Update from Cam

I have received two ... count 'em ... two (2) phone calls from Cam since he left last Wednesday for boot camp in South Carolina! And I feel very lucky for those 4 mins, 5 secs that we've been able to hear each other.

He has spent the first few days at Ft. Jackson processing (i.e. medical, physical, uniform issue, etc.). The "real" boot camp (also known as Basic Combat Training (BCT)) officially begins on Wednesday of this week.

He seemed really excited about everything that’s happened so far. He said that he’s making friends, but that most of the people there are MUCH younger than he is (no surprise!). However, there are a few guys there that are old than he is (slight surprise).

As soon as I hear it from Cam, I will send out his mailing address. I know that he would appreciate getting encouraging, funny, and/or update letters and cards from everyone. In fact, the more mail he gets, the more push-ups he may not have to do!

He also wanted me to tell everyone hi and send you all his love!

Cam's Swearing ... AGAIN!

Cam has finally made the big leap and has now officially become Army property. He was sworn in on Tuesday afternoon , signed his contract and received his boot camp orders. He will be spending the next 9 weeks at Ft. Jackson in South Carolina for boot camp - with graduation on or around December 4th. Once I know a mailing address for him, I will distribute it!

Here are a few shots of him during the swearing-in process.



A video of the actual swearing-in is below.



If you tilt your head to the left just right, you'll be able to watch it more clearly! I was under the impression that, like taking a photograph, I could turn the camera vertically to get a better shot. Guess I really learned on Tuesday that I need to read the camera manual before attempting to use any of it's more fancy features!

Cam's Going Away BBQ

This past weekend we held one last shindig to send Cam off to boot camp in style. We hosted almost 40 close friends and family for the beautiful sunny Saturday full of food and fun. We had some EPIC croquet matches, especially thanks to the anal rule-masters, Jason and Nick. There were also marathon badminton sets between the young and old. We even managed to find some time for a few hamburgers, hot dogs and yummy side dishes and desserts! We even had Cam's favorite cake: white buttermilk with sour cream chocolate frosting. Thanks for the recipe, Mom Anderson!!!

We also had a lot of fun playing "Bed & Breakfast" by hosting Cam's parents' and sister's family Saturday night. It was a great opportunity to spend a little more time with family and have a lovely large family breakfast on Sunday morning!

We feel so blessed to have so many loving friends and family. Cam definitely will be headed off to South Carolina in style! Thank you to all those who helped make this a memorable weekend!

Grandma & Alyssa lounging

The Dahls enjoying the sunshine!

Two men and a BBQ

Friendly (???) croquet game between brothers

Travis goes for the birdie

Tommy, the youngest party-goer

Ariele, Matt & Heather

~ Family photos ~

Home Sweet Pullman

Aaaaahhh! How we miss the wheat fields and small town life! We just returned home from a quick weekend trip to our beloved Pullman. The trip definitely made us homesick for the days when we spent 7 years in the Palouse, home to our alma mater: Washington State University.

The main purpose of visit was to visit some old high school friends, Zach and Rachael, who just moved to Pullman. Zach is a brand new Criminal Justice professor and Rachael also has a staff position at WSU. We hadn't seen them since their wedding last September, so it was GREAT that we had the opportunity to see them before Cam leaves.

We filled our day and a half in the Palouse by giving Zach and Rachael as quickie tour of Moscow, ID and Pullman, pointing the good restaurants, grocery stores, movie theaters, shopping, etc. We also took some time out to do a little souvenir shopping at the two bookstores in town, hit up Ferdinand's (the WSU creamery) for some delicious ice cream and cheese, see ALL the construction around campus and take a tour of the newly remodeled CUB (student union building).

We also went to the home-opener football game against the Cal Bears, but we won't talk about that debacle.... At least the new sound system and Coug-zila-tron looked and sounded AMAZING!

All in all, it was a GREAT chance to spend some time seeing old friends and enjoy the sunshine one last time in Pullman. Hopefully Kristy will be able to go back in the winter/spring for a basketball game or two! Any old Cougs interested in joining me???

Go COUGS!

Outside newly remodeled Compton Union Building (CUB)

Old Green Marble stairs in New CUB

New Bookie inside CUB

Fight Song along wall in CUB

Cam & Kristy under new sign

Cam & Zach surveying Martin Stadium

Cougs with Butch T. Cougar

Are we really that old?

We just returned home from a trip to our home town (Vancouver) for our 10-year high school reunion. Initially, it was kind of a shock to get the invite in the mail and realize that: Yes! It really has been 10 years since high school! We certainly didn't feel like we could possibly be that old yet. However, we were thankful that we were at least out of school, married and have exciting jobs so that all our "bragging" bases were covered! Plus, we both were graduates of the Prairie High School Class of 1998 (Go Falcons!) so we didn't have to worry about either of us being a poor "date" left out on all the inside jokes and memories.

So, Saturday night we got all dressed up and headed to a hotel ballroom in Portland for a very yummy dinner and a chance to catch up with old friends. There were many people there we hadn't seen in 10+ years as well as a few friends that we've been in contact with since we graduated. In Cam's case, there were even friends there that he'd known since elementary school or T-ball!

It was wonderful to hear all about everyone's lives: who was married (and divorced), how many kids they have, and what they do for a living. There were people that traveled from Boston, Connecticut, and L.A. We met alumni who are now a mailman, farmer, teacher, mTV producer, and high school football coach. We even have a classmate that has 5 kids already ... but the average was about 1 rugrat, so far. And, even though we know of three couples that married their '98 classmates, we were the only Class of '98 couple there. There were even a few people that remembered that we dated for a while in high school and were shocked that we actually did end up getting married!


Ben, Kade & Cam

Casey & Kristy

Cam & Jeb

A flock of Falcons and our old Guidance Counselor

All in all, we had a GREAT time, reconnected with some old friends and are now looking forward to our 20-year reunion!