Everyone Is Home - January 3, 2016

3 D Printers - It sounded like such a good idea!  Yesterday when we got to the camp at 9:00 a.m. the Printers were still at the Post Office.  We got a late start.  Then the directions were no longer correct for our build because the kit included some newer updated parts, but no newer updated instructions.  When we would ask for help, the boys in the Robotics club would say, "Just follow the directions."  Finally one boy took pity on our soul, and stayed with us through the no direction part.    Ben and I went home at 3:00 p.m. (We had to pick up Buddy first from Banfield where he had had his teeth cleaned.)  We also went to the Gap before getting Buddy because I had ordered Ben some Navy slacks from The Gap on line and they were delivered with the security tag on them.  The Gap handled getting that off for us.  When we got home, I passed out for about an hour and a half.  Then I got up and started building again.  I stayed on that printer build until 2 a.m.  I got almost done at 12:45 a.m. and the bottom piece was on backwards.  So I took it all a part and started again.

Ben at 3d Printer Camp

Our printer we made.

Ben and I went to camp again at 9:00 a.m. this morning.  Ben did all the wiring, etc.  That was a breeze for him.  But we never could get it working.  At about 1:00 p.m. the consensus was to take it apart again and check a certain motor.  I said, "BEN - you know that big present under the tree?"  (That's right we haven't even opened our gifts yet.)  I said that's a 3d printer, all the way put together.  Can we go home now?"  He agreed.

Jess and Joe had an early flight out of Newark.  Jess said the security line was ridiculously long. It wound around and around and around and down an escalator.  When they got to the gate, they asked if they could go to the bathroom and the lady was like this is the final boarding call.  Well they arrived on their direct flight at about 10:00 a.m.  Jessica texted me and said the flight attendant said, "Welcome to Alaska!"  Jessica was like, "Wait, what?"  Because they had just made it to the gate at final boarding, she began to wonder if she was on the right flight.  But then the flight attendant said, "Just Kidding."  That was funny.  She and Joe drove to Grand Junction from Denver and got home about 3:30 ish.  While in New York they had gone to the Freedom Tower and paid for these photos.  (I always say - buy the photos.)

Ryan, Matthew, Stephanie, Jessica, Joe

Ryan, Matthew, Stephanie, Jessica, Joe

I also really like this photo from their trip.  

Jessica, Joe, and Maya - January 2016

I made it to Wal-Mart finally today and picked up some food.  Jessica made spaghetti and Dave made it home around 7:30 p.m.  He had stopped by his parents before heading to St. Louis and he had stopped by Barb Helminks' before he left.  He too (like Jess and Joe) just made it to his plane.  No excessive drama for him today.  No one getting escorted off planes.    I got a very nice compliment from several members of the Helmink family for what I wrote on Facebook about Uncle Joe.  Joe's youngest daughter had shown it to her mom (Barb) and she was very moved and asked for Jeanine to print it out for her.  Joe's son Tom, thanked Dave for what I wrote.  So it was nice to hear that it blessed them.  I certainly meant every word.

Once everyone was home and fed, we finally opened our gifts.  Thank you to all of you who sent us something.  We have a new puzzle to start and we have a new 3d printer that is already put together to try out.  In fact that is what Ben is doing right now as I write.  

Tomorrow is Ben's first day at his new school.  I think I have everything thought through for that first day -- uniforms, band instrument, band music, lunch, snack, school supplies, etc.  We leave at 7:00 a.m.  I plan to get up at 6:00 a.m. if my alarm goes off.  

Oh yes I failed to mention when we were carrying everything in from the car after the printer camp, I dropped my phone.  It had a case and a shatter proof film, but it fell on it's face (touch screen) and the touch screen is all warbly now.  I have insurance and started a claim, so I should have a new phone on Tuesday.  But until then I'll have to check messages on my iPad.  Oh well.  Until tomorrow - good night.

Joe has tomorrow off but has an orthodontist appointment and a massage (once a month for his back healing).  He goes for his driver's license on Friday.  YEAH!