Hero's

 

Around Memorial Day in Ellie's class they had to do a report on a Veteran. Also, the kids were required to either interview this Veteran (if still living) or a relative (if deceased).

Ellie's teacher, Mr. Young, is also an amazing painter who has painted many murals on the walls of buildings in our downtown. Ellie's favorite painting of Mr. Young's is his mural of David Kingsley, of whom the Kingsley Field Air Force Base is named after. So she choose him!

 

If you don't know the story of David Kingsley it is just amazing and I was so glad she picked him to do her report on. Here is a quick run down of his story:

Second Lieutenant David R. Kingsley, an Oregon World War II hero killed in action on June 23, 1944, during a bombing mission over the oil fields at Ploesti, Rumania. Lieutenant Kingsley served as a bombardier on a B-17F aircraft which became severely damaged by intense flak during the bomb run and from attacks by German ME-109 enemy fighters during egress.

When his pilot commanded the crew to bail out, Lieutenant Kingsley immediately began assisting two wounded gunners into their parachute harnesses. The tail gunner's harness, believed to be damaged, could not be located. With disregard for his own means of escape, Lieutenant Kingsley put his own harness on the wounded tail gunner and aided the men in bailing out.

Lieutenant Kingsley's body was later found in the B-17 wreckage. Lieutenant Kingsley, directly responsible for saving the life of the wounded gunner, posthumously received the Medal of Honor award for his heroic, gallant action.

Because Mr. Kingsley was killed in action Ellie decided to contact family or friends of his. She discovered that 2 months earlier a woman was traveling through Klamath Falls and saw the Kingsley mural on the wall in our downtown. She immediately recognised the man in the painting as the "sweatheart" of her friend Harriett (Fox) Zalabak.

She pulled over and contacted the museum and told them that Kingsley had sent numerous letters in 1942-43 to his sweetheart, Harriett. 

To make a long story short, Harriett was contacted and brought to Klamath Falls to visit the Air Force Base that is named after him and see the mural.

(this is the mural Mr. Young painted, sorry so fuzzy)

 

On Oct. 18, 2012, Ms. Zalabak donated seven of Kingsley's letters, two post cards, and a Christmas card to the Klamath County Museum.

Ellie, contacted the friend of Harriett and we got some great info for her report.
 (Click HERE to see a video of Harriett's visit to the Klamath Museum)

Ellie even invited Harriett to a Hero party held at her school for all the hero's and/or their families to attend. Sadly she lives in California and wasn't able to come.

This was such a great project for Ellie and her class. She learned so much about serving our Country. I am so thankful for all those who bravely serve and for the fantastic teachers who keep their stories alive!

ice skating field trip #2

On the day that Ellie's and Connor's class went ice skating the weather was much warmer. We had so much fun. Both had been a time or two before and they skated pretty well on their own. Connor didn't want any help from me at all, he was super independent. They said riding with mom on the bus and drinking hot chocolate were their favorite parts.
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ice skating field trip #1

My kids all had field trips at school to the local ice skating rink. Macie had never been before and was so excited. The day we went was FREEZING! It was a bit miserable with 2 classes of kindergartners with frozen toes. But all in all we had a fun time.

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And this is how she spent the entire ride home on the bus...

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Testing out a new tooth puller...

Annie Creek with the Olsens

There was a week straight at the end of December into January that is snowed a few feet. And out at Annie Creek, our favorite winter getaway spot, that meant the snow was even higher.

 

 

We headed up in the morning and meet up with Grandpa and Grandma Olsen and the Becerra family.

As soon as we got all our snow clothes on Sawyer was outside and spent 80% of the day face down in the snow...eating it!

 

He took long enough breaks to get some sledding and eating in with the big kids,

 

 

Then it was back to face down in the snow.

 

 

 We had some great cousin time.

 

 

 

 And yummy food.

 

 

And great time spent with the Grandparents too!

 

 

Uncle Chris got this fun shot of Connor and I, death flashing before my eyes.

 

 

 

 

LOVE that Annie Creek!!

 

Christmas Day

Just woke up.

.Stockings

.Present from Santa

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.Trying to figure out clues to find present from Mom and Dad....

 

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.Found it!!

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.Off to see family.

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Polar Express 2012

Another amazing Polar Express night this year.

GiGi brought all the kids coloring books about trains this year so we started off the night with some coloring while the Polar Express store was being set up.

 

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Sawyer lovin' on GiGi.

Then it was time to make reindeer food.

 

 

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Everyone lined up at the store and got their treats for the movie and bought their ticket.

 

 

 

Got tickets punched from the conductor and headed down for the movie, hot chocolate and a bell at the end! 

 

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After the movie we look out the windows for Rudolf's nose and wouldn't you know it we seem to see him every year in the backyard walking around and then he moves to the front. The kids go CRAZY and then that's our Que to pack it up and head home to get in bed quick.

This is by far my kids favorite tradition!!

 

 

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!