Madison

Ellie requested that we stop and get our picture taken with one foot in Arizona and the other in Utah...so we did. Pretty nice looking gang! (you might have to load the larger version to see their faces)

Maddie has been wheeling around for several months now on her bike with training wheels. On Saturday we decided it was time to try it without the training wheels. She took right off and never looked back. At four and a half years old, only Jake did it younger... Feeling a little old as my last child pedals off without training wheels. Do you think she had enough coaches telling her what to do?

Here are some pictures Dad took. He promises to put some descriptions with them. They come from a visit to Jean and Evan and Reid and Rebecca in Colorado, Dave's family trip up to the cabin and Mom's sisters.

I was able to get a week off of work and visit home! The best part about it was I surprised everyone! When I walked inside mom was in the kitchen. I snuck up on her, put my arms around her, and said "hi". She was totally surprised, and her reaction was definitely worth coming here for. Part of the time I spent at home, we decided to go camping in Canyon Creek. You can check out the pictures by clicking here.

Here are a bunch of photos of the last few days before Mike entered the MTC. It was great getting together with so many to wish this wonderful missionary the best. The drop off at the MTC was awesome - I'm green with envy that he gets to stay there!

Anyway, here they are for all to enjoy.

Here are some pictures of some of the Arizona folks at Halloween. There are also a couple of movie clips of Andrew competing in his rain gutter regatta!

Couldn't resist taking this picture this morning. Just to get your bearings, Kristin is sleeping on the bed in the traditional direction. Still trying to figure out where I was sleeping...

Becca is loving swimming. She is with lots of ward friends and family! Here she is with Lauren. We have a few more pictures here that show not only swimming but Daniel getting his "Star" and some monsoon clouds and rainbows, and even a picture of lightening!

On September 4th just after dinner and before family night we all went out to see an amazing sky. There was a brilliant rainbow that at some points was fully revealed. But the clouds were awesome and some rain was coming in, combined with the setting sun it was cool. This picture is a composite of 5 images that were stitched together.

You can see most of our gang and others in the picture. I think we have (left to right): Joshua (across the street), Diana, Melinda (doing some airbending it appears!), Andrew, Adam (behind the pole), Jeremy, Rebecca, Bailey, McKay, Maddie, Hunter and Joshua (he crossed the street by the time this part of the picture was taken!). A few more minutes and Nate showed up...don't know where Daniel was..probably out of the picture.

Ok, our pictures aren't nearly as exciting as James & Heather, but what we lack in quality, we make up for in quantity.

Grandma, there are individual and family photos for you--pick your favorite. And, yes, Jeremy does put his shirt on. Click here for hours of fun. Click on the names along the top to see each gallery.

PS-For all the happy Mac people out there, I created the galleries using iWeb and then just published to a folder and then got it to Joe. Works great.

Dave and Kristin know someone in their ward that was getting rid of this "jeep". They figured out a new battery and it was an immediate hit! Jeremy brought it over to our house to let Adam give it a try. I'm just glad it is battery powered. 10 years from now we could see a similar picture, in a real jeep! We'll deal with that then!

Here is the group picture from Grandpa's camera. Many more pictures to come. It was loads of fun!

This year, we got together with Dave and Kristin Free and their family, Eric and Malina Hulsoff and their family, and Opa for Thanksgiving. Before our meal, we all went around and mentioned things we are thankful for. We thought we would share them with you. Here is our list:

Elena: Relatives and family
Terran: Everything
Madison: Jess
Adran: Terran and my house
Jessica: Holy Ghost
Daniel: Food
Jordan: Cars
Adam: Dad
Malinda: Family
Eric: You guys still like me (even when my intelligence can be overwhelming…Ü)
McKay: Good education
Dave: Loving Heavenly Father
Brett: Beautiful things in life (certain cars, turkey, etc. Ü)
Melinda: Music
Kristin: How often the Lord condescends to hug me and tell me it’s worth it
Josh: Family, food, and fun
Becca: Dishwashers
Michael: Missionaries
Nate: Scriptures
Jeremy: My family
Andrew: Freedom fighters and my family
Lauren: The earth
Opa: Being here
Joe: Free country
Diana: Missionary son
Elder Joseph: All you guys
Jake: Ability to run

(P.S. Sorry if I spelled anyone's name wrong!)

This morning Elena, Jeremy, and Madison were laying on Jeremy's bed looking out the window at birds. Kristin went outside with the camera and got the "bird's eye" view. No wonder the birds were hanging around...

Brett does the "Ab Ripper" every morning to prepare for those rigorous missionary days ahead. Today Jeremy, Madison, and McKay joined in. Exercising complete, they are now all glued to Angelina Ballerina...including Brett.