Family Night Out

Canyon County Fair

Tickets to the county fair: $19

Sitting in an army tank: $0

Getting cooled off by a firetruck: $0

Being chosen out of the crowd to help with the comedian's act: $0

Dallas riding the swings: $4

Jake riding the Super-loop by himself: $5

Having Katie get lost: priceless

We had a fun time at the fair despite the terror of having your child lost for about an hour. (We should get a license to be parents :) It's an interesting story of finding her though. It would take some time explaining, but if you want the whole story let me know. (It's in my long journal with all those other...adventures.)

The juggling show was the funnest for Jake. He got to help the guy out. I haven't seen Jake laugh that hard since we made up 'The Diaper' song. (Again if you want more info. ask.) He also impressed his dad by going on the SUPER-LOOP by himself. Mike was always afraid of those rides.

Dallas rode on the swings and the consensus was that they were AWESOME!

Katie had her own adventure of sliding down the big slide while everyone was searching for her. We didn't think to check the rides because she didn't have any money. Who knows?

Mini family vacation

Twin Falls Mormon Temple open house

This Saturday we took a mini family vacation for the day. We drove two hours to Twin Falls to attend the temple open house. What a special experience. I had a picture planned in front of the temple with our family...BUT the camera battery died, luckily I charged the camcorder so come on over for some fun home video. Isn't it beautiful.

The Car Ride
The car ride was long, but the boys at least found something to do.

We actually listened to C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia. Jake has read all of them and Mike and I are working on reading the series of seven. We love them. C.S. Lewis is my favorite author.

We stopped half-way for a picnic. THIS IS BLISS. No really, this is Bliss, Idaho. (ha ha, now I sound like my father-in-law making up jokes like that. It couldn't be helped. It fit so well with the moment.)

BLUE ANGELS

The air show in Twin Falls, just happened to fall on the same weekend. We got to see the Blue Angels fly. That was really cool. Every time Mike sees jets fly his heart aches for his life regret of not joining the U.S. air force to fly F-16's.

PERRINE BRIDGE

This is not my picture, because of course my camera was dead, but I downloaded this one for effect. We stopped at the Perrine bridge before leaving Twin Falls. As we were throwing rocks off the edge to see if we could hit the water a man climbed over the edge and JUMPED!!! We saw three BASE jumpers. In the words of my boys, "THAT WAS AWESOME!" They will never be the same.

MALAD GORGE

We stopped for a dinner picnic at Malad Gorge. And once more, this is not the part of the gorge we saw, but this is a picture of Malad, again for effect. We had tons of fun.

FAMILY...What a blessing.

From the Mouth of Babes

Everyday one or more of my children say something that is worth writing down so I decided to post the best ones.
And just like the Picture Of The Week I want to remember the old ones so I'll blog them when I make updates.

"Here is what I suggest you do..." Jake (8 years 7/08)

"I'm allergic to monsters." Dallas (5 years 7/08)

"Ah, that is ADORABLE!" Katie (4 years 7/08)

Lake Powell

Lake Powell 2008

Cousins:left to right:

Tyler holding sister Abigale, Jake holding crying sister Natalie, Dallas, Nowell, Mia, Sean holding cousin Max and Katie

My parents have been taking us to Lake Powell every year since I was a teenager. It is so much fun. We've missed a few years having babies and parents in the hospital. I was going to miss this year having a new baby and all, but my sister, Emilee had a baby girl, 8 weeks before me and she was going so we all went. I'm so glad we did. The babies did great and my kids had a BLAST with their cousins.

Cassie, Natalie, Emilee, Abigale

This picture reminds me of that song, "sisters, sister, dadada...." I don't remember any more of the song. Do you?

Emilee is 28 months older than me. She has two boys, Sean (9), Tyler (6). Jake and Dallas have a lot of fun with them. In fact, Jake stayed at Grandma's this week, he has been having fun adventures with Sean. He will be home tomorrow. We miss him.

Nowell and Katie

My oldest brother, David and his wife, Robyn came with a few of their children. Nowell is one of 5 girls (they also have 2 boys). Katie and her had a sleepover one night. They were really cute together, after they warmed up. Katie gave herself another hair cut so she has bangs again, they had just finished growing out from the last haircut she gave herself.

Mike introduced fishing to the Lake Powell adventure. Condie's don't fish so it's always exciting when the first fish is brought in. (Exciting... and there are other words to describe the reaction of Condie girls seeing and smelling cat fish.)

There were TONS of frogs on our beach. We saw children holding frogs all day.

Jake on the banana boat (water weeny) with the girls. Alright!

Lake Powell, Pals.

Katie was by Grandma Condie's side the whole trip. They're favorite was eating M&M's on the beach.

Dallas letting everyone know who's really in charge on the fiery ride.

Jake and Sean gearing up to go snorkeling.

Natalie and Daddy just chillin'.

BEATING THE HEAT

It's HOT!!!

Well, it's not the ocean, but it keeps us cool. Mud castles are just as good as sand castles, right?

Lake Lowell is minutes from our house. It's a great place to dunk on these 100 degree days.

Not the best snorkeling spot. Visibility is limited in this murky water, but Katie doesn't seem to mind.

Ahhh! At last, it does bring in the best cat fish!!!

Mike caught the biggest cat fish he has ever caught 4 minutes from the house. He took Katie and Dallas after the fireworks on the 4Th (midnight) to fish. Katie was so giddy about getting to go with the boys. (Jake had a sleep over at Grandma and Grandpa Hill's which was really fun for him.) The kids were asleep as soon as Mike got them comfortable in sleeping bags. They all came home at 4am. Mike put Katie and Dallas under the stars in the backyard, where they wanted to be (They slept through everything) and he put two catfish in ice and the other in our inflatable swimming pool, because he had to keep it alive for Jake, Dallas and Katie to see in the morning.

PICTURE OF LAST WEEK

Time to introduce you to the newest member of our, ever growing family.

This is Fluffy, the kitten. Mike wanted the kitten to be named Gus or Tiger (grrr), but he was out voted. (He has yet to call him, Fluffy).

Anyway, Fluffy was a gift for Jake (and the family). They have been asking for a kitten for a long time. Ever since the stray black cat that showed up at our house and stayed for a few months turned up missing. Katie tells everyone the stray black cat was eaten by coyotes. (I wonder where a 3 year old girl could think that one up?)

Jake took this picture. The kids are learning how to treat a young kitten.

Rule 1: The kitten doesn't come in the house.

Rule 2: Kitten's don't like water. (If it happens again, I'll take a picture)

Rule 3: Kitten's shouldn't be carried in small containers such as this...

Or trapped in cages like this...

Rule 4: Kitten's need gentle love and kindness

The first night Dallas and Jake slept outside with the kitten.

LET FREEDOM RING!!!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!

We had a fun day in the sun. We spent the day at Grandma and Grandpa Hill's. The kids played with cousins on the slip-in-slide, ate a lot of sugar (Popsicles) and enjoyed the big backyard, never ending adventures there.

I painted the girls fingernails and toenails red. It got a little messy. This is Elaina Evans (2), Katie (4), Aundrea Evans(11) holding Natalie(5 months today!).

Grandma gave the boys matching swimsuits. I thought we should get a picture of the boys. Katie, of course, is not a boy, but feels comfortable right where she is.

This is Natalie saying 'hi with her cousin, Zander. He is two months younger than Natalie. Brian (on the left) and Melanie Evan's have two boys and two girls too. We have a lot of fun with them. We went to their house in the evening for some yummy dutch-oven cooking and fireworks.
(Firework pictures are coming soon...Stay tuned.)

Cub Scout Day Camp

Knights of the Round Table

Jake's been at Cub Scout Day Camp this Wednesday and Thursday. He had a blast! There were bow and arrow, BB guns, catapults, tug-a-war, capture-the-flag, a trading post, digging for fossils and Jake was even Knighted. Everything little boys love.

Jake's catapult.

I'm sure is going to be LOADS of fun. There are targets everywhere around this place.

Happy 3rd Anniversary Clear Creek Homes, LLC

Mike started his own company three years ago. We are very happy to have a 3rd anniversary. Last year at this time we weren't sure we would make it through the Real Estate market. Things are looking up. Mike celebrated his 3rd anniversary with three appointments. Signing up a family to consult for, a remodel and "maybe" a build job. It's nice to be busy again.

Thanks Mike for working so hard for us.

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