Things that worked for Frontsight and things that didn't

I still have some blogging to do with my trip to Front Sight. This first one is more about tips for others planning to go, and also as a reminder for myself:

Things that worked well on my Front Sight trip:

XDm: My gun worked very well for me. The only malfunctions I noticed were induced malfunctions for training. The gun had good ergonomics for my hand, although it would have been better with the larger back strap on the handle. After 2 days of heavy shooting, the middle of my palm was getting a little worn and calloused. I also appreciated the fact that I could check the status of my weapon inside the holster (chamber unloaded, striker ready) as the gun spends a lot of time in the holster. After 9 mm guns in action, I was glad that mine was a little bigger at .40. The 9's did seemed to have a little more accuracy than mine, but the holes were just so much smaller.

XDm Gear:
Reloader: I don't know if I would have a thumb today if I didn't have my reloader-- it made it so much easier and faster to load my magazines.
Holster: I didn't have any complaints with my holster, but there were plenty of those with XD and XDm holsters that didn't like the standard holster. It was something about the tension on the holster that they didn't like, if I remember right. Myself, I didn't have any problems with it. Most people with an XD(m) got a Blackhawk Serpa holster. I picked up a used one later, but I picked it up for the retention button. I want it easy for me to get my gun, but difficult for anyone else.
Magazine Holster: Necessary for Front Sight, but I think it is too bulky for daily use. I just adds too much to my belt. It was pretty handy to have a picattany rail on the sides of the magazine holster (where I could attach the reloader when not in use, or I could attach it to the gun).
3 Magazines: It was very convenient to load up less often and have a spare if one was accidently dropped ( you can't lean over to pick up anything unless the range is cleared). But it wasn't necessary to have more than two.

CamelBack: This one item was so perfect for what we were doing. I liked always having water (or gatorade) available to drink, and with as dry as it was, I could never drink enough. I would empty my 3 liters of the camelback daily, and it only lasted that long because I would drink about 3 cups from water/juice from Front Sight with every meal and a few during breaks on the range. It is very dry there! The pack would also hold 3 boxes of ammunition, my hearing & sight protection, and my small notebook easily.

Gatorade Powder: Quick and Cheap way to improve the taste of the water to keep drinking it. Also has some salt. I recommend it!

Timing: I went to Front Sight in March. I came after a group of storms passed through (when it was really cold) but it wasn't summer temperature yet. Part of the training was shooting from concealment (or drawing a pistol from your holster while wearing a jacket covering your holster) and I was really glad that it wasn't any warmer than it was!

Concealment (jacket or sweathshirt): Of course what you should bring is whatever you plan to wear with your gun so your training is useful. But if possible, bring sometihng that can be open in front and closed in front so you can practice both. An open front is quicker, but I'd recommend practicing what you will be using daily.

Hotel: The hotel I booked was both really good and not so good. It had a full kitchen with stove, fridge (which had two trays of ice every day for my CamelBack) and microwave, and was a real good price. It had a pretty clear straight shot to Front Sight, with little traffic to get out of Las Vegas. The downside was that I was in Las Vegas. The biggest trouble is that wouldd be an extra 30 minutes to and then an extra 30 minutes back from Front Sight every day. Normally not an issue, but they eep you going and learning with a very full schedule, so every minute asleep is a good minute spent! I booked at the Emerald Suites on South Las Vegas Blvd.

Hat and Wrap-around glassses are required for Front Sight to protect your eyes from ejected brass. Some people didn't bring wrap around glasses, but got along by adding a piece of paper to the side of their glasses. I brought sunglasses which helped my eyes transition between bright desert gun ranges and the classrooms that are normal brightness (but felt very dark in comparison).

What I wish I would have done different (or at least known):

In the classroom at Front Sight, they have microwaves. So I would have planned more lunches that could have been reheated. During lunch breaks, they have a lecture in the class room, so you don't waste any down time.

I would have worn some cargo pants with some good-sized pockets on the sides for extram ammunition or magazines. A little extra capacity for ammo rounds on your person (not in a pack-- so you can use it on the line at the firing range) is always nice.

All in all, the logistics worked out really well...

Sand Dune Camping

The Jones extended family have a tradition of going out to the Little Sahara sand dunes to camp in honor of Grandpa Jones' birthday on May 16. This was the first year we made it and the kids had a good time. Thank you Aunt Rene's family for putting it together! This was also the first camp out this year (making it Aaron's first camp and also the first time trying out our new truck!). It was a trifle cold that night as it was still the middle of May. We only stayed Friday night and went home Saturday after the big family dinnerMiriam had such a good time with her cousins Liz and Meggie (as she calls her). The girls were making houses and Miriam just followed along after them.

On Saturday Marshall and boys came to play for awhile. Aaron had a good time showing Max the ropes or sand as the case may be. Aaron did really well with everything.

Of course the main attraction was playing in the sand. Aaron did a really good job of digging with a shovel (see video below). Miriam loved digging as she kept saying.
Miriam didn't do so well at bedtime. We couldn't get her to sleep for anything so I took her to the truck intending to drive her to sleep because she was crying hysterically and I didn't want to keep everybody else up (the campgrounds were really crowded). As I started the truck I realized I didn't know my way around so I wasn't sure how I would get back so I just stayed, eventually she fell asleep. Unfortunately when I tried putting her in her sleeping bag she woke back up. I didn't think our double sleeping bag would hold all 4 of us but we proved by the end of the night that it did. The next afternoon we were all tired and took a nap.

All the grandkids wanted Grandpa to come help them dig some deeper holes with his shovel. So Marshall and Eric went to help and continue their conversation. We dug a pretty deep hole for them; Mason and Daniel had a great time sitting entirely within the hole.

A couple of small events in our lives...

Tonight I went to the temple, and recieved more thanks for the service than usual (at least this quickly and in this mortal sphere)! When I returned to my vehicle I found a note on the windshield: "Thank you for doing the Lord's work! Orem Park 3rd Ward Young Women Emma, TJ, Maren". THat's always fun to get. Then when I got him, I was greeted first by Miriam, who said, "Daddy was at the Temple?" "Yep" "Good Job, Daddy." She is certainly a little sweetheart!

While we were still in Delta, Aaron had managed to get a cup that I didn't want him to have. I distracted him with something and grabbed the cup while his back was turned and headed for the kitchen. He turned around and started following me. I put the cup in the middle of the table, turned around and didn't see him. I walked of out the kitchen into the living room-- suddenly he jumped up-- he sat down right next to the kitchen and as soon as I walked past him, he jumped up and ran into the kitchen. He still wasn't able to reach the cup, but he's already using good tactics!! I think we're in trouble for when he gets older....

Loving the Outdoors!

Miriam has always loved playing outside and its better than ever this year now that she has a built in friend to play with. This picture was taken May 17 as Miriam is still sporting long sleeves on an outfit that I wore when I was that size. I believe my mom made the overalls in college for a children's clothing class. Luckily Aaron is more than happy to have sister push him around in the car which makes mom happy because then I can get stuff done inside!

Miriam isn't the only one who likes to ride bikes! Ever since Aaron got mobile ie cruising he is attracted to things that go and help him get from place to place like Miriam's bike on June 7. It seems to work best to play out front in the morning (with bike) and on the deck in the afternoon (with the car) its coolest at those times. Miriam is getting more independent in her bike riding too.

I put these flower pots on top of the table to keep Aaron from playing in the dirt. when all of a sudden one day I see this scene! I have no idea how he climbed up there (this is the first time I saw him up), but they love digging in the dirt. This is at the beginning of May and after several times of this play and coming filthy we decided to do things differently. Aaron looks so innocent doesn't he? (Who me get dirty? Never!)

We had daddy buy some sandbox sand to go in the table on June 10 and they loved it! Mommy liked it because they didn't get so dirty though now at the end of the summer all the sand has disappeared. I still don't know how Aaron climbs up on this table. I redistributed some bath toys to be sand toys (they weren't playing with them in the bath anyway). Next year we may need to get a sandbox.