Atkinson Family

The trip home

2008-06-10T07:59:00.000-07:00

We thought about staying in Hawaii a day or two longer, but we were starting to get a little homesick for the kids. We headed to the air terminal at Hickam Airforce Base on Saturday morning and caught a flight out right away. We stayed the night in Fairfield and drove the rest of the way home on Sunday. We had an awesome time and hope to go back again!

Hawaii Day 3

2008-06-10T07:45:00.000-07:00

Views from Diamondhead

Sea life Park

We took a hike up to Diamondhead, which is a peak that overlooks Honolulu. It was a fun hike and was well worth the effort. The views were fantastic. After our hike, we did a bit more driving and made some scenic stops at Hanama Bay and Sandy Beach park. Rowdy was amazed at the waves and had fun watching the body surfers. We went to the sea life park where we got to see dolphins, sea turtles and sea lions, along with a bunch of other fish. We watched the shows and took a lot of video to show to the kids. After we were done at the park, we went to Bellows Army Base and played in the ocean there. It was very nice because it is a private beach and there weren't too many people there. After our fill of sea water, we went back to the hotel, had a nice dinner and got ready for our venture home.

Hawaii Day 2

2008-06-10T07:34:00.000-07:00

Polynesian Cultural Center

Lihue Temple

We decided to spend the entire day on the more northern side of the island of Oahu. We took a nice drive and stop at some differnt beaches. We made our way up to the Lihue temple and spent the morning there. That afternoon we went to the Polynesian Cultural Center. We went to a luau there for dinner and then went to the fireshow at the end of the evening.

Hawaii Day 1

2008-06-10T07:25:00.000-07:00

Pearl Harbor Memorial

Our first day in Hawaii was very laid back. We got all situated in our room, got a rental car, bought a few groceries, and then we were ready for some fun. We went to Pearl Harbor which was so very awesome. We loved it! We were there for most of the afternoon. After that, we went to dinner at a very nice restaurant on base. It was oceanfront and very nice.

California Days 1,2 &3

2008-06-10T06:56:00.000-07:00

Jelly Belly Factory, Fair Field California

Donner Summit in California, needless to say, we are glad we are heading to Hawaii

Hangin' at the Travis air terminalNapa Valley Vineyard
Napa Valley Wine Train

Well, we made it to Travis Airforce Base on Saturday night. We spent the time that night playing at the bowling alley. I don't think I have ever bowled so badly in my entire life, but it was a good time anyway, Rowdy did really well, it was fun to watch him! Sunday morning, we headed over to the terminal to catch a flight to Hawaii. We were there from about 7:00 to 11:30 and didn't make either of the flights. No big deal though. We spent Sunday hanging out at the hotel and walking around base. On Monday, we went to Napa Valley. The vineyards there are very cool and it is kind of a fun little town. We went to the Jelly Belly factory and out to a nice dinner. We got back to the terminal just in time to get on the flight. We were on the plane for a couple of hours, but the got booted off because of some engine problems. Because we stayed there at the base, they were very laid back about letting us re-check into our room. On Tuesday, we were off to Hawaii!!

Space A adventure

2008-06-09T08:06:00.000-07:00

So as I metioned in a previous post, Rowdy and I tried our hand at Space A flight. This is a one of the things Rowdy gets to take advantage of because of his job with the government. Basically, military bases pretty much everywhere have different missions that fligh in and out of the base. A lot of the time they are to ship cargo from place to place. Sometimes they are for refueling other planes and some are medical flights. Anyhow, quite often there are also a few, or sometimes a lot, of passenger seats open on these flights. Therefore, the military opens up these seats to people who are military and military retires and their dependants. Depending on your status and how long you have been on the flight list, you are eligible for a seat. It is a mystery to a lot of people, even military, because people are so scared to try it because it is unpredictable. If you are willing to be patient and flexible with your plans, it is well worth your trouble because flights are free (within the US, you do have to cover custom fees traveling internationally). As most of you know, Rowdy loves a good deal, so we decided to take a chance. We dropped the kids off in Twin Falls and we drove to Travis Airforce base which is about 30 minutes from San Fransisco. We loved it because we knew if we didn't get on a flight, we could have a fun trip to California. There were 2 flights on Sunday, which we didn't make it on. The next flight was on Monday night so we played in California all day Monday and got on the flight that night. They had a problem with the plane so the flight was delayed until Tuesday. We spent some time in Hawaii and then had no problem getting back when we were ready. We stayed right in the housing on the bases, so it made our trip very easy, cheap and fun. The flight was very cool. There were about 10 passengers that were flighing Space A, besides the 15 or so crew. The seats in the plane are backward facing. There are some just normal airline seats (about 20 on the flight we were on) and then there were cargo net seats up against the side of the plane. The crew we flew with were very laid back and fun. In fact, one of the flights, there were two boys, about 9 and 11, who got to do just about eveything the crew did. They wore the head gear and listened to all the crew. They got to hang out in the cockpit with the pilot during the flight and take a nap in the crews bunk beds. When the plane landed, they got to go to the hatch and look out while they were checking all the landing gear. It was awesome and someday I want to take our boys.

Spring Soccer FINALLY done

2008-06-09T07:42:00.000-07:00

Kylan with his soccer smile

Kylan kicking a goal
Alex's soccer team
Alex with his soccer trophey
Cheese!!

Ok, we loved watching the boys play soccer, but we are so glad it is over!! The weather was so awful about half the time. I don't think the kids minded too much, but it sure was miserable for us on the sidelines. Kylan loved every minute of soccer, and Alex, almost every minute. Alex had kind of a rough time at the end. The first few games, he loved just running all over the field. As long as he got to kick the ball into the net at the end of the game, he was perfectly happy. Then about half way through the season, there was a game where a few of the kids on his team were gone and the other team was not very good and he kicked about 4 goals during actual time of play. After that taste of what soccer is really supposed to be like, the other games were very disappointing for him. Needless to say, I think we will hold off on fall soccer and wait until at least spring to put him in again. Kylan did very well. He wasn't the best kid on the team, but he had so much fun and always had a smile on his face. He is one of those kids that pretty much everything he tries, he is fairly good at and enjoys. He did miss his last couple of games because the tournament were a last minute thing and we didn't know the schedule at all until we were out of town. He didn't seem to mind though. I think he is ready to move on to summertime stuff. That is, if summer ever gets here! I am tired of the cold!

Graduation

2008-06-09T07:18:00.000-07:00

Field trip to the zoo (Alex w/ sweet shades, Kylan, and good friend Ethan
Kylan and Ethan with snack at the park
Kylan's practicing lunch time for next year and Alex tagging along
Proud Mom, Kylan and Alex at graduation
Kylan and Ethan after the big event

So, Rowdy and I think that kindergarten graduation is a little silly, but nobody tell Kylan that. Gate City Elementary goes all out. They had the caps and gradation march and everything. They sang a few songs, and had a slide show, and received their kindergarten scrapbooks. I don't save anything, so I am very grateful to the teachers for making those scrapbooks. Poor Kylan would have nothing to show for his year of hard work. They recognized the kids with perfect and almost perfect attendance through out the year. Kylan had no chance of that award, but he still had a hopeful look on his face as they were listing names. Maybe next year! The whole event ended with cake and punch (why do you think Alex and I went! Just kidding, well kind of). Kylan had a wonderful kindergarten experience. Out of his 3 report cards, he only got 2 minus marks (both having to do with a little too much gabbing), but they improve to pluses by the end of the year. He is now anxiously awaiting 1st grade and his chance to eat lunch at school and walk to school with his friends.

Crazy Summer!!

2008-06-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

So, our life went from completely mundane to insane in a short matter of time. The boys finished up school and soccer, and Anna Jo, Rowd and I just did our thing. The week before school got out, Rowdy and I decided to venture out on the military space available flight program. It went very well and we will do another blog or two about our trip and post pictures later. We were gone for a week and a half (thanks grandmas and grandpas for watching the kids!) We got back and then Rowdy, Anna Jo and I turned around and went to Phoenix for a few days for Rowdy's annual conference. Kylan and Alex decided that grandma Jeanie and Bobpa's cabin sounded like fun for a few days while we went to Phoenix. Some of us just got back home yesterday ;the boys are still in the mountains, Anna Jo and I will pick them up on Wednesday. Then we will stay in Twin Falls until Friday evening. When Rowdy gets off work on Friday, he will come pick us up and we will go to Boise. On Saturday, we are having a big birthday bash for Alex and Anna Jo. Sunday, Rowdy will flight out of Boise to Warm Spring, Oregon. He is looking forward to working there for a couple of weeks. Whoo, all that and it will not even be July yet. Who came up with the dog days of summer?

Who thought up spring soccer?

2008-04-05T13:06:00.001-07:00

Kylan awaiting the start of the game

Kylan and a blanket battling the wind
Alex takes a fall for the team
Do you know where you're going buddy?
Anna Jo and the really bad hair day!

Well, hello there to everyone. We started spring soccer this past week, although it should be called freeze your tail end off soccer. It is so cold out there! Alex had his first game last weekend, it was a bust. There were only three on his team that were willing to play and one on the other team. Alex was all over it though, through the wind and blistering cold, and has been counting down the days until today so he could have another game. It was not as cold this week, but it was still pretty miserable. Alex was happy though. At the end of the game, he asked if the game was over and was sad he hadn't scored a goal. We let him kick the ball in the net once, and he was good to go after that. Kylan did very well. This was his first game. He scored two goals while I was there and then one or two after I left (I am co-coaching Alex's team, so I had to leave early for his game). Both of the boys did so well and we are very proud of their good attitudes and sportsmanship. Anna Jo had a good time pretending to drive the car while we were at the games. Maybe next week it will be nice so she can get out and run around. Rowdy's church basketball team gets to play in the championship game this week. He also got to watch the beginnings of a police car chase that went from Fort Hall all the way to Idaho Falls, as he was coming home from work the other night. That was pretty exciting. Anyhow, that is about it from us this week, just patiently waiting for warm weather to arrive! Have a great week! Shana

Just a test

2008-03-29T06:47:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm new to this blogging stuff, so I'm just checking something out quick.

Spring Break!

2008-03-29T06:15:00.000-07:00

Waiting for the Easter Egg Hunt Our new church duds
We love to bowl!!

Well, hello to you all again. Although we didn't plan on doing anything really exciting for spring break, this week was full and a lot of fun. We went bowling with grandma and the uncles. Only once were we scared that Alex's bowling ball would not make it down the lane, but after about 3 minute it did.

We went to the rodeo, which turned out to be really gruesome. We saw a horse get kicked in the leg by another horse and two bull riders get kicked, one of them in the face, by the bull. It was rough, but all in all a good time. The boys seemed to really like it, especially when we went to get snacks!

Then, of course, Easter. The kids went to an egg hunt in town, and then got a basket with candy (which was gone by Sunday night) and some new church clothes. We ate ham and rolls and potatoes, all the traditional Easter stuff, and had a great day.
The rest of the week has been pretty much playing with friends and hanging around. Kylan has quite a few neighborhood friends, and I got a taste of what summer is going to be like. I am going to have to make sure we have a lot of snacks on hand. We had a few extra kids here every afternoon. Well, that about sums up our spring break. I hope all of you, well those of you who get the luxury of a spring break, had a great one too. Talk to you soon! Shana

Welcome to our blog!!

2008-03-19T11:44:00.000-07:00

Kylan getting ready for a Splash Mountain Adventure! Alex and Anna Jo at Tom Sayer's Island
Alex with Pluto at Mickey's Toon Town

Well, just thought I would keep you all posted in a little more modern way. I don't know about this blogging stuff but I guess I will learn as I go. We have had a very fun year so far. We had just gotten back into the swing of things after the holidays, when we picked up and went to Disneyland. It was the first time the kids have ever been and they had a blast. Rowdy's mom and dad went with us and were such a huge help. We really enjoyed having them go with us. The trip went so smooth, even the 12 hour car ride, was very pleasant. All and all, not very relaxing (I'm sure you can all image, with 2 boys wanting to be at Disneyland every minute it was open!) but so much fun!

All else is going great here. We are excited for summer and warm weather. The boys are doing great in school and Anna Jo gets smarter and cuter everyday. She has recently learned to say "I'm the princess." And she is, if any of you are wondering! We hope all is well with each of you! I hope I can be good about keeping this blog going so you hear from us a little more often. Take it easy and talk to you all again soon!