So today I took the Kids for a hike up in the mountains. Kade had to study for his ethic's test. So to be out of his way we took off for a couple hours. This is before the big adventure.
Its really is a pretty canyon called Wolverine Canyon. It is behind Blackfoot.
On our hike the girls were sure that they had found GOLD. If only right? They brought home a bunch, you know just in case Mom is not a polished geologist.
We stopped along the road and took some pictures, you know I can't help it. Plus there is nothing out by Bone Id. Really a pretty place for pictures, just too far out.
Ava is really getting the picture thing down lately, she is so cute right now.
Things Natalie would make a deal with the devil for:
Finally I couldn't leave off without my personal favorites:
I know Natalie has touched may lives with her gifts and talents so don't hesitate to comment on how much you dig her.
My two favorite boys.
Going for a ride with Dad on the four Wheeler.
Ava going for a ride with Grandpa Kraus, on his new toy!
Ella taking a spin.
As I was going through all of my photos on my computer I realized I don't have near enough pictures of my mom. First off I have to say how lucky I am to have my mom. She has so many amazing talents and qualities that I can only hope to obtain. I decided that I am going to list my top ten favorite things about my mom in honor of her B-day.
1. My mom comes from New Zealand I used to love it when I was little. I wanted my friends to hear my mom talk, because even tho I can't hear her accent I loved to hear how they thought that she sounded so cool. It was something that made my mom way cooler then anyone else's growing up.
2. My mom is a wonderful cook. She would cook all different types of meals, always well balanced and healthy. Now being a mom I know how hard that can be sometimes and am so appreciative to her and all of the effort that she put into our meals.
3. My mom is a teacher and has been teaching first grade for about 25 years. She is amazingly patient and talented with children. Both of her parents also were teachers so you could say that it runs in our blood. She really is the best teacher that Oasis Elementary has they are lucky to have her.
4. I love my moms honest and real outlook on life. I can always count on my mom to tell me the truth and to just be real about life. She is not afraid to tell it like it is and that is refreshing.
5. My mom is a painter. She has painted everything from still life to landscape. She is really good and I think doesn't realize how good sometimes. When I left for college she asked me what I would like for a painting to take with me. I thought about it and decided on snow in the desert. It doesn't happen often but when it does there is nothing like it and I thought that might be nice to have in my room. She painted it for me and I still have it hanging in my house now.
6. My mom has a real gift for gardening. She has created an oasis in the middle of the desert. This is one of her truest gifts. It really is amazing. She has peach, fig, plum, apricot, pomegranate trees, you name it she has grown it. I can only imagine what she would be able to do in the fertile ground of Idaho. I have a difficult time identifying weeds.
7. My mom taught me the right way to clean a house and I am forever grateful to her. Most of us don't really think about this but It really is a big deal. I am so glad she took the time to teach me the right way to clean a toilet.
8. I know this one is silly, but my mom will drink Herbal tea sometimes, and now I love it and every time I have a sip from my mug I think of her.
9. My moms testimony is unwavering, or least I have never seen her waver. My parents have been through some tough trials. Yet their testimonies are strong and unmovable. There are few things that straighten testimonies more then people who lead through example and that is my mom.
10. I am forever grateful that my mom had the faith and courage to leave her home and family and come to a little desert town in a different country. To married my dad and choose the life she has. She is the example in my life. I love her for her toughness. I love her for her example on what a real woman should be, I am trying my best to follow it. I love you mom. Happy Birthday.
Subject: Jay Leno on President Bush (Surprising)Jay Leno wrote this; it's the Jay Leno we don't often see....
As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark
'The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe.It must be true given the source, right?The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change.So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, 'What are we so unhappy about?''
A.. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?
B.. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?
C.. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?
D.Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?
E.. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state?
F.. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?
G.. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.
H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.
I.. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.
J.. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames, thus saving you, your family, and your belongings.
K.. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.
L.. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.
M.. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?
Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy.Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.I know, I know.What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day. Make no mistake about it.The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an "other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans?Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads, and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How man will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like OJ. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane!Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have in this country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, 'Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'Jay LenoPlease keep this in circulation.There are so many people who need to read this and grasp the truth of it all
We had a great Halloween this year. My girls were fairies together.
Kade wearing Harper's costume.
Harper wore it for about three seconds.
Ella was a icicle/snow fairy.
Ava was a forest fairy.
Here Ava is heading out for a successful night of trick or treating.
I love this smile.
the bonus in the photo is Harper's fit in the back ground.
This is a rare photo of Harper with part of his costume on. He was so funny. Even tho he was not a fan of the stache. He loved watching all of the action that Halloween provided, the girls going door to door. All of the kids dressed up. He had a blast.
I love my boys, and that is all there is to say. Well I guess I love Halloween too.
Ava checking out the loot.
My dad has a hot tub and it is the hot spot when we go down.
Harper with his Rosy cheeks.
All three stooges.
My girls love hot tubs, its just one big bath.
The girls had a slumber party with their cousins Sophi and Raquel.
On the way down we always stay at my grandma's house. My sister and her family was there waiting for us. Ava and Luke are close little cousins.
Here is a group picture of all of the cuties. Including Colman, my cousin Carly's little boy.
In the morning my Grandma is such a sweetie and always makes us a nice hot breakfast before the ten hour drive.
