Good Mom

Lately I've been feeling like such a "Hag" mom. Summer's almost over, school is about to start(yuck), I havent't exercised in I don't know how long (ugh) and me and the kids have way too much free time. We really needed to get out. So I surprised the kids with a day at the Tree House. For some reason, season passes appeared in my mail box last year, but I really had no idea what the Tree House was, so I put them away. Well two days ago I cleaned out the junk drawer and they appeared again, so I figured it was a sign to stop screaming at my kids and take them some place they could do whatever they felt like. And...they had fun! We ALL did. There was so much to do and play with. Our fav was he music room! And I can't count how many times the kids went down the tree trunk slide. If any of you need some cheep entertainment, or need to score some major "mom" points, I highly recommend this place. (I don't, however, recommend adults slide down the slide...ouch.) So ode to Mom for pretending to be a good one, for just a day!
P.S. to score even more pionts, take the kids to ice cream after!!


Pottery Barn kitchen




Sitting on the Bongos

Park City Adventures

Tucker was given a free night stay in Park City as a "thank you" for his service in Iraq. (I guess one good thing has come from that "vacation"!) So we decided to take the kids on a little adventure. Fortunately, our good friends were given the same thank you, so we thought we should venture together. We had a blast swimming, eating pizza, outlet shopping (well, not the boys on this one), riding the Alpine Slide, launch jumping, and a little mini golfing! And, the condo was amazing! It was the perfect family getaway. Thanks Berrett's, we love you! Can't wait till next time!

Hyde Family Campout

So this was the first ever camping trip for our little family! Tucker's family plans this trip every year and we just haven't ever been able to make it. We actually thought we would have to miss again beacuse it was Reserves weekend for Tucker, but I really didn't want to miss out for the fourth year in a row. So we decided Tucker could at least come up friday night, help set up the tent, eat some food, play games and then leave me and the kids sleeping in our new tent without him. It wasn't very hard to talk Steph into staying in our tent so I wouldn't be alone. (Thanks Stephie!) And although it wasn't too bad, we did miss Tucker on our first campout ever. Well... I guess he missed us too because he ditched reserves weekend (for the day) and surprised us bright and early with big hugs and kisses! It turned out to be a great adventure for these Hyde kids and River woke up bright eyed with a very excited, "Mom, I am Never, Ever going to stop camping!" It was cute! I guess we'll be doing it again!

Good breakfast and a little playing in the river the next morning!

Ode to Katie

To Katie,
You've been my best friend since second grade (when I told you your name should be Brooke!) Who knew after all these years we'd still have so much in common. From Cottage Living to Junior mints to picking out the same shorts, the list goes on... I guess 15-ish years apart haven't done too much damage! You'll be my best friend forever! I love you! Thank you so much for coming out to visit and making new memories with me and my family. How 'bout tubing at your place next time. I'll pack the Advil! We ALL love you and miss you to death!
Love, Kira

p.s. still working on figuring out the "post" thing! Love to all!

Our day with Lisa (our other best friend from elementary!)

Hanging out at Gateway Mall

Playing in the Sandbox

I thought I would post a short photo tour of my recent "Vacation" to Iraq. It started out by leaving my cute family at Hill AFB and getting on this chartered plane.

Once I arrived at Al Udeid Air Base we were herded onto a C-17 Globemaster. I was happy to be able to sit in a side row Jumpseat with plenty of space.

Getting off the plane at Balad Air Base. Now called Joint Base Balad.

I was assigned to the 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron. Can you see me? Of course not I was in my bed asleep when this picture was taken!

My Room

I worked from Noon until Midnight 6 days a week with this group from Syracuse NY Air Guard.
It's amazing we didn't kill each other!

A nice day at Balad!
135 Degrees!

A not so nice day at Balad!
Still over 100 degrees!

On Sundays before church I would volunteer at the Base Hospital helping at the Helicopter Pad.

This is me standing in front of a Counter Rocket and Mortar (CRAM) gun!

(Little white dome thing)

Happy to be leaving Balad even if it is in the back of a C-130.

Getting off the C-130 at last at Al Udeid Quatar.

Tent City Qatar.

Happy Family again

I feel like so much has happened in the last few months. So I'm going to give you a quick highlight of what's been going down with the Hyde fam.. I'll start where Tucker left off. Or should I just say left! On May 10th he took a vaca to Iraq for "six weeks". (Anyone who speaks Air Force knows this actually means six weeks plus one week of travel each way and what ever travel arrangements we may or may not arrange for you depending on if we remember or don't remember that you are even here.) In the mean time, the kids and I had MUCH time to do whatever we felt or didn't feel necessary to do. Which means we only felt it was necessary to PLAY. And play we did. From FHE with our families, swimming at Grandmachele's,Cayden's last day of school program, Kaleigh's 2nd birthday party at Grandma Great's, slip n' sliding at Grandmachele's, playing with all the cousins, fireworks and bar-b-que's, more swimming at Grandmachele's, swimming at Grandma Great's, more birthday parties, Riv's preschool physical (no shots!) lots more swimming, girls night's out...the list goes on and on, but I'll stop! So...nine weeks later Tucker is home, safely with no repercussions, and we are a happy little family again! We couldn't be happier and the kids can't stand to be away from Tucker for one second, which is very nice for me! Enjoy our still under construction blog and updates when we become a little more interesting!