Jake says....

....That all girl truck drivers are fat and ugly....

This is the beginning of our latest adventure over the past week. Meet BIG MAC....He is the latest addition to our online purchasing. I started calling this truck Big Mac as I thought it looked a lot like the colors of McD's. Back to the story....As we are well known for our "computer" vehicle buying, Jake bought a dumptruck in Montreal a couple weeks ago. It was on a open unreserved auction and we got it for a steal! (Just to compare, we would pay almost double for what we bought it for.) On the downside, another road trip was on the way.

We flew to Burlington, Vermont on Thursday (Katanya didn't have a passport so we couldn't fly into Canada.) Friday morning we took a taxi across the border into Quebec. Canada is a very pretty place, although Quebec is a lot different than the rest of Canada. My favorite so far is Ontario. I also like kilometers a lot better than miles for the fact they they feel like they go by twice as fast as miles do. Anyway we picked up the vehicle and we were on our way........We only had to cross this HUGE bridge across the St. Lawrence river 3 times to finally get "unlost". Pete said it best when he told Jake, "....let me get this right. You go into another country and know you are picking up a truck (that could have problems) to drive back and you didn't bring a map or tools?...." Pete was a life saver this trip! Jake owes you : ) Katanya came with (still attached). We had a custom seat built in the middle and bolted to the floor. This allowed her car seat to be buckled in and for her to enjoy a 2700 bouncy ride home. (it wasn't suppose to be as bouncy but this is another long story not for this post. Jake can explain if he wants to.) She was an angel. We have taught our kids well.Jake's new fashion. (Until we found his somewhere in the truck. Not a lot of room when you have 2 duffle bags, a babyseat and misc. bags we picked up from the trip.
We finally crossed back into the states in Sarnia, Michigan. We had to cross a toll bridge back into the US for $9.00. (for a mile long) We also forgot cash this trip so the cashier got paid in quarters and dimes. This trip added 2 new states for me plus the first time being out of the US.

We learned a few things this trip.....most importantly....always bring your family (wife and kids) into a place when trying to get something cheaper or faster. IE: We had a few hangups at Customs and the guard basically told us to "pray" that we got across. We had called ahead and thought we had everything we needed evidently we weren't even close. When we went in to see a different officer, he must have felt sorry or didn't want to hear a crying baby all day (she was hungry) and helped us out without any further delays. It was something rather simple but could have been a real problem.

After we got home, I added up the mileage of our road trips this year. Between March and July and a trip to NYC, one to Mesquite / Moab, one to South Padres, and the latest to Montreal, with 4 trips down to SLC we have drove a total of a little over 15,300 miles. That is not including any local driving around Idaho. I think we win the award for the Most Miles Driven for 2007. (It's not even over yet). This leads me back to this picture....

One other fun thing was about 2 days into the trip (while we were going thru Iowa) I got bored and Jake was tired. I took over in driving and it was actually pretty fun. It was hard getting used to the gears and not using the clutch while shifting but it made the trip for me not as long. It also helped Sunday when we couldn't get a hotel in Wyoming and drove all night. (not something I recommend often) Now learning how to drive, Jake has taken advantage of it and while we are swamped the next couple weeks he has me running the new truck with Cruz and Katanya while he is running his old truck with Kirsten. Twice the loads and twice the pay plus we don't have to lose any customers (it's only part of the day that I drive). He now has to eat his words about what he said earlier about girls!

Fuzzy Wuzzy

Jake wanted to bic his head Sunday morning. Last minute he decided to go with a number one (I am thankful for this.)Kirsten: (while shaving) Don't worry dad, it will grow back. (continues shaving)Kirsten: When dad has no hair he looks like a cat with ears. (how she got it was his hairline)

LATER THAT NIGHT....

Kirsten: Dad is my fuzzy wuzzy.

Added to the wall

Jake says that we need to have a "wall" and get a picture of the people that have visited us. I'm not so sure about the idea but we can always pretend.

Sean and Keli have been added! They came up Saturday afternoon and stayed with us for a night while on their way up to Yellowstone. We enjoyed their company and hope they didn't find us wierd.

Knock knock.

Emma and Kirsten (The kids played so great together! They went til midnight and still could have gone all night.)

Our new kitties

McKay is visiting her other dad for a month and a couple days ago we picked up a couple kitties since from when we went on the trip one went missing. She asked me to put a picture up for her. This one is for you babe!

The black one is Genevieve and the one with white and black is Fiona. Our other two Phillipe and Jack.

One important thing unmentioned....

We celebrated Katanya's birthday at the beach. We have enjoyed watching her grow and develop her own special personality. It sure is amazing how fast a year flies by. One year ago this is the situation we were in.... (Katanya three days old)Now she is blabbering and already wanting to involved with her brother and sisters. We love her and are glad she is a part of our family.

Katanya's cake and unsure of everybody singing.
Finally trying just a crumb. She never really ate it, just nibbled at the frosting.
The infamous "present" shot.

It isn't official until it's documented....

Katanya ate her ENTIRE "baby" bowl of spaghetti today willingly and with an open mouth. I didn't have to pin her down and force it into her mouth over and over again just to give up. I STILL HAVE HOPE!

Finally....NUMBER ONE

FIRST CAME THIS.... THEN CAME THIS....
AND FINALLY THIS IS WHAT CAME TO BE.
P.S. Jake gave me his permission to post this.

Under the sea

Not really but a pool is close enough. This is # FIVE on the top ten list....They capture all the fun moments....
.... in and out of water.

South Padres 07

Our fam

Also refers to top ten list # 3....
More to come.

My favorite sound bite

When one commissioner proposed to disallow the burning of used oil in an asphalt plant the chairwoman responded:

"I'm no tree hugger, but burning used oil ...that's earth friendly!"

David & Goliath: What do they have incommon?

Company: HK Contractors (Net worth ...millions)
Purpose before zoning board: Allow them to set up a temporary (75 days) ashpalt plant in a state owned gravel pit in order repave 15 miles of US Highway 26.
Number of opponents: ~20
Numper of Proponents: 4 including the 4 HK employees
Duration of Tesimony For: 3 minutes
Duration of Testimony against: 15 minutes
Zoning Board Discussion Among Commissioners: 5 minutes
Total hearing time for matter: 25 Minutes
Decision: Approved
What HK didn't tell: By moving the batch plant 25 miles closer to the paving site they (HK) will save at least $250,000 in trucking fees .... their winning bid assumed that they would be hauling it from a further location.

Company: Willow Creek Nursery ( Jacob & Amy)
Purpose before zoning board: Construct a 16 acre wholesale nursery and remove topsoil
Number of opponents: ~2
Numper of Proponents: 2 other than me
Duration of Tesimony For: 5 minutes
Duration of Testimony Against: 5 minutes
Zoning Board Discussion Among Commissioners: 3 hours
Total hearing time for matter: 3 hours 15 Minutes
Decision: Approved
What everyone in the room was thinking: "We can tell you are going to approve it ...shutup and stop arguing over weather or not this similar to a previous proposal for a "Doggie Daycare" or if it has anything to do with "Widgets""!!!

Top ten!

Since I have yet to upload pictures and I am bored and going thru internet withdrawals, I decided to do a quick post.

TOP TEN THINGS I LEARNED THIS YEAR AT THE BEACH

10. How exactly sandcastles are made.
9. How much food 18 people will eat.
8. Not to be stubborn and just wear the sunscreen.
7. Not to tell a little kid to go pee in the ocean because they end up barely going in the water and pulling their pants down to show everyone.
6. Not to trust Jake when he says he is turning up the swimming pool (to be a hot tub)
5. How much I really want an underwater camera (but I would hardly use it)
4. Not to wear sunglasses out while boogie boarding. You think I would have learned this one by now.
3. How much fun it is being a blonde.
2. Not to play crazy uno at four in the morning...AND LOSE!
1. What exactly Jake will do in the ocean. ( To be continued....)

Soon-to-be one year mark

It was time for me to be the "meaner" parent and get her ears pierced.

Chicken Fight

Can you guess who won?

TRAGEDY!!!!

At 3:14 this morning Bernice, a young mother in the area, fell victim to a violent hit and run accident. Witnesses at the scene report that a large black SUV came out of the darkness and ran her down. After being hit and drug for nearly 1000 feet and then completely run over; the perpetrator fled the scene at a high rate of speed leaving her for dead.

Her friends who were with her reported that although they were not in a crosswalk they were using a route that Bernice had safely crossed hundreds of times before. One socialite claimed that Bernice froze as the SUV approached ....LIKE A DEER IN THE HEADLIGHTS! She leaves behind many children, a herd of friends and lush green forage. She will be missed.

..........


This just in ..... Man reports that Ranchhand grillguard spared his SUV of any scratches or dents after hitting a deer at 70 mph with a fully loaded trailer in tow. UNBELIEVABLE!

Kitty play

Once again, Jake brought home kittens on Mother's Day. (for the kids) This has happened before.

McKay named her yellow boy kitten Phillipe, Kirsten name her girl cat Belle........and Cruz name his girl cat Jack. I find the black / brown on her face puzzling.

Possibly the "Jake" in her????

Studying hard

Doing his homework til he just can't stay awake anymore.

What day is it?

TWO WEEKS AGO IT LOOKED LIKE THIS (YES SNOW)....

TWO DAYS AGO WE WERE PLAYING IN THE SPRINKLERS....

TWO MINUTES AGO, IT'S 41 DEGREES AT NOON....

WHY????

I didn't believe it til I saw it.

They call her the Neighborhood deer.

There is no need to be afraid.

She has a baby that is also part of the pack.

All she wants is love and food.

She will even let you take a picture (with flash).

I still find it quite amazing. While in Utah this past week, we came across the neighborhood deer. Jake thought he was pretty cool when this deer came up to him in the front yard. His first thought was to tackle it. But this cute thing came up to him and wanted to be petted before he had time to act. I guess this deer and her baby wonders around this part of Eagle Mountain and just wants attention.
Katanya isn't quite so sure what to think. I love her eyes and expression. Cruz is okay as long as he doesn't get any closer.

This one time ... I saw ....

This one time I saw this excavator and you would never believe it. It stood on its front toes and stuck its bucket so deep into a mud bog that it almost was vertivcal. Just after snapping this pic with the last piece of unexposed film on the old 35 mm the machine broke free and did a backflip .... no kidding!

LIKE BROTHER ...... LIKE BROTHER!

Today as I was going through some pics to find one for Kirsten's primary talk I found this cherry. On more than one occasion Karl has rebuked me for the time Peter and I hung him upside down over a railing 3 stories up. According to Karl the traumatic experience has left long lasting emotional scars. Karl all I can say is that the proof is in the picture that you dished out just as much as you ever received. Axel ...talk with Karl .... you are going to have some real issues in the future. Oh those were the good ole days!

As I side note I should mention that the last time I tried something like this on Axel I just about ended up with a ball point pen buried in my thigh ... luckily for me AMy was there to protect me.

Happy Mom's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all moms! We love and miss you! These two are extra special to us.

McKay's special day

McKay chose to be baptized this past Saturday. We are really proud of her for her decision. She is a sweetheart and we know she is loved.


There was a lot of supporters there in person and spirit. We know she has a special spirit and a lot of friends.







McKay chose to have her dad, Michael, baptize her and her other dad, Jacob to confirm her.

I still have a hard time believing she is already eight.

Both of her dads with McKay in white.

Jake and I had quite the week and it wasn't until after that I realized that it could of been our trial so that it wouldn't be a special day for McKay. I know that somebody was working hard so we wouldn't feel the spirit on Saturday. Starting on Monday and all thru the week, we had machinery break down every single day and the final time that the Bobcat broke, it is quite the fix. It was testing on Jacob and I (as finances always are on a relationship) and on top of it he had been extremely busy so that my yard didn't look like I wanted it too. He wasn't finding a reliable driver to hire and I could only do so much with a baby that is glued to my hip. My dad had came up for the week and on Friday I had a chance to mow the yard and trim all the weeds. My dad weeded the flower beds and my yard was nice. The rest of my Friday was crazy as I was taking in the machine to be fixed to getting the food for Saturday. I ended up finally making it to WalMart at 11 p.m. Only to get pulled over on my way home because (are you ready?) I was going to slow and hugging the white line. The highway is 65mph and I was doing 58. I have awful night perception and I always hug the white line. Luckily the officer let me go, only to pass me on the double yellow infront of my road right infront of my turn. I always check behind me now as a precaution. After going to bed at 3am I woke up on Saturday at 6 only to find SNOW!!!! It had been snowing and had covered the ground. It was a "white" day for McKay. So we made plans for the lunch afterwards to be inside. McKay had chosen her favorite....rice....so I made hawaiian haystacks and thai curry to go with it. We had over forty people there from 3 different sides of the family and I made food for at least 80! Ooops, I always do that. I have plenty of leftovers in the freezer.

After talking to a friend after her baptism I had been telling her about our trials and she looked at me and said "Amy! Do you not realize that this is a blessing also. You weren't in the situation to have your equipment break two months ago so it waited until you could." How the Lord works in mysterious ways. I am grateful for all my blessings both good and bad.

It's that time again......

McKay turned eight and her birthday is a reminder that it is time for yearly pictures. She wanted them in her baptism dress this year. She picked it out all by herself and was a present from her grandma and grandpa. Although we always disagree on the pictures we like. My favorite was the first.

Her favorite was the one below.

And this was a close follow up.

Do you trust your stylist?

Many times I have heard funny comments because my hair stylist lives in Utah and I live in Idaho. I haven't found anyone I like, or trust up here. Hence I was desperate for a hair cut and some kind of change that I planned a trip to Utah. I showed her the haircut (4 inches came off) and then told her that I wanted some sort of change and for it to be different. Something I haven't done. Although I did say I didn't want scary different, but cute different. I don't know why but my hair is one thing that I can handle change on with no problem.

So it is now it has a lot of blonde highlights with many of them being platinum. A few golden, a few a lighter shade of red and my natural brown underneath. It sounds scary but it's cute. The picture doesn't do it justice.

I LOVE IT!!!!

And for once Jake does too! Evcn the cut. That's the miracle.

How many balloons til you become weightless?

This was McKay's first science fair. She wanted to see how many balloons it would take to lift her (53 pounds). So last Sunday we put together the experiment and found out that 25 balloons lifted exactly 5.0 ounces. On Tuesday while putting together the display we also bought some balloons to deminstrate it to the students. The only down part was when we were completely done and we had bought another 30 balloons only to remember (at midnight the night before) that latex balloons wasn't allowed in the school due to allergies. Therefore the balloons stayed home. McKay won second place.

(To figure how many balloons you would times your weight by 80.)

A good tan

A nice FARMER'S tan that is. We have been planting and planting and planting many of trees. The last few days we have actually had the sun out. I'm not complaining but now I have one of those tans that I used to make fun of Jake with.
This picture from several years ago was my favorite. Hannah was scrolling thru them and she turned to Jake and asked, "Why did you wear a shirt in the pool?"

Sadly I have the neckline and the glove line. I am going to have to fix it before too long.

I do like green eggs and ham!

I do like them, Sam-I-Am.

Happy Birthday McKay! She turned EIGHT today and it was a fun day. We started it off with her so long waited for "green eggs and ham". While we were at it we tried making the waffles blue, but it wasn't quite so obvious. Of course, the long awaited for presents. She got some four square balls, a self propelled flashlight, a new trampoline and a Littlest Pet Shop Talent Fair (not shown). After church they set up the trampoline (in the rain) and since it was her birthday, they got to jump in the rain.

Finally the cake. I had bought trick candles this year but they didn't work. Jake says I should take them back to Walmart since I was not completely satisfied. Not worth it to me.

McKay is a sweetheart! She helps me a lot and she is very smart! I have always thought of you as my little angel. You still are! We are glad she is a part of our family and we love you!

On another note, she will be baptized May 5th. We would love anyone who can come to come. Our house is welcome to anyone!