Geocaching has hit our home. Mike got a Garmin eTrex Vista C for Christmas and the kids got a Garmin eTrex. Mike spent spare minutes the last few days learning how to use the GPS units and I spent time asking questions of friends, like: “What do they mean leave something in the cache – what?”
To those who aren’t familiar with geocaching, it could best be described as a cross between 19th century treasure hunting and 21st century hide n seek. A cache is hidden. The owner of the cache logs onto http://www.geocaching.com/ and lists the coordinates of the cache, how hard it is to find, encrypts any clues they want to leave and gives a description of what they placed in the cache. You choose a cache, enter the coordinates on your GPS and set out. When you find the cache you sign in the log book, take anything you want and replace the items you’ve taken with like items. When you get home you go to the website and log your find and comments.
This afternoon we headed out to try to find our first three caches. I’m not sure how Mike picked them. I was all for finding the level 1 caches but he found the 3.5 ones for us. I think he picked the interesting sounding titles. We went to one that was outside a military cemetery in the really old section of town that we didn’t know existed. That cache was right near the road and Josiah found the actual Altoid container that was full of goodies. Arielle and Nolan voted to take a squishy, water-filled palm tree and we left a smiley face Italian Charm. I had navigated to this one and Mike had driven. Since I had no clue how to read the directions on Mike’s GPS I suggested that I drive to the second one. We headed out to find our second Cache in high spirits.
With Mike reading the directions – it does NOT say “turn right” etc….it’s an arrow headed towards a destination and you get to guess which way to turn and WHEN – I headed back onto the loop. We were surprised to eventually find ourselves back in our own neighborhood. This cache was called Chapel Hill and we couldn’t remember any chapel near our home…..but….if you go to the end of the dirt road and then hike about a mile on a dirt road and then take off across the cactus/mesquite infested plain….you see a lovely view of a chapel on a hill…and you find our second cache. Josiah AGAIN is the one who first spotted the hidden cache. This time we took a lens cleaner and left a bracelet. On our way out of this site we saw 5 deer. The sun was setting so we decided to save cache number 3 for another day. This one promised ducks and water…..THIS I’ve gotta find!
We had a BLAST with this. It’s family fun. It’s cheap. It got us outdoors and to two new areas of town we’d not seen before. We all enjoyed trying to follow the coordinates to the hidden container. I think this sport appeals to families with one or more outdoor-loving techno-geeks in them….we have several. {grin}
Some things we observed: In AK they grow fern…in TX they grow all manner of prickly vegetation. In AK the ground would have been covered in snow this time of year and in the summer you’d have to deal with Grizzlies. In TX the ground was covered with cacti, the weather was a wonderful 70* or so and in the summer you’d have to deal with rattlers. I, De’Etta, am planning more park and grab caches and mall caches for the summer….AIR CONDITIONING!!!! Personally, I learned that there are dire consequences to trying to “brush” cactus thorns off your pant leg with your hand. My hand was covered in the nasty things. Then I tried to bite a few thorns out of my hand and got a thorn stuck on the inside of my lip. We’ve decided to gather a geocaching backpack with water, Band-Aids, tweezers (for pulling thorns), garbage bag to haul out cans, bottles and such that we find etc. Stacia will ride in a back pack.
Below are some pictures of the adventure! {No, we didn’t take a family picture today. Tomorrow I will venture to Wal-mart and buy white t-shirts and then we’ll head out to find scenery for a picture}. Pictures won't upload will try again in the am.
Friday, December 30, 2005
Day Ten of Vacation – 30 December 2005
The day is off to a very slow start. It is currently 10:35 and 60% of our family is still in BED. I will let you guess which 5 are up. {grin}
We had discussed going out with the tri-pod to get a family picture while the girls are home. If we are going to do that it will have to be today or tomorrow. Sunday will be full and then they leave. I wonder what the day will hold. I wonder what the score of the Spurs game was and I wonder how long 60% of the family will pretend to sleep through the racket of the other 40% of the family. {big grin}
I’ve spent several hours searching for an “inductive survey” to use to study the Bible through this year. Most plans are going to take significantly longer than one year. I’m not looking for an in-depth inductive study of each book. I want a survey but more than a skim-the-surface survey. I want to get a deeper understanding of the overall context/structure of the Bible as a whole so that when studying and teaching specific books of the Bible I will have a good foundation to “hang it on”, a deeper understanding of the context of the book. Having spent all this time doing internet searches, praying, reading, enjoying my devotional time…it is time to hit the shower and see if any of these others can be raised. {grin}
The day is off to a very slow start. It is currently 10:35 and 60% of our family is still in BED. I will let you guess which 5 are up. {grin}
We had discussed going out with the tri-pod to get a family picture while the girls are home. If we are going to do that it will have to be today or tomorrow. Sunday will be full and then they leave. I wonder what the day will hold. I wonder what the score of the Spurs game was and I wonder how long 60% of the family will pretend to sleep through the racket of the other 40% of the family. {big grin}
I’ve spent several hours searching for an “inductive survey” to use to study the Bible through this year. Most plans are going to take significantly longer than one year. I’m not looking for an in-depth inductive study of each book. I want a survey but more than a skim-the-surface survey. I want to get a deeper understanding of the overall context/structure of the Bible as a whole so that when studying and teaching specific books of the Bible I will have a good foundation to “hang it on”, a deeper understanding of the context of the book. Having spent all this time doing internet searches, praying, reading, enjoying my devotional time…it is time to hit the shower and see if any of these others can be raised. {grin}
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Day Nine of Vacation – 29 December 2005
The day began early this morning with a drive to the local airport. Yes, Mom and Dad have left to fly back to the NW. This goodbye seemed harder for us than normal. I think this is in part because it foreshadows another goodbye we will be saying in a few days. Good – proper, beneficial….Bye – leave taking. It sure seems from my point of view that there isn’t much benefit in much of the leave taking we do. BUT I refuse to go there now! Maybe I’ll have “thoughts on saying Goodbye” on the 2nd of January. {grin}
We did have a blast with Mom and Dad. We hadn’t had both of them to our home since 2002. Mom did come up to AK in July of 2003. Always a joy to have family visit….
Back at home the kids spent a bit of time on the computer. THEN ::::Drum Roll:::: Bre, Krista, Josiah, Jamin and Jared prepared to board a bus and head to San Antonio with a student trip sponsored by the chapel. They’ll be attending :::drum still rolling::: a Spurs game! Poor Mike couldn’t go with them because he is duty chaplain. We are thrilled they were able to go. There ARE advantages of adult children being home.{grin}
The younger set and I (Arielle, Nolan, Zander and Stacia) met Mike for lunch, spent the afternoon at the Lake (met a family of boys from Kodiak Island, AK), picked Mike up at 5 p.m., and went to Mr. Gatti’s to eat and play. Zander has been waiting to get tall enough to ride the bumper cars (42”) He is a good inch past that tonight – so he got to ride. The lady asked if he knew how to work the cars before she turned it on. Mike told her that he’d be fine, he’d quickly figure it out. We laughed. He figured it out really quick and loved it. I didn’t have the camera with me – bummer.
The younger set, Mike and I are now going to watch Kid Movies that the older ones get tired of and then fall asleep. We’ll have to let you know tomorrow how the Spurs do. {grin}
While at the park I was able to read another chapter in *Third Culture Kids* and continue my search for some sort of guide to an “inductive survey” of the Bible. My goal this year is to study the Bible through instead of read it through. We’ll see.
The day began early this morning with a drive to the local airport. Yes, Mom and Dad have left to fly back to the NW. This goodbye seemed harder for us than normal. I think this is in part because it foreshadows another goodbye we will be saying in a few days. Good – proper, beneficial….Bye – leave taking. It sure seems from my point of view that there isn’t much benefit in much of the leave taking we do. BUT I refuse to go there now! Maybe I’ll have “thoughts on saying Goodbye” on the 2nd of January. {grin}
We did have a blast with Mom and Dad. We hadn’t had both of them to our home since 2002. Mom did come up to AK in July of 2003. Always a joy to have family visit….
Back at home the kids spent a bit of time on the computer. THEN ::::Drum Roll:::: Bre, Krista, Josiah, Jamin and Jared prepared to board a bus and head to San Antonio with a student trip sponsored by the chapel. They’ll be attending :::drum still rolling::: a Spurs game! Poor Mike couldn’t go with them because he is duty chaplain. We are thrilled they were able to go. There ARE advantages of adult children being home.{grin}
The younger set and I (Arielle, Nolan, Zander and Stacia) met Mike for lunch, spent the afternoon at the Lake (met a family of boys from Kodiak Island, AK), picked Mike up at 5 p.m., and went to Mr. Gatti’s to eat and play. Zander has been waiting to get tall enough to ride the bumper cars (42”) He is a good inch past that tonight – so he got to ride. The lady asked if he knew how to work the cars before she turned it on. Mike told her that he’d be fine, he’d quickly figure it out. We laughed. He figured it out really quick and loved it. I didn’t have the camera with me – bummer.
The younger set, Mike and I are now going to watch Kid Movies that the older ones get tired of and then fall asleep. We’ll have to let you know tomorrow how the Spurs do. {grin}
While at the park I was able to read another chapter in *Third Culture Kids* and continue my search for some sort of guide to an “inductive survey” of the Bible. My goal this year is to study the Bible through instead of read it through. We’ll see.
Day Eight of Vacation – 28 December 2005Mike had to run into the office for 20 minutes today. Read that 2 ½ hours. {Grin} The rest of us ran to the base park to make the most of the gorgeous 70* days. TX shines this time of year!!! While at the park our football unexplainably found itself in the top of a tree.
When we were all satisfied that we’d fully enjoyed the park we headed to Fort Concho. This is an AMAZINGLY restored Army Fort. Our guide was excellent. He had lots of great info to share and was humorous and entertaining at the same time. There was only our family of 13 and one other family on the tour. He tailored the tour to the children. We plan to go back and try to get some family pictures in front of one of the buildings or such…
The evening finds us enjoying each other, playing Star Wars Trivia (present for Mike and three older boys from Bre and Krista) and Mom and Dad packing for an early plane out in the morning.
Thus ends another full day.
All our Angels
Nolan calls everyone to school
Zander & Cannon - scary sight
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Day Seven of Vacation – 27 December 2005
We had a bit of a down day today.
Mike had to go to work to write an OPR (0fficer’s Performance Report).
Jamin got the 5 older kids organiz
ed to try their hands at raking yards. I drove them to Lowes to pick up rakes and garbage bags. They ended up raking 3 yards and making $75.
Mom, Stacia, Zander and I did a BX and Commissary run.
The other kids were still raking yards when we returned. We decided to walk to the park with the four younger ones. Arielle, Nolan and Zander rode their bikes. It was a beautiful day here today – 78*.
A pleasant surprise was a package from Grandma Mary and Grandpa Earl. It turned out to be Night Sky monopoly…..fits in perfectly with our astronomy studies. The board is spectacular.
Dinner, another walk, playing “Narnia game”, Mike exploring geocaching and the day was full.
Ah one last thing. Tonight Mike dished out ice cream for everyone. Dad came in by Zander. Zander looked at Dad and said, “Grandpa you won’t like my ice cream”. :::snort:::
We had a bit of a down day today.
Mike had to go to work to write an OPR (0fficer’s Performance Report).
Jamin got the 5 older kids organiz
ed to try their hands at raking yards. I drove them to Lowes to pick up rakes and garbage bags. They ended up raking 3 yards and making $75.Mom, Stacia, Zander and I did a BX and Commissary run.
The other kids were still raking yards when we returned. We decided to walk to the park with the four younger ones. Arielle, Nolan and Zander rode their bikes. It was a beautiful day here today – 78*.
A pleasant surprise was a package from Grandma Mary and Grandpa Earl. It turned out to be Night Sky monopoly…..fits in perfectly with our astronomy studies. The board is spectacular.
Dinner, another walk, playing “Narnia game”, Mike exploring geocaching and the day was full.
Ah one last thing. Tonight Mike dished out ice cream for everyone. Dad came in by Zander. Zander looked at Dad and said, “Grandpa you won’t like my ice cream”. :::snort:::
Day Six of Vacation - December 26,2005
What does one do the "day after"? We were determined NOT to go shopping. {big grin}
Grandpa played games with the little ones. OK, Jared took this picture and obviously they don't primp and preen for him like they do for mama. {grin}
Mike and I set up toys for the little ones. This is a 3 sided "play Kitchen" from collectionsetc.com. We plan to use it for a pattern. Our kids are really, really into drama. Mike and I have been watching "plays" since Bre was about 6 (she is now 20 1/2 and 20 days). The traditions
continues. The last play was a GREAT one that Jamin wrote and directed and Jared, Arielle, and Nolan preformed. I suppose all that practice helped Josiah with the Chapel Christmas Play involvement. {grin} ANYWAY!!!!! We plan to make a couple more backdrops like this in plain colors and then make mountains, clouds, trees etc to velcro on to the backdrop. We plan to make them taller. {grin}
In the afternoon Mike and I took my parents and went out for a bit of "adult time". First we went to one of my favorite stores called "Barbed Wire and Roses" - specializes in TX stuff. Mike and I ordered my new china hutch.
After the above said errand of great importance was accomplished we went to Logan's for dinner. I love that place. Yumm.....Mom and Dad said they have something similar in OR called "Roadhouse". I'd never been to them before but I guess they are a franchise because ours is Logan's Roadhouse. When we got home we were surprised by a CLEAN and UNCLUTTERED home. I thanked the kids and Bre said, "Mom it was JOSIAH'S initiative, he really got those kids to work". He's the man!!
The afternoon found us down by the river.....observing ducks and muskrats. We had tried to catch an afternoon showing of Narnia (Bre and my parents hadn't seen it) but they were SOLD OUT! I didn't knkow movies SOLD OUT in this town. {grin}
In the evening we stopped by DQ for some "whine cooler" and then on to the movie theater. That place was CROWDED. They said they were "really swamped" on Christmas. Ten went to see Narnia (second time - loved it) and Krista and I went to see Cheaper by the Dozen 2. We liked this movie better than the first. Like Yours, Mine and Ours it had some great parts and some lame parts...but overall we got a kick out of the family portrait that emerged. The issues the parents are dealing with mirror our "issues" - in the saying goodbye, family growing older aspect....not in the 8th grader dating or competive dad aspects. {grin}
Thus ended Day 6 of our vacation.
What does one do the "day after"? We were determined NOT to go shopping. {big grin}
Grandpa played games with the little ones. OK, Jared took this picture and obviously they don't primp and preen for him like they do for mama. {grin}
Mike and I set up toys for the little ones. This is a 3 sided "play Kitchen" from collectionsetc.com. We plan to use it for a pattern. Our kids are really, really into drama. Mike and I have been watching "plays" since Bre was about 6 (she is now 20 1/2 and 20 days). The traditions
continues. The last play was a GREAT one that Jamin wrote and directed and Jared, Arielle, and Nolan preformed. I suppose all that practice helped Josiah with the Chapel Christmas Play involvement. {grin} ANYWAY!!!!! We plan to make a couple more backdrops like this in plain colors and then make mountains, clouds, trees etc to velcro on to the backdrop. We plan to make them taller. {grin}In the afternoon Mike and I took my parents and went out for a bit of "adult time". First we went to one of my favorite stores called "Barbed Wire and Roses" - specializes in TX stuff. Mike and I ordered my new china hutch.
After the above said errand of great importance was accomplished we went to Logan's for dinner. I love that place. Yumm.....Mom and Dad said they have something similar in OR called "Roadhouse". I'd never been to them before but I guess they are a franchise because ours is Logan's Roadhouse. When we got home we were surprised by a CLEAN and UNCLUTTERED home. I thanked the kids and Bre said, "Mom it was JOSIAH'S initiative, he really got those kids to work". He's the man!!
The afternoon found us down by the river.....observing ducks and muskrats. We had tried to catch an afternoon showing of Narnia (Bre and my parents hadn't seen it) but they were SOLD OUT! I didn't knkow movies SOLD OUT in this town. {grin}
In the evening we stopped by DQ for some "whine cooler" and then on to the movie theater. That place was CROWDED. They said they were "really swamped" on Christmas. Ten went to see Narnia (second time - loved it) and Krista and I went to see Cheaper by the Dozen 2. We liked this movie better than the first. Like Yours, Mine and Ours it had some great parts and some lame parts...but overall we got a kick out of the family portrait that emerged. The issues the parents are dealing with mirror our "issues" - in the saying goodbye, family growing older aspect....not in the 8th grader dating or competive dad aspects. {grin}
Thus ended Day 6 of our vacation.
Monday, December 26, 2005
Glimpses of Christmas 2005 - Day 5 of Vacation
Stacia is still too young to really enjoy her 1st Christmas...but we had fun opening her gifts. She received a baby Cabbage Patch from Bre and Krista (with stories akin to Turbo Man from Jingle Bell All the Way), sleep sacks, bibs and pacifiers. 
* Note in addition to the things mentioned in the post "my shocking Christmas" I also received the complete Penn Dutch series....The kids each got me one or two...these are set in the Amish community with the heroine being a Mennonite and are very funny. Jamin got me a under the cabinent radio so I can listen to Rush or Sean while I cook and Josiah got me a great rustic moose for the wall. The girls got me a snowman and bear nativity.....
Regardless the gift...the box is always the best toy - Zander
The girls brought each of us t-shirts for NYC...Zander got his today as he was sleeping when we opened stockings last night. Jamin observes that he looks like a "street punk" in this picture. 
Nolan receive Hank books and games, a Narnia game, King Arthur books
In a family our size, Christmas involves a significant amount of watching and waiting....Arielle is not thrilled with this...
Arielle had a "doll" Christmas...like her older sisters she has a "collection" of dolls. This year she got a varitety...this fancy one from Collectionsetc.com from Jamin and Jared, a big stuffed doll from Grandma and Grandpa, a Cabbage Patch Doll from Bre and Krista....Mike and I gave her a portable CD/MP3 player with HEADPHONES (the key request) so that she could listen to HER stories and music when the boys are all listing to "their" stories. {grin}
Jared's requests were for GA Henty books and Redwall books. Between us all he ended up getting a couple of Henty and 6 Redwall books in the series (a respectable beginning). He also got a Camelbak water pack for running. 
Jamin had requested a camelback water bottle for running and an audio GA Henty book - he got both. He also got a Redwall book, jump rope and various other items.
Josiah got a paint ball gun...he quickly explained to Mike, Jamin & Jared that until THEY also own guns they will be simple target practice for him. This was a Christams/birthday gift and the boys all have birthdays between now and the end of Februrary. Paint ball wars have become a new hobby of the men folk since moving to TX.
Mike & GPS...he was happy.
Aftermath of Christmas
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