We just cant get enough...

You would think a pilot and his wife would get bored with airplanes...but its just doenst happen!!!! We were fortunate enough for our honorary squadron commander to open his home and his hangar to us this weekend,,,and we even got some rides in some really cool airplanes. What an amazing day...and to make it even better Kurts parents and sis are here so we didnt have to take the kids!!!!

We have decided that when we retire we are going to live on an airpark...although we havent quite figured out how we will afford the airplane yet:) Good thing we have some time to figure these thinsg out!!!!

Kurt flew in a WWII T-6 and I got to fly in a Stearman bi-plane...and even got to go fly with my good friend Jasmine (who will from this point forward be refered to as my wingwoman and we will only use call signs!!!!)

Oh...and the first pic is of Kurt and baby Jude...the latest addition to the Hoolie clan!!! I had to include it b.c he is just so cute!!!!

Enjoy the pics!!!!

There is no place like home...

The kids, Nonnie and Joe-Pa, and I (yes, mismatched grandparents...but the other ones were working) spent the afternoon at Jeffery Mansion. This was one of my favorite places when I was little...and to this day I just dont think a trip back to OH is complete without a visit. This is one of those times that I am reminded of exactly how long Kurt and I have known each other. When you used to hang out at the same park you know you go WAY BACK!!!! Kurts mom even pointed out to the kids that Kurt and his sister planted the tulips out front when they were little.

Kurt and I used to go there all the time when we were in highschool. It was our little romantic spot. I even have pictures of us in highschool hanging out there. Of course I didnt take a walk down by the water since Reese is a crazy woman and I envisioned some sort of rescue diver needed at the end of the day. Life sure has changed!!!! Kurt and I are so blessed to have most of our family in one place...and to pretty much have the same memories to look back on. I hope one day our kids appreciate this...and maybe even live somewhere long enough to establish their own little military kiddo version of home sweet home!!!

world of bouce...

Aunt Lisa set up this cool evening for us. Two rooms filled with everything inflatable...can you imagine how much fun the kids had...and how worn out they were too!!!! For my bday Kurt got me te greatest little camcorder to feed my blogging addiction...I have some funny video that I will post once I get all of that downloaded (video includes Kurt and Lisas boyfriend enjoying the boucy castles too!!!!) If you are in columbus and have kiddos you should try this out...they have family night every Thursday and you can get 3 hours of boucing, pizza and drinks but you have to make reservations.

Reese is just getting so big...she pretty much did everything on her own!!!

Can you tell how fast Reese is going??? This is the HUGE slide. Kurt was supposed to go down with her but she went before he even sat down. This child is FEARLESS!!!!

Lisa, Chis and Lanie...thanks for the fun playdate:)

Guess who is one???

Our Goddaughter Annie just turned one...what a sweetie she is. We were lucky enough to see her while we were home in Ohio.

Love you Annie (and big sis Emma too!!!!) We hope you had a wonderful 1st day. As you can see in the pics she loves cake:) Your gift will be on its way soon:)

Eggcellent

We colored easter eggs with the Rahe fam...
The kids had sooooo much fun. Keegan was so deliberate and gentle...Reese wanted to see if they would bounce:)
This was just the start of a wonderful Easter...we missed Daddy alot but had a great time with the family during our second week in OH.

I didnt take any pics of the kids on Easter all dressed up...they were a little moody and by the time things settled down we had changed into comfy clothes. I will have to get them all dressed up again so everyone can see Reeses cute dress and Keegans cute pink polo shirt (Thanks Talon!!!!)

Lots more pics to follow...probably not in order, but we will see what happens. Check back often over the next few days for updates from our Ohio visit. Next trip...Disney land in 3 weeks!!!!!

The finished product

Keegan left this yellow egg in the dye forever...patiently stirring it and watching it get brighter and brighter...typical Keegan

The process...everyone had so much fun and we didnt even make that big of a mess:)

Keegan and Logan...2 peas in a pod!!!!

Libby and her boyfriend Mike...oh to be a teenager in love:)

Reese is such a ham!!!!

For those of you who dont know my sis...here is Melissa...she is the one that I swear Reese looks just like...they have the same smile, expressions, attitde etc:)

Keegan working on his first egg

The group...I think Reese peeking around the corner is soooo funny!!!!

Reese didnt hug Libby until the last day we were in OH...Libby was heartbroken and thought Reese didnt like her. She was just playing hard to get...as you can tell in this pic she loves Libby Lou!!!!

Can you see the crack in Reeses egg??? The second we handed it to her she checked to see if it bounced. So different from her bro!!!

Keegan stole the show...

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/04/04/NEW_CHIEF.ART_ART_04-04-09_B4_I3DF25A.html?sid=101

We are in OH and the main reason for this visit was to see Kurts dad sworn in as the Chief of Police and do a little celebrating with the family...

Yesterday we got all dressed up and headed to the police academy. You can imagine my stress level when taking 2 toddlers to a formal event...especially when Keegan didnt got to bed until after midnight. They were actually very well behaved, and actually drew a few laughs. As the Safety Director was speaking Keegan took a nice quiet moment to loudly announce that he needed to go to the bathroom. So, off we went. A family friend came into the bathroom to let us know that we were needed on stage for the official swearing in. Keegan pants are around his ankles and I had to just say we would be there when he was done.

We ran back to the auditorium (for those of you who know me,,,picture me running in heels!!!) and were greeted with a round of applause. Everyone had waited for our return:) So...as always, the kids stole the show...and it even made the newspaper this morning...

CONGRATULATIONS DAD!!!! We are so very proud of you and know you will accomplish great things. Thank you for waiting for us to get back to OH to do all of the celebrating...and thank you for being such a great grandpa!!!!

My budding artist...

So what if she will be a tattoo artist and not a painter or sculpter:)

She completed this masterpeice while I switched a load on laundry...which is impressive since she had to find the markers also!!!

This is Reese blaming a dog for the marker all over her legs. We were dogsitting Angus and when I asked her what was going on she pointed to Angus and said "he do it"

Happy Birthday Dear.....

Jack...

Jack Daniel is 7 today!!!

Yes...we celebrated the dogs bday today. Keegan loves the idea of birthdays and asked whos was the next on in our family. Of course I made the mistake of telling him it was our Yorkie. So...we had to make a cake, get presents, sing...it was pretty funny. No,,,we didnt invite anyone,,,that would have just been too weird. Jack was thrilled with new toys and treats and the kids had fun spoiling him rotten. Odd, yet very sweet!!!

Remembering JINX

FRIDAY March 13, 2009
A year ago tomorrow a student in our squadron died in a tragic crash. This was the second time in Kurt's short military career that we have had to deal with this kind of devastating news.

I can honestly say that there isnt a day that goes by that I dont think of Kurts friends who were way too young and too amazing to leave this earth so soon. I think of their families who are raising children without their daddys!!!! Every time I hear the jets roar over the house on their way home I have a mixed feeling of overwhelming pride and saddness. There is not a time that I dont wonder if Kurt or one of his buddies can see us playing in the backyard in the afternoon. Then, in the blink of an eye I think of Trojan and Jinx and the beautiful wives and children that they left behind. I only wish I could describe to those of you ourside of a fighter squadron the calibur of people that gave their lives b.c they wanted to make the world a better place for their families and for complete strangers that they never knew. A few of you have had the chance to hang out with us at the squadron bar or at a party...and without fail eveyrone comments on what a CRAZY yet amazing group of people we know. I wish every American could have the chance to truly just see a day in the life of these men and women.

When Kurt walks in the door every evening I have a huge sense of relief come over me...but I always remember that not all of our military men and women get to come home at the end of the day. In an unexplainable way you feel guilty that your life is normal while someone elses is the exact opposite. Deep down you know that it could have just as easily been your family!!!! In Kurts line of work all of these pilots are the BEST!!!! They are amazing and talented and brave. When they are compared and one is said to be better than another it is like trying to compare a group of valedictorians whos GPAs are all 4.0something!!!! You really cant fairly distinguish one from another.

I am soooooo proud to be a part of such an amazing military family. I know that at times we get frustrated with each other, wish things were different etc...but in the end we all come together and support each other when it really matters. Today I will be at a memorial, and in a few days a baby shower. This so accuratly sums up our life....together through thick or thin. We really function as a family. Keegan and Reese have more uncles than they can count....and Kurt and I have so many siblings we cant keep track. Of course...we also have the most amazing leaders too...the ones who are our mom and dad when we need one!!! No one ever said a normal family....but one that we would never trade for anything in the world!!!

For those of you reading this blog who are military families....I hope you know how much you all mean to Kurt and I and the kids. We could not make it one single day in this life without you!!!! For those of you who are not in the military, please keep them and their familes in your prayers. These are men and women who truly deserve to never be forgotten!!!!! They really are heros and we are honored to be surrounded by such selfless and honorable people!!!!

So, basically today is a very sad day for the 62nd fighter squadron family, the F16 commmunity, the AF and the military. It is one in which we have to look at the worst part of the life we live. It is the one that forces you see what the ultimate price of freedom is!!!!

JINX...the Spikes will NEVER forget you!!!! Kristi and Braden, you are forever a part of our family and are in our prayers always!!!!

Kurt...I love you more than you could ever know...even if you are the last one to come back from your TDY:)

Keegans 1st Sleepover...

So Keegans buddy Talon is here for the weekend while his parents are at a wedding. Keegan and Reese were BEYOND excited about his stay!!!! I can honestly say that these 3 have not stopped moving ALL day. I am exhausted but so happy that Felicia and Josh get a weekend away and that the kids get to spend some time with Talon before he head to TX with his mom and his dad head to Korea for a year.

We will see if they actually go to sleep:)

our lil fish

Can you tell Reese REALLY likes bathtime?????

Chief Boppa...

This week was full of exciting news...

The best news was that Kurts dad was promoted to Chief of the Columbus Police Dept. We are so proud of him and excited about all the great things he has an opportunity to accomplish.

Like any good mom I trained the kids before calling to say congrats....and when Boppa answered the phone both kids said "Hi Chief". Keegan really had no idea what happened....but was very excited none the less!!!!

Hopefully we will be able to head home for the promotion sometime this month. Since many of you that read this blog are military families...this is the equivalent of being named the Wing Commander!!!!

So...congratulations Dad/Boppa...we are so happy for you!!!!

Here are some pics from the day...

hmmm....we really wish we could have been there...but it sure looks cold!!!!!

Oh...and let me remind everyone that we have no ability to make traffic tickets disappear!!!! STOP ASKING:)