Projects GALORE!

The quietbook was just the beginning! I made a homemade memory box for Cerena's 60th birthday (with a homemade cloth envelope for the card). It turned out great!

I went on to make some pants for Kodi, some socks, more wipes, a clay necklace, finish his blanket, and of course, finish the quietbook! Yea for crafting mania!




The quietbook!

Cerena's 60th B-day memory box

Clay necklace from cane

Yes, pants with matching socks!

The blanket...is done.

Foster Family Lehi Project

Went camping in the Simpson Springs Recreation area this week. Basically the middle of no-where Utah. The camp came fully equipped with non-potable water and vault toilets - what luxuries! Had a great time! Made dutch oven meals, withstood rain, snow, wind and sun. Visited some Pony Express landmarks and even "toured" Porter Rockwell's homestead.

After 5 fun-filled days we called it quits! A shower never felt so good! The roughing it shower was a combination of nude exposure, boiling water and freezing wind. The result was a not very satisfied, but clean Marcella. We are working on a more long-term solution.

On the up side, the cots were great! My -40 degree sleeping bag was a dream! I was nice and warm dispite only semi-comfortable temperatures in the tent. The stove was burning at full-tilt but the wood was soft and provided limited heat. I forgot all of the dutch oven recipes for all of our meals, but somehow everything turned out tasty and filling.

Planning our next trip a little closer to home, but still ready for another adventure. Did I mention it took 2 hours to set up the tent? Well worth it.

SNOWBOARDING, BABY!!

For Glennie's big 3-0 birthday we all went up to Brighton Resort for some AWESOME snowboarding. I mean, you know, I nearly broke my wrist off from the falls but it was great. The views were SPECTACULAR and my only regret is not taking more photos. The days were awesome with beautiful blue skies.

I tried my hand at some intermediate runs (with the moral support of Valeri) and we rocked the kasbah. I wasn't carving or anything and I was lucky if I managed to used my back edge instead of relying solely on my front - but I am improving - I am sensing great things to come!

THREE WEEKS LATER....

Phil, Cameron and I took on The Canyons. The largest snow park in all of North America. Boy was it a sight to behold. Lift to lift, to slope down to slope. We boarded all day until noon just to get to the run we wanted....then I got starved and we boarded back to the truck. Literally grabbed our food and ran and then boarded the next three hours to make it one more time to our run before the lifts started closing at 4pm. When we got off the mountain we were the last people leaving on the last lift ride off the mountain. It was a great day! And the best part? Did I mention that I can CARVE? Yeah, baby. Front and back edges and carving side to side. I was totally blown away. After several really good falls I finally figured things out. I am SO excited for next season....

Cerena's Big Visit

ZOO MEMORIES!

Cameron, Cerena and I took Kodi to the zoo today! He had a great time, dispite the SNOW. Most of the animals were put away to the "inclimate weather" but we made the most of it. He still had a blast and we got to see lots of great animals.

I think the turkeys were his favorite. Or at least they were Cam's favorite. He started calling to them so Kodi could get a closer look and they got all puffed up and started showing off for us. I think the males were intimidated by Cam's manliness!

For FHE two days prior we took Kodi and Cerena to the aquarium. Of course Kodi spent the majority of his time at the "Mo-Mo" fish tank, which is a coral exhibit with clown fish that apparently look exactly like Nemo.

At the end of the aquarium there is a big frog you can sit on. Of course, who wouldn't want their picture taken sitting on a big frog? So Kodi jumped up and now we have the coveted picture, aren't you jealous?

Climbing High - New Couch

I heard a mother's worst nightmare...silence. I looked to find my baby climbing up the water storage bottles and onto the washing machine. I took these shots as proof that I wasn't just seeing things! He made it all the way up on TOP of the machine...then stood up! A HUGE grin crossed his face until Mama came and took him down. Then the hissy-fit ensued!

Kodi got a new couch at a garage sale a couple weeks back. I was worried he wouldn't like it or use it. Those fears were dashed when as soon as I set it down I captured these shots...

That's one happy boy!

WALDO LAKE - Mesquito Paradise!

We had a great time at Waldo Lake! The mesquitoes were the size of aircraft carriers and after we used 4 cans of bug spray, we decided it was time to go SCUBA DIVING! After viewing the second clearest lake in the US we decided that it left something to be desired when one weighed the mesquito factor and the "desert effect" under the water. Not even ONE MINNOW!

Cerena and Kodi!

Give us your "happy face" Cameron! Our only solice from the mesquitos was the screened in pavillion that we borrowed! We did ALL of our activities in it.

Another tent shot of Kodi and Phil. We were all playing cards and betting candies!

Ronnie was glad to be home! Can you see his enthusiasm?

Family Photos For June

June was the month for family photos. Ronnie has been out on his Mini-Mission with our church for about 8 weeks now. He is coming home at the end of June. We decided to take some photos of the whole family. Give him something to look forward to.

We drove to the top of Mount Sexton for FHE and stood at the top of the lookout over the entire Grants Pass/Merlin valley. It was absolutely beautiful! You can see the long straight line of I-5 just to the left of Phil's elbow. Impressive sight!

Kodi became Phil's new play-buddy and after snapping this candid shot of the two of them, this photo became Grandma's new favorite!

A little of Kodi in action... he looks like the angelic child with the sun setting behind his head. Wave "bye-bye"!