Free Bike...Yes that is right a free bike

This company is giving a free bike every Wednesday. If you would like to see how to win this bike, click on the picture and see the rules.

Daddy I want to do this....

Last Saturday when we were all feeling well, I suggested that we find a lake to go play in for the afternoon. Everyone liked the idea and we made dinner and snacks and packed up the car with all the essentials for a lake visit. We had never been there and didn't know what to expect, but we were determined to have a good time even if the lake was a flop. We decided on Bullards Bar Reservoir. It is just past Camp Bountiful in the Tahoe National Forest. The trees were so beautiful and we got the see the smoke from the forest that was on fire just a couple ridge tops over.

We got to the lake and found that you don't have to pay to use the lake. But you have to hike down, down, down to the lake. The shore was carved in large steps to get down to the water. And if you decide to go, bring a beach umbrella to sit under, there are no trees by the water. The dog and the kids had so much fun. It was fun to watch Oakley realize she is a dog that should be able to swim in a lake. This is the first time we have ever taken her out to a water source that she could not touch the bottom. At first she did the panic swim, but a few tries and she got out and would swim all over. The kids had a blast and they loved the water. Christian loved the water as much as the kids did.

Thank You for the Great Idea!

I would like to thank Carrie for the great idea about Dessert Waffles. I have been thinking about them ever since she talked about them. We had Dessert waffles for dinner tonight and it was a big hit. I should have taken pictures but I didn't.
Here is how you make the yummy waffles. (If you didn't guess I really like waffles and I am always looking for new ways to make and eat them)

You make your waffles, you top your waffles with Ice cream, syrup(any kind), fruit, whip cream, or any other way you top your dessert. We had waffles with fresh raspberries, homemade blackberry sauce, whip cream, caramel sauce, maple syrup, vanilla ice cream. Everyone made a different kind of waffle. I loved that I got all the great fresh flavors with the sweet ice cream.
So here is to the great ideas of others that we all love to share.

I guess it is time to update!

We have had so much fun the last few months.

The kids watched a movie outside in the backyard.
Isaac is loving Oakley. They are both getting so big.

We spent a day at six Flags. Nicole and Aaron played in the ground fountains. We didn't bring dry shoes and they ended up with prune feet. Their feet hurt so bad they couldn't walk out of the park.

Here are the long awaited Baptismal photos of Isaac. It was a great day.

I took the kids to a spray park. They had so much fun.

We went to the Columbia River Maritime Museum. The kids loved all the cool ships and equipment.

Before we went to the CRMM, we spent time hiking and enjoying the great weather in the south western part of Washington (it was a family reunion). I got to see most of my family. I think that only 2 of my cousins didn't come.

and yes the dog came with us. She almost was better than the kids.

I thought it was so funny that all the pet areas were the worst place in the rest stop to let your dog out. They usually had sticker weeds that were awful for man or dog to have to walk on. But the view from this rest area was so beautiful.

Aaron has a great Idea!

The other day I was talking to Aaron about something I wanted. I am not sure now what it was I wanted but at the time seemed important. He looked at me and told me to write a letter to Santa. I thought for a moment and asked why he thought I needed to write a letter to Santa. His response is just what a 6 year old would say. "Mom, if you write Santa a letter he can bring it for you." Me thinking like a mom and grown-up. "Where is the money going to come from to pay for it?" "Santa doesn't need money he just gives it to you if you ask. (Aaron)" Now if that is not thinking I don't know what is. I loved that he has such a great belief that Santa can give you anything if you just ask.

Isaac Birthday Party and Baptism

Yesterday was a great day for Issac. He had his birthday party (I know it was a few weeks after his birthday) and he had his baptism. I am so proud of him.
He is a new kid. He got up this morning, got dressed for church put on a white button up shirt with a tie, and a belt. We have been trying for the past year and a 1/2 to get him to wear that combo to church. SO I am so excited. He looks so sharp. He loves to carry his scriptures with him. He loves that they are green his favorite color.
His baptism was great. Christian gave the talk on the Holy Ghost and Isaac followed him up on the stand. Isaac could not decide which seat was perfect for him so he tried out every row until he was at the very top next to the wall. I was amazed at all the people who were in the chapel. The entire chapel was full and they had about 6 rows of chairs in multi purpose room. There were 5 kids and 1 convert baptism that was taking place. The majority of the people were for the Tongan children and convert. It was a great sight to see. The spirit was really strong. Isaac only had to be dunked once. While we waited for the conformation we sang primary songs. And then he received the holy ghost. He was glowing with excitement and happiness. I am hoping he will remember this for a long time.
As soon as I down load the pictures I will post them.

New Adventure of a naughty puppy!

Oakley loves to be outside as long as you are out there with her. Well one mid morning I had a great thought : I will put you in the back yard and you can hang out in the warm sun. Well, she moaned by the sliding glass door for about 10 minutes and then gave up and laid down on the patio next to the door. I was thinking "this is great we have made real progress" I was so excited that she would just lay by the door and enjoy the day by her self. Well, I went to see how she was doing about 20 minutes later and she was gone. Not just laying in the yard under a tree and I couldn't see her, but really gone. I started to panic, I was running all over the yard (OK it is more like walking fast, my yard is only 55 feet wide) and yelling for Oakley. I could not find her anywhere. I went back in the house thinking that she had gone in while I was not looking, but no luck. I went out the front door and continued to call for. All of a sudden I could hear her in my neighbors side yard. I ran into the house and into the backyard. She had her head sticking through the hole in the fence. I called and called for her to come. But she just looked at me and then looked back at where she was. I thought "what does she think she is doing?" Well I finally got her back in my yard and in the house. A little more calm. Well I went out to see how she got into my neighbors yard and I was amazed, but should not have been .
We have a wood fence that is about 10 years old. When a wooden fence is about 10 years old it starts fall apart. Well there were to 2 slats that had fallen down and we hadn't fixed them yet. Instead (here is the brilliant part) we put our wheel barrow, in front of the hole. I thought it was a great idea until we could get the fence fixed. Well, Oakley pushed over the wheel barrow and climb into my neighbors yard. Now when Christian came home from work he had a hole to fix. Lets just say that she has not climbed into my neighbors yard since.

Here are a few of the things that she has consumed in the last month or so. I still wonder how she is still walking around. 2 electric tooth brushes and one battery, the Halti harness that we take her on walks with (she ate every thing but the buckles). She ate Aurora (OK she became a quadruple amputee), she ate few books, toilet paper, paper towels, 1/2 a loaf of bread, a water bottle full of water. Now if this was your dog wouldn't you learn that she needs to be watch constantly. I think she has gotten better since she gets to sleep in the house instead of in her kennel in the garage.