DUNOWLAND

One last time….

Jana — Sat, 19 May 2012 14:39:18 +0000

Bill is retiring. It’s official in September. On May 17th, he had his final flight (fini flight) in a military aircraft. He was able to fly to Monticello, Utah. It’s his hometown where he was born and raised. It seemed fitting that he was able to go to a place that holds a special place in his heart. When he landed, he was surprised to not only see his mom and grandpa, but his brother, sisters, brother-in-law, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles plus friends. He didn’t have much time, but he did get to eat lunch with all of them and visit. On his return flight, me, Billy, Baden and members of the squadron were on the flight line to greet him. Baden manned the water hose and Billy was in charge of the Diet Coke spray. Plus there was a cooler of water and ice. After he landed, the fun began. Baden loved spraying Bill down and Billy had a blast getting Diet Coke all over Bill. It was a special day capping off a 24 year career for a man who always dreamed of flying.

Some of Bill's family waiting for him to land

Coming into the airport

Landing at the Monticello Airport

Greeting the well wishers

Chandler (nephew) made this poster for Bill. He was up really late making it and did a great job! Bill gave him a squadron patch.

Grandpa Hurst in his Army Air Corps uniform from World War II.

The kids let 24 balloons go - one for each of the years Bill has served in the military

Bill with his brother, sisters, mom and nephews and nieces

Taxiing in

Getting to their "parking" space

Landing

Preparing for the barrage

Learning the ins and outs of the water canister

Here it comes....

Billy with some help from MSgt. Burt drenching Bill with Diet Coke

Water and Ice -- it was cold!

Baden and Billy getting Bill from both sides.

Baden had so much fun spraying the water!

After the drenching, but Baden was still trying to get more water out of that canister

One last picture in front of the beloved UH-N1, the "Huey".

**Thank you to Etta Dunow, Nancy Dunow and Kim Henderson for all of the pictures that were taken in Monticello.

A southernly excursion

Jana — Wed, 02 May 2012 04:12:28 +0000

Bill’s last TDY (temporary duty for all you civilians) was in beautiful Alamogordo. It is way down south. The boys and I packed up and headed down on Friday evening. On Saturday, we drove to Carlsbad, home of Carlsbad Caverns. The last caverns we visited were Luray Caverns in Virginia. Luray Caverns are nice, but Carlsbad Caverns are awesome. There is an easy way to get to the big room which is by elevator, but we walked all the way down. It was amazing. The boys had a blast. Baden was in heaven surrounded by rocks. Billy read all of the information stations along the way. He was fascinated. It was a long trip and once we got to the big room I think we were all ready for a break. We trudged on and it was worth the sore legs and feet. The Big Room is 8.2 acres. That’s 6.2 football fields that would fit inside! The next day we went to White Sands National Monument. It is the largest gypsum dunefield in the world. We brought the sled and slid down the white mountains of sand. It was one of the neatest places we have ever been. The boys loved it and so did we. We didn’t spend a lot of time here as it was getting hot. We definitely would love to go again, but maybe in the fall. It was a fun trip and a great way to end Bill’s last TDY.

Getting ready to descend into the cave

It's getting darker

On the trail

Wishing he could find out what is on the other side of the railing

The two explorers

Billy's turn to explore with the headlamp

A rope ladder -- I can't even imagine using it.

The boys outside of the visitors center

Miles and miles for the eye to see

Ready to come down

Pulling the sled back up the hill. It was hard work!

Me and my boys

I'm king of the world!

Making sand angels

Getting all the sand out. It was everywhere!

A whole month without a post

Jana — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 05:22:54 +0000

So this working thing is going pretty well. I am enjoying my job. I am not enjoying getting up in the morning, but I had to do that anyway no matter where I worked at home or away. But for the most part things are going well except my blogging. I love to blog because I love to write. Dunowland is our family blog and it has been sadly neglected. Things have been happening and I document them with pictures, random notes and promises to myself I will blog, but I would rather just relax when I get home. I spend all day at work on the computer so getting on the computer at home is not my first thought when I get home. But I really miss writing and keeping up with everyone. We have family and friends all over the country so blogging has always been the best way to keep in touch. So I apologize for the lonely month of March that went unblogged. I am back now and I plan on keeping things up. Just don’t expect a post every day or even every week ( I will try). Big things are happening and it involves boxes and packing tape. So now let’s see what we missed in March (parts of February, too).

Billy's 1st season playing basketball.

Pinewood Derby. Billy's car is the Sonic Car on the 2nd row. He won 3rd place overall.

Monster Jam

Billy & his trophy for basketball.

My Birthday! My mom and dad were here to help celebrate.

Blowing out the candles with some help from Baden

The chuck box Bill built as part of one of his Wood Badge tickets.

My mom and Valdiron de Oliviera, bull rider from Brazil and currently #2 in the world

Getting ready for bull riding at The Pit!

With one of our favorite cowboys, Valdiron de Oliviera.

Off to work I go…

Jana — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 05:46:19 +0000

After eight years of being home, I am back at work. I started last week and I am digging it. I haven’t really gotten too deep into all that I will be doing, but I am excited about this opportunity. I had been applying for jobs, but not really thinking that I would actually get one. Lo and behold, I did. I am working as an academic advisor. I am finding that not much has changed in the advising world since I stepped off to take care of my first son and then my second. This seems to be a good time to be back to work. Bill is retiring from the military this year after 24 years of service. It will be a big change for all of us. We have decided to stay here in the Land of Enchantment. We really like it here and we are in the perfect location to be close to family. The boys are adjusting pretty well. Billy is in a before/after school program and Baden switched to full time care at the child development center. I feel like I am not muddling through the day. I am finding that I get more accomplished now that I don’t have as much time. I also think that I treasure my time with my boys more and I am finding they are feeling the same. Nothing is better than the hugs and cuddles I get from the boys after a day at work. I am excited for this new opportunity and all it entails. Now it’s time to head to bed. I have a bed time now, too.

*Sorry no pictures again for a second post. I should have had Bill take a picture of me on my first day.

Slogging through January

Jana — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:48:26 +0000

January was a big month for us. Billy turned 8 and then he was baptized. It seemed that after we celebrated these occasions, it was time for a nap. Yet January continued on. Billy started basketball practice and is a Wolf in our church’s Cub Scout Pack. He is really enjoying going to Scouts with Bill. Billy’s first basketball game was a couple of weeks ago and the team lost 16 – 8, but they redeemed themselves and won on Saturday 24-8. It is a lot of fun watching 7 & 8 year old kids play basketball. The Pinewood Derby was on the 25th and Billy won 3rd place overall. He had a blue and red Sonic car. He even had his own cheering section of friends that chanted, Billy, Billy every time he raced. Baden continues to keep us laughing. He sings, dances and says the funniest things. Bill is flying nonstop. He is also going to school and finishing his degree. I have been out interviewing for, wait for it, a job. I know it will be a big change from stay at home mom. The boys are excited especially Baden. He wants to stay at school all day. I am excited too and a bit nervous. It will be a good change. So as we slogged through January, it hasn’t been all that bad. We have celebrated, cheered, laughed, studied and gone topless (without a coat!). Now what will February bring, maybe some winter as Phil predicted or maybe more fun for Dunowland.

A very special day

Jana — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 04:48:50 +0000

Billy was baptized today. He was excited. I was nervous. All the way to church I had butterflies in my stomach. I asked him if he was nervous, but he said he wasn’t so I guess I was nervous enough for the both of us. He was so excited to get in his baptism clothes and to be with Bill. What a special time for father and son. He listened intently as Grandma Dunow talked about how the prophets of the church had been baptized. Most were baptized in creeks or rivers. It was snowing outside today and some prophets were baptized in a river with snow and ice, too. He said his favorite part was being in the font. He did great. He doesn’t like to get water in his face, but he came out of the water a new kid with a smile on his face. Then Bebe (grandma) Barnes gave a talk about the Holy Ghost and gave him a treasure box with a compass, flashlight and a picture of Christ to help him always remember the Holy Ghost. Then Grandpa Barnes confirmed him. Billy had three of his namesakes in the circle, his dad, father and great grandfather Hurst. It was so special to see this sweet little boy be baptized. Even though Jessica couldn’t be with us as she is on her mission, we know she was there is spirit. She said she told everyone she talked to yesterday that her little brother was getting baptized. We are so proud of him and of his decision to be baptized. We love you, Billy.

Billy & Bill

Three baptism towels Billy received from Bebe & Grandpa, Grandma Dunow and the Primary Presidency(l to r)

Billy & Mom

l to r: Grandpa Hurst, Grandma Dunow, Bill, Billy, Baden, Jana, Bebe & Grandpa Barnes

Three of Billy's namesakes: Devon, William and Wesley (l to r)

Billy with Bebe & Grandpa.

It’s Great to be Eight!

Jana — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 06:20:44 +0000

Billy turned eight today. It’s hard to believe he is 8. I am still 29 so how can he be eight? He started the day being able to watch a little TV before school. Then he had cupcakes with his class in the afternoon. He returned home ready to open presents and see his cake. After presents and blowing out the candles on the cake, he was ready for a Happy Meal. He spent the rest of his birthday being able to play his new Wii game and then watching episodes of Mr. Bean. He told me it was a great day and you could see it written all over his face. Happy Birthday, Billy!

Getting ready to open presents in the official birthday chair

Billy's favorite character, Woody, from Toy Story. He does a mean impersonation, too.

A new game to conquer

The official gift holder

Clothes on my birthday! That's okay, Bebe & Grandpa got him Bullseye from Toy Story, too. Redemption.

Baden picks out the silliest cards and now he acts like them, too.

Baden picked this out for Billy. Now he has a pillow pet for his pillow pet.

Yummy cake

Waiting to blow those candles out

A holiday full of snowflakes and Santa

Jana — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 02:56:30 +0000

We stayed home for Christmas. My mom and dad came to spend Christmas with us. They arrived in a snowstorm. I was constantly watching for updates on the road and praying they would make it safely. The boys awaited Santa’s arrival with Baden asking every day if it was Christmas. During the week, we shopped for all those last minute items. We ate and ate. We made snowflakes that outdid the ones outside and we just enjoyed each others company. We spent Christmas Eve wrapping presents and watched “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” and then it was off to track Santa on NORAD. Of course, we had chicken enchiladas which is a Dunow family tradition on Christmas Eve. Trying to get Billy off to bed was a breeze. Baden, on the other hand, was up and down all night. Finally he climbed up in Billy’s bed and fell asleep. Christmas morning came early. We woke up at 5:00. The boys were so excited, but they weren’t sure what to do. Do they run or just casually stroll into the living room. We all had a fun time opening all of our gifts. Then it was off to Church. A wonderful reminder of why we celebrate Christmas. Then back home and ready to take a nap. But wait, we had an important call to take over Skype with our favorite missionary in Brazil. It was the best Christmas present. She looks great and she speaks Portuguese so well she had a hard time speaking English. We miss her so much, but being able to see her and talk to her made it that much easier even if it was for a small amount of time. So another Christmas come and gone, but one that will bring happy memories for years to come.

Making another gingerbread house

This one survived!

Can't wait to eat it

Well it almost survived

Making Q-tip snowflakes

Fun with glitter

Baden's snowflake

Billy's snowflake

Making cookies for Santa

Making the perfect cookie

Milk & cookies for Santa

The stockings were "hanging" on the couch with care

The calm before the flurry of wrapping paper

A Stars War Christmas for Billy

Baden jumping right in to figure out his new toy

Mom and Dad opening their stockings

Pillow Pets! Thanks, Bebe and Grandpa

A new game from Tia Blanca and Uncle Jeff

Some jazzy new slippers

A movie I can watch over and over.

A wonderful memory book all about Bill's dad.

A Kindle Fire. Yay!

Who can resist Spongebob Memory? Thanks Tia Blanca & Uncle Jeff

Thanksgiving in Oklahoma

Jana — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 01:36:24 +0000

This year for Thanksgiving we headed east to Oklahoma. We spent Turkey Day at my Great Aunt’s in Northwestern Oklahoma. Her son and daughter-in-law put on a great feast. It was great to see my great aunt and cousins. After dinner, we had some time to play in the pasture. The boys loved it exploring the windmill and all of the old tractors. I remember this pasture as a kid, but there were cows roaming around so we didn’t venture too far. Post holiday activities included seeing the new Muppets movie. Two thumbs up! It was fun to be able to share with the boys one of my favorite things, the Muppets. I remember watching the Muppet Show every week. We also attempted to make a gingerbread house. My mom and the boys made the gingerbread. Billy wanted me to help, but I was busy taking pictures and he Billy said well you don’t bake anyway. That is semi true. I probably would have just gone with the kit, but making the gingerbread was way more fun. As the gingerbread was done, the house started to take shape. It wasn’t a force of nature or the big bad wolf that blew the house in just soft gingerbread. We all had a good laugh and it will definitely go into the memory bank. We are thankful for our family and friends and so thankful for our sweet missionary, Jessica, serving in Brazil.

Baden hitching a ride on our cousin, Sis.

Billy in the Oklahoma prairie

Playing under the windmill

My mom and I holding each other up in the Oklahoma wind

Playing on the old John Deere tractor

Hoping it will start

Gathered around for the family picture

My great aunt with her two favorite nieces

Making the gingerbread

Trying to hold it together

Oh well!

The boys acting sad.

It finally fell out

Jana — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 04:34:51 +0000

Billy has been waiting since about 1st grade to have a loose tooth. All of his friends were loosing teeth left and right. Every day he would check his teeth and ask me if any of them were loose. Finally, one of his bottom front teeth became loose. He wiggled it. He had me wiggle it every day just in case. It seemed like he had a loose tooth for months. Then I went to pick him up at school and he came running out with a huge grin. There in his mouth was a spot with no tooth. He had finally lost the tooth at school. The school secretary helped him (the nurse wasn’t in that day) and he gave Billy a small treasure box to keep his tooth from getting lost. He was so excited for the tooth fairy to arrive. So now that he has one down, he can’t wait for the next loose tooth.

A missing tooth =

a nice payout