YES on 8

I know my mom is probably the only one who reads my blog, but just for the sake of trying to do my part....here is the video I enjoyed the most regarding this prop. I am not one to be able to flaunt words like some of my cousins. Most of my beliefs are deeply held and hard to explain. There are lots of reasons I believe in this prop. I hope others will understand that I do not hate anyone, but I want my right as a parent, and as a religious follower to believe and teach my children as I wish, not what people in public schools want them to know. Mostly because marriage between a man and a woman is sacred and ordained of God. Enough said.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1352578267?bctid=1819819843

Conference Saturday

I just had to put on here how amazed I was with Garrett today. I had printed out conference packets for my kids to help try and keep everyone focused on General Conference, and just hoping that this year I would be able to hear more than half of the talks. Not only did it work wonders (especially during the morning session), but Garrett and Kaile actually took notes! The packets are really cute with ties for each of the Apostles and then an area to take notes in. With every person that would come up, Garrett would find the Apostle, color the tie like the one he was wearing, and then take his paper to Jan to take notes for him. It was amazing that when we were done listening to a talk and Jan would read me the "words" Garrett asked him to write down, that he had a pretty good grasp on the concepts that were taught. Jan even had a couple tears in his eye watching his son. As a parent, I'd have to say it was a very gratifying day.

Repelling/White Water Rafting Weekend

On Friday night we went repelling about 30 minutes southeast of Rexburg. We BBQ'd hotdogs and had a great time while the kids ran around a big field.

Jan getting ready to repel.

This is our friend Susan Lee who went with us.
She made it down!

Josh helping Kaile start to repel.
Kaile was fine on top of the mountain - but didn't make it down. :) Atleast she tried.
Kaile climbing a rock more her size.
Jan repelling - isn't that pretty? Susan took these pictures.

On Saturday we drove to a part of the snake river by Alpine Wyoming. The drive there was beautiful - passing acres and acres of beautifully groomed corn, alfalfa and potatoes. As we started to head in to the mountains, all the trees were beginning to change color. What a drive.

This is Wyoming - on our way towards Alpine.


Garrett and Claire riding in Daddy's truck.
Kaile talking to Papa and Nana Peterson on the phone.

Kaile going on her first white water trip!
It was the last trip of the year - the water was freezing, so they all had to wear wet suits.


Can you see their little blue raft? It is going through the big kahuna, which I guess at this time of the year is really the "little" kahuna.

After rafting we had a "back of the pickup" picnic. The trees are starting to change and it was gorgeous.

Jan making PB&J's

The Spies...

So this morning after Jan had taken the kids to school, Claire was sitting at the table scribbling as many notes as she could and would give them each to us waiting for our reaction. Jan decided to have a little fun with her. (Thank heavens he still has the energy, I sure don't!) The next time she gave him a note to read he put it secretly in his pocket and told her to be quiet. He would look around the room and act like he was looking for people watching them, making her look both ways. Then he'd take her hand and they would sneak off to a different part of the house searching around every corner for enemies. Finally they would sit down, open her letter and laugh their heads off. They must have done this a dozen times. I finally caught them at it - see for yourself.

Fishing with Dad

Our kids first fishing trip. Can you believe it? Jan took them after school on Tuesday. They LOVED it. And Jan was very happy that no one was squeamish about the worms!

Kaile is the only one that caught anything. Yep - a little minnow.

Wild Animal Park with the Frandsens

Okay, so I am really late putting my summer pics up, so here is the Monday right before we moved. Thank you Paul and Amy for taking time out of your busy schedules to visit! I wish I wasn't so worn out that day! I must be getting older, this pregnancy seems so much more tiring.

Garrett and his cousin Michael.

I love this picture because Garrett is always so caring. Here he is trying to make sure that Bekah had a chance to feel a deer, even though she was nervous.

The boys had so much fun running up and down this hill. It wore me out watching them!

Claire and Abby ran around and around in this puddle.

Thanks again for spending your time with us before we left!!! We love you guys!

The House....

This post is mostly for my parents who have been struggling wondering where we are living. To those of you not interested, please check back again. Please bear with me and the descriptions. And remember I am still not undone packing. Pretty done, but it still feels like a lot left to do. We got blinds put in today. The Living Room and Master Bath blinds are too short, so he has to re-order, and the guest bedroom blinds have not even arrived yet. So...

Front of the house. Windows are from left to right: Garage, Living Room, Upstairs baby's room then Garrett and Claire's room, downstairs family room.
Side shot of houses with garages.
Backyard
Living Room - see the short blinds?
Front door from the kitchen
Kaile at kitchen table doing homework.
Kitchen

Laundry Room. Door to left leads to garage. A door on the right is the 1/2 bath.

1/2 bath with utility sink.
From living room looking at the split.

Baby's room

Garrett/Claire's room

Garrett/Claire's bathroom

Master

Master Bath - door to immediate left is toilet room, then door by sinks is to walk in closet.
From Master to kids rooms

Family Room - I still really need to do most of my work in this room.
From Kaile's room - door on left is a closet with shelves we put the toys in. Door to right is under stairs closet and in that is the door to under house storage.
Kaile's bath - she is totally in to green right now, so I pushed for green and purple.
Kaile's room
from family room to Kaile's room and guest bedroom, which is something else to work on.

That's all! Hope that satisfied your curiosity!