Santa Rosa Plateau Hike

Jacob brought home a nasty cold earlier this week and while his seems to have subsided he has managed to pass the nasty, annoying ever present barking hacking cough onto all of his brother which has led to very little sleep for this mom and is getting quite old. I knew I could not sit in this house all day today so we decided to go check out a ecological reserve less than a half hour from here. We hiked about 4 miles and overall the kids did great. Luke was a total trooper even if we did have to pack him out with him falling asleep on us and I probably won't be able to move tomorrow. We got some great pictures!

It's Ian! It's Daddy! Wait who is that?

Ian truly enjoyed his no leave chit this time. I have never in our entire lives seen him with so much facial hair. Owen even asked if he glued hair to his face:) He needs a plaid shirt and an axe:) Just kidding I love him even if he is a mountain man!

Scout Blue and Gold

Last week we celebrated the annual Blue and Gold for Cub Scouts. This was Jacob's last Blue and Gold and was honored and crossed over into Boy Scouts. We missed having Ian there (again as he has missed every Blue and Gold Jacob has been a part of) but we have great leaders who made it special for him. A tradition they do here is all the boys make cakes and are given awards for them. Jacob made a fish, Nathan a campfire cake and Owen (who cannot be left out whether a scout or not) made an "Easter cake". He told me his design on top was a Japanese letter because Daddy is in Japan. Nathan won an award for putting together a puzzle in third fastest time and he was a part of his first Flag Ceremoney. We have so enjoyed having Nana here. We have just over a week left and I am already sad she is going. Here are some pictures from our Scout night:

LIfe in pictures

Wish Ian gone I find myself snapping pictures every day, sometimes all day. I can't begin to say how awesome it makes me (and I think him) feel to be able to share our daily happenings with him instantly! This morning he was on watch and we are able to chat on Facebook and as Jacob was celebrating his birthday and opening presents and as the boys were acting silly and just doing everyday run of the mill things I was able to snap some pictures on my phone and add them to our chat and just like that within seconds he could see them. The boys love building lego things and taking pictures of their tests and artwork and it just helps so much to know that Daddy can see and praise them for their work. So here are just a few pictures from the last six weeks:) Nathan turned 9! He had school but we enjoyed pizza with our neighbors and frozen yogurt before a phone call from daddy sealed a great day! We mail daddy packages (I love my little mail helper) and Daddy sent us a package too! We make school projects, hang out, have fun and send daddy silly pictures We celebrate firsts like Luke's first haircut all by himself the other day!! Followed by a wonderful trip to the beach. We are counting down to Daddy's return. It has been such a long 11 weeks. Finally in the past week Owen, who has especially struggled has seemed to turn a corner a bit. I hope and pray when Nana goes home next month he can continue to do well. Here is a side by side comparison of our countdown chart a week or so ago. We are almost half way! And last but not least TODAY JACOB IS 11!! How am I old enough to have an 11 year old? I feel like I have blinked and I will blink again and he will be 18. We really enjoyed having Ian a part of our morning. He got to see pictures of the boys making good use out of the packing materials for Jacob's new spinning rod and reel and he was able to call and talk to us which made the day that much better. Nana treated us to Frozen (SO CUTE and a must have!) and dinner. Minus a HUGE meltdown from a certain 2 year old and it was a fun night. We ended the night with sundaes. One more day left of this 4 day weekend and its back to the grind. February is more than half over!

Ian's adventures

Ian is currently in his 3rd Port. Saesbo, Japan. (They stopped in Hawaii and Guam on their way out) He pulled in last week and of course I had no idea where he would be until a mutual friend from the ship posted "HELLLOOOO SAESBO" on their Facebook page. I quickly realized that is where an old shipmate of Ian's is stationed and his wife and I have kept in contact (Thank you social media) so I sent her a message asking for tips on what Ian should for sure try to see/do while there. She did so much better than that! Joe showed up on the ship and invited Ian out for the day Saturday. Joe took him sight seeing and they went and saw the spot where the movie The Last Samuri was filmed. They took him out for Sushi. My favorite was that he hung out at their house the rest of the day so we were able to use their WIFI and actually see and hear eachother for a good 90 minutes! Can't beat that. He was able to show me the view from their home. Gorgeous! Beautiful, lush, green hills. Here are some pictures from his day that he sent me: I love this last one. This is of Ian hanging out at their house waiting to talk to me:) Yesterday he took the train from Saesbo to Nagasaki and took tours of the Ground Zero and Peace Park. He said it was really a neat experience, although very sad to read the stories and see the still visible signs of the destruction. He messaged me at 5 this morning on his way back to the ship when he finally had wifi and told me he would send these pictures. I can't wait to actually hear about his day. Some of the coolest things is the food! Ground Zero: Peace Park: And since of course he got no pictures with himself in it I had to go on facebook and steal some from his friends:) This last one is from the other day when he went to dinner with friends. Always the ladies man:) The gal in the middle is Kristin. She is awesome. I never have known so many females on the ship and I love it. She keeps Ian in line and smacks him for me. What more can I ask for? :) Overall things are fine. I am not a fan of the pulling in every other week and neither is Ian. However, WIFI everywhere and skyping and oovoo are something new and amazing! Never have we been able to talk for free and often. So, I guess for this I am thankful. We are 25% done as long as no time is added and so far its looking like things will stay on track. The past 7 weeks here have been pretty awful and continue to be so. Please keep the boys in your prayers. Especially Nathan and Owen. We are taking it day by day and look forward to Nana coming to see us soon!!