Trip to Craters of the Moon

We took the trailer on our very first camping excursion this past weekend. We went to Craters of the Moon. We managed to find a nice camp spot and Jarom did a great job of parking the trailer without getting any dents in my truck or the trailer, WHEW! (Way to go Honey!) The kids had a good time exploring the rocks and we all stayed up late and watched the stars. It was a nice night.

Oh, and I should mention that right off the bat, I found a not so lovely black widow in my trailer!!! The scary thing is, is that I am pretty sure she came home with us from CA, and that we slept with her before. After we disposed of her, we all started to have a good time. I just hope she didn't have any buddies that I haven't seen yet. It gives me chills just thinking about it.

Anyway, around bed time we noticed our battery on the trailer was low, so we hooked the truck back up to it to charge it. But after an hour, there was no change in the battery. We decided to go to bed and deal with it the next morning. When 5 AM rolled around we woke up freezing and my fridge had turned off. So poor Jarom hooked us back up and drove us back down the road to a TINY town called Arco and we made camp again in the KOA with full hook ups.

Playing games in the Arco KOA. We had the entire campground to ourselves and it was actually REALLY nice. We didn't have to worry about someone snatching the kids or how loud the kids were being or anything. They got to wander all over the place.

We played around in the campground for a while and then drove back to Craters for some sightseeing.

Somehow, we made it to Craters without my tennis shoes. So we stopped at the ONLY store that might sell shoes in Arco, The Irrigation Center. Sure enough, I got a new pair of men's tennies and they were whiter than snow! (Do I not look like the frumpiest, saggiest, old lady here? Not a very flattering picture, but oh-well.)

This tree was at the top of a pretty big hill we walked up. I was impressed at how well the kids did. No one even complained about being tired. Jarom and I had our picture at this same tree about 13 years ago. (I was going to scan it and post it, but it's so faded it's hard to see.)

Walking to the caves. This was a fairly long trail with treacherous lava on both sides. There was just NO way we were going to make it out of there without at least one skinned knee. Sure enough, Halle took a tumble and skinned her knee and thumb. (Nothing too serious, but don't tell her that.)

Inside Indian Cave. The kids had a blast going inside the caves. I remember going to a cave when I was kid and loving it too.

"Ooohh! Ice!" Kate LOVED to be in the caves. However, she wanted to walk all on her own. Now, a drunken little 18 month old waddle, and slippery, rocky cave floors, don't mix very well. She was such a little brat about wanting to walk on her own. We finally had to give up and I just took her and waited at the mouth of the cave while the kids and Jarom finished exploring.

We took an evening ride around the Crater's loop and we saw two deer and 4 antelope (Carter calls them buffalopes). It was the perfect time of day to see animals. We also took an easy trail walk which was just right to wind the kids down and get the last little bit of energy out of them.

Playing Phase 10. Isn't that a TOTAL camping game. We taught Alyssa and she caught right on and LOVED it. Unfortunately Halle and Jarom whooped both Alyssa and me.

Poor little Pay-Pay had to hang out in the playpen. She was a little too disruptive to join in the game. She really didn't seem to mind too much however.

Happy Birthday Brandon!!

Happy Birthday Uncle Brandon! We hope you have a great day. Thanks for being such a fun uncle. We love you!

Crazy old lady!!

Tonight we went to the old folk's home to visit my grandma. There is a crazy little old lady that lives there named Nadine. Nadine LOVES kids and every time we go, she stops us in the hall to hug and kiss the kids and asks over and over about my baby and Carter. She's got a thing for him. Anyway, she also is always carrying a stuffed animal that she wraps up like a baby in a blanket.

Tonight she was in the hall in her wheelchair gently holding her florescent orange blanket with something wrapped up inside. She stopped all the kids and wouldn't let go of them and then started to unwrap her blanket. I expected to see the familiar stuffed dog, but tonight she surprised me with a ball of tinsel she had swiped from a wall decoration. We politely oooed and ahhed at the pretty ball of tinsel, then quickly went on our way to Grandma's room.

We were visiting along, and next thing I know, Nadine is ever so slowly, slinking into the room. Now, you really have to get a mental picture of this. She is in her wheelchair, doing the Flintstones shuffle to move along, and very quietly and slowly is unwrapping her ball of tinsel. Everytime Carter would look at her she would pull out a little more of it and start to dangle it. She never made a sound. It was just like a kidnapper trying to lure a kid with a piece of candy. It seriously was one of the funniest things I have ever seen. Eventually she made her way all the way to the foot of Grandma's bed and sat and laughed at all the jokes as if she was one of us. All the time holding out her ball of tinsel trying despearatly to get one of the kids to take it. At one point, sweet little Alyssa took it from her and Nadine told her share some of it with all of her family. (Quin if you were there you would have DIED laughing. It was just your kind of thing.) It SOOO doesn't sound as funny as it was. I can't do the story justice.

When we left I wheeled her back out into the hall. She grabbed Alyssa's hand and we all headed towards the t.v. Thankgoodness it was tuned to some animal show. She was immediatly entertained and forgot all about us being there. There are somedays when the crazy people scare me, but tonight it was just a good ol' belly chuckle.

Travelog: To LA and back.

Get ready for a long post. It has taken me a while to get our trip to LA posted because my computer is dying. Anyway, I think I have gotten it now, so here goes.


Our trip started out great, but about 4 hours into it everyone was ready to kill Carter. He was being a TOTAL boy and spitting on his hands and wiping it on his sisters. YUCK!! So, we took a couple hours to visit with Blake and Missy and the boys. After we got some energy out, the kids slept all the way to Mesquite, NV. We stayed overnight in a hotel for $29! It wasn't a 4 star by any means, but it was a bed and shower, so it worked.


After separating Carter from the girls, we took off again. Alyssa would ask us the name of EVERY town we passed through, so finally in Vegas, we bought her her very own map. She loved it.

We made a lunch stop in Barstow, CA at McD's and we couldn't resist taking a picture with this great big cactus. The kids thought it was pretty cool.

Gas prices weren't cheap as you can see. We thought this would be a great heirloom picture for our kids someday. When they are grown and gas is $7 a gallon they'll look at this picture and laugh at how expensive their parents thought gas was way back in 2007.

In Tehachapi, CA there was a HUGE wind farm. Windmills stretched on both sides of this hill. It was awesome and a great relief to see something other than desert.

We made it to Quin and Natalie's place in Bakersfield, CA on Friday evening. The next morning we all got up and drove about 2 more hours to Santa Barbara and took a whale watching excursion. Santa Barbara is BEAUTIFUL. It is in my top 2 or 3 most beautiful places on earth. I definitely want to go back.

Here we are getting ready to board our catamaran, the Double Dolphin.

Getting ready to leave the dock.


First sighting!! Sea Lions! Carter has played sea lions everyday in the tub since this. It's hilarious.

We were able to sit right up front on the boat. The water would splash through these nets when we would hit big waves. And let me tell you, we hit A LOT of big waves!!

Next sighting! Dolphins!! These were so much fun to watch. They swam really close to the boat and just didn't even care that we were there.

Third sighting!! Wait a minute....That's Kate's sandal!!!! Sure enough she flipped it overboard.

We told them it wasn't a big deal, but they stopped the boat and fished it out for us anyway. How embarrassing.

Remember those big waves I told you about? Well, I got sick. The captain was so nice and gave me ginger ale and let me drive the boat to see if it would help. And it did, while I was driving, but notice the poor green girl next to me? We had to take turns driving.

I didn't feel so well while she drove.

Sure enough, I barfed. Thanks to my lovely brother for capturing the beautiful moment.

We never saw any whales, and honestly could our family have been more of a problem during the ride? (Don't answer that.) But hey, we got vouchers to go again and I'll be sure to take my Dramamine beforehand.

Next stop, the beach for a picnic. The kids wanted to play in the water REALLY bad, so we drove all over town looking for a place to buy towels. We never found one, so I told the kids they were just going to have to wade and NOT get wet. Honestly it was too cold anyway.

So, we arrive at the beach and not two minutes later (no exaggeration) Alyssa's shoe slipped off in a wave and she dove in after it! So much for not getting wet.

A cute shot of Quin and Natalie.

We enjoyed a picnic on the beach. It was a lot of fun to have the sound of the waves crashing behind us. The kids had fun collecting sea shells and could have stayed for hours had it not been so blasted chilly.

Family shot.

Kate HATED the sand. She wouldn't touch it for anything. She would sob if we tried to make her walk on it. We would try to set her down and she would curl her legs up underneath her as tight as she could. The picnic blanket was a little jail cell for her. She wouldn't even try to get off it. It was pretty funny.

After our picnic, Quin and Natalie drove back to Bakersfield, (the long way, don't take Highway 33 if you ever go there), and we drove on to Pasadena and stayed in a hotel. The next morning we were off for a bit of sight seeing in the L.A. area.

First stop, the Rose Bowl. We couldn't get very close because something was going on in it that day. Don't know what, but at least Jarom got to have a glimpse of it.

On to Hollywood!

We took a small stroll down the walk of fame and Halle was ecstactic to find a star with her name "spelled exactly the right way" on it.

We also browsed the handprints and autographs in front of the Chinese theatre.

John Wayne

Johnny Depp

The Governator

After a quick lunch at a delicious deli right next to Kodak Theater, we made our way to La Habra to pick up our trailer. It was in WONDERFUL condition and the family selling it was so great to us. They were very friendly and it was fun to meet them.

We hitched up and were off again!

We made it as far as Mesquite again, and stayed the night in the free RV parking lot at the Casablanca hotel. (How's that for cheap?) Here the kids are enjoying their very first breakfast in the trailer. (Not real homemade I know, but it's still breakfast.)

Next stop, IDAHO!!!

We did make it home all in one piece and we even still love each other. Now we're ready to take the trailer camping and get some use out of it!

"I'm Freaking Out!"

I have to post one more funny from Halle. Today she was "crafting" as she always does. (She uses about a reem of paper, a roll of tape, the stapler, and crayons, and creates masterpieces.) Anyway, Jarom walked in and noticed she looked like she was about to cry. He asked her what was wrong and she said, "Oh, well, I had a piece of tape stuck to my finger and I tried to pull it off with my teeth and a little piece went down my throat." He told her that a little piece of tape wouldn't hurt her and that she was okay. Then she said, "Well, I think I can feel it stuck in my throat and I'm sort of freakin out." (Don't worry it was all mental and she is fine.)

Not quite like King Solomon

Halle asked me today if Mimzy could be her's. I told her that Mimzy belonged to everyone so that meant that part of Mimzy was her's. Just jokingly I said, "So, which part do you want? Her head or her bum?" Halle's answer was, "No don't kill her! Well, if you're going to kill her I want the head. I don't want to look at her bum." It was HILARIOUS!!! I know it sounds bad, but she honestly doesn't mean anything but complete sincere sweetness with her comments. Halle's little mind works differently than mine and she constantly keeps us laughing.

Ohhhh, a camping we will go....

We have been wanting a camper trailer for years and we finally bit the bullet and bought one. We found it on ebay and now, this weekend we are driving to L.A. to get it. What a GREAT Mother's Day gift for me. We are so excited we can hardly stand it. It's going to be a lot of fun for us this summer as we put this thing to use.



It is a 1991 Wilderness, 27 feet long, sleeps six and has been meticulously cared for.

Look at the pile of money we pulled out of our mattress! :) Actually we sold some stock, and since our bank is in Boise we have to withdrawal the cash from the ATM here. Makes for A LOT of $20's, but it's still fun to hold larger amounts of cash. Doesn't happen very often at this house.

Cute kids

Here's a shot of my cute kids sitting (illegally) on top of the Tautphaus Park fountain.

Bikini, Zucchini, same thing.

Today I took Halle swimsuit shopping. She said, "Oh mom, I want one of those bo-kinis." I explained that they showed too much of her belly and that is was immodest, but that I might be willing to let her get a tankini if her belly button didn't show. (No offense to anyone who wears bikinis, they're just not my thing.) So then she said, "Oh, I would LOVE to try on one of those zucchinis." :) We ended up with a darling little one-piece, thankgoodness. I love this little girl to bits, she always makes me laugh.

Halle can ride!!!

She has been begging us to take her training wheels off for about one week. We tried a while ago, but it was a failure. She was too scared to do it. So I thought I'd try again and low and behold, she took off like she's been doing it her whole life. We went around three blocks and she did great. I am SO relieved. Maybe I can start riding my bike again. Way to go Halle!!!

Little Wesley Gregg

Welcome to the World Wesley!! Becky and Kevin welcomed little 8 lb. Wesley Gregg to their family on May 5th! He's our little Snowy Cinco de Mayo baby. He's such a little doll and we are excited that he is here. Both he and mom are healthy and well.

Halle was SO excited when I told her Becky had had the baby. The first thing she did was call her cousin Liberty (on the other side of the family) and practically yelled, "My aunt had a baby!!" She couldn't wait to get her hands on the little guy.

"Uh-Oh!"

Kate is starting to talk a little bit. She's not my earliest talker (Alyssa), but she's not my latest (Carter) either. It's so much fun when they can start to communicate with me. Anyway, tonight I put her in the tub and then I heard her say, "Uh-oh! Too-too!" She was standing kind of funny with her hand on her backside. Sure enough, it was more than a little toot-toot in the tub. We've moved from the barfing stage of this bug, to the squirts stage. So fun. But hey, at least she knew that the "too-too" turned out to be more than it was supposed to be.

Halle's turn to take Mimzy.

Mimzy got to go to school for the second time today. Halle's kindergarten class had show-n-tell pet day. The kids were NUTS!!!! (I could never be a kindergarten teacher.) There was a bearded dragon, SEVERAL dogs, and Mimzy. (One little girl brought her baby sister and brother. It was SO funny!) The kids all loved Mimzy and they all got to pet her. Halle had a blast showing her off.

As a side note, Kate is FINALLY feeling better today. She threw-up for over 36 hours. It was rough. I called the doctor and they said that as long as she had at least one wet diaper, (even if it was less than normal), in an 8-12 hour time frame, that she was fine. (And that is exactly what she did, 2 diapers in 24 hours.) They also said that they have seen a virus lately that has had kids vomitting for up to 2 weeks!!! YIKES! I don't want that one!!

Another Wal-Mart disaster.

Apparently I am NOT supposed to run to Wal-Mart while the girls are at dance. Tonight, I dropped Halle off (Alyssa was at Bailey's) and ran to the store with just Carter and Kate. Believe it or not, the actual shopping part went fairly smooth. But why is it that kids have to wait until the cart is full and you are standing in line to check out, before they tell you they need to go to the bathroom? Just as I was loading my groceries on the belt (NOT the self one :) ) Carter started dancing and saying he had to go. He is pretty good about holding it, so when I saw him doing the boogie dance I knew it was serious. And WHY is it that when the cashier can clearly see a child doing the infamous potty jig, and hear the parent saying, "We're almost done! Hang on!" , they don't go any faster bagging your items. Hello???!! Do they WANT the pee on their floor?

Anyway, we get through the check-out and rush to the potty. Nothing too absolutely horrid right? WRONG!! Just as Carter was finishing, Kate started gagging and promptly threw-up all over me!!! Poor Carter was trying to come out of the stall and I rammed him backwards trying to run in to get Kate over the toilet. Seriously she gave me NO warning; not a whimper, a cough, nothing. Just all of a sudden I was covered in foul smelling vomit.

This is the second time I've had a kid throw-up in the Wal-Mart bathroom. Last time Halle had the flu. We were standing in line, as usual, and I looked over and she was green. I asked her if she was okay and all she could do was shake her head. I didn't even bother trying to finish in the line. I just very loudly but politely said, "Excuse me! Excuse me! I need to get to the bathroom." Everyone so generously moved out of the way and we made it. THANK HEAVENS!!

Anyway, back to today. Kate finished throwing up and I had to walk out of the stupid store drenched in barf. Lovely!! I rolled all the windows down, picked Halle up from dance, and got directly in the shower when I got home.

Kate threw-up several more times after that, so I guess we can all look forward to the stomach flu next week. HOORAY!!! :(

Kate goes to Nursery

Well, Kate went to nursery at church on Sunday for the first time. Technically she isn't 18 months until the 18th, but I took her in anyway. She wasn't thrilled at the idea of me leaving her there AT ALL!! Serious sobbing, poor little girl. We have a nice nursery leader though that took her under her wing and told me she would come and get me if Kate didn't calm down.

The 1st counselor in primary had to go up to check on some things and I asked if she wouldn't mind checking on Kate and taking the binky up if she needed it. She said that the moment Kate saw her she just clung to her. She was able to calm her down and by that time it was snacks. After the snacks came out Kate did great (binky in mouth of course). So we'll see what next week brings.

She's SUCH a momma's girl I don't know how we'll ever get her to stay by herself. Infact, Jarom said that while I was in Boise Kate would walk around to all the doors and knock and say, "Momma?" How pathetic is that. Made me sad that she missed me. How will I ever leave her in September when we go to Hawaii???