Family Fun Day at Fort Discovery

Daddy came home for the 4 day week-end, and our family went to Fort Discovery for the day. It was lots of fun. the kids didn't get to see much the first time that we went because within the first hour of our trip, mommy fell off the life-size piano and sprained her ankle really bad. (That's what I get for showing off!) I got a few pics of the kids on the piano, but I stayed clear! Enjoy!

Day 1 Ant Watch

One day, I went over to my friend, Tina's house, and she showed me her new pets. It was the coolest "ant farm" I had ever seen! That same afternoon, after watching her ants for a couple hours and constantly commenting on how cool they are, I ordered some for us. Can you believe they actually ship ants in the mail!!! Not only that, they are red ants from Hurricane, UT. (It sure brought back a lot of memories went I got them.) Anyways, when you first get the ants, you are suppose to poke 4 holes in the gel with a special tool that they give to you. That is what you are seeing. When the ants were first put into their new home, they were running around like crazy. Climbing the sides and trying to figure out how to get out.
It wasn't until that night that they finally started to dig. By the end of the day they had a nice beginning tunnel.

Day 2 Ant Watch

Finally, some action! We were beginning to think that the ants would never start digging...and then they turned back up to the top! Oh well, at least they started! Then, a single ant started working on another one of the parts that I poked. Yahoo!

Day 3 Ant Watch

We are making progress!!!
And then they turned back up to the top.
More "U" Shapes, Big surprise!

Day 4 Ant Watch

Day 5 Ant watch

We were so excited by day five. We never thought the ants would ever go down to the bottom. They are on their way!!!!!

Day 6 Ant watch

In the morning when we got up, we saw that the ants had started a new tunnel. Of course, they turned upwards for their characteristic "U" shape. By that night, they had completed their tunnel and were starting on something else. These girls are busy! FYI: All the ants are girls. In fact, according the fact book that came with it, that includes all the ant workers, soldiers, etc that you find outdoors. Male ants are only created as needed by the colony for reproductive purposes and they die shortly after mating. My friends and I got a big kick out of that!

Day 7 Ant Watch

Day 8 Ant watch

After the ants finished all their digging they have turned their attention to escaping...go figure.

Erik's Promotion/Reenlistment Ceremony

Erik was promoted to Sergeant on Friday Feb. 1, 2008. On the same day he and 5 other guys from his unit also reenlisted. They had a brief ceremony where all the guys had to raise their arm and pledge to uphold this and that. I was too busy taking pictures to really hear. Then they passed out their certificates. I also got some pictures of Erik in his morning formation, which was a little more formal than normal due to the ceremonies.
(This next part is written by Erik) So for the next 6 years, we will remain a part of the United States Army. Okay, I'll admit that one of the major reasons was to get a Selective Reenlistment Bonus. It has been far too long in coming, but we will now be able to start our long term savings.

Here are some pictures. Enjoy!