Our Danny Date

I was hanging out with Danny when reminded me he has never been on a Bachan date. At March's family gathering he brought it up again. 

"Bachan?" 

"Yes?"

"I have NEVER been on a Bachan date." 

Perceiving this may be a big deal we talked about it. He wanted to go on a Bachan date and DID not want to wait for Christmas. He said it would be ok if Papa came too. He wanted us to eat Red Ice Cream.  We talked with Arielle and scheduled it immediately - 3 days after family gathering.  

Michael and I went and picked up Danny. He was wearing a little jacket we had purchased for Benny, it matches Michael's.  He thought lunch sounded like a good idea, so we went to Dairy Queen. We thought maybe the red ice cream he wanted was a cherry dipped cone. I was impressed he chose milk and applesauce over soda and fries. We didn't even have to prompt him. 

An added bonus of DQ is its the only place in town with an inside play area. Danny met some new friends and enjoyed playing. He DID say maybe Charles and Benny should come next time....Papa and Bachan just aren't climbing through those tunnels. LOL 

DQ was a hit - but red ice cream is NOT a cherry dipped cone. Our last hope was a trip to Big Dipper - a local ice cream hangout. Danny ordered a RED ice cream cone - strawberry ice cream. I asked him if he'd ever had any and he said he'd tasted some with his Dad.  Mystery solved. 

We had a great time with Danny.  We need to have more grand dates. 

Watching Josi

I am always excited to spend the day with Josi when Carrie is at work. I get a few hours with Livie after school on most days.  This morning Josi illustrated how strong that Goecker Scowl is - the genetics are strong in this one. 

In no time at all Josi cheered up. It's fun to note the changes between each of my Josi days. She is INTERACTIVE these days. She's much more vocal, pulls herself to standing, feeds herself and loves to play TOGETHER. It's great fun. Here are a few more glimpses of our day together. 

March Family Gathering

Technically, this month we celebrate GG, Cory, Kaelyn and Ellie. We didn't meet in January or February. Michael and I caught up with most everyone, but they needed to be sung too and to move to the front of the dessert line...so we added in Annie, Nolan, Jamin, Liv, Josi and Alex. Kaelyn doesn't enjoy being the center of the attention and isn't in the photo. I have a ton of Ellie photos and will post them separately. LOL 

Back - Nolan, GG, Cory, Alex
Front - Annie, Jamin, Liv, Josi

We had thought we may be outside today - but not quite yet. Luke and the kids made use the snow for a snowball fight. 

The new kids gate is installed and working. 

Sure enough - I was out of ice. These three volunteered and we discovered Bushes Bunches has ice. 

Allie, Nolan and Stacia in back. 

Uncle Luke and Ellie

We added the element of a group game to our gatherings in November. This month I tried to stay with a green Saint Patrick's Day theme....I was shocked how little I could find locally. It was still fun.  The idea is for this to be something everyone can enjoy and for it to be totally random. This month I simply put the cups on a table, and everyone picked one. We started with the youngest and worked to the oldest. There were hot wheel cars, t-shirts, breath mints, a pot of gold, gift cards and cash in the cups. 

Krista - not sure what she got

Liv picked a DQ gift card. 

Luke found some green...

...as did Jamin.  LOL 

Woot! Jojo chose the $50 cup. 

Carrie and girls

Always a jokester 

Benny got green chocolate coins

Annie got some fancy gloves I think. 

Even Ellie got to pick a cup. 

We were glad to have Mark and Mona (on the couch) with us this month. 

Gideon got some cash. 

GG won the $100 this month. 

Michael had captured a great photo which led to a meme competition. I need to have him write about the captions and the winners. I'm fuzzy on the details. 

This was the first family gathering where we began to FEEL how close some upcoming moves are getting. Let's not think about it yet! We missed JaRissa. Jared is in the throes of another campaign. 

Fun @ JBER

We are SO going to miss Krista and Luke when they move this summer. Krista is currently a True North Chaplain imbedded with the 715th Air Mobility Operations Groups. This has involved traveling OFTEN to Guam and Hawaii to care for troops in those locations as well as the troops here in Alaska. Krista is known for her gift-giving ability, and she has surprised us with all sorts of unique gifts from her travels. She and Luke are also known as a FUN Aunt and Uncle. They know where the best parks are in town and on base, they bring great games to gatherings, give snow machine and ATV rides, provide easy attendance at Air Shows, bring water ballons to family gathering, are always up for a snowball fight and Krista keeps us abreast of opportunities on JBER.  Our home couldn't participate due to schedules, but Bre and Larissa sent photos. I should have blogged it in March and I'd have many more details to share...but here is what I remember from what I was told. 

The 715th hosted this day to showcase their capabilities and the equipment they use to move things around the Pacific Command. Arielle couldn't make it in, and Krista came out to the Valley and picked up Benny and Danny. Some are sure to wonder, if not ask, why there are no photos of Charles. Charles is in a special program catered to his needs and learning abilities. The others are homeschooled which caters to their needs and learning abilities. Today - they went on this field trip. Charles was at school - which he loves. Frankly, every day he can ride on the big yellow bus is a field trip day for Charles. 

Nolan drove in with Bre and her kids. 

Larissa and Noah met everyone at JBER. 

They enjoyed the flightline, explored a park or two, had lunch and hung out in Krista's office while she had a pop-up counseling appointment. Then they all came back to the valley.

These first three photos are from Larissa. The rest are from BreAnne. 

Noah & Jojo happy to together

Trudy and Noah and a big plane

Jojo and Uncle Nolan

The kids raided Krista's office and scored a LOT of pirate loot. They also thoroughly enjoyed visiting the pirate park. Note Annie in the background with her loot! 

Danny, Annie and Benny

Benny

Bella

Danny

Gideon

Annie

Noah, Danny, Bella, Trudy (in front) Annie, Gideon
Benny, Jojo (also in front)

Bre and her children 

Note Trudy trying to pull her pacifier from 
Bre's pocket. ::snort:: 

Larissa, (Trudy) & Noah

Jojo & Nolan

Aunt Koko with Bre, Annie, Benny & Gideon 

Trudy and Noah 

Bella is growing up - fast! 

Gideon 

Danny

Jojo

We need a room like this where everyone can be lined up and secured. ::snort:: 

I happened to be at CoRielle's watching Charles (and Lyra?)  when the boys came home. They had a blast. Bre commented about her kids, "I think they think the military is all about the snacks, cool parks and airplanes." Her kids grabbed recruitment brochures. 

Memories were made by all. 

Editor's note: Not to worry, Papa, Bachan and Aunt Koko will make sure they have an accurate view of military service before they act on the brochures. ::snort::