Me and my co-pilots

Our first ride out all together after we finally got Naomi a CoPilot seat for the back of Daddy-o's bike. Naomi was fairly reticent at first, but once she starts singing, you know she's having a good time. Nathan seems to be outgrowing his bike every season (of course, the biking season this far north isn't terribly long). Nicole isn't quite confident enough on two wheels yet, although she did learn to balance pretty quickly (it's the turning and stopping that causes all the problems!).

Daddy's little girl

Here's Daddy's littlest girl...she even has Dad's feet (as her brother and sister do)! What a sweetheart!

Dad, you TOLD me I could dig in the dirt!

Like just about all kids, Naomi loves digging in the dirt. She especially loves pouring it all over herself.

It's a bird...it's a plane...

Nathan's a blur as he speeds by on his bike, one of his favorite pastimes, with friend Keegan in the background.

A sweet-smelling rose for Sweet Nicole

Nicole shows off the pink rose she got from Daddy-o on her special day alone with him.

On top of the world...almost

The crew (minus Dave, our photographic journalist extraordinaire), well before Greg's knees gave out.

Conquering the Badlands

Greg joins seven other men from Trinity Church in hiking through the Badlands in June 2006.

What have I gotten myself into?

At summer camp in 2006, Nathan gets to live out his cowboy dream...his first horseback ride.

How do I get a medal rack like that?

Here's Capt Daddy-o with his chain of command (flight commander and squadron Director of Operations) at the 2005 base awards ceremony (Feb 2006).

Proud proffer Nicole

Nicole couldn't be prouder as she bears the proffer pillow. Look at those cheeks!

It's not a promotion ceremony if no one draws blood...

Nathan meticulously pins Dad's new Capt bars on his flight cap as Nicole looks on.

Future LT?

Before Dad's promotion ceremony to Capt (Dec 05), here's Nathan decked out in Dad's 1st Lt flight cap. Is there a future pilot in the family?

What's a hostfest?

On Nathan's eighth birthday (Oct 2005), he and Nicole performed in the "sweater dances" at the local Hostfest (the largest Scandinavian festival in the Western Hemisphere). Nathan was terribly embarrassed as they played "Happy Birthday" for him, so Dad, sporting his own Norwegian sweater, came out to give him a big squeeze.

Dad's three "budgies"

One last picture from Summer 2005 - Daddy-o with his three special "budgies!"

At the zoo!

Nathan and Nicole in their safari outfits on the mini carousel at the zoo. I call them my smiley guys!

Visit from Gramps and Grammy

Gramps and Grammy made a special trip up last year for Nicole's fifth birthday.

What's the vector, Victor?

Last August (2005) continued to be an exciting month as Nathan and Nicole tried out the headsets in this Mooney Ranger, courtesy of Mr. Bennett. Dad and Nathan flew with Mr. Bennett for a few hours, and Dad even got to fly the plane for about 5 minutes (VFR of course!).

Thank you, MSgt Rehm

Nathan and Nicole give a big thank-you smile to MSgt Rehm, the Air Force SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape) specialist of 2005. If they ever have to eject out of an airplane in hostile territory, they'll be well-prepared.

Two Thumbs Up!

Nathan and Nicole give two thumbs up. These ejection seats don't really work, do they?? Better hold on!

How do I steer this crazy thing?

In August 05, Nathan and Nicole had an exciting time at the base parachute simulator. Here's Nathan trying his hand at landing on the deck of a ship.

Wee Links, here we come!

What a beautiful day at Wee Links golf course. Nicole sports her pink outfit and new red clubs as Dad and Nathan wait patiently in the background (taken June 05).

Toot, Toot!

On her first special day alone with Daddy-o, 22-month-old Naomi couldn't contain her excitement about wearing her big sister's hand-me-down piggy jammies. She danced, sang and played the recorder for hours!

Here we are!

Here's Daddy-o with his three precious blessings: Nathan, Nicole and Naomi (taken 4 July 05)

Test Post

This is my first blog post...testing, testing, testing!