UEA Vacation

UEA vacation was October 20-22, 2011.  We decided to take a trip to California to visit my brother Kenneth.  We rented a vehicle and my brother, Dennis, came with us.  We left Wednesday night after school, drove through the night and arrived at Kenneth's house at 4 am.  We would have been there an hour earlier, but the freeway came to a stand still due to an accident.  A semitruck jackkniffed and there were live chickens all over the freeway.  There was an exit behind us, so the police were backing cars up to get off.  It was pretty cool to watch big semi's turn around on the freeway.  We quietly were greeted by Kenneth and Heidi and went off to bed for a few hours of sleep.  Dennis drove the whole way and Allen's job was to keep him awake.  Joslynn didn't like sleeping in her car seat, so there were a few screams that helped Dennis stay awake. 
Thursday morning we headed to Natural Bridges Beach.  It was really overcast in the morning, but by afternoom the sun came out and it was beautiful.  The water was FREEZING, so we just got our feet wet.  Kaylynn was a little scared of the waves, so she stayed away and played in the sand a lot.

Dennis and Kenneth decided to get to the rocks and provided us some entertainment.  Kenneth slipped on the rocks and was drenched by a wave.  Dennis slipped coming back to the beach and was soaked.  Allen and I went over earlier in the day and didn't have a problem. 

Kenneth & Heidi

Everyone slept better Thursday night and were grateful for beds and airmattresses to sleep on.  Friday morning we got ready and headed for San Fransisco.  First stop was the Golden Gate Bridge.  We walked half way across and then the kids were tired.  We went back to the parking lot and had a picnic lunch at the one picnic table there.



On the bridge.



We drove down the crookedest street (Lombardee street). They had beautiful Hydrangias along the side of the road.  We also drove down the steepest street.  It looked like we were headed off a cliff and then went straight down.  The amazing thing is there were cars parked horizontally on the road.  It was an interesting site and I'm glad I don't live there.

 

 We then headed to Pier 39 to see the seals.  The kids loved them.  They made plenty of noise and we saw several jump on the docks.

Alcatraz

On the way back to Kenneth's we stopped at the Oakland Temple.  Any temple is a beautiful place to be!  This temple has a terrace that visitors can go on and walk around.  You could see the whole city, even the bay bridge and golden gate bridge in the far distance.  The kids liked playing in the water and luckily no one got more than their hands wet.
                       

This picture is walking on the terrace.

Alyssa and Emma

Saturday we lounged around Kenneth's.  It was nice to stay and visit with them.  We had a chicken barbque, which was delicious and brought back good memories of home.

 We left Kenneth's house around 5 pm and arrived back in Smithfield Sunday morning at 5:45.  Once again Dennis was a trooper and drove all night for us.  We are so glad we could go and visit.  Kenneth was feeling pretty good.  He will have another PET scan just to make sure there are no cancer cells and is waiting to meet with the gastroenterologist to figure out the problem with his liver.  We love Kenneth and his family and it has been wonderful to have them live closer to us so we can see them.  Know I just have to figure out how I can get the rest of my siblings closer.  This business of us living so far apart is for the birds.  I guess it really makes us appreciate the times we can get together and we sure have fun.

Good News, Good News!!!

Kenneth had his blood work done last week and had his appointment with his oncologist yesterday.  His bilirubin levels went down a titch, but the doctor refered him to a gastroenterologist for further work up on his liver.  He believes he might have a virus that is causing the problems.  The great news is that Kenneth's doctor does not believe that the cancer is back.    What a relief!!  He thinks all the symptoms are related to his liver not funcitoning properly.  We are so thankful for all the prayers in his behave and a sweet friend who keeps his name on the temple prayer roll weekly.  THANK YOU!

On another note, my other brother (35 years old), Scott, had quite the exciting week-end.  He has been called as the Stake President for his stake in New York.  My parents, Diane and thier families meet Elder Bednar, and Eyring (President Eyring's son).  Scott had several interviews with them.  They all said it was an incrediable experience.  My Dad was able to ordain Scott to the office of High Priest, and Scott was then set apart by Elder Bednar.  Elder Bednar stated the highlight of the day was to witness a father ordain his son.  I wish I could have been there.  Sometimes I hate living so far away. 

Misc. Photos

These are just random pictures of activities this past summer.  The girls love to play with chalk.  They use to make chalk "dust", but the new thing is to add water to the dust and it makes a thick, gooey paste.

Alyssa loves to play Hopscotch.  She has become a pretty good jumper.

Anytime there is a helmet laying around the house it ends up on Joslynn's head.

Ashley made her glasses at school. 

I put my pillow on the floor while I make my bed.  Joslynn puts them in a pile and lays on them so I can't put them back on my bed.  She laughs and giggles while I tickel her so I can finish the task.  She has made a good game out of it.

Yesterday we watched my niece, Annie, for the day and they are enjoying their dinner outside.  They were playing a game, building a fire in the background with the sticks.

Canning Tomatoes

Yesterday we canned the final tomatoes from my garden.  Kaylynn was very eager to help because she loves tomatoes.  She will pick one from the garden and eat it like an apple.  Ashley on the other hand hates them, as evidenced in the video below.  It was fun to stand at the sink with them and talk and laugh. 

Butcher Time!!

So - here are this years luchy steers that will soon fill my freezer.  They are looking mighty tasty.  My brother-in-law owns three achers in Preston, ID and for the last several years we have raised steers together and split the meat. (my sister-in-law also participates).  Last year was a bad year for the calves.  We purchased five in total and these are the final two that lived.  The black faced holstein was attacked by a dog and has no ears, it is very disturbing to look at.  That same dog we think attacked another steer that wasn't as fornutate to live.  Anyway, slaughter date is set for this coming Saturday, October 22.

These are next year's meat.  We started out with three calves, but unfornately one died.  My Dad always says if you have live stock, you have dead stock.  My aunt bottle feed them for three months and then we moved them up to the property in Preston.  I only wish I owned more land so I could take care off them.  I quite enjoy feeding them; it brings back good childhood memories.  Whenever I am in Preston, I take my turn to feed them.  My goal is to someday own some more land.

This is the shed that my brother, Jason, built for us to use for the steers..  He was very kind in taking over, because the we really didn't have a clue what we were doing.  It provides shelter in the winter and on rainy days.  When my dad came to visit a couple of years ago he built a manger to feed them hay during the winter.

Family Pictures

On Friday we went to Second Dam in Logan to have our family pictures taken.  It was a beautiful, sunny day.  Our kind friend meet us there to take our pictures.  They started out good, but Joslynn was soon tired and didn't want to sit, stand or have anyone hold her.  It will be interesting to see the pictures.  Hopefully there is at least one good one.  Joslynn loved the water and kept climbing on the railing.  She seemed to be fearless. Here are a few off the kids taken with my own camera.

Tyler - 14 years old and taller than me!!

Ashley - 10 years old

Kaylynn - 7 years old

Alyssa - 4 years old

Our Little Shrieker!!

Last night Joslynn took the pumpkin off the end table, climbed up and entertained us for quite a long time.  Oh - she was hilarious.  She doesn't speak a lot of legiable words, but babbles, sings and SCREAMS!  When Allen got the camera out, all she would do was smile and say "cheese".  We enjoyed a lot of laughter last night which was needed.  Hope you enjoy!  I will apologize for the dark color video though.

Tyler is in the child care portion of his FACS class at school.  His class was split into three groups and each group was assigned to plan activities for a their class time.  I took Alyssa and Joslynn yesterday and today.  Tyler's presentation was today and the girls liked seeing him.  Alyssa was very excited about going to Tyler's school.  Today's theme was Halloween.

Alyssa and Joslynn ready to go to Norh Cache on a cold and wet day.

Alyssa making her ghost:  a white napkin folded over a straw and tied with a string. 

Tyler helping Joslynn with her ghost.

A student read the story There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat.  Some children had pictures of what she swallowed and needed to put them in the bag when stated in the story.  Joslynn was not happy to give hers up and went back to get the bag after the story was finished.

Alyssa participating in the pumpkin walk.  The final activity was snacks and they made spiders with crackers, peanut butter and pretzels.  Tyler did a great job and the girls had fun.  Joslynn fell asleep on the way home.