The Big Crack

Landon thought a better name for it would have been "The Big Crack". So then we got into a conversation of what it could have been named: "Earth Scar", "The Large Dent", "The Huge Dip", etc., etc. You had to be there. Anyway, if you've never been to the Grand Canyon- GO!!! It is truly one of the seven wonders of the world. It's mind boggling. Almost a spiritual experience. As you can see from the pics, we all went right up to the edge to get the full experience.

Roughin' It

During our lengthy travel to our new home, we tried to have some fun at the stops along the way. Here's some pictures of one of the times we camped in a little cabin. I don't know if you could actually consider it roughing it, though. We had air conditioning, and wi-fi & we watched a movie on Dave's laptop before going to bed on bunks with mattresses. But, there wasn't a bathroom or kitchen in there. The land surrounding was beautiful. There were open fields with horses. The kids had a blast.

Goodbye, bugs, pollution, and sweltering heat

Goodbye old house (sniff, sniff)!

The Muscle

Today's the day. The muscle behind the move. What's that you say? Stop blogging & start packing?

Cast Your Vote

Everyone knows how much I love being outside in the sunshine. I like to say that Dave is my mountain man (because of his beard & he loves to snowboard & camp & he's all about the outdoors) & I am his beach bunny. I love the sun so much that I have a big collection of swimsuits (or so I'm told by several friends), & yes, mix & match sandals & sunglasses for all of them. I've uploaded a few here, but I have several more- just no pics of them. Cast your vote for which one you like best- just for fun.

Child Labor

What, you never made your 2 year old earn his keep?

44/50

Mm, hm. 45 Nancy Drew books in 50 days. You'd think all she did was read all day, everday, but no- we still go to the pool almost everyday & she plays with her bros too. I don't know how she does it!

Fall Fashion Line-Up

Indy is a budding fashion designer so here are her latest creations. Believe me, they're from the top of her head- her only inspiration is from the books she reads (hence, the old-fashioned style). She doesn't watch much TV (we don't even have cable) & she doesn't look at magazines either.

About Me

Saw this on someone else's blog & wanted to do it.
10 weird/unkown things about me:

1. Tomatoes are my favorite food. I'd rather have a tomato than a piece of chocolate anyday.
2. Red is my favorite color. I love anything red. I have a red purse, red phone, red camera, red snowboard, at least 7 different red shirts, red kitchenaid, red jogging stroller, the list goes on & on. One day I'll have a red suburban.
3. I love to clean & organize. I could do it all day long.
4. I thrive on change. I rearrange furniture every 6 months & I like to move, etc. I don't like to be stagnant- it's boring & doesn't allow me to grow.
5. I have a temper. This is not a desirable trait, but it's true.
6. I LOVE to learn. I think I will go to school for the rest of my life. I'd like to have several different degrees. I like to teach myself things too- right now I am teaching myself Spanish.
7. I do not like crowds. I prefer quiet solitude (or just being with my family). I guess I'm introverted.
8. I can't hear very well. I think I danced too close to too many speakers for too long.
9. I LOVE to run. It runs in my family. No pun intended. But seriously, I wonder if they sell red treadmills?
10. I'm a tree-hugger. Yep. If you breast feed & cloth diaper your children, if you had your children in a birth center (or a small house in my last case) with no drugs, you recycle, you eat organic foods, you despise too many plastics in the environment, you'd rather walk than drive, you make most of your food homemade, you use cloth bags instead of plastic for your groceries, you are weary of medical doctors, you don't immunize, or you eventually want/have your own farm, then we are of like minds.

The "C" Word

Chiropractic. school. exam. final. chiropractic. study. T1. T2. chiropractic. physical therapy. I'll be home late. chiropractic. patient. clinic. exam. T4. I'm tired. I won't be home on Saturday. clinic. chiropractic. school. study. spine. clinic. we can't go. I have to work. I'll be home late. I have to study. chiropractic. patient. T5. subluxated. bones. scoliosis. chiropractic. I'm tired. We can't afford that. I can't right now. Maybe later. chiropractor. study. exam. practical. chiropractic. work. books. can you? study. chiropractic. adjustment. chiropractor. my neck hurts. let me check that. school.

This is a sample of what has come out of Dave's mouth for the last 3 years anytime we have a conversation. This is what we've been eating, sleeping, & breathing for 3 straight years. And that's not including the 4+ years of school before this.

Will our conversations ever consist of anything besides the dreaded "c" word?

Oh, & I have a habit of posting several times in one day, so see my other one below.

Skype

I wanted to post a short blog about Skype. Skype is a way to communicate with people long distance. It's a FREE download on the internet & here's how it works: First, you need a webcam (I got mine for $15 from Walmart). Make sure it says it's compatible with Skype. You also need to have a fast internet connection- anything besides dial-up will work. Then you download Skype & you have any friends or relatives who live far away do the same thing (they need a webcam too). Using the Skype on your computer you can "call" others who have Skype & talk with them "face to face" over the internet (with the webcams, of course) FOR FREE!! In other words, Skype to Skype is free & your friends & relatives can actually see you or your kiddies. It's awesome! I'm sure my explanation of how it works isn't very good, so go to the website to find out more. Anyway, this is how the kids & I will see & talk with Dave over the next several months while he is away. Did I mention it's free?

Chick Magnet

Be sure to pause the music player (to the left) before you watch this or you'll have 2 songs playing at once. Oh, & he started poking me with a stick, so I had to tell him to stop. Kids do the darndest things...oh, well.

The Beautiful People

Yeah, I know it's the name of a Marilyn Manson song, & yes, I have "mother-bias", but these kids are so dang beautiful (not to mention all their other wonderful qualities)! I'm so lucky to spend my days in their company.

It's Official!

I kinda thought maybe we'd run into a hitch in the plans to move (only because we've been in shock that it's all happening so soon), but nope...it's official. Dave got his passport & things are moving along. The only other time we've been out of the country was when we visited Canada before we even got married. Anyway, we've been busy packing & tying up loose ends. Be sure to get a hold of me if you're moving- I know all the good places to get free boxes!

Moving!!

Well we're finally moving! Dave is doing a study abroad program for the next few months, so the kids & I will be moving closer to family temporarily. We are all excited & sad at the same time. It'll be great to be closer to family, but we will really miss all the friends we have made...

Fun With Friends

Over this last weekend we had a pool party/ BBQ with some good friends. My pics didn't turn out that great- oh, well. We all had a great time. We will miss you guys!!

???

Is there even a comment I can add to this? He was being a superhero.

Experimenting with new stuff

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I was trying out the video ability on my new camera. I had it on the lowest quality setting just to see how it would turn out. Better videos later.

It's the little things...

Morning hair. It's just one of those little things I love about having kids. Wouldn't trade it for anything.