Fragrance Lake (Cody)

My mom, my brother, my sister and I went on a 4 mile to Fragrance Lake. We started our hike at 12:00. We headed up the hill and we hiked up to the viewpoint first. It was a really cool sight. We could see out to the San Juan Islands. We met this guy that had a dog and they were really fast going up the hill.

Then we went up the hill even farther and headed to Fragrance Lake. When we were hiking even farther uphill to go to Fragrance Lake it was really hard to climb the hill, but then it leveled out and got easier to hike. We ate lunch when we got to Frangrance Lake. The water was kinda more and there were fish jumping out of the water.

After had our lunch and walked around the lake, we headed bak to the car. It was fun, because we ran most of the way down the hill.

Scout Camp (This is Cody)

We had to wake up at 4:30 in the morning I was really tired but I made it all the way to scout camp awake.

Some of the Merit Bagdes I worked on at camp are the Basketry, Fishing, Swimming and Woodworking. For the Basketry merit badge we had to weave a round basket, a square basket, and we also had to help make a camping stool which I actually had fun with.

For the Fishing merit badge I had to learn the safety rules and about knots to tie the hook onto the line. Then we got to fish for the rest of the week. I finally caught a fish on the third day at 9:30 at night. I cleaned the fish and then cooked it and ate it. I finally ate it at 10:30 that night.

For the Swimming merit badge I was scared and didn't pass the swimming test on the first day, then on the second day I was even more scared so I didn't even get in the water till after the class and I passed the swim test. On the third day I caught up on the stuff I missed on the second day. Then the fourth day I had to jump in the water fully clothed and I was scared about that too so I finished the merit badge later in the day, but at least I finally passed!

For my Woodcarving merit badge we did all the safety of knives the first day then on the second day we just did carvings of branches that fell off trees. Then the second through fourth day we worked on a little project, which was a carving of a canoe, that I finished on the third day.

One of the hikes I went on was to a place called rock garden and there were rocks bigger than the dining hall and the dining hall is really big. The other hike we went on was to a waterfall called Crystal Falls, the water was really cold and some of my fellow scouts jumped in.

I met a new friend at camp this year. His name is Mr. Andrews, but I call him Mr. Steve. He encouraged me and knew that I could pass the swim test and even get my swimming merit badge. He is a very nice man.

I had a BLAST!! I can't wait til next year!

New Years

In the middle of Christmas and New Years we were sad to see our good friends move to Eastern Washington. We have been friends with them since they moved here. They have kids about the same age as our kids and they were/are good friends. We will just have to keep in touch long distance.

We took the kids to see Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Squeakuel. We went to the theatre down in Burlington (much nicer than up here) and they all 3 enjoyed that. It was E's first time in a movie theatre and she did pretty good.

Our friends came up to visit with us over the New Years holiday this year. It was great to see them. The men took all 4 kids bowling and I think they all had a good time. C even won!





My girl friend and I were able to get away and go shopping one day and get facials another. Our husbands even found a babysitter and took us out for dinner the last night that they were here. It was a great visit and I am excited to either go see them or for them to come back here.

Christmas

We had a good holiday this year. We were all sad about missing our grandpa/great grandpa but we made new traditions and enjoyed each others company. We had Christmas Eve dinner at our house this year. I cooked my very first prime rib dinner and it was delicious. Kendall's parents and my dad came over and he had a very lovely evening.



After dinner Kendall and I continued our tradition of watching White Christmas and I actually stayed awake for most of it this year!

In the morning we had our usual breakfast of ham and cheese crosaints and had our own little Christmas morning opening presents and having fun with all of our new gifts.






In the early afternoon, my dad, my sister and her boyfriend came out and we had a wonderful ham dinner. After we opening presents and ate the kids and their aunt played their new game of Mousetrap and Kendall and my sisters boyfriend played a 2 hour game of Checkers. I watched.

Overall we had a great time and started new traditions.

So far this Winter

We are trying so hard to get into the holiday mood. We went out and found the perfect tree on Saturday. I usually have a problem going to a Christmas tree farm. I get frustrated because I can't find a nice tree. Well we found a tree farm and I have another problem. I can't decide which one I want! They are all perfectly groomed and smell like Christmas.

Here is Kendall getting it set up.


T and E with their hats on.


The kids decorating the tree.


All done


I usually get a picture of them in their p.j.'s (may still do that) but here they are with the finished tree.


And finally the most important part of the holiday season. We hope that everyone has a wonderful holiday season and remembers what Christmas is all about.

Fall Activities

We have had a busy fall (when are we not busy really). We were able to have a nice day and an available Saturday and we went out to the pumpkin patch as a family.


The kids had a blast going in the corn maze at Stoney Ridge Farm.






For Family Home Evening we carved pumpkins. E had a blast and didn't get grossed out by the guts and C carved his own pumpkin!



In the beginning of November T was in a play at his school. As you can see he was Pinocchio and loved every minute of it. He was great! For the those of you who know what has happened in the past when he goes to stand up in front of people - well he has come a long way!


Also towards the beginning of November T had a cyst removed from off of his back. He was very brave.

The final thing that happened in the month of November is that my grandfather Carl passed away. He was able to be in him own home, in his own bed with the only 2 people that he wanted there. Me and my sister. We were able to spend the last 3 weeks of his life with him. We told stories, laughed and cried. He will be missed, but I know where he is, who he his with and that I will see him again!

Busy Summer!

We had a very busy summer, but we all had a blast! We spend a lot of time together as a family and spent alot of time with our families. We had company 2 separate times and didn't want them to go either time. At the end of July we took the kids to Disneyland. We kept it a secret until the last day of school and they didn't even have a clue!

After we got home from Disneyland we decided to take down our old shed and put up a new one. Little did we know how long it would take or how much it would cost! If you ask E what is is the backyard, or making the mistake of calling it a shed, you are quickly corrected. It is her "princess house" and she wants it pink.

The last of our visitors came in August for my birthday. Geri and I had a blast. The two of us and my sister all went and got a manicure and pediure and then Geri and i spent the rest of the day shopping. What a better way to spend your birthday. Here is a picture of all of our toes with pretty flowers on them!