Sunday, April 17, 2011

Fifty and goin' strong



Too bad about the only rhyme that goes with turning fifty is the one that starts with "nifty, nifty..." - I've never liked that one. When someone turns 50 you really want a catch phrase, but I'm apparently not clever enough to come up with one, so we'll just go with "John turned 50 this year!" Catchy - I know!

But, as he could really care less about a lot of fanfare, just let me say we're glad he's still going strong. He is a wonderful provider for our family; he presides in our home; and he protects us from the seen and unseen dangers in the world. As the song goes..."We're very glad that he's our dad, and we know he loves us too."

The weekend after his birthday, his brother, Kip, showed up in Walla Walla, so we climbed in the car for a quick visit before Kip heads off to Afghanistan for a year. (Safe journey, Uncle Kip.) I was happy for the photo op. The last chance I had for a picture of the two of them was about 6 years ago!
So, I realize that they look basically the same 6 years later, but its nice to have two photos of the both of them. Who knows how long it will take to get the next one?

Friday, April 1, 2011

Spring Break FINALLY!

Spring Break has finally arrived. Along with that comes a week full of Adventure, Projects, Deep Cleaning, and Fishing.

We normally don't fish, but Trevor likes to, and with a beautiful Spring day like today we just had to go to the park and give it a try. We had good luck, and caught a total of 8 fish Trevor and I wanted to make it a competition to see who could catch the most fish and with the fish biting it seemed like it was going to be a great day for fishing. We had great luck and caught 4 fish in a half-hour. After a while the fish would bite but according to everyone I was paying too much attention to the little 4-yr. old that was catching fish right when he would cast his line. I admit that I was jealous of his skill or should I say his grandpa, that would actually put the worm on the hook for him.
Note: Worms move a lot when you put sharp objects in them.

Trevor Caught this beautiful Rainbow Trout

I caught this Rainbow Trout, and in the middle of the
picture it decides to splash me in the face with
the nasty slime.(see pic. below)

Trevor's 3rd or 4th fish.

The Little Boy that ended up catching the maximum
amount that you can get in a day- 6 Fish.
Note: Don't start conversations that will be Never
Ending!


In all the Fishing Trip was a lot of fun and now that I have my Fishing License, I think that I might have to start fishing more to understand that you have to pay attention to the bobber for when the fish are nibbling at it. I must say tho that I caught just as many as Trev that was concentrating on the bobber the whole time. Unfortunately Kristin was in Coeur d'Alene with her friend: rock climbing and swimming.


The Last Fish Caught that tied the Competition 4-4.
It was small enough that dad told me to swallow it.

Trevor and Dad watching the fish as it is released to hit
the rocks, not intentionally. Fish was unharmed.

The way that Trevor Fishes, and then the way that I Fish.:)

Notice how I have my pole straight in the air. Maybe that is why I
wasn't catching anything. Hmmm. :)


On Monday Kristin and Trevor (after much convincing and bribing) got me to help them build a bridge across the ditch where there used to be a stream in our backyard. We got as many 2 by 4's as we could find and found 2 long pieces of wood as we could find and started to hammer them into the 2 by 4's. After that plan didn't work, we switched to dad's power drill and got the job done quickly. After that we sanded it and made it smooth, and then told mom what we had done. She was impressed that we did it. I must say that the bridge is pretty sturdy and held me jumping on it. It also held all of the kids without it breaking.:) that's a plus.



The Finished Bridge.




The BEST Mom in the WORLD!


So I'm supposed to be doing a post on Spring Break right now, but I though that my mom deserves a post about her, since she does a post about everyone else, but herself. So sorry mom that I am doing this, but it's time.

Things that She is Wonderful At:
-Quilting
-Cooking
(I'm sure my friends only come for her cookies)
-Being Patient
(even when we push her to the edge)
-Serving in the Church
-Being a "Doctor"
-Being motivating for Personal Progress
-Loving Everyone
-Listening
-Teaching Home-making Skills
-Understanding High School, Jr.High School, & Elementary Homework
-Laughing at all of Trevor's Pick-Up Lines
-Just Being There
-Cheerleader(Tennis, Soccer)
-Lifeguard while at the River
-Getting the Whole Family Together
-Being the Perfect Height to give (& receive) Great Hugs
-Making Us pay the Consequences of Our Actions :(
-& Just Being The Most Understanding MOM!
Everyone Who knows Our Mom knows that this list doesn't give her the slightest amount of justice. Mom- I Love you more than you can know. I'm so happy Heavenly Father sent me to live with you and Dad. Thanks for all that you do for me, from bringing me food at tennis matches, or motivating me to "tackle" my closets as the project of the week. Thanks for just being you with your laugh that brings a smile to my face. Thanks for letting eat that whole cake in a week even tho you knew I would later regret. Love you TONS, more than the Mega Loads:).
LOVE, Amber