haws

Mista Jasson

2011-01-30T11:04:00.000-08:00

For some reason my kids have taken a liking to Michael Jackson.. or as Bryton says Mista Jasson. There is lots of drag time but keep your eye on Bryton especially when the song sings "don't think twice, don't think twice." and when she starts dancing on the chair :-)

I guess this is what happens when you teach your kids how to use youtube.

The elves are watching!

2010-12-18T09:06:00.000-08:00

Just jotting down some of our December fun, but I'm starting off with "I hate the cold." I hate being inside all the time, but I hate being outside and freezing more. So, for as long as I can remember I always picked back up my crocheting or knitting to keep me busy and out of the fridge, snacking, while I was bored. My cousins daughter was born without hair (as most of us are) but never grew any and is now about 13. I use her as my excuse to Knit cute hats so she can cover her head because she hates wearing her wig. I love the look of knit, far over the look of crocheting, but this year my cousins 2 daughters sent me a pattern and asked it I would make them. They are crocheted and so easy to make. I got the patterns off etsy.com if any one wants to make them. So easy and I made all my nieces a hat for inexpensive cute Christmas presents

I guess a lot of high school girls are wearing these headbands??? I don't know I think style left me when I was dubbed "Mom"

Some of the hats

Bryton with her hat.

Just 'cuz I think it's funny:-)

Just a couple days after Thanksgiving. Eating pumpkin pie.

This is how I feel about pumpkin pie, too.

Just kidding, they love pumpkin pie just like their dad. I can't remember what the faces were for.

I AM NOT A TRADER TO MY BUCKEYES. But, yes Zach and I went to a Boise State Football Game with the biggest fans on the planet (Judd and his boys). Yes it was fun, and yes Boise State is fun to watch. Way more excitement on the field than Tressel play calls. However, to all the fans--- the atmosphere is NOTHING compared to those 105,000 Buckeye fans in the Shoe, and until you have experienced both I don't want you to fight with me about it (aka Josh Haws). (Now let me get on my soapbox, the rule is; you should be the biggest fan of your alma mater, so don't tell me I should be a Bronco fan just because I live here. You cheer for your team, it becomes your team because it was your school. It isn't my fault if you choose lets say, U of I, to go to school. No offense to U of I, but if you went there don't be a bandwagoner and vote for BSU just because U of I's football team isn't the greatest. My dad and brother Josh both went there and both cheer for them, proudly wearing their silver and gold).

This year Ty wrote an essay for the Chamber of Commerce about the 12 things he likes most about Christmas. All elementary schools in town (4) where invited to write in, and winners were picked and given $25. Ty won 1st place of all 1st graders. He was so excited. I tried to scan the essay into my computer but it just won't work right. Some of his 12 things were "not getting a lump of coal because Santa knows I've been good" ,"seeing all my family at Christmas except Grandma Doris because she died" I tried to get him not to write that but Zach said it was his essay not ours :-) Who knows maybe it was weird enough that's what made his original and win.

He was most excited, that because he won the contest, he got to ride a float in the city lights parade.

Now to the best part about Christmas. Threatening the kids if they are not good, Santa won't come. My kids are never better. We have an elf that moves each night and the kids have to find him in the morning. It watches them all day to see if they are being good so he can tell Santa.

Also, if they were good the day before then the elf will leave a treat for them in the Advent House. This thing is usually the problem, the elf usually forgets until she is almost alsleep. Which brings up a good topic of conversation. How in the world did it ever come to be that Santa is A BOY!!! Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me most Ladies are the ones doing all that comes with Christmas decorating, making treats, buying presents. At my house we live with Scrooge for 1 month of the year and he doesn't do anything Christmas except complain about it. I blame it on his un-normal, unusual childhood :-) However, this year I got Shingles and Zach blames it on Christmas stressing me out too much. I blame it on him not helping out with Christmas :-). Whatever the case I LOVE Christmas (even if it means Shingles and cold temperatures) I love the warmth of friends and family, the magical nature of it all, and the comfort it brings reminding us of Christ's birth and life.

My two rats dressed up for church :-) This morning they were fighting over a Nativity set my bro Josh gave them. Both wanting to paint Baby Jesus. Ty kept demanding that he asked for it first, which he didn't, and when I gave it to Bryton, Ty threw a fit. Bryton then caved and said Ty could have Jesus if she got the Angel, but Ty was already off screaming about how he asked first !!!! With me not feeling well and being annoyed at a 6 year old throwing a fit like that, I started to yell at him to knock it off. From behind me I heard Bryton say "Mom the elf is watching you."

6 month update

2010-10-17T16:16:00.000-07:00

I thought as my kids got older I would actually have more free time. The last 6 months blew by and I thought I'd post a few things we did. I don't have pictures of everything we did. Bryn and Luke were here for a lot of that time and I don't have any photos with them :-( But we BBQ'd and had lots of fun with them. We also spent countless hours at the waterpark again. I love that place!!!

Favorite shot all summer :-)

Ty's Birthday - In case you didn't know, Ty has a HUGE obsession with Spongebob.

And he loves to draw!

and draw. It got to be so much of a problem with paper all over my house I finally bought him and art journal to keep all his drawings in.

During the spring, Ty played Tball. Zach was the coach, and this is the trophy ice cream party they had.

We also got to go to Utah (for me to run Ragnar) and see Erin and kids :-) I was sad it was such a short visit. It's weird you can go so long without seeing friends and then when you get together, feel like you just saw each other yesterday.

Of course we fished!

And rafted!

with cousins!

Everybody was here for this trip on the 4th except Bryn and Luke. It was so fun but made for a super late trip back home and to work the next day.

Ohio State night at the Hawks game. I love that no matter where you live there are so many buckeye fans (aka NOT bandwagoner fans like some local football team fans I know)

We also meet at the Bulls Head Pub every football game to watch the game. The owner Scott is a buckeye and opens the "family area" up for us to all watch the games with all the other buckeyes here in the valley.

We floated in inner tubes as well, and if you look closely at Brytons right eye you can see one of our adventures didn't go so well. I had Bryton with me as we went over a check and got sucked under and fell out of our tube. She banged her eye up pretty good on a rock. Every time we would go over the bridge of the canal we fell out in, she would scream "I don't want to go on the waterfall" for about a month afterwards.

My friend Jill from Ohio came out to see us for a week in July. I had so much fun with her. Again, another friend I hadn't seen forever and it felt like just days before we were studying in the dental school til late hours into the night, no kids and multiple diet pepsi's (coffees for Jill), to keep us going. This picture of Bryton is at a natural water spring on the way to Yellowstone. I had never seen it before and I can't even count how many times I must have driven by it. I lost my camera in the car soon after this photo -- so no more pics of Yellowstone.

This was at Grand Teton National Park. My parents were nice enough to take my kids while Jill and I hiked into Jenny Lake and lucky for us we got to see a couple bison.

Jenny Lake

(Out of order but we also rafted the South Fork of the Payette with a rafting company)

Hidden Falls. This place is amazing. If you haven't been there you have to go.

After we sent Jill home to go become the world renowned Oral Surgeon she will be someday, we headed to Stanley for a long weekend. Camped, swam, ate, floated... we had so much fun. Our last night we even had a bear come into our campground. Lucky for us it bumped the dutch oven off the table and it scared it away. (Above; Papa Red and Ty on the Salmon)

Judd and Trey. Judd fell out soon after this photo - I thought it was the best part of the trip :-)

Jace and I trying out the little rubber kayak thingy....

More fun with cousins

I loved Stanley - If it wasn't so dang cold there for most of the year, or if I could have the weather we had there end of July I could live there.

Oh yeah, and did I mention fishing? One of many fishing trips ( in fact as I'm updating this blog Zach and Ty are fishing) This was out at Zach's family ranch on the Payette River. I love this shot. The fish looks awesome, but also look how excited Ty's face is, and his carotid is about to explode out of his neck :-)

Now we are headed into the fall and I can't help but hope the cold months go by just as quickly as the last 6 and get back to summer.

Bye Bye Facebook

2010-09-10T08:11:00.000-07:00

I deleted my facebook account. I had too many requests from people I didn't really care to be friends with. You know the ones that comment on what they had for breakfast, how much milk was in the cereal and what type of milk. Or the ones from work that I really didn't want on my account but how do you say no to them and then have to see them at work. So, I figured the people I care to keep in contact with know my blog so I would love to keep up through this.
So long waste of time-it's been a pleasure, but I need to be more productive with my down time.

TIm McGraw

2010-07-30T09:16:00.000-07:00

Zach called me Thursday morning from work and said he bought 2 tickets for Tim McGraw for that night. I had so much fun, and Zach was a good sport to listen to 3 hours of Country Western music. Payback for those stupid concerts I've had to go to with him (i.e. Built to Spill). He even sang Where the Green Grass Grows, which was the first song Zach and I listened to on our first date. Sorry the pics aren't the best, they are from my phone. Lady Antebellum was the opening act, not my favorite but way better than Jessica Simpson who was the opening for Rascal Flatts

Ragnar

2010-06-21T10:37:00.000-07:00

Just got done running Ragnar with my sister-in-law Becky and her friends. It was a lot of fun, a lot of pain, and not a lot of sleep. It's 188 miles divided into 12 runners, 6 in each van, each of you taking 3 legs Running from Logan to Park City -- it was gorgeous! Van one starts and you get to rest as the other van is running. Our van was first so we ran our first and second legs on Friday. We got to catch about 4 hours of sleep in a high school gym (something that isn't fun unless you are still in high school). Then up again at 6 to start our third leg on Saturday. Something about experiencing something so crazy actually creates a weird bond, which I think is why it was so fun...because the running part really wasn't :-)

Start of the race. 5 am wake up call that's why we're all so beautiful.

Our Van; Me, Becky, Rachel, Kristen, Lisa, and Camille

Some of what we got to run through.

After our 1st leg was complete

Just getting done with my third leg which was my longest leg 8 miles gradual uphill, with a one mile stretch that was super steep.

We wore these slap stick bracelets (remember them from when you were little?) and they had a computer chip thing in them I guess. At each exchange we would pass it to the next runner.

All of our van done with our legs.

Riding the Gondola to the finish line (this may have been my and Camille's favorite part). The second van runners had the last stretch, but at about 100 yards from the finish line all the team members join in with the last runner and run together through the finish line.

Our team (minus Rachel and Kristen) at the end.

As tired as Becky and I were we signed up to do it next year with our family...so Jim, Elisa, Luke, Zach, Judd, Mom,Bryn, Trey, Kade and Josh get training!!!!!

May 19th

2010-05-19T10:33:00.000-07:00

Last year for our Anniversary we went to Sonic with our kids :-) Which honestly I enjoyed. We both worked that day, and it was Zach's late day so he didn't get off 'til 7:00 .... now why he didn't get home til 7:30 was a fight!! Anyway, he did much better this year we went to a fondue restuarant. It was different and fun.

This was the night Zach asked my parents if he could marry me Feb. 13th He looks so pale :-) and young. After my mom told him that I would still be going to dental school and he wouldn't derail me, she told him "Why are you asking us anyway, if Anneliese says no then you don't have to ask us." (Leave it to my mom to make the situation awkward for Zach.) Little did she know that from the first time I met Zach, I was really hoping for a proposal.

Happy 9 years Zach. I couldn't be happier!

Bryton's Birthday

2010-04-30T14:43:00.000-07:00

Can't believe she is 3.

Pedaling took her a couple days but she can go go go now. Too bad the weather has been bad lately. Every day she asks to ride her bike -- I can't wait for summer.

April 17th

2010-04-17T20:04:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to my spunky, happy, three year old! Here are just a couple pics I have of her through out the year that I never posted on the blog.

The next few pictures are some I just found of my cousins wedding that was last August. Bryton was center front stage on the dance floor all night - in fact she was the last to leave the floor.

Check out my dad in the background :-)

Leading the dance line

I think we might have some trouble in her teenage years :-)

Bryton and Anna - they are so cute together

Also, today Bryn, Jenny, Josh, and I ran The Robie Creek half marathon my first (and last) half marathon. I had no interest in doing one - ever!!! However, Zach and my lovely sister had other plans and signed me on up for it. It's called the toughest half marathon in the Northwest and let me just say I would agree! It was horrid!!! 8.5 miles uphill and a 4.6 steep downhill. The gun went off about 3 mins before we even reached the starting line so our official time by the gun was a bit different than our ankle chips said we were. My always, more talented, sister - ran it in 1 hour 54 mins by her ankle chip. AMAZING!! I was 2hr11min. I was hoping for 2 hours but good night that uphill was a killer!!! Josh 2hr2min...

Right before

Notice I'm not so excited

This is about 2 hours later after we came off the mountain and had gone to get a Jamba Juice. There are purposely no pictures right after the race - I looked like death. Look how excited Bryn and Josh still are. Stupid kids. Let me just say I would rather go through Bryton's birth and all the complications that went with it than ever run that again.

The Truth Be Told

2010-03-01T21:16:00.000-08:00

As I was doing laundry in the other room I heard this from the kitchen.
Ty to Zach "When I grow up I'm going to need a big car 'cuz I'm going to have six kids."
Zach "Oh really?"
Me shouting "You may re-think that after you have your first."
Zach "Yeah, especially if they keep you up at night when you're tired because they are afraid to go to bed." (we are currently dealing with this issue often at our house)
Ty "I'll just ignore them."
Zach "Oh, like I do you?"
Ty "Yeah, I'll just let the Mom take care of them."
Yes, proof that us mom's do everything!!!!

Ty's Imagination

2010-02-13T09:01:00.000-08:00

Ty is constantly talking to himself- creating - imagining... whatever. He goes into his on little world for hours with Spongebob and friends, either made from blocks, drawn by him ,or cut out from coloring books. Last night he couldn't find two of the spongebob characters before he went to bed. I told him in the morning we would color them and cut them out, but that it was time to go to bed. This morning he informed me that he couldn't sleep all night because Sandy (whoever that one is) was crying all night for her two missing friends ( I think he said spongebob and the seastar guy). I wonder if he honestly thinks he hears them talking??? If so the Blackfoot Mental Hospital might be getting a new patient soon :-)
At times his imagination is great because, like I said, it will keep him occupied and I get things done. Other times, it's super annoying. Like when he is giving hypotheticals to me about them, and wants to know what would happen to them in that situation. Or, when he wants me to tuck them in at night - making sure to give them a kiss. So, because of that, Zach and I have relentlessly tried to make him understand that cartoons are just drawings and are not real. He tells me they are, but they live in California. (I also tried to explain that many of the things in California are not real!!!)

( Ty's Spongebob Drawings)

Well, also this morning we turned to a cartoon I've never seen before. It had talking cats, a snake and some other creatures. The kids were quite amuzed and when it got to a part with a dancing snowman I sarcastically asked "WHAT??" Ty then said "Don't worry Mom, it's not real, someone is in it." (Yeah a talking cat was inside the snowman) Apparently dancing snowmen are not real, but if you are wondering talking cats and snakes are. We love you lots Tyger Monkey!!!

Gold Fork

2010-02-11T14:13:00.000-08:00

Bryn and Luke are up in the mountains doing their rural medicine rotations. Bryn in Cascade and Luke in McCall. So, we decided to join them for the weekend, and lucky us it happened to be at the same time as McCall's Winter Festival. We had a blast... the fireworks, ice sculptures, face paintings, back-country skiing, but the best had to be...

Gold Fork Hot Springs. It's in Donnelly and so much fun. Here are a few pics.

Each pool got progressively cooler

The bottom of this pool had sand :-)

Bryn and Luke not worrying (at the moment) about residency next year!!!

The Hot Springs claims that the waters have "healing power."I don't know about that, (Alcohol, if I drank, seems to be the only healing power I'd need lately) but we did have a good time just relaxing!

2010-01-09T19:14:00.000-08:00

Swimming

2009-12-05T07:12:00.000-08:00

To begin I need to share some background. Ty is super super skinny. I am always telling him he needs to eat or I'll get him taken away because people will think I'm a bad Mommy for not feeding him. Bryton as a baby was pretty chunky -- not nasty chunky but cute chunky. So, we've always called her "fatty" or Chunky - monkey" meaning it in the most endearing way. Well, she's thinned out considerably, but still has a gut which makes her little body so cute -- and the nicknames have stuck. Yesterday we took the kids swimming with their cousins. (sorry no pics) Bryton, as always, was being so brave jumping in to us in the deep end, going under water and holding her breath.... Ty, on the other hand, was having a good time but only staying in the shallow end where he could touch. I brought him to the deep end and asked him to please try to be brave and jump into me like his sister. So the conversation went something like this.

Me: Ty why don't you try jumping in to us.
Ty: No Mom!
Me: But Ty it will be fun and I will catch you.
Ty; I don't want to Mom.
Me; (getting frustrated by this point) Ty look at Bryton, she's doing it. Are you really going to let your little sister be more brave than you?
Ty: Um, Mom don't you know fat things float!!

Polar Express

2009-11-29T11:48:00.001-08:00

I know the day after Thanksgiving is supposed to be for shopping, but I tried that last year and it was miserable. So, this year we took the kids to the "North Pole" on the Polar Express Train.Getting ready to go. The kids were so excited to go to Santa's house. Bryton just thought being on the train was neat.Grinch 1 and Grinch 2On the way we sang Christmas songs with Jingle Bells and it was a tantrum when we had to give them back.Polar Express

Looking out the window at Santa's house as we arrived.

Telling Santa what to bring.

Bryton actually wasn't scared of Santa - just mad she wasn't getting a candy cane immediately!

Oops, Ty forgot a present and had to go back.

I think the kids had a great time (I did), and what a fun and magical memory to have.

Flippin' the Fly

2009-11-15T12:10:00.001-08:00

I will admit I'm not an avid angler. I enjoy fishing but it's something I wouldn't do on my own, only if Zach goes (we were fishing when he proposed). Usually, I will only go in the summer when it's warm (so I can get a tan) and bring a book so I can read when I get bored, because Zach can literally spend the entire day fishing. But I do love the feeling of hooking a fish. Zach enjoys steelhead fishing because of the size of the fish, but goes when it's cold. Well, I asked if this year I could go spend two days in the cold with him, because I would love to catch a HUGE fish. He warned me this wasn't like regular fishing where you're at least getting a bite every so often. You fish for hours before you get a bite, but because of the size of the fish it's well worth it. We went to Riggins, and went with a wildlife biologist we met through Zach's dad. He studies the Salmon Runs, so the perfect guy to show us where the fish are. (Zach went with him last year)

This is Dr. Burns with a "fish on"
Bringing it in.
I have to admit this isn't what I expected-- to me it just looks like a big Rainbow Trout. But it is a steelhead and 25 inches.

And this is me giving up. 7 and a half hours of fishing later, a sore arm, and NO fish!! Nope, all day I fished, I kept telling myself positive sentences "I'm going to catch a fish this cast" "Okay this time"..... I've heard there's a book that says if you throw postive thoughts out to the universe the universe will hear you and reward you -- NOT TRUE. The second day I only lasted 1 hour before I gave up and took a nap in the car. I can only say it was beautiful up there and I did enjoy having nothing else going on or anything to think about except fish for two days.

Halloween

2009-11-01T17:22:00.000-08:00

My mom made this cute clown suit when my brother Josh was little. I can't do anything like this, she spent my and Bryn's whole childhood making sure we weren't domestic and now wonders why we don't can, cook, sew or craftt!!! :-)

Seriously, not even 5 minutes after I put the makeup on and she already had it smeared!

Go Bucks!! I thought for sure with as many BSU fans there are here, one of them wasn't going to give a treat to Ty because he's not wearing blue and orange
The kiddos off to get the candy. Halloween was so fun this year. Ty actually dressed up without a fight and just headed off with his cousins, and Bryton loved trick or treating. All the other kids ran from door to door leaving her in the dust. She took her time, and went to all the doors as well only a lot slower, but she wouldn't let us hold her or her bucket of candy. She wanted to do it and didn't complain at all.

Vedera

2009-10-31T07:44:00.000-07:00

Thursday night Zach and I went to the Mat Kearney concert. It was fun. I like his songs - minus the rapping he puts in some. Anyway, his opening act's name was Vedera. They were so good. I bought their CD and love it, so I thought I'd share. Vedera's a band of 4 from Kansas City, with a female lead singer who has the coolest voice I think I've ever heard. Check 'em out. I've put my favorite song on my blog. Take a listen and let me know what you think.

OcToBer

2009-10-30T11:34:00.000-07:00

I tried to figure out how to do a slideshow for about a half hour and got frustrated. So sorry about the long post. This was the corn maze we went to this year. The kids had a blast.

Labor Day

2009-10-23T13:28:00.001-07:00

I came over to my parents for the weekend and found these pics on my parents camera. Over Labor Day weekend we helped Josh put in his yard at his new house. It was long hours, and we were hoping to get to do something fun for Labor Day so we needed somewhere close to have a good time. We had heard of a place called Skinny Dipper not to far away, near Horsebend so we headed that way with Bryn and Luke and my parents. It's a natural hot spring some people turned into soaking tubs. We had heard people go in naked, but others told us that's not true and people just said that because of it's name. So we thought we'd try it out so we'd have something fun to do, and soaking in hot water after working so hard in the yard sounded fabulous. It's a good climb into the hot springs from the road. We started way down there by the water.

Picture of us back at the cars, and YES there are naked people there. Most people were wearing bathing suits but a few 65-75 year old men were naked. My kids are young enough they didn't even notice. I thought it was so funny, my mom was uneasy the whole time which made it even better. And the best story of the night --- We stayed so late that it had gotten dark on us and as some more young girls were coming in, and we could tell they would be "putting on" their birthday suits, we started to head out. My mom gets scared going downhill anyway, and we didn't bring headlamps. So, as she admitted her nervousness out loud to us, one of the naked guys got out of the tub and walked over to his clothes. He turned to me (unfortunately, I had gotten out of the tub only second earlier where his clothes happened to be) and said he had a flashlight we could take - just leave it on his car at the parking lot and he reach out to hand it to me. Let me just say I did it for my mom. I walked over to him keeping my eyes focused on his EYES the whole time and thanked him ('cuz that was super nice of him) When we got to the car my mom was freaking out that I had just so nonchalantly walked over to get the light (How else was I supposed to do it? Start giggling? because honestly inside I was!) I thought it was awesome and such a funny memory to have, but I think next time we'll find some other hot springs.

September

2009-09-30T19:55:00.001-07:00

Ty with our neighbor. They bought this little go-cart at a garage sale and their dad fix it up. They ride it all over the subdivision.

We also went camping at Zach's parents ranch. It's fun to go out there. It's right against the Payette river so the next morning we took Ty fishing and he caught his first fish!

I think his Dad is happier about it than Ty. There are no pics of Bryton. She was there but completely naked. She started out in a sweatsuit, but loves the water and kept getting wetter until I finally just stripped her down and let her play in the water. It was only about 70 degrees, but she was happy.

After 3 hits to his front tooth 1. The snowmobile accident in Jan. 2. Walking into a handle of a rake in Aug. and 3. Whacking a wall as his sister chased him. Zach and I finally held him down and pulled the dang thing. It would seriously rock back and forth as he breathed it was so loose and he still wouldn't pull it out.

Frogg Lake

Zach has cried and cried about not being able to go to Frogg Lake since we've had kids. Seeing how it's a 8 mile hike in we need them to be just a bit older. So, finally he just went with his buddy Aaron last weekend and now hopefully the whining will stop. (Zach at the trail head)

Yes more pictures of fish. We have more fish photos than family.

O - H .....I - O!!! FRIENDS AND FOOTBALL!

2009-09-14T11:10:00.000-07:00

So I absolutely love watching sports, especially football - as long as it's college (No Pro) and after much coaxing finally convinced Zach we needed to go to Columbus for the OSU/USC game. I got to catch up with old attendings, see a lot of friends, and eat at all of my favorite places. Zach and the Ormes ate at Adriaticos the first lunch there, but since I didn't want heart burn and stomach pain for 2 weeks I opt'ed for Panera. (thanks Kelly for the great company) It was so great to get to go back to the university, but now not as a student. However, I would have to say I'm jealous of Elmores who recently moved back, for reals, and if it took being a student to be back there I would be up for it. It was fun to see you guys. One of my favorites there was Rusty Buckets. For any of you that never ate there, you missed out. So when you go visit you need to stop in (Lane Ave) at least for lunch and order their chicken fingers. YUMMY. They are famous for their fried pickles -- but I don't like pickles. So I've never had them. Spencer and Amy had them though and seemed to think they were pretty good.Zach bought stupid shirts. Look closely. I would have to say the Adriaticos was okay but the Handels was stupid. I think it magically needs to disappear.

It honestly is the best ice cream.

Elmores, Ormes and us at Handels. (zach's dumb shirt)

We couldn't go all the way to Columbus and not get their ice cream, and I'm not even a big fan of ice cream - except Handels. I know spouse like a house is a common favorite among the buckeye ladies, but I went with the black raspberry chunk.

106,033 in the stadium that night. It was so loud in there. Oh yeah - except at the end when we lost. You could have heard a pin drop. Serious.

Mirror Lake -- I never was a crazy one to jump in this in November for Michigan Week!!! Let alone naked like a lot of people! --- maybe if it was summer :-) j/k

Brutus heading to the game

O-H-I-O in front of the Shoe!

One of the highlights --- Greg Oden. I was honestly this far from him. The camera is NOT on
zoom!!! The lady with the brown long hair standing in front of him is the athletics dentist (Dr. Mendel) for all athletes at OSU. She took care of him when he fell hitting his chin during the Tennessee game during March Madness and damaged a tooth.

TBDBITL entering the field

If you look close you can see they are spelling Ohio for both sides of the stadium.

Bucks getting ready. We were under an awning for our seats so it's deceiving what the stadium really looks like. If you look across the field you can't even see the B and C decks.

Script Ohio

Brutus

The band playing during the third quarter.

End of the game. Zach was actually not as upset as I thought. I guess because this year we lost by fewer than 30 points :-)

After the game and the wrap up of the flag. Final score 15 to 18 USC I was so sad. I can't believe we were that close and Tressel can't pull through. Come on Tressl - Carroll totally would have attempted the 50 yard field goal attempt. I know everyone is a huge Tressel fan if you're a Buckeye, but I'm over him. He lost the game for the team -- not the players. If I was the offense I would be offended by the way he makes them play.

But all together the best vacation I've taken, maybe next time we can pull off the W though.

Mountain Biking

2009-09-04T15:49:00.000-07:00

We took the kids with us and Luke to mountain bike around Bogus Area. It was as usual a "play-it-by-ear" (I swear the Taylor family is the Griswold's and sorry boys you knew what you were getting into when you married into it) We looked for a certain trail - found it maybe 75 yards down the mountain, so we had to "bushwhack" to it with the kids, bikes, and trailer. Lots of cuts on the legs. As we started going up the trail we found that - oh - there was an entrance to the trail right off the main road -- no need for the cut legs. So we turned around and followed the trail for as long as Zach and Luke felt like they could pull the rats in the trailer behind the bike. Pretty fun though. The best part was eating at the Boise co-op afterwards. Really that's the only reason I went. :-)

Ty and Bryton absolutely love their Uncle Luke

Playing in the sand/dirt was way more fun the ride.

I think at this point it should've been Zach and Luke taking the nap. The trail was sssoooo bumpy I have no idea how they fell asleep.

KINDERGARTEN

2009-08-28T07:29:00.000-07:00

Ty was so excited for Kindergarten. Mainly, I think, because he was going to be in the same school as his cousins Abby and Lexi.
I didn't cry, (he goes to daycare 3 days a week so this is nothin' new). I did get choked up when, as it was time to walk into the classroom, he got a bit nervous. He asked if I could go with him. I really wanted to, because his little face looked sick. I was so happy he still let me give him a hug & kiss and was glad to have me there. However, after school I met him to make sure he was going to get on the right bus to the daycare (I took the day off). When I got there he yelled "No, Mom you said I could ride the bus." Not excited at all to see me, but he's never ridden a bus and that was what he looked forward to the most. I let him ride and followed the bus to pick him up. Today was the second day (Here it's Kindergarten Mon, Wed and every other Fri all day) on the way he said "Mom the next one is 1st grade, then how many "nexts" are there?" I told him at least 20 more years, but after the 13 he goes to college and doesn't live with Mom and Dad. He said he would still live with me in college -- I'll remind him as a teenager he said that. 13 years doesn't seem so far away!! I wish time would go slower. For now I just have to figure out what to do with Bryton while he's gone. She was so sad when he got out of the car today.

Summer (warning huge)

2009-08-10T19:04:00.000-07:00

Bryton starting out the summer right by getting in trouble. Papa Red wasn't too happy with her.

Fourth of July weekend was awesome. Everyone came home and we had a blast from eating, to mountain biking, golfing, fishing and more eating. Thanks Mom for watching the rats. (Zach with his fish on the Teton. )

Everyone caught at least one fish, including me :-) Yay!!

The fish fighting. I didn't get a photo with it - because yes it freaks me out to touch them. To my credit I did try though. Zach took it off the hook and handed it to me but i dropped it in the water. (The rules to our family are catch-and-release anyway, thank goodness I hate any seafood).

Parade in Rexburg.

Trey and Kade started a water fight -- I think shortly after starting it they realized they wished they hadn't when the competition is much bigger and stronger.

Zach and Luke getting even with Kade - ---

-- calling in Judd to do the actual dirty work.

Apparently, Kade was really angry with the come back and took his frustration out on Papa Red.

Judd, being the oldest, always gets away without a scratch. So I knew if I tried to get him I was asking for it --- BUT it was so worth it. I hid behind some shrubs 'til he walked by and got him with the hose.

Then got soaked in return.

Don't let the smile fool you. I don't think Jim liked the way the activities were headed ;-) too bad!!

Bryn stayed dry the entire time. Well, 'til the fight was almost over and Luke got the guts to get her. Her face cracks me up. She was so mad she wouldn't even let Luke hug her an apology. (Luke we know you had to sleep on the couch)

Bryton getting ready for the fireworks to start. I've found something that she's afraid of. The first firework went off and she ran into the house. We all took our turn coaxing her out throughout the night trying to get her to enjoy them.

Her (not) trying the sparkler. (She's now off the binkie - thanks to her parents getting brave)

Ty on fire :-)

SPARKLERS!!!!!

So exciting

Last weekend we rented a Yurt and went camping with Cantwells. It was so fun. I can't wait to go again. This is up between Lowman and Idaho City and beautiful.

Our view

The campfire.

Helping the kids make the hot dogs.

The crew making fajitas for the adults. Nice faking Erik. I almost think we had you convinced you were having a fun time while camping.

Playing games, and the kids were supposed to be sleeping.

Then we took the kids to some hot springs. I loved it. I was a bit angry Zach hadn't told us about this place before. It would be a great day trip for anyone around the Treasure Valley.

Us in one of the hot pools. The river behind us was super cold!!

Zach, little Zach, Luke and Ty

Bryton watched little Zach jump to big Zach in the cold river and decided that was for her, too.

Zach warming her up in the hot spring after a frosty dip.

He loves me, he loves me not

2009-07-21T20:36:00.000-07:00

So I got another note from Ty taped to my hallway wall (not the same hallway I found Bryton's stinky mess) it read;

ILUVMOMANDDADFORAWRSAWRSAWRSAWRS
(I love Mom and Dad for HOURS HOURS HOURS)

it took a long time for me to figure out the HOURS (AWRS) but if you sound it out phonetically it actually works :-)

I must have given him whatever he wanted on that day. He doesn't get something, he hates me -- he gets what he wants and he loves me. I can totally see me doing the same thing to my parents. I wonder if they thought it was as funny as I do??

Today So Far

2009-07-17T09:44:00.000-07:00

So today in the mists of trying to potty train Bryton (actually cleaning up the accidents), paying a bill online that I thought I'd paid already and was going to be late, finding my wallet and answering a phone call from Zach, I yelled at Ty because he thought he needed to have a book read to him "right now" and was yelling at me to do so. He disappeared long enough for me to get the bill paid only to return with a pink sticky note that read like this:

MOMESSTOOPED
ANDBOSEYANDMEEN
TOTYANDNOTVERENIYS

Broken up into separate words;
MOM ES STOOPED AND BOSEY AND MEEN TO TY AND NOT VERE NIYS

I thought it was pretty good seeing as he hasn't started school yet and as I was reading the note and laughing I heard Bryton coming up the stairs saying "mess a mommy, a mess" sure enough she'd had another accident only this time with "poop". It was all down her legs, on my hallway wall and a soft mushy pile on my carpet in the living room.
Bryton in the tub, gloves, stain remover, disinfectant and scrubber put to work. Then Bryton back in a diaper. I guess I'll just wait 'til Ty is in school so I can follow her around like a hawk when we try this again. HELP!!

June

2009-07-01T17:46:00.000-07:00

Fishing at Little Camas. (I know Bryton's too old for the binkie - but try raising her she was scaring the fish!)

DAD'S DAY

My brave little one at the waterpark. Bryton absolutely loves the water!!

In the wave pool

Bryton is on the far right going down all by herself!!!

We even got Zach a pass this year and by a miracle got him in the water.

Bryton after her ride

......and my not-so-brave one. If you look close (mind you this is in the kiddie area) Ty is reaching for my hand to hold.

May

2009-06-11T07:41:00.001-07:00

TRIP TO KC

Our summer fun began with a trip to Kansas City. Zach's buddy from Dental School was getting married there and we took the opportunity to also visit Bryn and Luke because that's where they are both attending Med School.

This is us in front of the RLDS (Community of Christ) temple. We are standing on the lawn of where the LDS church will eventually build a temple.

Apparently the only thing to do in KC is to EAT (which I like to do) - but eat BBQ, and I'm not the biggest fan of BBQ. Bryn, Luke and Zach are. So we started off with lunch at Oklahoma Joe's as soon as we landed. I actually did like that place. It was odd though. The "restaurant" was in a Sinclair station. The next day, was a trip to Arthur Bryant's. This place, I guess, is supposed to be famous. We waited in a line that was out the door and down the street about another 20 yards. I wasn't a fan at all - but McCain, Palin, Danny Glover, Jimmy Carter and a bunch of other famous people are. The restaurant had all sorts of pictures of famous people eating there on their wall.
Yes, Luke is a HUGE fan as you can see. I don't think I've seen anyone more giddy about food. Except maybe me, when the next day I had had enough BBQ and made Bryn take me to PANERA!!! I have been craving it since we left OHIO. I wish they had one here in Idaho.
Me trying to enjoy my soggy Wonder Bread sandwich, and Bryn and Zach savoring every bite. Gag me!!!

Zach and I at Bryn and Luke's Med School. Had I known it was like this I would have gone to Med School instead!!! :-) That arcade game had all the old games . . . pac man and BURGER TIME, my favorites! We did get to see where Bryn and Luke have called home for the past 3 years. It was fun and they got to show off some of their knowledge in the manipulation room.
That's the best about a D.O. school. Can't wait 'til you two are finished. I'll be visiting ya every day with my back issues.

Luke popping Zach's back.

And Bryn's turn finding a knot in my neck.

The last day, was by far the best. SHOPPING! There is a little town outside of KC where a lady from Taiwan has a cute little store. She makes the jewelry and her sister, back in Taiwan, makes the clothes. The store is called Pacific Breeze and my favorite are her bracelets. I have gotten a bunch, and also have had tons of people ask me to get them some!

Me, Bryn and Elsa, in her store.

Us with all our goodies

Zach waiting for us (for four hours) to get done shopping there.

TY'S BIRTHDAY

Ty's birthday is end of May, and he helped me make these beach cupcakes for his class. They were fun! We got the idea off kraftfoods.com in the kids section.

If anyone knows Ty, you know he has a weird obsession for balloons. It started when he was 1 1/2 years old and has continued. So, I gave him flat balloons for his birthday, which he didn't think was so fun until.....

He opened his next present and found...

a helium tank. (He actually got the same present when he was 2, but doesn't remember it)

Bryton, not really enjoying the excitement.

TRIP TO UTAH & TREY

We got to go to Utah to see Erin Hale. A bunch of the Ohio girls (most of whom are now in Utah) got together at Liberty Park (and yep, Melissa it is where they filmed Savannah Smiles. Go rent the movie. It's cute). Sorry, I didn't get any pics except this one of Ty and Bryton. (If any of you took some could you please send them to me?)

On our last night there would you expect anything other from my nephew Trey than trouble? He fell climbing up rocks in his backyard broke his teeth, and split his lip. So, he got to enjoy a 5 hour trip to the dentist. I brought him back with me to Idaho Sunday, and that evening we got to treat some broken teeth. I love to do this kind of dentistry.
Before

After (obviously)

Our backyard -- just thought I'd add this. About the only thing I love about living where I do is the sunsets out our front door, but Monday I also got to see my first FULL rainbow out our back door.

Happy Birthday Bryton Anne

2009-04-17T17:39:00.000-07:00

Two years ago today we got to welcome a new baby to our family. However, it wouldn't be for 8 more days 'til we could take her home. She had to stay in the NICU 'til she was breathing correctly. This picture isn't even as bad as it got. She also had to use a CPAP machine for a few days because she just wasn't getting better. I don't have photos of that -- it was too hard to see her that way and I guess I didn't want the photo to remind me :-) (How sad is the little IV?)

The day we brought her home, and the first time Ty got to meet her (he wasn't allowed in the NICU). He was so funny. He was scared of her, and it took about 4 more days 'til he would even touch her. Bryton at 7 months old with my Grandma and Mom 4 generations
1 year

1 1/2 years

Just because I think it's funny. I was mopping the floor and drying it with a towel and the next thing I knew, Bryton threw her blanket down and started helping. (I can't remember why her diaper was off).

Ty and Bryton watching morning cartoons in their "new bed"

2 Years Old

Happy Birthday Bryton! We love You, and the independence and fire that makes you!!

March, April, Grandma and Easter

2009-04-15T18:45:00.000-07:00

MARCH was pretty uneventful. We did get to sort of celebrate Zach's b-day. No cake, of course, that would be fun and Zach's just not into that kind of stuff :-) However, we did get to spend a long weekend in Island Park at the cabin snowmachining, sledding, building a "snowmommy" and my favorite -- swimming and thawing in the hot tubs.

I love this photo -- it's the only one I think I'll ever get of Bryton being nice (trying to give Ty a kiss) and Ty being the stubborn one. So backwards from normal.

Ty and his "snowmommy" we built in the front of the cabin.

Playing in tons of snow with Trey, Kade and Jace

Bryton and Ty in the kids pool -- yes Ty has the lifejacket on and Bryton's just having fun - no fear at all.

Ty floating

Bryton going under. She loved the water and was under the water more than above it seemed.

APRIL & Grandma Doris. Eight years ago on April 6th my grandpa passed away. On April 6th of this year I called home to just check in and my dad told me my mom had taken my grandma to the hospital after stopping in to see her at the assisted living home where she lives. My grandma had Alzheimers Dz and was unable to speak but my mom could tell she was in pain. At the hospital we found out she was in renal failure. On April 8th she passed away. She was one of the most amazing people I know and one of my favorites (of course along with my grandpa). They were like parents with as much as they were around supporting everything we did. I can't find the words to describe the love I have for her in my heart. I was able to make it to the hospital to say goodbye just minutes before she passed away. I'm so grateful for that. I hope she knew how much she meant to me and all her family. As much as it hurt to see her go, I'm sure her reunion with her eternal companion was extremely joyous. I love you Grandma.

My grandparents on their 50th wedding anniversary (Sept 15 1941)

EASTER. I guess Easter meant a little more to me this year, I'm thankful for the sacrifice of our Savior so I can see my Grandma again. Although, it was bitter-sweet, we did enjoy Easter.

Bryton in her Easter Dress.

Us coloring Easter Eggs last minute. My grandma's funeral was earlier this day so we had a mad rush to get these done. I look horrible from all the crying I did that day.

Although I'd have to say we all looked better than Zach :-) I don't know if he was just really tired or this is the way he feels about celebrating commercially.

Ty getting help for a Easter treat. The Easter Bunnies went a little crazy this year since their was 5 of them.

Bryton looking for Eggs

Hunting for the eggs outside

I hope everyone had a great Easter!

The Journey to 30 (& just about that many pictures)

2009-03-26T09:03:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Zach's 30th birthday so I thought I'd share his trips around the sun 30 times. He grew up in Boise, and went to Meridian High School. His school age days consisted of baseball, which will come into play later. Plus, multiple outdoor activities

Age 2

Kindergarten

Age 13 or 14. Not long after this picture was taken Zach was in an accident during a boyscout activity. His troop had made a Zip line from one tree to another and he was the first to try it. Well, the rope had too much slack and instead of slowing down and going back up to the landing tree, Zach went feet first smack into the tree shattering both feet. His knees then went straight into his mouth and knocked out a couple teeth. He spent some time in a wheelchair after that, and in a dentist's office :-) That is the real story. So for any of you who were told his teeth were knocked out from bullriding or playing hockey, that is just Zach's way of thinking he's funny.

Senior Photo

After High School Zach went to Ricks where he played baseball with one of my friends from high school, David. Dave introduce us, and I'm so happy he did.

Zach, his friend Tommy and I right before Zach left on his mission.

Zach served a Mission in Helsinki, Finland. The perfect match seeing as he loves the COLD. However, living where we do Finnish doesn't come in so handy.

Zach in Kouvola, Finland. Way too cold.

Picture of Zach and I at Big Springs in Island Park after his mission (However, I do have a disclaimer. He was not "my missionary" we were both on agreement with that before he left.)

Growing up of course Zach picked up on multiple hobbies, talents, and favorites. I already mentioned baseball, but from where I sit, I see that fishing gets him the most giddy :-)

Fishing the Teton

Mountain Biking - or crashing, however you want to see it.

Moutain Dew

Backcountry skiing

Fishing

Did I mention fishing. (These are only a few of the hundreds of pics we have of fishing)

Camping

Camping even when he's injured, with a bone bruise and second degree burns. Yes, we stayed camping and Zach made the 8 mile hike out 2 days later and then we saw a doctor. (Can't miss a good camping trip)

Camping in Igloos

And pretty much all sports, especially if it includes the Buckeyes.

After Zach and I were married in May '01, we headed to Ohio for us both to attend Dental School. Lots of studying and no sleep. Plus, adding to the stress, we were surprised with a new addition to our family. Zach however made the transition a lot easier than I think most guys would. He is the best Dad. Those years in Ohio could get pretty stressful since we were both in school,and Zach was always stepping up to the plate in order for us to make it through.

Ty helping Zach study early in the morning before a test.

He's going to kill me for these pictures, but during school apparently he came to the realization that teeth were important. He was Class III, and for some reason decided he wanted to fix that. I was just fine with how he looked, but was overruled. I think that's the story of our marriage :-) So in Jan. '07 he had reconstructive surgery were the OMFS team broke his jaw, removed bone from the mandible on both sides and set his jaw back so he could have a normal overbite. This was him 3 days after surgery. Trust me I was mad. He looked UGLY!! And remember I didn't want to surgery in the first place. You can't see very well in this pic, but he was bruised from his eyes down to his chest.

This is 4 weeks post op and I still was nervous, but he was still a bit swollen.

And about 1 year later. I'm happy now! Back to normal (I think) and a bit better (he thinks)

At the end of Zach's schooling we got Bryton. A surprise for Zach, but totally planned by me. Zach was good with one kid, but everyone needs a sibling. Now, that little girl has him right where she wants him :-) Good Luck with this task, Zach!!!

Happy Birthday Zach Attack. I'm proud of your accomplishments and drive to never quit, even when it's extremely difficult. We love you LOADS!

Catch Up

2009-02-15T14:41:00.000-08:00

. . . A few weeks back we had some of Zach's family stop by for games, and near the end of the night Ty was being really naughty. Mainly, because he was so tired. He wouldn't go to bed without a story so knowing that I took him to bed read him a story and left thinking he'd had his routine so he'll go to bed now. Well, he came back out and the -- to bed, goodnight, hug/kiss/skin -- routine hit repeat about 3 more times. I had had it by that time and told him not to get out of bed again. If he did, I was going to turn off the Buckeye lamp he leaves on. So, I didn't hear from him again. After the company left (30 minutes later) I went to check on the kids & found Ty on the stairs fast asleep! :-) He had come down far enough we wouldn't know he was there, but so that he could still hear in on the fun. How sad. And then, yet another sledding trip. Unlike Eastern Idaho, where you can jump in your car and be at a sledding hill within minutes, Western Idaho you need to plan a full day event for it. So, we decided we would go, and also take the office staff. There's a place just past Idaho City with a great hill. It's really big, and snowmachines would have been a great help. We had a good time and the kids loved it. I got a workout carrying Bree up the hills. Oh yeah, and don't forget the time I helped hike Ty up to the top of the hill just for him to get there and let go of the tube. So, I got an added bonus of running down the hill and back up just for fun.

Mom and Bryton slowly makin' it up

Ty and Kimber

Bryton and Jessica's little boy

Ty after his crash. Zach thought it was funny so he made Ty wait to clean him off 'til he could get a picture. Sorry buddy I bet it was "Freez-sing!"

For Christmas my mom bought Bryton a GotZ doll because she thought it resembled her. Well, the other day, after lunch, Bryton had started playing with her baby and I realized they even had the same clothes on. (Totally an accident. The jeans I bought, but the sweater was a hand-me-down from her cousins) So I tried to get a picture. I wanted it to be a perfect picture so she could see how cute it was someday, but, oh yeah, she had already taken marker and written on her face, and the infamous binkie was in the way.

So here's a picture without the binkie! Neither are anywhere close to perfect. At least she'll get to remember the temper-tantrums she does so well.

And the update on Ty's tooth. No color change yet, but when he bites into things he still complains. Then, last night as I was brushing his teeth, I noticed the one on his left was out of position. Sure enough, it has loosened a bit, and it's a bit hard to see from this picture, but it has moved to his right and also more anteriorly. :-(

Winter Sports

2009-01-22T09:12:00.000-08:00

The best perk of being a DDS is the fact that specialists try to wine and dine you. Zach got Boise Steelhead tickets from an Oral Surgeon so we took Ty and Zach's friend Mark. Our tickets were on the front row right on the ice as you can see from the picture. I thought it was pretty good, besides the fact that I'm not a hockey fan. That was until .... Chuck the Puck!! I saw kids buying them before the game then during one of the intermissions (or whatever you call the 2 breaks the game has), Zach took Ty to get ice cream and then Mark turns to me and says "I think we better move." But before we got the chance a bunch of kids starting throwing pucks on the ice. It was then I realized our seats weren't so great. Mark got hit once. Luckily it first hit the glass then bounced off and hit him. :-) This is what the ice looked like after they were done throwing.

Ty wasn't really into the game but was so excited about his dippin' dots ice cream.

Then during a power play (don't ask me what that is) a girl came and handed me a envelope with a coupon for free ice cream. She said they hand them out during power plays, and that she could see my little boy loves ice cream. Ty thought that was the best.

MLK weekend I took Ty skiing. Zach and I have taken him the last two years and it was miserable, but I really want him to ski. So, I braved taking him myself while my mom watched Bryton. I expected the same as the previous years, crying and not wanting to let go of my legs, but to my surprise we got to the top of the tow rope and he took off. The more I tried to teach technique the more frustrated he got, so I finally shut up and just let him go. He fell a bunch, and even yelled at his skiis a few times for taking him the wrong way, but over all did better than I thought. He said he loved it and Nanny, Papa, and Bryton came at the end of the day to see his progress. I am so excited that Ty is finally interested in at least one sport :-)

DECEMBER

2009-01-07T19:14:00.000-08:00

As usual December was crazy. I thought I was ready in November, and this year would be easy. "Santa" bought the big present (a Wii) back in October, and all the Christmas shopping was done, I thought. But, oh yeah, I needed gifts for my staff, plus the girls at the office, Ty and Bryton's teachers, and don't forget all the family birthdays in December I didn't buy for. So more shopping. Last year at this time we were opening the office and too busy to decorate for Christmas, so this year was really the first time to decorate, and I needed decorations. Although the pictures looks like Zach did the decorations, don't let it fool you. He complained so much about how stupid it was that he just did the pillars, and then I told him to go inside while we finished. I climbed on the roof and started stringing the lights. Zach must have been worried I wasn't coordinated enough because he came outside to hand the lights up to me, and I'm sure he thought I would tumbled off at any minute.

I bought the cutest book this year at Kohls that had a lot of different christmas stories in it and every night we would read one story. (BTW, The Match Stick Girl story, worst Christmas story EVER!!! I read it to Ty because my mom said it was a cute story. I question her judgement. The little girl dies on Christmas Eve. I cried, it was awful.)
Zach didn't want us to get a Christmas tree because he said since we were going to Nanny and Papa's for Christmas we didn't need one. So, Kimber, our dental assistant, had the kids over to her house so Zach and I could go out alone, and our kids help her and her husband decorate their tree and make ginger bread houses.

But then, just like last year, Uncle Josh came to the rescue. He brought the kids a tree of their own. Ty was so excited. He said 2 or 3 times, "I just love you Josh!"

You would think, by the way the tree looks, that the kids decorated it by themselves. Actually Uncle Josh helped :-) I guess on Alvin and the Chipmunk movie they put toothbrushes on the tree, so it wasn't our cheesy idea (just since we're dentists) to put them on. We just had a bunch extra at the house so Ty did that on his own, and it was about the most annoying thing to go try to find his or Bryton's toothbrush each night.

Then it was time to head to Rexburg for Christmas. Bryn and Luke surprised us by coming home. We didn't think they'd be able to because they are both doing their 3rd year rotations in Med school. We had lots of yummy food, with great family company, and yes I turned 30. Thanks Mom and Dad for only putting 3 candles on my cake :-( I think with some of my temper-tantrums that's how old they all think I really am. Just ask Trey!!! Sorry buddy.

Singing Happy Birthday

Bryton playing Mancola by herself All the Grandkids in order of age

And then came Christmas morning. My kids were spoiled -- mainly by my parents and not Santa. Ty got his huge bubblegum machine he wanted, some games, a GeoSafari and books from nanny and papa and a Wii for him AND mom. Bryton got a leap frog learning train she loves, a baby with a stroller, and a cell phone from crew she plays with constantly (it looks real). Then came my turn, which I have to say I was spoiled. I bought the Wii for myself of course, but then my Mom and Dad bought me ....
and my parents-in-law and Bryn and Luke bought me...
It was the best Christmas. I also got a ring that had been my grandma's, which I love just for the memories. Thanks mom ... plus so much other stuff I'm really am embarrassed. I have to put in a request for next year. No more presents for Christmas or my birthday. Although, I loved them I feel guilty -- I make my own money and I've stopped having birthdays.
I have to say the Wii has been so much fun. I love all the games, and the Wii fit is kicking my back side, but even though it's fun to play, it's way more fun watching other people play.

Christmas in Rexburg was the best just because of the snow!!!! It came down non-stop I think. My kids had a blast. We shoveled and shoveled.

Then, we went sledding. Bryton loved it. She would go all by herself, and screech with laughter the whole way down the hill

Zach and Ty

Bryton getting ready to go down.

Tyger
Josh and Bree

We also had some not-so-great times. Jace broke his arm sledding so Judd and Becky spent one day in the ER, and Ty and Josh got Strep throat :-(

(Isaac, Gabe, Mori, and Ty on the snowmachine)

On New Years we did another sledding trip with Zach's family and this time with snowmobiles.
And this one ended up not too great either. At one point Zach put Ty in the back part of the machine that has a metal cargo holder and just as Zach took off Ty got scared, stood up and flipped out of the cargo area -- hitting the metal bar with his mouth. He was screaming that he cut his lips when I got to him and was bleeding everywhere. He wouldn't let me look, but when he calmed down I took a peak and saw this...

a purple line above his left front tooth. So I wiggled it and sure enough it was loose. I deal with this every day and yet I still freaked out. Since then we've taken an X-ray and actually, both front teeth are fractured up in the root. So, we are just waiting for them to turned dark and if they abcess I'll have to have Zach take them out 'cuz I won't be able to.

Bryton on her train. She's watching Kung Fu Panda and it kills me she sits like this.

All together it was a great December. I'm now furiously trying to find things to plan for the next 4 months until it gets warm enough to enjoy outside. I hate being cooped up.

Tyger

2008-12-09T20:06:00.000-08:00

Grumpy baby boy

Ty outside the "shoe" at OSU
( I miss Ohio)

So just to keep this blog as a journal for my kids someday I want to write down things they do to make me laugh -- so bare with me on some of my posts.

So, Ty has a great teacher Miss Chelsea. He spends three days a week at the Nazarene Church daycare, and loves, loves, loves, Miss Chelsea.

Also, several months ago Ty asked me "what's married mean" He was curious about what it meant and why people got married anyway. I told him Zach and I got married so we could have him and Bryton to make us happy. He thought that was a good answer. Months later, he asked me if I would have a baby so he could have another sister. I told him no because I only bought 2 seeds so that's all we get. (Ty thinks you buy baby seeds at the store, the mommy swallows them and the baby grows in her tummy -- which I don't care what all the expert books say about lying to your kids -- I like him believing, for now, in that story it saves me from a lot of other questions he may have) Well, anyway I told him when he grows up and gets married he can buy as many seeds as he wants and have that many babies. He then said that he was going to marry Miss Chelsea and they would buy 5 seeds.

Well, Bryton also goes to that daycare and the teachers love her. So, Miss Chelsea (who was the one who told me this story) teases Ty that she's going to take Bryton home with her. One day, when she asked Ty if she could have Bryton, Ty said "No, because my mom would be sad, but when I grow up and we get married we can have our own Bryton." :-) Then last weekend Ty and I went Christmas shopping for a family, and on the way home I was explaining to Ty why we were helping a family at Christmas was to help these kids have presents so they can be happy. He thought that was nice and I asked him what he can do to make people happy -- he said he was going to marry Miss Chelsea because that would make her happy. (which I thought was sweet -- I wish Zach still talked to me that way :-) ) However, with this much talk about marrying her, I don't know if Miss Chelsea thinks it's funny or a bit freaky!! Tyger you are so tender-hearted and we love you "all the days and all the nights."

Mom and Ty camping

I'm Thankful for . . .

2008-11-02T13:43:00.001-08:00

The things I'm most thankful for... Bryton and Ty... and I guess Zach since I couldn't get these two without him :-)

Cute, cute, cute ...

Handsome Boy

Zach's Element

2008-11-02T13:43:00.000-08:00

Zach is a workaholic as we all know, but one thing he will take time off for is fishing. Beginning of October he went to Henry's to fish, then beginning of Novemeber a wild life biologist who studies the steelhead runs took Zach and his dad up to Riggins for a weekend. Here are a couple of his trophies!

Fish at Henry's -- not the best shot but he was taking the picture himself.

Josh went with him and this is one of his.

Steelhead

Second Steelhead

All of the above (or below)

2008-11-02T12:48:00.001-08:00

So, I finally got Ty's bedroom done. It took my Mom and Dad coming over to help me paint to actually put the whole process into action. Thanks a ton Papa Red and Nanny, Ty and I love it. (Zach, we know you think it's pretty sweet, too!! Yes, we actually had to spend a tiny bit of money to get it done so we know you won't admit it, but that's okay, Scrooge!)

My Favorite Buckeye Fans

Ty's Room

The sticker above the door is the one that says "I bleed Scarlet and Gray"

Fathead Sticker

As we're all aware, Bryton is Miss Independent. Well, lately she's gotten what's coming to her for it. The gouge on her forehead and the scrape up the side of her face is from two separate accidents plus, she has a big bruise on her left ear you can't see in this picture from a third!

All I can say is Gross!! But Bryn I'm sure it looks good to you.

We took the kids to the pumpkin patch this year. It was fun, they both loved it! Plus, it wore them out so bedtime that night was easy.

Zach, Ty and Bree on the hayride going out to get pumpkins
Picking the perfect pumpkin (Ty actually picked a green one, but he wanted it to be a "huge one" & that's what he found)
The cow-train ride. Bryton really wanted to go -- so the driver/owner of the farm said I could go with her, that way she could go without falling out. Remember Tommy Boy when Chris Farley puts on David Spades coat? "Fat guy in a little coat!" That's how I felt in the barrel :-) Bryton threw a fit when it was over and she had to get out. I love Ty's expression in the pictures (above and below) he was sssoooo excited.

Where do you get a camel for a farm in the middle of Idaho??

So, next up was Halloween, and if anyone was wondering, yes Ty actually dressed up (sort of) and went trick-or-treating. It took some manipulation on my part, however. Halloween morning Ty's daycare had a "Harvest Party." So even though I was home that day the teachers asked if he would come. Well, for the party they had a sports theme so when Ty woke up I just dressed him in his Ohio State stuff (he also had a baseball hat on) without saying anything about it being a costume. Then, I painted cute shapes on Bryton's face just so Ty would want me to paint on his. I told him since he was wearing Buckeye stuff we could write Go Bucks. He thought that would be okay. After his party I just left him in his "outfit" the rest of the day. I thought I was home free at that point. We went to Kim's so all the cousins could go trick-or-treating together, but when it came time to leave, Ty didn't want to go. He just wanted to stay at Kim's and help her pass out candy. Somehow, after some pleading from Kim and I, he did go. I stayed and passed out candy for a bit, but caught up to Zach and the kids near the end of their trek, and Ty told me "Mom, are you so happy I'm brave. I love Halloween, but I think I want to be a baseball player for all the Halloweens." So, along the way someone must have told Ty he was a baseball player -- 'cuz I sure didn't. Hopefully, next year won't be so much drama!!

Trying to get them both up and going. Good grief!!

Bryton

All the cousins getting ready to go out.

the weekend update

2008-10-26T19:06:00.000-07:00

So this weekend was fun. Friday, Zach and I went to dinner with a new orthodontist in town (who I've met once before) and his wife. I was nervous meeting her -- but it turns out she was awesome and so much fun!! Plus, it was nice to just be out with Zach, without kids, having only adults to talk to.

Saturday, Ty woke up and wanted to decorate (det-tour-ate) sugar cookies. So, I called my long lost friend from high school (who found me through the crazy world of blogging) , Jamie, and had her and her daughter come over to decorate. It was good to catch up. We haven't seen each other for about 7 years and it turns out we don't even live too far from each other now. Anyway, I got my camera out to take pictures of the fun, but forgot to use it once Jamie and I got talking. I did grab some of Bryton before they got to our place. (Of course she has to decorate all by herself.) The mess is crazy - but the kids love it. I usually only do these types of cookies for Halloween, Valentines, and Easter just because of the mess.

Loading the Frosting

Frosting the Ghost Cookie

Figuring out it's faster and easier to just eat the frosting off the knife

And here comes the sugar rush

A quick mention to Saturday night :-( We went to the Bulls Head (a pub/restuarant where all buckeye fans in the treasure valley meet to watch the games) with Erik, Melissa and our kids to watch the Penn St/OSU game. It was fun to hang out with our Buckeye Buddies along with about 30 other total stranger that are immediately your best friend (that school spirit is sure strong among the Bucks)! Fun 'til the end. Yep, we lost!! Come on Tressel, seriously!!

Then Sunday we ran over to Zach's parents to help them stack wood. We had to bribe Ty to help -- but as usual Bryton was ready to try things beyond her ability.

Ty's cousin loading him up

So tough

Getting bored so having to improvise to keep him working

Bryton had to use my glove -- since she saw me using it - to carry her wood

A little too ambitious don't ya think Bree??

Almost done!

One last post (I know this is forever long), and I have to give some background first. Both of my pregnancies I had horrible heartburn. Especially towards the end. So, I bought the huge bottles of TUMS from Sam's Club, and of course went through like three of them each pregnancy. At the end of my pregnancy with Bryton, I was eating them often. Ty thought they looked good and wanted some everytime I ate them. So, I told him (& and had to keep reminding him) he couldn't have any because they were medicine for mommies with babies in their tummies. Then, I would follow that statement up with a usual complaint like " I just want this baby out of me!!!" or " when is this baby coming!!" So the other day I had Ty and his cousin Lexi in Winco with me and we walked down the aisle with the Tums in it, and I heard Ty turn to Lexi and say "This is the medicine mommies take when they want a baby to get out of their tummies!!!" It's funny how kids interpret things and how they pick up on stuff!!! I had to giggle. I love you Tyger, all the days!

Lt to Rt, Lexi Grace Ty Abbie Marc

Independent Bree & Halloween

2008-10-08T20:04:00.000-07:00

As Bryton is getting bigger and we start to see more of her personality, all I can say is I'm in over my head with this one. She is the most independent kid. She has to feed herself, she only gives loves on her time, expects Ty-ger to always share with her, and never shares with him -- in fact she takes his stuff away from him and throws fits if he tries to get it back. She doesn't want to sit in a high chair -- or booster - it has to be in an adult chair, wants you to read her books on command -- but don't touch the book - she has to hold it and turn the pages. On the playground she has to climb the stairs herself - sit down on the slide herself - and go down all by herself. The list could go on, she wears me out!!! Also if you notice her face in these pictures of her with me or Ty she always has the "I'm in charge look on her face, and you two aren't any fun." Then look at her face in the picture of her and her Daddy (who totally gives into her) that pretty much sums her up.

So, I can see I'm going to have issues with her. Ty has his own issues and the one I'm dealing with lately is really dumb. Most kids as super excited for Halloween, the candy and dressing up. Ty isn't. He's afraid. I've tried everything. Showed him costumes in the store (ones that aren't scary), put Bryton in her costume almost daily so he can see his little sister can do it, decorated our house to get him excited (of which I hate to do because orange and black are by far the ugliest colors together), but he refuses to dress up as anything. Last year he refused as well - but I was sure this year he would be excited especially after being with his cousins last year and seeing them dress up. Nope, every time I ask him what he wants to be for Halloween he YELLS "I told you Mom, I want to be a nothing," or " I want to be zero." I've even tried bribing him with things he wants if he'll just dress up, and he still refuses. So if anyone has a better idea on how to get my 4 year old to quit being a baby I'm up for suggestions.

DIET PEPSI & Unca' Gosh

2008-09-17T19:55:00.001-07:00

So, Zach and I are seriously considering buying our own Pop machine like they have at Chevrons for our office. That would be heaven for me. However we might run into an addiction problem with our baby girl. She LOVES pop -- especially Diet Pepsi just like her mom. She will find a cup- a mug- a can- whatever and drink it 'til it's gone or Zach or I take it from her. I've actually had to start filling cups like these with water or milk, then I can have the good stuff without her bothering me for some and she thinks she's getting pop . For now it's working - but we'll see how long it takes her to figure it out.

Also - a couple weekends ago we went to Art in the Park. It was neat. We saw some really fun and unique things. We had a caricature sketch done of the kids, ate some good treats, and met unca' Gosh (as Ty calls him) there for some fun. No Mom that's not really his hair (he's taking good care of himself - don't freak) but I think it would really win over the ladies, or I bet it would go over great in the courtroom as he's prosecutes the defendant that has the same do :-) I think it looks attorney-ish.

BUCKEYE FOOTBALL

2008-09-12T15:37:00.001-07:00

USC tomorrow. I'm so excited for football season to be here. I was looking back at zach's fourth year pics. We had awesome seats and so much fun at the games. This is at the MiCHiGaN game, just as the dude is dotting the i. Ty loved when TBDBITL would come around during the game and play at each section. We have Carmen OHIO and the fight song downloaded to our computer and Ty still listens to the all the time.
Zach and I at the Shoe before the Buckeyes took the field at OSU VS. U of M. I LOVE watching football and I have to say this was probably one of the best games. Intense the whole time. The entitre day was so fun. From seeing Kirk Herbstreit on ESPN's College GameDay to tailgaiting to just feeling the excitement in the air. I CAN'T wait for the "real" games to start. GO BUCKS!! I wish we were still in OHIO just for this.

Here you go ERIN!!

2008-09-04T12:25:00.000-07:00

So Erin asked me forever ago to get a blog going, but between moving from OHIO getting a job and opening our own office it has taken me 'til now to get on it. (Thanks Melissa for showing me how to do this computer junk!!)

. . . to catch up. My kids are getting so big. Ty is as imaginative and creative as ever and Bryton is getting feistier every day. I guess being littler means you have to learn to fight back at an early age. She is finally walking. Thanks goodness. It is cute to see them interact together. Their first fight was in a Costco shopping cart. Ty thought Bryton had too much room, so he was trying to push her over. Bryton didn't think she wanted to move so she started yelling at him and hitting. I was laughing so hard I couldn't discipline and just had to turn away 'til I could get it together enough to make them stop.

Things have gotten a lot better. I have to admit this last year has been so hectic I didn't think I'd survive. I now only work 3 days a week at a community health center and then get to stay home the rest of the time. Zach works 6 days a week. 5 at our office and 1 at an assisting school. It's not too bad -- at least I can go shopping (without him knowing) whenever I want. However, he still finds the hoards of candy I try to stash. (and yes I still get lectured) As Zach has gotten busier at the office I've had to step it up and start helping there, but not as another DDS. Nope as the low "lady" on the totem pole. I get to be the cleaning lady. He is adding another chair and needs to hire another assistant but we haven't found one we're super excited about. So for now I clean the office on Thursday's with the kids there "helping".

Our summer was jam-packed full of stuff. Bryn and Luke came home for a month and a half and had a party lined up every day they were here. These pics are some of the summer fun.

Camping at the Ranch with Zach Family. It's near new Plymouth and Papa marc has made a little campfire area and sleeping area to camp. It's a lot of fun.

(Above) Camping at Bear Lake (Ty, Zach, Luke) We went with Judd's family, Bryn and Luke, and my parents. It was a blast. Thanks Judd and Becky. I'll have to post some pictures of us when we get them from Judd. The other photo is Bryton's idea of camping & always happy as long as she's eatin' . (BELOW) Also Mr. Sportsman and T-wacky (yes he's there just tucked away) having a blast at the lake.

Swimming on the Payette River up at Horshebend. Zach bought us a canoe and that's our new favorite thing to do. Bryton bree loves the water. She's funny, she always wants to get in the water so she'll try to get out over the side and she, being the chunky monkey she is, can actually make the boat rock -- which then makes our 'fraiddy cat Ty cry. Second pic is the same trip, just at the put in spot.

Old Faithful in Yellowstone. We went with Papa Red, Luke, and Bryn. It was so fun, and we saw this Buffalo right next to the road. Crazy people were running towards it trying to get pictures.

Bryton's first ride on a carousel. She loved it. She loves animals. She's not really talking yet, but she knows a lot of her animal sounds!!

Ty -- not really helping the situation!! This was again another camping/canoe trip up to magic reservoir near Fairfield. A bunch of drunks were passed out up the canyon and their music was blarring 'til 6 am the next morning. To say the least we were a little irrate.

Ty learning to be a Dr. just like Binnie

We had season passes to the waterpark this summer and with Zach working all the time it was a life saver. Ty got to be so much more brave. Especially on days he would go with his cousins. He loved to do whatever Abby and Lexi would do -- even if it meant going under the water. Thank goodness for brave little girls.

Final Product

2008-07-20T20:03:00.000-07:00

The SIGN

We apparently have had a blog since 2006, but Zach was the one doing it. So, now that he has decided we shouldn't have a blog (because it's now the cool thing to do) I told him I'm going to take over and put stuff up people actually care about. However, just to finish off his part of the blog about the office -- here are a few more recent/finished product photos.

Two Operatories. We are going to be adding a third here shortly.

Our reception area.

Waiting Area

more photos of the construction for our office

2007-09-28T22:25:00.000-07:00

Again, these pictures are not in the right order, but you get the idea. Here the roof is being added.
This is the front of the building with out the pilars and decoration.

This is a picture of the external and internal framing about to be completed and getting ready to pour some curbing.

9-8-07

2007-09-08T20:36:00.001-07:00

On this particular night, we all came to see the new developments.

Look who is cheesin' it up! He was having so much fun playing in the dirt.

These pictures were taken today.

The frame is going up.

A lot left to be done still but we are getting excited.
-Z

Swan Falls Family Dentistry construction

2007-08-27T10:11:00.000-07:00

These pictures are not in the right order. This is the most recent picture. Taken just last Friday.

This is when they just started to move some dirt.
A big storm came the night I got our banner posted.

Fishing Eastern Idaho in July

2007-08-07T17:33:00.000-07:00

Luke and I had a blast fishing this stretch below the dam. It was crazy how we couldn't get a fish to move all day because of the heat, then right at dusk a hatch went off and the fish went CRAZY. They went after anything on the surface. I had a demolished dunn with a parachute and I had to fish down stream just so I could see the shadow of the parachute in the sunset on the water. Good times in Idaho. We probably caught and released 18 fish in as many minutes. Literally one cast after another.
Every fish was between 13-16 inches. Here it was getting really dark.
I told Luke that the fish wouldn't touch his fly as long as he had a KC hat on, but he proved me wrong and caught a lot of hogs. Even duke was having a good time. I think he would rather be studying in medical school rather than fish....but that grin does not mean he is miserable. Nice stinkin' fish duke.

The hatch was crazy! Swarms of flies going everywhere. Fish on!

Thanks to Judd for "guiding" us down the river.

Canoeing Deadwood

2007-08-07T16:32:00.000-07:00

Luke is part dog. He actually caught this in his mouth. Mark is actually part Adam Sandler....."Saaabaaadoo-hooohooo!"

Deadwood Res. had forest fires going in every direction. In the background is a plume of smoke from the Lowman fire. By the way, nice farmer's tan, duke.
Luke is 26 almost and he still can't swim, poor little fellow has to wear his jacket around knee deep water.

I am sweet, need I say more?

Luke Fishing, Camping and new painting

2007-01-22T13:53:00.000-08:00

Luke,

Here are a couple of pictures from the break. Hope the tests went well.

Zach

New paintings

2006-12-05T06:26:00.000-08:00

Zach Haws' top 100 song list 2006

2006-10-19T17:41:00.000-07:00

I need to emphasize that these are my favorites. And if you find so much as one song out of place...remember, you are probably wrong! Enjoy
1. Pink Floyd "Wish you were here"
2. The Cure "Just Like Heaven"
3. Pink Floyd "Comfortably Numb"
4. Radiohead "Fake Plastic Trees"
5. James "Runaground"
6. Built To Spill "Carry the Zero"
7. Modest Mouse "Float On"
8. Joseph Arthur "Evidence"
9. French Kicks "Also Ran"
10. Stereophonics "Dakota"
11. The Smiths "How Soon is Now"
12. Coldplay "Speed of Sound"
13. Metallica "Unforgiven"
14. Doobie Brothers "Listen to the Music"
15. The Beautiful South "When I'm 64"
16. Pink Floyd "Coming back to life"
17. Built to Spill "Else"
18. Led Zeppelin "Over the Hills and Far Away"
19. Travis "Why Does it Always Rain On Me?"
20. James "Laid"
21. Elliot Smith "Everything Reminds Me of Her"
22. Eels "Last Stop This Town"
23. The Flaming Lips "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots pt. 1"
24. Radiohead "High and Dry"
25. Depeche Mode "Enjoy the Silence"
26. Oasis "Don't Go Away"
27. Led Zeppelin "Stairway to Heaven"
28. The Beautiful South "Woman in the Wall"
29. Keller Williams "Freaker by the Speaker"
30. Tom Petty "Last Night with Mary Jane"
31. Elliot Smith "Bled White"
32. Boston "Hitch a Ride"
33. Joseph Arthur "Redemption's Song"
34. Coldplay "Clocks"
35. French Kicks "Cloche"
36. Smashing Pumpkins "Once in awhile"
37. The Cure "Love Song"
38. The Smiths "Take Me Out Tonight"
39. David Gray "Babylon"
40. Carbon Leaf "One Prarie Outpost"
41. Built to Spill "The Weather"
42. Snow Patrol "Spitting Games"
43. Pink Floyd "Marooned"
44. Keane "Somewhere Only We Know"
45. James "Say Something"
46. REM "World Leader Pretend"
47. Don MacLean "Castles in the Air"
48. The Shins "New Slang"
49. Caesars "Jerk it Out"
50. Morrissey "Find Out For Yourself"
51. Dire Straits "Sultans of Swing"
52. Built to Spill "Fly Around Like Pretty Little Miss"
53. The Beautiful South "Life Vs. the Lifeless"
54. Travis "Sing"
55. Carbon Leaf "What About Everything"
56. Led Zeppelin "All of My Love"
57. Depeche Mode "Its No Good"
58. Keane "Bend and Break"
59. REM "Losing My Religion"
60. Pink Floyd "Lost For Words"
61. Steve Miller Band "The Joker"
62. Stereophonics "Rewind"
63. Pearl Jam "Alive"
64. Joseph Arthur "Too Much to Hide"
65. The Doves "Black and White Town"
66. Counting Crows "Hanging Around"
67. The Postal Service "Such Great Heights"
68. Morrissey "That's Entertainment"
69. Lynard Skynard " Tuesday's Gone"
70. Talking Heads "Burning Down the House"
71. Radiohead "There, There"
72. Travis "Love Will Come Through"
73. The Smiths "Please, Please, Please"
74. Metallica "Nothing Else Matters"
75. Crashtest Dummies "In the Days of the Cavemen"
76. The Charlatans UK "My Beautiful Friend"
77. James "Feeling Like Fred Astaire"
78. Built to Spill "The Sidewalk"
79. Led Zeppelin "Achilles Last Stand"
8o. George Strait "Run"
81. They Might Be Giants "How do you talk to an angel"
82. Joseph Arthur "You Could Be in Jail"
83. Paul Oakenfold "Starry Eyed Suprise"
84. Live "Lightning Crashes"
85. Space Monkeys "Sugar Cane"
86. The Cranberries "Analyzed"
87. U2 "Beautiful Day"
88. New Order "True Faith"
89. My Morning Jacket "One Big Holiday"
90. AC/DC "Thunder Struck"
91. Grandaddy "Now Its On"
92. Bob Marley "No Woman, No Cry"
93. Blue Oyster Cult "Dont Fear the Reaper"
94. Blind Melon "No Rain"
95. Reel Big Fish "3:41"
96. Foo Fighters "Big Me"
97. Weezer "Island In the Sun"
98. The Stills "Still In Love"
99. The Cloudroom "Hey Now, Now"
100. Red Hot Chili Peppers "Scar Tissue"
*Special Honors*
Marc Haws "Nothing Hanging Heavy in My Hands"

Annie

2006-09-14T13:25:00.000-07:00

Annie and me after a semester of college.

2006-09-14T12:44:00.000-07:00

I am new to this blog stuff....so I am sending a couple of oil paintings that I did for some people for my family in Idaho to see. I am a self learner, pretty much just dinkin' around.
Upper Left: This is a picture that Luke asked me to paint of Moab desert. In the background is supposed to be "The Needles". I have never been there so I dont know if it is accurate or not but according to Luke "its pretty good".
Upper Right: I once saw a black and white picture of Ansel adams Oxbow bend of the Snake River. This is the recreation from memory. I dont know about this picture.
Lower Left: A kid in my class asked me to paint a picture of California's Halfdome and El Capitan.

2006-09-14T11:59:00.000-07:00

Idaho cutthroat trout from a float tube. It doesn't get any better than this! Thanks for the float tube, Judd. 2002

2006-09-14T11:15:00.000-07:00

Fishing Idaho's wilderness 2002