Battalion Burns 2012

On September 16th, Ryan's battalion held their practice burns at the academy.  The girls and I loved his recruit burns (check out that post here) so we decided to check this one out as well.  As usual, it was a blast (no pun intended).

There were four evolutions.  "Kirk time" didn't allow us to arrive early enough to see the first evolution, but we did stay for all the rest.  Ryan was lead on the last evolution that morning.

Unlike recruit burns, we were basically the only audience they had until a couple of moms and some other kids showed up during the third evolution.  Being in such a small audience for this was a lot of fun ... as you can see!

The "burn building"

Ryan had a really good workout as a recruit -- they would always make him "hit the tower" (run up the stairs).

Ryan, center

Sydney

Sydney & Zoe

They "donned" and "doffed" quite a bit that morning.

Zoe

Zoe "hearts" ambulances

Sydney (she looks like she is up to no good in this picture)

 

Ryan

 

This is probably my favorite firefighter picture of Ryan

 

Every time a truck passed, the girls and the firefighters would waive to each other.  It was like watching a very cool parade in a very small audience.

And, since we were the only audience for a while, the girls were able to dance their hearts out.

Sydney

Sydney, still shakin' it, with her Daddy in the background.

This picture cracks me up.  It could either be the cover of Beatles album, or it could be titled "The Evolution of a Firefighter".  Seriously.  They seem to be arranged in order by height.

 

 

 

 

 

The smoke from the building just added to how beautiful the morning already was.

Ryan is standing on the side of the truck, facing away from the camera

What a smile

Meeting with the Battalion Chief before the last evolution.

 

Ryan waves to the Twincesses as he prepares to be lead for the last evolution.

Ryan is the one kneeling and putting on his helmet.

Ryan and his team enter the building

 

The safety officer had to jump out of the way of the water and steam escaping from the window on the right of the picture.  You can see the water spray shooting out of the window.

Ryan is on the left, facing the camera, with his mask on.

Look for "Kirk"

Ryan is helping to gather the hose with his team.  You can see the flames inside the building through the window on the left.

 

 

 

 

 

Ryan is standing in front of the firefighter operating the hose.

Daddy & his Twincesses

 

What a hottie (pun intended).

The Twincesses (standing in front of the cars the recruits use for practice burns).

Videos!

Some videos from the last few months.  (Note: Zoe is camera shy in comparison to Sydney, but we will try to get some more of just Zoe soon!)

Zoe and Sydney at the Firestation:

 

Sydney as a "Cheer-lead-er!":

 

Sydney making dinner with Aunt CeeCee:

While reading The Legend of the Golden Snail with Uncle Danny, Zoe proclaims her love for her sister:

The Twincesses very first ballet recital: Swan Lake!  Ms. Cynthia is the best teacher!

And, finally, Sydney's great invention: the "Tector" (might be a "metal tector" but ends up being a "bug tector" ... just watch, you'll understand!):

Fireworks!

Here are some oldies from the 4th of July this year:

 

 

 

9/11/12 - Spending Quality Time With Firefighters

 Starting the day off with ultimate frisbee

 

 What a hunk!

 

 Sydney is pretty good with throwing the frisbee sometimes.  Othertimes she is downright dangerous.

 

 Twinsies!

 

 They were called to a structure fire in the middle of the game, and had to run.

 

 The girls waving goodbye to Daddy.  (Ryan was in the front of the truck on the right.)

 

 So, the girls and I went for a walk.

 

 And, of course, we took more pictures until Daddy called and told us he was back at the station.

 

 We then got some lunch and rushed over to eat with Daddy.

 

 And, of course, take even more pictures ...

 The "Federal Horn"

 

 Sydney, the vicious firefighter!

Zoe was much more hesitant 

 Sydney, wearing Daddy's helmet

 

 Zoe wearing Daddy's helmet

 

 Sydney (using her "responding to a call" face)

Sydney 

Zoe calling Sydney! 

 Zoe

 

Black Eye

Sydney woke up crying the other night.  Ryan and I ran up the stairs to find Syd, on the top bunk, with a large lump under her right eye.  Zoe was hiding behind the door of the bedroom, and both of them were giving their "Santa Bear" the evil eye.

From what we can tell, Santa Bear's hard nose somehow came in contact with Sydney's eye.  No one will reveal the details -- not even the bear.  But here are the photos from the event:

Sydney's black eye, about 3 days later ...

 

Santa Bear, in recovery

 

Sydney's revenge!

Zoe can write!

Zoe lacks a little confidence when it comes to her handwriting.  On the first day we tried "Handwriting Without Tears" she, well, burst into tears.  (She then laughed when I pointed out the title of the book!).

Over the last couple of days, however, Zoe's handwriting skill has improved dramatically.  Check it out:

From two days ago

As for Syd, well, she can write just about anything.  It's the reading part that we are working on right now!