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!!!

Weekend with the Frandsens! (Part 1)

So this last weekend, Jan's cousin Amy and her husband Paul came to visit with their 3 kids. What a wonderful treat to have them here!!! As you know, I love family, but they are easy family to love. We had a great time at the zoo on Friday (I'll post those pics later, sorry). The adults stayed up way, way, way past their bedtime, and poor Paul and Amy had to sleep on a horrible bed!!! Saturday was spent yearning to sleep in (I didn't say it actually happened :) and going to the beach.

This is Paul and Amy's Bekah enjoying the shade.

Michael and Garrett are great friends. They both love all of the same things and get along great.

Don't you get annoyed at those kids at the beach who are always throwing sand??? Our boys are boys . . . and they had fun. That is all that matters, right?
Amy with Abby, who learned to LOVE the water.
Abby and Claire did a great job getting Paul dirty.
Amy and her girls.
Abby, Amy, Bekah, and Paul.

Garrett and Michael

We are waiting patiently for our next get together. We need to make it soon Amy! Look forward to Zoo pics coming soon.

The sorting hat says that I belong in Hufflepuff!

Said Hufflepuff, "I'll teach the lot, and treat them just the same."

Hufflepuff students are friendly, fair-minded, modest, and hard-working. A well-known member was Cedric Digory, who represented Hogwarts in the most recent Triwizard Tournament.

Take the most scientific Harry Potter Quiz ever created.

Get Sorted Now!

Colorado River - July

July found us at our friends, the Hasvold's, river house. We thoroughly enjoy our time with them at the river each summer. We are truly blessed to have such friends. We arrived late Friday night, and I awoke Saturday to Jan giving Garrett a mohawk for the weekend. I was pretty upset, but handled myself with grace and poise. I only yelled a little before giving in and taking pictures. It was only for the weekend, right?




The Hasvold's have a 14 year old daughter, Tanya, who loves our kids, and they love her.
Jan and Kaile on the boat.
Kaile hanging out listening to "tunes" like the boys do.
Claire constantly ate this trip!
I even had a few moments to sit back and contemplate life and what this next year will bring, as well as have some great conversations with Mara. The skies reminded me of New Mexico skies, just not as brilliant. Still relaxing and amazing. God is amazing.

I guess the mohawk was kind of cute. Garrett is just cute no matter what!
Jan and Garrett playing.

Kaile learned how to kneeboard this trip. She did great! We wore our kids out . . . Claire can't even eat without falling asleep, and Garrett falls asleep while driving. What a pair.

Hopefully I will get some video downloaded some time so you can see Kaile in action on the kneeboard. What a trip! Look forward to August pictures! Luckily we get to go back for a couple of days in August. River, here we come!

Summer Fun

We are having too much fun here . . . soaking up the summer sun. I am loving every minute of it. Warm days, cool nights. Who could ask for more?
Here are some pics from our excursion to the Wild Animal Park with Sarah, Eric and Jan. Sarah and I went in the early afternoon with the kids, and Eric and Jan joined us after work. What a fun day.

We met these guys from Kenya who were Lion hunters. They are here for a month in order to raise money for their community to learn new skills since lions are becoming scarce. Only one spoke english, but was very well spoken and knowledgeable. It was fun for the kids to ask questions.

Our 4th was filled with fun as well. We had a pancake breakfast at the church to start the day off. Too bad I was 45 minutes late because Jan accidentally took my suburban keys to work with him . . . . The remainder of the day was fun with lots of friends, and don't forget the performance of Dr. Feelgood and the interns of love! That is a family favorite every year. The fireworks are amazing, and it was fun watching Claire's eyes light up like it was her first time seeing them again.

This is Kaile and her cousin Kaylee. They are great friends.

We rounded out our weekend by staying at a resort in San Diego for a night as a birthday present from Jan's parents. We just lazed about, and then spent all of Saturday walking around San Diego.

We had a wonderful day, went to see transformers the movie, and then were able to visit Jan's cousin (Shane and Melinda) who had just had a baby girl, named Olivia. What a wonderful way to end the weekend. She is adorable. (Ben and Erin were also in the hospital, but still in labor. They had their baby boy early this morning. LONG labor! I hope to see him today.)

Sarah had watched our kids for us, and we were pleased to see our two oldest sacked out in our bed when we came home. They had a good weekend as well, visiting their cousin Michael for his birthday party (Which I heard was a hit, Amy), and also seeing the movie Ratatoille. Thank you Eric and Sarah!