January 2013: Angry Bull Ethan

Dear family,

If your son is mad at you or your babysitter please beware of notes like this that prove he is learning something in kindergarten.

January 2013: Vegas with Brian

Brian had a conference in Vegas and tagged along. While he was in meetings from 7am to 7pm I worked hard at shopping, working out, and going golfing. It was rough. Then at night we dined at an amazing Spanish tapas restaurant, saw Blue Man Group, and toured Las Vegas. It was great to have Brian all to myself and to have a break from the mom routine.

January 2013: Famous Brian

I passed this billboard and had to take a double take. There is a really sexy guy in the bottom left corner that takes my breath away. He is sooooo famous!

January 2013: Elizabeth turns Double Digits

For Lizzy's 10th birthday she had a fear factor party. She did all sorts of crazy stunts like pick worms up out of a bucket of crickets, crack eggs on her head, transferred dog bones from plate to plate and she searched for worms in a pie tin full of whipped cream. Instead of gifts she got donations for the Medford Food Project! Happy birthday Lizzy!

 

January 2013: Southern Oregon Rednecks

We simple peeps down in southern oregon like our guns. We teach our kids to like em' at a young age. We even take them to parks to play cops and robbers. Oh how I wish I was a tomboy in this day and age. I would have loved air soft wars!

January 2013: Boy Scout Andrew

Andrew officially joined the ranks of young men's and the Boy Scouts. He earned his Tenderfoot, 2nd class and 1st class badges at his first court of honor. Onward to my first of three Eagle Scouts! AAAAH! The pain! I just got called as scout advancement chair in our ward. It's the perfect calling for a mom who is officially with scouts for the next 12 years. I guess I better make friends with the scout office.

January 2013 Sunriver

The 3 Amigos at Mt. Bachelor

 In January we took a trip to Sun River and stayed in a cabin with our dear friends the Rajagopal's. We were fortunate enough to also visit with three other families while there. The kids were in heaven as we went sledding, skiing, played games in the cabin, went hot tubing, and visited with friends. We have never had a snow adventure and certainly never during Christmas Break and the kids loved it!

Dominion

Apples to Apples

BALDIES BBQ!!!

Cabin Hot Tub

SHARC Aquatic Center

Sledding with Stevie & Alisa

January 2013: Brian's new toy

Brian got himself a used four wheeler for Christmas. He just "needed" it for his future, once yearly, bow hunt in eastern oregon. I'm just glad it lives at the ranch for now. Look how big the baby calves are getting!

January 2013: Hello Again...Hello!

I'm singing Neil Diamond and saying hello to a long lost friend. I'm feeling a bit sad that I have neglected my little blog for so long. 5 kids can do that to you. But I read my Grandma's Journals and feel connected with family via her musings and therefore I think my siblings would appreciate the updates. Plus half of them aren't getting my texts or pictures and need an update. But no attempt will be made to update the past 2 years. I am declaring blogging bankruptcy and starting over!

I had a friend Tana take pictures of my kids this fall. I think they are pretty cute. Each photo captures their personality perfectly.  It's good to look at these pictures because they look like little angels which they are not.

And by the way. They only look like this when they are getting their picture taken. Otherwise Lizzy's hair would be dread locks, Sophie's would be in a pony tail, Ethan's hair is never combed, Stevie's looks like that before his first nap and Andrew...well, he is always looking good.