Camping in the Tetons

This is our first camping trip as a family. Well, we've done a couple before, but this was a first with the family as its grown.

Clarke was able to get us a free site at Treasure Mountain Boy Scout Camp, which was about a 45 minute drive from the Grand Teton National Park.

We stopped at Jeff and Lisa's in Idaho Falls where we met up with Bethany and Clarke. We organized the camping gear and loaded up for the hour and a half drive to Treasure Mountain, right on the border or Idaho and Wyoming.

The camp site was along a healthy creek (visible over Michael's shoulder in the photo below). It turns out that the site was available, partly attributable to the fact that it was a flood zone. 

No problem. We handled two days of wet, rainy camping like pros.  

The kids loved the fire. We worked hard to keep it going – most of the wood was wet pine. With a hatchet and some TLC, we kept the fire for cooking and keeping warm. 

Clarke had a cool setup, boosting dual hammocks for him and his two oldest boys and a nice tarp to keep dry. That's just what he did. He was the only one to keep his sleeping area dry. Gold star to the professional Boy Scout.

The tenters, on the other hand, got wet. For starters, the tent was sans rain fly. I had to whip 

Andrew's First Haircut

Andrew had long hair like an aspiring squire to a knight. Not really, but his hair would often cause a bit gender confusion for strangers. 

We cut it January 10, less than a month before his third birthday.

He had no idea what was about to happen. 

It was hard on Mommy.

Michael was there to make fun of him.

Who is this child? What a difference!

Texas Snow 2015

We weren't two steps out the backside when Arielle fired snowballs from her stockpile. Since the snow was covered with a sheet of ice, we needed to mine the safer snowball making flakes from underneath.

Sliding and running, the kids and I had fun in the cold snow before it turned to rain. Karen was about to come out when we came in. With the puppies these few weeks, she's had her hands full.

CHRISTMAS LETTER 2010

What a Year! So much has happened like every other year but the 2 biggest events for us is number one Kevin's graduation and number 2nd was hist job. Kevin Graduated with a masters in Education and then began the search for a job. After applying for several schools and only a couple interveiw we finally got the call the first week of August that he was hired and was starting that monday. He got hired and Denton Highschool and is teaching.... It was a rough start with the new change with Kevin being gone during the day but we made it through the first semester with only a few bumps and brusies. Kevin is also working with his dad but had had to cut back on the gigs.

Karen has stayed busy with the kids and still working at the animal emergency clinic. With Kevin working full time I started cooking dinner. For anyone that knows me knows I don't like to cook. I cooked more meals in the first month of Kevin working then my 27yrs of life. I still don't care to cook but with my meal plan schedule it has gotten a lot easier and doesn't take stress me out as much. Plus it's nice to have dinner ready when Kevin get home from work.

Arielle had a great finish to first grade and is now in 2nd grade. It has also been a big change. They do a lot more work and have more responsibilities. She has been doing great and even got the A honor roll. Arielle didn't do any sports in the spring or summer but started basketball in the fall. She had lots of fun but is ready to try something new. She finally learned to ride her bike at the end of the summer and now can't stop riding her bike. It been great because now she loves going on walks with us and the dog. She also loves roller skating and skateboarding. She spends a lot of time outside and has friends behind us that will play outside all day with her. Karen did not continue as a Girl Scout leader this year but was able to find a troop for Arielle and she loves it.

Micheal has grown so much. He went from my little baby to my energetic toddler this year. He took a long time crawl and then we thought he would take a long time to walk but it happened almost to quickly. Now he is running and climbing. Micheal loves to be outside like his sister. He loves our walks but is happy just walking around. He also love throughing the ball or pretty much anything he has in his hands. He also loves to drum like his daddy and had a toy drum that plays music. Micheal also loves our dog and cat. Micheal and the cat chase each other but every once in a while Micheal pushes the limit and had gotten a few scratches. Chester doesn't like being climbed on but I think he puts up with it because he knows Micheal will share his food.

It has been a hard but great year and can't wait to watch my kids grow and have new experienced this coming year.

Hope every one has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Summer 2010 Reflection

Reading, writing, math, gym, the summer is over and the start of a new school year has begun. This summer went too fast. It started off slowly especially since our pool at the apartment was down for maintenance. We signed Arielle up for horseback riding lessons and she loved it.

Getting on Track

   This week has started off well. The whole family made it out to my work's picnic party. It was lots of fun. The boys got time on the playground while Arielle played some relay games, balloon toss and don't drop the egg. Another night we played Candy Land. Well, Kevin was playing on the floor with Andrew and Michael's attention only lasted about half the game but that's a start. The last 2 mornings I diffused some essential oil (lemon) and both days I felt happy and motivated. Now here comes the weekend. My plan is not to fall apart.
   I still have not done my weekly menu and have stopped through the drive through a couple of times. I just don't like to cook. The summer can't get here soon enough. Kevin will be home and will probably take over most of the cooking.
  I started reading 21 ways to connect with your kids. I am so excited about it. It seems like just what are family needs. Step 1 - make an agenda. Doesn't sound too hard. Step 2 - remember your New Years resolution and don't wait.

What happened to my New Years resolution?

Even though I am already a member of Doterra I went to "Doterra party" today to learn more about them. I bought the book and all these oils and almost a year later I am using them about 40% of the time. Know of course I am excited again and plan on using them more daily. I then started to think back about my new year's resolution for 2013. It wasn't a long list just become healthier, don't wait/put of things, just do it right then and do more stuff as a family.
     Well, we are eating better. There is hardly any snacks in the cupboard and my fridge is full of fruits and vegetables. Of course, when we are out and at parties I have no self control and my kids and I ever more then our share and who knows how much sugar is in it. I even bought a nutrabullet and a food dehydrator. We love the nutrabullet but the food dehydrator is just sitting there. I thought I wasn't going to put off things. Then there was the idea of working out. I did my video everyday for a week and then it stopped.
    Don't wait, do it now. I think I am doing better but it is June and I think of all the stuff I planned on doing and its not done. My meal planning sometimes gets done and I organized the scrapbook stuff. Does that count?
    More Family time would be great then Arielle started softball and Kevin got busier with gigs. Then I think am I wanting too much and buying hiking shoes doesn't guarantee you will start going hiking.
  Why can't we do and have it all? It is because we will drive are self crazy if we strive for perfection. I've realized that. I use to be a neat freak but now I am fine with toys everywhere. I know it is because I spent time with my kids instead of cleaning and that makes me happy. Now I am ready to take the next step and try a little harder to fulfill some of my new years resolution. I think if I start with not waiting and doing it right then that everything else will fall into place. To start, I am going to right my meal plan for the week.