The Big 4.. 0..!

Well I turned 40 this year, and since the men and older boys had a priesthood meeting, we had a Girls Night. Carrie, Mom, & some friends of ours came over. We did facials...

Pedicures...

and Carries painted everyones toes.

Sarah and Hannah made me this yummy chocolate cake.

Get the fire extinguisher!!!

Daniel's Eagle Project Aug, 2010

Daniel finally has his Eagle project done. I was starting to wonder if he had lost all interest in anything scouting. He bounced back and has gotten a little more enthusiastic.

For his project he went to a local National Cemetery and replaced flag pole holders. They were lost under the grass and many below trees that had grown large enough where you couldn't get a flag under it.

He had lots of volunteers and did quite well keeping everyone organized and on track. In fact the project was done before we thought it would and everyone had to wait around for the promised pizza. He only had one snag when a waterline was hit. The caretakers were prepared luckily.

Even the girls were there to help quench everyones thirst on this hot August day.

There is just something about the American flag that is so beautiful, just imagine about ninety of them all lined up.

He now has all his paperwork done and is awaiting the Board of Review.

I am so glad his attitude has softened towards scouting, I think it is a wonderful program.

A monster B-day and a Maze

Aleena saw these little monster cake and wanted them for her birthday.

She wanted a globe and some little toy animals.

It is interesting what the kids choose fro their birthdays.

There was a maze down the road that opened up so we decided to go one evening.

we too Carrie, Mitch & Eric with us.

We went to a maze done by (Sister-in-law)Annette's brother and this wasn't near as good as his, but we had fun anyway.

My Silly Boy.

Which way do we go?

They had a little petting farm. A couple of goats..

and a calf, Eric thinks he is a cowboy.

King of the straw bale!

All grown up

Here is an update on the chicks we hatched and ducklings we raised.

They grew up quickly. Hannah ended up with 2 boys(Zeus, & Skeetacus) and 1 girl (Hera).

She was going to show them in the Fair, but they don't do waterfowl. She is so good to take care of them everyday and doesn't need to be reminded. We get 1 egg a day from Hera,and they love it when the get fresh water in their bowl. We are trying to find a new home for them on a pond.

They are Indian Runners so they shouldn't fly away.

Sarah claimed these three from our first hatching. 1 boy (Daniel, because he was fiesty) and 2 girls (Peepers & BBQ) She was going to show them as a trio in the fair but the lady who registered them told us to enter to do it separately so she could get more money if they won ribbons. Well all 3 got blue ribbons, $15 not to bad.

He was so pretty and fun to provoke. He and Sarah had a little run in one day and we had to go rescue her. Mr. Rooster Brewster was starting to crow quite loudly, so our friend that gave us the eggs in the first place took them back to her farm and now he rules the roost there.

The next batch of eggs hatched were Aleena's claim. There was 1 rooster(Bugsie) and 4 hens (Pearl, Sparrow, Peach & Midnight) They are a game hen and really small. Aleena also showed 3 and won blue ribbons on all of them.

Aleena loves these birds and especially Bugsie. She will take them for walks with us all snuggled in her jacket. Bugsies crow sounds like a squeaky toy and isn't to loud so we are keeping him around. We have gotten a couple of eggs from them, but I think the cold has made them stop. So there is the scoop on all the chickens in the coop.

While Shem was gone. June 11-July 27,2010

Some of our summer activities...

Hannah's 11th Birthday

Sarah's first year at Girl's Camp and mine to. I was asked a couple of weeks before camp to go as the leader. It has been over 20 years since I have been to camp. We had fun but boy it was HOT.

We had an Olympic theme,"Go for the Gold" gold being the value color of virtue. We had to make up with a country. Ours was Val'Dor (valley of gold in French) the girls won gold medals for setting a goal and working towards reading the Book of Mormon.

Here we are all gathered around talking to Shem through the computer. It was so good to hear from him but I think it made him a little homesick.

Andy & Rachel came out for the 4th of July. The girls made some special cupcakes for the occasion.

All the kiddos are ready to light off fireworks.

Of course we had some lake time too. The kids were playing king of the tube and stopped long enough to give me a smile.

Rachel & JoAnn enjoying the weather. Rachel surprised us with the announcement of a new baby due to arrive at the end of Nov.

Andy & Aaron are ready for tubbing fun.

Eric had his first ride on the tub, He didn't know quite what to think of that.

We had a good friend of ours find a abandoned baby dear in the middle of the road, She then took it to a good friend of hers that is excellent with animals and has quite a menagerie. We have gone several times to see this cute little deer.

She was so tiny, the kids just loved all over her.

We took a youth trip to Winter Quarters and toured the Church History sites there. We also went to the Temple. While I was standing waiting to direct kids where to go this lady came out of a waiting room whom I recognized immediately as my old college roommate It was so neat to see her, what a small world.

And of course this is at the airport when Shem came home. It was so good to have him back. I am really glad he got the opportunity to go and learn. I am thankful to the Koga family for taking him in and taking care of him. What an experience.

More Japan

The Koga Family:

Anna 13yrs old and Shoya(her boyfriend)

Daichi and Taiki 8yrs old

Momoka 11yrs

Grandmother

Host Mom & Dad, Tomohiro and Miki

Shem got to help teach English classes while he was there. I think he really enjoyed that and it kept him busy. The teacher was a fellow American form North Carolina.

Curry Udon (noodles)

Shrine arch on Mt. Fugen

Shem went to Ninja town where he saw a play, learned some Ninja history, and...

Threw some shurikens. So now Shem knows the Ninja ways.

Shem had a great time, what a wonderful experience, We were so grateful he had a good family to stay with. Who know maybe he will return there for his mission?

6 weeks in Japan! June 11-July 27, 2010

Shem got a scholarship that paid his way to go to Japan for 6 weeks. We were so excited when we found out. This is such a great opportunity for him to learn & grow. (Also great mission prep for him & Mom.)

He was excited and a little nervous to go. Of course before he left Daniel traded rooms with Aleena & Isabelle. They got the tall loft beds and he got the queen sized all to himself, he loved it. Hannah was the only one who didn't want him to go. Sarah wanted to stow away in his luggage, by this picture she looks like she has a mischievous plan to do just that.
Shem spent a few days in California doing some orientation, then off to Japan. We found out about the family he was going to be staying with just a few days before he left. The Koga family consisted of Mom, Dad, 2 girls(Anna 12, Momoka 10) 2 boys twins (Daichi, Taiki 8) & Grandma.

Nagasaki history museum

Singing at the Karaoke bar (restaurant)

When you take pictures the kids often hold up the peace sign.

Shem got the opportunity to plant rice.

This is where they will plant it.

Rice field. It rains a lot here.