This Weekend

So . . . we had a very interesting weekend. Friday night we got toilet papered by some college kids from our old ward. (Susan, John Dorius, and Nicole Turley) Jan felt so loved he didn't let me take it down for several hours so the neighborhood could see it. :) I was partially done taking it down when I thought to take a picture.

On Saturday we took a ride to Idaho Falls. We drove around the temple. What a beautiful time of year.

We also stopped and took some pictures.

We went to our ward for the first time on Sunday. There are 640 members, 2 Elders Quorums, and 4 nurseries. Talk about getting lost. RS is in the chapel. They read in 16-18 new families that had just moved in (I lost count). . . and that didn't include us. Jan met a bunch of really friendly guys, and really enjoyed the experience. I dropped the kids off at their various classes, and by the time I made it to RS, I was sitting in the back of the cultural hall with a lot of newly married women who looked really . . . sad. I tried talking to the girl next to me, but she didn't really want to talk. Needless to say, my outgoing personality is going to have to kick into high gear. I think my goal will be to sit in the back every week by someone who is looking out of place or lost. Maybe I can help the ward in this way.

After that experience, we tried to go to one of the two Sunday School classes. They were both completely full. I was going to throw my hands up in the air and wait in the halls for my kids, but Jan took the bull by the horns, and pulled me into Gospel Essentials. We had a very small class . . . filled with the spirit. I'm so proud of him for being persistant!!!

Our kids met their first friends this weekend. A family across the street, the Walkers, and a family next door, the Ericksons, had their boys show up to meet Kaile. This is them picking raspberries in the backyard.

Trailing after came the Walkers 4 year old named Daniel.

I am sure you will be hearing a lot about Daniel because he and Garrett are now joined at the hip. (Although Garrett keeps calling him Michael.) He reminds us a lot of Frank - very independent and fearless. We all went to the Walkers house and watched the kids play in their backyard while we talked. After jumping on their trampoline, and playing on their jungle gym, Daniel got out his 3 wheeler (Don't worry Nana's and Papa's, it doesn't go very fast.) and hooked up a sled to the back. His mom said they call it Summer Sledding. I need to get a picture sometime, because it is hilarious. So Daniel drove, then we after we watched how well he drove, we put Garrett in the sled behind him. After awhile of them going around and around the house on the grass, Kaile came around the house driving, with both Garrett and Daniel holding the BACK of the sled, and creating wonderful holes in the knees of their pants and irreversible grass stains. They had the time of their life, and came home very tired.

On Monday, Garrett started preschool . . . 3 doors down. What a wonderful experience to walk him to school. He was SOOOO excited. He especially is excited because Daniel is in his class. The teacher has cows and a dog. Even more exciting.

With my children's new found independence while here in Idaho, I have really started contemplating the pre-existence and how we had the right to choose to follow Jesus Christ and come to this earth. How hurtful it must have been to Heavenly Father to have his children torn between two of his sons. I am struggling with letting my own children have their own agency, with proper rules in place, and letting them choose. It would sure be easier to be a dictator. Sometimes I am. Do you think Heavenly Father gets as frustrated with us as we get with our children? How do you think he handles this?

US Citizenship test

I took this test. I missed Susan B. Anthony. I guess I am not into women's rights, huh? Too long out of school. How did you do? Press the comment button below.

Conference Sunday Drive

On Conference Sunday we went for a drive between sessions. This should give you a little better idea what Idaho looks like and some of the fall colors. (And make Amy jealous. Sorry Amy.)

We found this cool bridge that we stopped at - in the middle of nowhere. There was beautiful fall colors. Jan got the bright idea to get out and take pictures - but I hadn't brought our coats!!! We were freezing - and you can tell by the end how excited my kids were to be in the cold. Needless to say, they all have colds now. :)

Welcome to Idaho!

So . . . we made it to Idaho! It is absolutely beautiful here. Lots of trees and agriculture. Right up my alley. Everything was going great, lots of unpacking and playing. Garrett woke me up on Saturday to get him breakfast. Garrett and Claire couldn't wait for "Conference breakfast", so they both ate a leisurely breakfast of cereal before everyone else woke up. (Our prophet and apostles speak to us on a Saturday and Sunday every six months, and it is usually broadcast on cable, so we stay home have a big breakfast and watch!) Then it happened. Garrett walked into the living room and almost in a trance said "Mom, there's snow!" I couldn't believe my eyes. The kids quickly woke Kaile, and almost as quickly, Dad, and we went outside to play. Our great friend from Fallbrook, Susan, had come over to watch conference with us, so we let her borrow a jacket, and we played in the snow. Unfortunately we missed the first half of the Saturday morning session, but we couldn't resist. We had BIG beautiful flakes, what I hear called "Salt Lake flakes"???? They were about 2"! Anyway, it was great. I wasn't quite ready for the snow yet. None of us had snow boots. Kaile wore ziplock bags under her sandals. It was fun anyway.

Susan taught Claire how to eat snow, and we couldn't keep her face out of it the remainder of the morning!

You can see a little of our backyard in these, although covered in snow. And our perfect snowman, thanks to Jan. Luckily we are back to no snow (except an inch or two of snowman) and fairly beautiful weather with changing fall leaves. I'll try and post more soon.

Love to all!

Moving

We are packing and packing. Jan will probably drive a rental truck up with our stuff this weekend, then we will follow the next weekend. Still no home picked out. The one rental site online has computer problems, so no pics of the houses up. Jan will pick out a house when he gets there. Fun....

I don't know when I will be able to get on again, so wish us luck! I will post when we have an address and have made it up there.

End of Summer

I was thinking back over this summer today as I looked for a house to rent in Idaho for the next six months. I am going to miss the warmth of California, but look forward to a new experience and adventure. Here are some of the events that I missed posting this summer. Enjoy ... This may be long. Sorry.

July

This picture was taken at Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center. That is my mom with the kids.

August took us to the River once again! We love being at the river with the Hasvolds. Here are a VERY few of the good photos. I will include one of me wakeboarding. Keep the *gasp* to yourself. Garrett is already asking to go back.

Claire found this hiding spot on the boat, and then conveniently went to sleep in it. :)

When we came home we found our stray cat that adopted us several weeks earlier had kittens in our bush. (Now that we have them out from under the house, look for pics to come.)

Kaile learned to ride her bike without training wheels this summer. (I know it is a little late, but the backyard doesn't offer a lot of straight cement for practice.) We are proud of her accomplishment.

Jan hiked San Gorgonio Mountain with his boss' and a friend to prepare to hike Mt. Whitney. (He would like to make a post about his Mt. Whitney adventure. He's so busy, we'll see if it happens.)

I started home schooling Kaile this year in preparation for our move to Idaho for 4-6 months of the school year. We had such a hard time having Jan away from us for 5 months last year, that we decided to go along this year! This is a picture of Kaile on school picture day/book pick up day. So far, so good. Only ask me on good days :)

These are pictures taken on Kaile's "first day of school". She set her alarm, woke up and dressed herself in this uniform looking dress she had . . . all to sit in our kitchen and work :) Atleast she was excited. I wish every day was that easy.

We also had a family party when Garrett turned 4! I can't believe he is getting so old - and starting to grow into himself! He is still as thick and heavy as a pure bar of lead, but is looking less like a big bear cub.

Frandsen Weekend, Part 2

We had quite the day at the San Diego Zoo. It is such a beautiful place to be. Lots of fun animals and plants. We were with Paul and Amy (check last blog entry), and their kids. We had such a wonderful day together!




We also saw all sorts of animals. From Pandas to koalas . . .



From elephants to rhinos . . .



And hippos to monkeys . . .



We also got a little goofy!









But most of all we had a tremendously fun day!Thanks again Frandsen's for traveling down for the weekend!!!