For real, this time.

I mean it. I'm back.  There isn't a good way to catch up so I'll do my best to back track eventually but I really just need to start here and get to stepping on whats going on in our lives.  

It's the middle of August and that means both girls have started high school sports already.  Honestly this summer has been fantastic and rough all at the same time so I don't know if I am relieved that school is coming or wishing I had more time to make more summer memories. BUT, Kahau is back in the pool playing polo and loving it as much as always. This season one of her best friends, Morgan has joined the team and I'm excited to watch the girls play. Kahau has been sacked out on the couch for the last hour (it's barley after 8) and I doubt she's moving from that spot until I wake her up for bed. On top of being tired from polo, she got braces yesterday so her mouth is uncomfortable today.  The orthodontist said if she does everything she is supposed to do her braces should be off no later then the end of next summer and possibly sooner. The braces look nice and hopefully we don't have any hiccups.

Braley took a total 180 and decided not to try out fro volleyball and instead tried out for soccer.  Tonight she found out she made the JV team.  She is having a great time learning the sport and making new friends.  I really wanted her to play polo with her sister but that's what I wanted and now I am super excited to watch her play soccer. Brays is also playing with one of her best friends so it makes it more fun.  Braley graduated to contacts just a few weeks ago and those are working out perfectly for soccer.  She won't have to worry about her glasses falling off her face or getting them stepped on.  She looks like a totally different person but just as cute as ever.

Ansen has not started football yet and it's killing him.  He is just chomping at the bit to get started but it will happen soon enough.  Speaking of glasses, the boy need them. Bad.  He started complaining about things being a little fuzzy at the end of the school year and a few weeks ago I finally got him in to the eye doctor. His right eye is pretty good but his left is so bad that basically his brain doesn't use it. So glasses and a eye patch it is. These kids are a money suck lately but we love them.

It's been a busy summer for us.  As a family we went on the youth temple trip to the Medford, Oregon temple the day after school got out. Then afterwards all the youth went camping in the Redwoods for a few days. It was such a fun trip and those kids (we have 30+) did great.  Everyone got along, everyone was kind.  It was awesome.  I know Jason says he isn't good with the youth but that's a lie.  They love him. Following the trip to the temple we went into Molalla for the 4th of July. We just couldn't break tradition. Jason and Ansen went to scout camp about a week after the 4th and they both had a great time.  A week after scout camp, Jason, Kahau and I went on Trek. It was in the high 90*'s the whole time but it was amazing. After trek we (Braley, Ansen and I) spent part of the next week volunteering at the county fair to earn hours towards the kids ortho work and Kahau actually worked at the fair and made a pretty penny.  Following fair Kahau, Braley and I went to girls camp.  It was at a new place this and we loved it.  It was the cutest camp and it was right on a warm lake. It was ideal.

Pictures are coming but this is me committing to getting back to this blog.  It makes me look for the good and the happy in our lives and lately I've been struggling with that so here it goes!!

Back!

I've been on a little break (like, 6 months almost) but its time to get back to it.  There are too many good things happening in our family to not record them so for the next few weeks I'm going to go back and do a big long post for each month from January through May to let you know whats be going on.

Wish me luck.

Formal Night (aka Mormon prom)

Mormon Prom was great this year!  The theme was a night in Central Park.  You can't tell from the pictures but there is a big black New York skyline in the background.

Kahau and all her friends.  Don't they look great?

I swear these 3 had the best time.  They danced and danced and danced.

What a great group of kids.

Meet Fritz

Everyone, meet Fritz.

For the past few months I've felt like Ramses needed a dog.  With the kids gone all day and with me starting to work a little here and there I didn't want Rams to be home alone all the time.  I did a little research and found local rescue that had quite a few dogs open for adoption.  I found a cute little chihuahua-dachshund mix in the group of adoptable dogs. Jason agreed to come with the kids and I to look at "Sparky."  I know he wasn't happy about it but he was a good sport. 

Once we met him we just felt he fit.  He has a completely different personality than Rams and I think he will keep Ramses on his toes.  He is about 6 months old and comes from a kill shelter in California.  He's sweet and he should be the size of Ramses when he's done growing.  We had a family meeting (or 2) about the responsibility of having another dog and the kids swear they are gong to help.  I hope so.

While the kids were at school I went and picked him up.  Here are their reactions to finding out I bit the bullet and got us a new family member:

He came with the name Sparky and that didn't fit him at all.  After a few days and getting to know his personality better (and scouring names on the internet) we've decided on the name Fritz.  A little because I think he's German and a lot because he sorta acts like he's on the fritz.....he's hit a few walls and only has one speed...turbo.

Welcome to the family, Fritz.

(p.s. don't pee on my floor)

Our Little Vacation Home

Here she is in all her glory:

 And, as promised, here are the toys to go inside the toy hauler.

 Jason and I took them out for a test drive and they were way fun!

Now to have the weather warm up a tad and we will get out camping and riding!

February 2016

I'm not sure where winter has gone but boy are we glad for the small break in the cold.  No school today due to President's Day meant we were out for a hike up around Billy Chinook.  It took forever to find the hike, but once we did it was beautiful...and a little muddy.

The Elders have been over a lot lately for dinner (why it's so hard to get them fed some months is beyond me, they're great!) One night after dinner they asked Jason to teach them the art of bow tying. They are practicing their neck wear skills for once they are home from their missions.

THe youth (and me and Ansen, because we thought it would be fun to tag along) had a sledding activity up at Hoodoo. Can you believe our hiking pictures at the top of the post and these winter pics are only 5 days apart? Oh how I love where we live!  Almost any type of adventure awaits within an hour of our home.

Family walks after church are the best.

Jason noticed I took interest in this art piece in Sisters a while back and look what I got for Valentines Day.  He loves me. And I love him. It's pretty special.

We became vacation home owners by way of a travel trailer.  We are excited to hit the road and make some memories. It's a toy hauler so I would expect there to be a few toys added tot he back eventually.

There was a father/daughter dance and a mother/son dance at the church this month.  The girls and I helped out with both and someone even found a hot date.

Happy February!