Rise of the Hunting Bears

OK so this one is for Jordy. This post is to show the HB and the new sounds that it puts out. And boy oh boy does it sound better than a stinky bean fed uncle on the rez.

Here is the other new sound that comes out of it. Dont worry about the roar of the engine. That music will drown out EVERYTHING else.

did we find are man

today I was looking on craigs list under lost and found and i just had a feeling to look under lost dog I found this you tell me is this our long lost Charlie

Brigham

It only happens once a year

As I was thinking about you on your birthday today I wanted to wish you a very happy birthday. Originally my post was to be a list of all your great qualities, achievements and characteristics. But, I kept coming back to what we as your children often forget to say...thank you! So mom this is a happy birthday wish with all the thank yous' you deserve.

THANK YOU FOR

• Always making dinner and encouraging us to have dinner as a family each day.
• Teaching us to be savvy with our money and make wise choices when it came to spending.
• Having fun treats ready for us to snack on each day after school.
• Taking us to the doctor or the dentist even if it meant we had 8 cavities.
• Encouraging us to have and make good friends with like values.
• Forcing us to love our siblings, somehow now that all makes sense!
• Making us share rooms with each other even when the other sibling was a messy roommate.
• Letting us build all kinds of dangerous forts in the backyard.
• Allowing us to have animals that smelt, ran away and caused more problems then they were worth.
• Teaching us to pray and believe in a higher being.
• Loving our father in a way we we saw each day.
• Showing us how to set goals and reach them.
• Taking us to dinner even if everyone stared at us like we were from Colorado City.
• Sacrificing so we could go on trips like Disneyland (twice)
• Teaching your girls how to cook, clean and sew...priceless skills.
• Letting us sleep in your room when we were scared of the thunder or a man at the top of the stairs.
• Letting us sneak some popcorn and black licorice on our way to bed.
• Taking us to our grandma and grandpas so we could spend the night.
• Teaching us that what others think doesn't matter when you do what is right.
• Sharing your birth experiences with your girls in a way that was special and educational.
• Helping your boys complete their Eagle Scout even when they wanted to quit.
• Counseling your children to be good and do good.
• Making your children acquire good grades and a job in order to get a drivers license.

Most important mom you have always been there. What a bunch of lucky kids we are to have you. Having a child is lots of work but having 10 takes someone special. We hope your birthday is a special one!

American Leadership Academy

School will begin Wednesday August 5th. I can't believe it is already that time. My classroom is finally ready to roll. It was a lot of work and I have lots of people to thank for all the help I received. You know who you are! The room wasn't much to begin with but it is functional now. Take a peek!

The red door on the right is my room. It is room 102. Above is Heather helping me start to sort through all my junk. The truck picture is Brigham and Judd unloading all the crud, and I have a lot!

And here is the finish product. We had our official "Meet the Teacher" night and everyone seemed pleased with the results.

Where is the staple remover?

I just couldn't resist this picture. I had never seen staples up close and personal. Yuk! They have since been removed, but I thought everyone might like to see what I saw.

The longest scar is about the length of my index finger. The other 3 are small holes they also made. I am not sure what the holes were all about. I thought the scar would be much longer. Now if he can just get past the itching we might be home free.

Dad Gets Surgery!

Here is the post I have been trying to get to. It's all about Russ's hosptial experience. Do you think they have the right idea about advertising their name. Check out the area above the bed. The accomodations aren't so great and the food is... well hospital food is what it is. No salt, no seasonings, no flavor. They do send the "chef" to your room to take your order. I think that is to help you feel like your getting some special treatment. Good try but it still tasted like hospital food. My favorite picture is the one of Dr. Ben. Is that picture a sign of things to come?

I didn't take any pictures during the ilium episode. It was just too stressful. We are grateful to all the visitors that came and for all the care and concern everyone showed. The prayers, fasting and numerous blessings really made the difference.

It's too bad we had to go AWOL at the end. There were many great Dr.'s and nurses that took good care of Russ but when it was time to go home, even that didn't matter. We had to do what we had to do. Just remember, "There is no place like home".