Growing Pains

So last week was Sophie's first official day of school. It entailed Mister Och and I attending a forty-five minute intro session with her so she can see her classroom, her teacher, and the rest of the class. The rest of the week, there were no other classes held as it was individual skills assessment time. Soph was given an appointment time, as did the other students, and was tested by the teacher on a one-on-one basis. Today was the official WHOLE day of class...the one in which mother hens were not allowed in the classroom with their chickities. Because of the weeklong prelude to this day, I had no anxiety about it, and therefore escorted my boo utterly unprepared.

I had allowed her to make her own decisions about her attire today (the only thing I insisted on was that she had a good healthy intake of food). She opted to bypass a bath, explaining to her momma that she'll probably be sweaty from the playground and so she'll need to take her bath afterwards. She then requested her hair be put up in pigtails because she didn't want to go to school with bedhead. She picked out her outfit, even going as far as stepping outside to gauge the weather. Then, she put her first school project in her backpack and was ready to go.

As she stood there in line with the other newbie students, in the practical little outift and hairstyle she selected, I watched her take a hold of Liv's hand and say, "Now, Livy, I'm going there by myself. You can't come in with me. You need to stay with mom and take a nap, okay?"
Liv had looked up at her big sis with total adoration and nodded as if she understood.

I started to feel a little flutter in my stomach right about then, and it startled me somewhat. What's the big deal, right? Then her teacher herded the line in towards the kindergarten hallway. As she neared the entrance, the tighter the knot in my throat felt. And when she spun around suddenly towards me, I half expected her to look slightly panicked. Instead, she beamed her confident sun-shiney smile and blew me a kiss. She turned right around and headed into her elementary days with a bounce in her step.

Oh, boy, did that get me. I rushed back to the parking lot, plastering this smile on my face, passing all the other mothers chattering about how relieved they are now minus one and how much easier would it be to perform errands. Liv, started whirling around in my arms then, looking for something, and near tears asked, "Where's my girl? Where's my girl? Where's my Sophie?"

I buckled her up as fast as I could and got in the driver's seat and just cried my eyes out.

Early Morning Conversation

Mister Och was sent off to Montana yesterday for a very short and last-minute TDY, so I let my girls sleep in bed with me last night. This morning, after the mister called to tell me he was on his way home, I looked over to find Liv awake and smiling at me.

Liv: What mom?
me: What do you mean what?
Liv: What mom?
me: *silent*
Liv: Fourty-four?
me: Huh?
Liv: Yeah, it's forty-four...I farted!

I was about to laugh out loud, but realized baby girl was already sound asleep again. Another sleeptalker in the fam bam.

First Day of School!

Time sure does fly. I never thought the day would come when I would have a sixth grader AND a kindergartener! Now it is just me and baby Liv (and even now, she is SO over the baby stage) at home. Both Mister D and Soph have been anxiously awaiting this big day, and I'm happy to report it has turned out exceeding their expectations.
This was about the only picture my young man would let me take of him. Despite the hordes of families walking in together, he insisted I drop him off curbside instead. Too cool for mom already. Waaaaaaah!

Liv was just as excited about the big day, although I'm fairly certain she had no clue it would mean her big sis will be leaving without her. I was trying to snap a few pics of Soph in her outfit, but the adoring li'l sis insisted on being right there with her.

She mimicked everything Sophie did.

It drizzled a bit, but Sophie was happy to use that as an excuse to use her tiny umbrella.

Daddy made it a point to schedule a block of time from work to see his baby girl to school.

Here she is waiting for the rest of the class to come in.

Her hungry caterpillar crown.

I love this school and its pre-school and kindergarten exclusive playground.

Mirror Lake

Utah is rich in beautiful campgrounds. Yet, despite the endless options, we always end up at a site along the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway in the high Uintah Mountain Range. This was our first time at the actual Mirror Lake and we were not disappointed.

Camp site #38 for those interested! It is a double site, with an extra large tent pad that fits two large tents. It is situated at the end of the loop, so it is the most isolated of the sites with a great view of the lake a mere 500 yards away. Note: there is a fire pit but no fire grill, so bring a stove or your own grill to set atop the ring.

The view with the tents set up. The Lozano's accompanied us for another great night. It's looking to be an annual tradition for our two families to get together and rough it together for a little while.

We were able to make our own ice cream from this little ball that Mister Och's Aunt Connie gifted us. Of course, our sixth member of the family got some of her share from Liv.

Mister D had great time as always. His dad taught him how to sharpen and hone his Swiss army knife and whittle a branch into a spear.

Note the footwear. Hardly appropriate for hiking and camping, dontcha think? I swear she's getting girlified by the second. She LOVES these "cute" sandals and will sneak it into the car despite our insisting she wear her hiking sandals instead.

Liv aka "no fear" waded into the lake, deaf to the warnings and yelling from both parents.

This was Liv's second time camping, the first one being when she was only six weeks old. We were a little anxious about how she would take to the trip, and then pleased to observe she was in heaven! I do admit, the sleeping arrangement wasn't ideal for me, however. She insisted on scooching into my sleeping bag, but became raving mad when I had my head on the pillow alongside hers. Neck and back pain in the morning...ouch!

Tuckered out after a long day of fun and getting dirty. Here we are snuggling in front of the fire. It was a great night, not nearly as cold as we had expected. I think the low for the night was about forty degrees. Early morning, it rained heavily, stopping only for a short respite long enough for us to whip up some breakfast and duck into the tent to eat it.

We had a fantastic time as always. We're trying to fit a couple more trips in before it gets too cold. Anyone care to join us?

Champion

Guess who got a first place trophy for the Junior League Tournament of Champions?

Vacation Plans

As you all know, the Fam makes a point of planning a big vacation once a year. And of course, since this year's Oregon Coast trip has passed, and the ever-crazed Missus Och insists on being in constant planning mode, next year's trip is on the planning block.

Next year's is a HUGE one, the biggest we will undertake...and is currently a logistical nightmare. One, our base will be London. Two, all three children will be with us. Three, we have three other families coming along. Since this vacay was the original idea of Fam Och, we are in charge of the planning.

So many options! We're predicting Mister Och will only be approved for two weeks of leave; three will be pushing it, four is just near impossible. It's a definite that one of the two weeks will be spent in London. The second week is the one in question....

Should we spend the next week in Paris? Or should we slow down the pace and stay at a country estate in Wales or Scotland country?

What are your thoughts and/or suggestions? If any of you have done the London thing, any tips on finding a decent apartment rental in the area?

Really, any input from any of you will be mucho appreciated.

Non-Stop

That is what this summer has been....non-stop. Ever since Mister Och's homecoming, the Fam has been on the go and it looks like the tempo will have to keep at least until the end of September anyway. Can you believe we have three...count them THREE...more camping trips until the end of September? I have been dissapointed in the fact that we have yet to unpack the tent for use this year, even after swearing up and down we would camp out at least once a month this summer. Plus, all of our vacations and random car malfunctions have seriously depleted the money pit. But recently, the ever charitable recreational services on base is sponsoring yet another free campout this weekend. And then we have been invited to join friends at a one-night at Mirror Lake. School starts, and then we're headed off to Bryce Canyon for a three-day camping excursion towards the end of September. Wooohoooo!

Although after this, I'm fairly certain I will be very grateful for the hibernation that comes with fall and winter.

Up and Away

Feather light tufts of mist hovered over Pineview Reservoir like a thin cotton candy blanket as we drove back to Eden early this morning. The sun had just crested over the mountain range when we arrived at the makeshift parking lot by the designated field for the annual Ogden Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival, but the area was already teaming with visitors.

This was our first time at this event, although I had been yearning to attend for the past three years. We finally made it, forcing the pre-dawn wakeup and braving the frosty weather. Let me tell you, it was well worth it.

The children (including my niece Madison), bleary-eyed from being wakened so early, brightened to the crisp air and eye-catching colors of the balloons. Liv went a bit berserk, pointing frantically as each vessel filled with air and stood upright, yelling, "Loon! Loon! Loon!" (her word for balloon)

My beautiful Madison was miserably cold but couldn't help the smile as she watched each balloon take off.

This was our favorite (or should I say mine?).

The whole process of filling and lifting the balloons into the air took about an hour.

There was an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet for a nominal fee, and other activities taking place on the ski mountain, but we opted to drive back to town and enjoy the warmth of Krispy Kreme and coffee instead. Here is a parting shot as we drove away.

Fabulous Weekend

It seems the divorce rate amongst military couples has reached an all-time high that officials are willing to spend the big bucks to help out in any way. In this instance, Hill Air Force Base and the installation's chaplain group sponsored a three-day, two-night getaway for those who are about to deploy or have just returned from deployment. The program is called Operation Cope, and is geared towards family enrichment and couples relationship building in hopes lessons learned and memories made will provide the families the foundation needed to survive deployment and reintegrate successfully upon return.

It is an all-expenses paid treat for all participants, funded by donations from the Wolf Creek Foundation, Bank of Utah, and Air Force appropriation.

The retreat was held at Wolf Creek Resort in Eden, Utah...a beautiful place with cool mountain air and breathtaking scenery.
The fam was housed in the Moose Hollow village, in a three bedroom luxury condominium.

Our unit

The view from the balcony of the Wolf Creek Lodge, where all meals (free) are served and relationship seminars are held.

For the first night, they offered a free family portrait session prior to the Latin themed dinner and dance.

Of course all Ochoa's are awesome latin dancers. Ms. Liv had no problem strutting her stuff in front of the whole gathering.

And Miss Sophie was out there the whole time.

We had an amazing weekend. I have more pics to post after I get copies from the new friends we made. Thank you Wolf Creek Foundation, Bank of Utah, and all you taxpayers out there!

Face Art

Of course little Sophie would want to be some type of big cat. At first, she requested a lion....paused for some thought...and changed her mind. A tiger it is! After all, tigers are more colorful, she says. The face painter asks her if she'd like to be a pink tiger, at which point, my future zookeeper looks at her incredulously and says, "Tigers are orange with black stripes."

Mister D requested a skull. He had wanted his whole face to be a skull, so it comes as no surprise he immediately wiped it off once we got back to the condo.

Liv's only words...."TOP IT!" (stop it)

Needless to say, one little girl did not get her face painted.

Music on the Mountain

For the last night of the retreat, we were given free admission to a night of the Music on the Mountain summer series on Wolf Mountain. John Schmidt, famous piano player was the headliner, with Checkpoint Charlie as the opening band. The guy is amazing! I was a bit leary, expecting to be bored quickly, but the guy was likeable in his endearingly dorky ways. Plus, he can play the heck out of those keys! Even the kids had a great time!

Pre-concert, little Liv was a whirlwind of energy, goofing off with her daddy and anyone else who would pay her any attention at all.

I NEED to get me some of these chairs!!! Anybody know where I can get them?

Mister D a little stir-crazy for the show to start.

We had a blast. I hear the admission for these concerts are $20 per carload. It is a non-profit organization (Wolf Creek Foundation) who holds these shindigs. They are the guys who are one of the Air Force retreat sponsors. There are only two concerts left in the summer, so don't miss out on this. It's a bit chilly in the mountains, so don't forget to break out the fleece along with your camp chairs and picnic blankets. The fam is definitely planning to be in attendance for the next ones, and we hope to see you there!

On the NEWS!

Call me arrogant, but for some reason the newspaper photogs seem to gravitate around my children and the hubster. And I think it's because the love between father and child is always so clearly evident when it comes to them.

This weekend, Fam Och was privileged enough to participate in a retreat sponsored by the base to help outgoing and incoming deployers cope with separation and integration...all for no charge. I'll go into more details in the next post....

Check out this article by CLICKING HERE.