jayce endured a visit while "The Dentist" was in school.

They all enjoyed getting a few X-rays.  Tennyson and I bounced around in the hall and tried to keep the other two children entertained with whatever I had in the Mary Poppins Bag that day.  So far so good - No Cavities!!

Jason's Last Wisconsin Adventure

About a week before we left Wisconsin Jason and two friends from work (Mike and Josh) chartered a fishing boat to pit Man against Salmon on the Great Lake Michigan.  I am still unsure who won and who lost, but the few they brought home were tasty!

I think the biggest competition out there was who's fish was biggest!

My only personal question is:  If you catch the biggest and the littlest, do you still win?

To a Wonderful 10 years!

(Best looking man alive!!)

I can hardly believe that 10 years ago today I married the greatest man ever.  He is perfect for me in every way.  He is all that I need to keep me sane and going each day.  When he comes home to a worn out wife and wild kids, he gives me an extra long hug and then we work together for the rest of the evening and by bedtime I am good to go for another day.  What would I do with out him?

What we have done together in the past 10 years:
5 moves (about to embark on #6 - 5 years ago we were just as deep in move #5).
3 children (and 1 more on the way)
Jason's Undergrad classes
Dental Degree
Part of my Masters classes
3 years enlisted in the Navy
Bootcamp
Commissioned an Officer in the Navy
Officer Candidate School
Completely rennovated a house
Refinished and built more furniture than I can keep track of
and so much more!

Jason, I love you!

Special Visitor Day

Jayce invited his Dad to his school's Special Visitor Day.  Jayce requested that he come in uniform, which I knew Jason would be squimish about (he thinks kids are grubbby).

They spent the morning together at Jayce's school.  They made a spinner or buzz saw.  Jayce filled out a questionaire about Jason and then they enjoyed a school lunch together (Jason loves cafeteria food, hehehe).  Jayce had a lot of fun showing his Dad off to his classmates.  Everyone thought the uniform was so cool.

Blogging Vacation Recap - 3

Jason Had a Birthday!!

We had a quiet family celebration.  He had to work all weekend.  He left Friday morning and we didn't see him until Monay night - he was tired.  He asked for Corned Beef, Potatoes, Salad and Raspberry Cheesecake!!  For gifts, last minute he decided that a fun hobby in Japan would be hunting for buried treasure - so he asked for a Metal Detector!!  He and the boys will have lots of fun, hope he finds some fun things. 

One More Reason!

Another reason I love my husband.

The other night he had to iron his dress blues for his uniform inspection.  He decided he wanted to listen to music while he did the job.  What did he grab?

ABBA ( Momma Mia!)

His music likes are as diverse as mine!!

You have to still love me - even thought I just shared that!!!

Happy Fourth of July

To wish you a Happy Independence Day, here is a peek at my very own Naval Officer!!
A special Thanks to all those who Serve!!

Sticky Belly and Bubbles!!

We recently enjoyed a late morning and lunch with friends. We visited some animals, rode some "cows", and milked them (what is it with boys?). Then we enjoyed popsicles and bubbles.

Yup - he still has that same smile!

It must be a boy thing?!?!



When I know that this is going to be the end result - there is always a moments hesitation before I say "yes" and hand my children a messy popsicle.

Relax. We have wet wipes. That is so sticky. Just look at that cute full, happy belly!

She is so nice, she will share.


Making sure she has every last drip, too bad she can't get to all the drips on her belly.

Kids and Bubbles - such a wonderful combination. It is amazing how long bubbles can entertain us (yup, even me).

These are the moments I hope to remember and hope they remember. Warm days, popsicles, bubbles and mom not caring if you get messy = Summer!!