Training for the NCO of the Year Competition

Going back to work, my duty this cycle is to train up for the approaching United States Army in Europe NCO of the Year Competition. SSG Snook is the primary candidate to go since he won the NCO of the year board, but just to make sure that the Academy is represented in case something were to happen to SSG Snook, I am have been named as his understudy.

SFC Garret is in charge of training us and he has put together a great schedule so that we can get hands on training in preparation for the events that we could be facing during the completion on the 12 to 16 of August. So far, we have been to the weapon range simulator to practice our quick firing, a land navigation course, medical training, and practiced our visual communication skills. After having been the trainer for so long, it is good to get back to being the trainee.

Family Home Evening

Tricia and I are in a good habit of making sure that we have family home evening on Monday nights. No matter what else is going on that day, we make sure to set aside the time for our family. Tricia recently made a chart to show who needs to do what on the coming Monday so that we can be prepared ahead of time. Our last activity was making smoothies with the raspberries that we had picked together.

The End of Our Vacation Time

Tricia and I have been reading the scriptures with each other each night and have just finished reading the Doctrine and Covenants. Sometimes we have been quite tired doing so when we put the reading off until last in what can sometimes become an unexpected late night, but the pay off has been having something interesting and uplifting to talk about with each other. We have moved on to the Old Testament.

It has been marvelous having so much time to spend with Jeffrey. I certainly do appreciate more what it takes for Tricia to watch him all day every day. Even as happy and content as he is, it sure can be a handful meeting his needs and purposefully interacting with him. I finished reading Harry Potter to him as we sat in the theater waiting for the new Harry Potter movie to begin.

After this break I will be able to go back to work refreshed and ready to take a new look at how to be an effective instructor for my students.

Picking Himberen

After our adventures at the zoo, we went to a local field to pick raspberries. It is German tradition to pick strawberries and raspberries as they come into season. After picking a small bag full we took them to the owner of the field who weighed them and charged us 2€, which is much less than we would have paid in the grocery store.

A Day at the Nuerenburg Tiergarten

We took Jeffrey to the Neurenburg Zoo today. He ended up sleeping in his stroller most of the time, but when awake he enjoyed the outside scenery very much.

Jeffrey went Swimming!

On one of our last few days off together, we went to the swimming pool and took our little bean today. He had a great time and so did we, the germans love their swimming pools.




Paige said I'm a hippie mom...well, if it keeps Jeffers happy, I'll be a hippie. ;)

Dance Recital Pictures

I was so busy at our spring dance recital that I didn't get a chance to have someone take pictures. But when I met with our CYS director today about possibly returning to teach, she had a few pictures from the recital and made me a copy. I laughed because I didn't realize then how HUGE I really was! But I'll tell Jeffers forever more that he danced on stage with me before he was born.

Jeffrey Out on Geo Cache

We took Jeffrey for his first geo cache. We ended up taking a nature hike to the top of a hill, but the foliage was so thick that we could not locate the cache among the leaves of the trees and all of the pine needles that had fallen to the ground.

Both of Jeffrey’s new carriers have been great for indoor and outdoor use.

Finally Graduated

This WLC cycle seemed to drag on forever. I am glad to have my students gone so that I can take a break from 14-hour workdays and spend some quality time with my own family. During the field portion of the cycle, I took a needed break from my students and got some thinking time in while resting under a tree.

Fun Photos of Jeffrey

Jeffrey is Growing Up

Jeffrey is growing up quickly and there is much to observe as he develops. During tummy time, he is able to lift his head up quite far and is kicking with his feet. Jeffrey is clearly turning his head in the direction of voices and faces, and he is attempting to touch things with his hands. He has also found himself in the mirror while playing. When we change his diaper, we have begun to move his Winnie the Pooh mobile over his head to give him something to look at and reach for. Jeffrey likes to ride in the car, which always puts him to sleep. Tricia has also been successful in taking him for afternoon walks in his stroller to get some fresh air and keep him happy. Jeffrey is at his happiest just after waking up. He wiggles, giggles, and gives us many smiles. Last night he came out on the balcony with me as I worked on some homework. He entertained himself looking up at the darkening sky from inside a basket of folded clothes.

We are now into the third chapter of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone in Spanish. Whenever Jeffrey is in a happy mood, we sit down together and read it. I am very glad that I have this vacation time to spend with him and Tricia.

Updates from Us

So, Jeffrey and I went to the doctor today and he is now a whopping 13 lbs 4 oz. Big boy! He's also around 24 inches, but he wouldn't stretch his legs out and cooperate when they were trying to measure him.

I've just updated my jewelry website with lots of new stuff, so if you have a few minutes take a look. Click Here!!

Get Your Tickets to the Gun Show

Jeffrey has a tendency to put his arms above his head while he is sleeping. He is showing off his ever growing arms. The sure test to see if he is asleep is to pick up a hand. If it flops, then he is fast asleep, but if he tenses his arm he not asleep yet. Jeffrey can go from fast asleep to awake an crying in 6.75 seconds.

Reading to Jeffrey

Tricia had a Harry Potter book in Spanish that I am reading to Jeffrey. I have decided to teach him to speak Spanish and we are starting with this book. He looks so cute in his sleeper and night cap. All he needs is a candle stick to go with it.

This was the project we made for kid's club with the relief society this week. I hadn't peeled off the tape inbetween the colors yet, but I plan to put a border around it and hang it someplace.






The post had fireworks last night and after Cory got off work we decided to go. It was a little chilly and rainy, but we enjoyed it. I look so lovely because I've had allergy problems and my eyes hurt. It was not quite like being at home, but Jeffrey loved watching the lights. He stayed awake through the whole thing.

More Pictures

We're planning to go to the 4th celebration later after Cory gets off work. I'm hoping the rain will clear so they will do fireworks because I really want to see some! But we'll enjoy the day no matter what. I'm going to make some cupcakes later so I can enjoy one on my birthday. I've been trying to be good and eat well to drop the baby pounds, but I think one deserves something tasty for one's birthday.

Here are a few more pictures of the cutest baby ever!

More Pictures

Cory wanted me to post a few more pictures so you can see the whole result of our photo session. We were so impressed with the photographer and when Jeffrey's a little older we'll go in for family pictures. So keep checking since we'll post a few more every day, here goes.