Tuesday, May 26, 2009

At the ranch...

We went to my Mom and Dad's ranch for Memorial weekend. We had a lot of fun! Wade and Victoria let us use their trailer, that's was awesome. We were going to tent it, I thought it sounded fun....glad we didn't...it got really cold at night. The daytime weather was beautiful!! We went on a little hike in the woods with the kids...we did not run into any cougars (thank goodness)mom and dad had seen some tracks though!!
At the top of the mountain....beautiful view!!

Mom and Dad....still in love.... after 39 years of marriage!!!


We caught some delicious trout!!



At the big pond (Annabel and Samuel)




Kids having fun in the pond...trying to stay afloat on home made raft.(the big pond)

ahhhh...another family picture....of a bunch of dirty rug rats :)








Monday, May 18, 2009

I'm not 30.....YET!!!!

I can still say I'm in my twenties for one more week!!! I was surprised Saturday night with my 30th Birthday party. I was tricked into thinking I was going to my sisters for a Game Night....Lana had been trying to get one started for awhile. Instead I opened the door to a group of crazy people singing "Happy Birthday" dressed up 90's style, I guess, stretch pants, big hair, and rolled Jordach jeans, among other things :) I wish I had my camara with me, they looked GREAT :) It was quite embarrassing, and surprising....although I had been a little suspicious that something might happen one of those days. My mom and JoAnne had worked hard, and had a blast putting together a video, interviewing family and friends about me. It was hilarious!!! I was SO surprised to see my two brothers and their family's up for my birthday!!!! They drove four hours....it was awesome to see them there!!

It's been a little depressing the last month, or more, knowing I was turning 30, but I think I'm fine with it now. Thirty really isn't that old anyway!!!

Thank you Mom and JoAnne for a WONDERFUL Birthday party!! Thanks to all who came!!!

Monday, May 11, 2009







Me and the kids painted part of the unfinished chicken/garden shed/play house, Saturday, while Eric was hard at work building it! We just couldn't wait until it was finished, so we did what we could. It was a lot of fun for all!!
Don't worry, the kids play house is not IN the chicken pen. We just thought since we are building, just as well add a play house to it too! Eric has pretty much built all of it out of scrap wood from his jobs, he is amazing!!

Bryce turned 9 years old!!

Bryce turned 9 on Friday, May 8th. He's growing up so fast!
He had 7 boys over for his birthday. They had fun playing games and being wild! They played some baseball (in the weeds), solved the case of... The Missing Candy, and played Mafia! He had a blast!
I gave the boys each their own magnifying glass for a party favor (and also to solve their case) but maybe that wasn't such a great idea, Bryce figured out how to start things on fire with it.......ants, grass, and his brothers leg hairs ( and his own) were among the casualties!! :)

Friday, May 1, 2009

How they've changed....

(pictures of the boys when they first came)






Just thinking about how the boys have adjusted so much, (and grown) since they came, only a little over nine months ago. Samuel was pretty smooth right from the start, with only minor emotional issues, he is doing so great. He still seems to look out for fairness at all times, he is one who would notice a minor difference in food amounts, or anything really. Although some kids are just that way, I think his may be from life not being fair to him from the start. He is a very sweet and sensitive kid. He loves Jesus, and loves to praise Him! He has a very loving heart!




Alemu has made the biggest change since coming here. He had some anger issues, and a hard time with self control, when angry. He also did quite a bit of complaining and could be very stubborn, refusing to do what he was told, no matter how small of a request it was, at times. He is now very sweet, usually the first to do something when asked. He rarely has a temper and controls himself well. He loves God and openly talks of his thankfulness, and love for Him!! He says he wants to be a pastor when he grows up, because he wants to tell others about God....WOW!! It's amazing what God can do!! The other day he was crying when he saw a picture of Jesus hanging on the cross. He has such a good heart! God is SO awesome!!!