Sunday, August 9th.

So, a lot has happened since the 19th of July. Probably some of the busiest three weeks of the summer although it has been a pretty busy summer. I can't believe school is 2 weeks away. Anyway, we had a fun time going swimming with everyone on the 24th of July in Logan. It was really pretty lucky that everyone was able to be there except Randi. I don't think if we had planned something months in advance it would have worked out as well. (We also enjoyed stopping at Madox on the way up).

Saturday the 25th was also busy with Christopher's baptism and the Chambers Reunion that night. Heidi and I also went to Formosa for my birthday lunch and had some of the best Tiny Spicy Chicken we have ever had. They must have known it was my birthday.

On that next Monday Taylor left for Scout Camp. Unlike last year when he didn't end up going (which was the right thing), he really looked forward to Scout Camp and really enjoyed it. It was up at a camp by Driggs Idaho; Treasure Mountain I think. He earned 5 or 6 merit badges there. He will get those and his Life rank on this upcoming Wednesday. Then he is only 5 merit badges shy of an Eagle Scout. Which, for Heidi and I, is quite something considering we didn't think he would ever leave the house long enough to get any merit badges.

Aubrey's toes - painted Hawaiian Style (Mommy Daughter date while Taylor was gone)

While Taylor was gone to Scout Camp, he had his 13th birthday. Heidi and I are now officially parents of a teenager. Boy, we are getting old. All I can say is that it's nice to know that we both have siblings who are older than us. Because Taylor was gone, we celebrated his birthday on several occassions that next week. He opened his presents and had cake (cup cakes) on Saturday (after he showered, of course--the first time in a week). Also, because Taylor wasn't going to be home until late afternoon on Saturday, Heidi was able to go up to Logan on Friday and see a friend from High School. They had lunch--a lunch that lasted from noon until 8:00 at night. They had a lot of catching up to do. Then, she spent the night in Logan and got home at almost the exact same time Taylor did.

Say "Happy Birthday Taylor!"

Blowing out his candle--yes, just one candle (we were cheap).

The Cheezy Smile!! Aubrey's gift to Taylor--a light for his bike.
P.S. The light ended up having a broken bulb so we had to exchange it and then that one didn't work either. Nice present.)

On Heidi's way back from Logan, she picked up a box of green beans so I could make Dilly Beans. I was craving them so much I started right after Taylor opened his presents; around 4:00 pm. Heidi and I then spent much of the next 6 hours making 30 jars of Dilly Beans. All but one jar had sealed by the next morning. And, by that next night I had already finished off that jar--although I did have a little help. They turned out really yummy. I've finished off another jar also. And, I took one to work for a pot luck and finished that jar as well. Nobody I've talked to have heard of these things so I'm wondering where we got the recipe from. Anyway, the one lady at work liked them so much she wants to buy a jar and get the recipe. She says we should sell them.

Half way through the canning process.

The finished product. YUM!

Bridger after a hard day at Nursery. He didn't even make it through lunch.

Heidi and I got a phone call late Thursday night for me to meet with a member of the Stake Presidency. It was for a new calling as a Finance Clerk in the ward. I've known something was in the works for about two months because the Elders Quorum President kinda let me know that the Bishop had let him know. I was sustained and set apart today and even did the tithing today. Its been 10 years since I've done this calling but it should be good. After Heidi and I got back from visiting a member of the Stake Presidency, we found Bridger sound asleep in his high chair. Taylor and Aubrey were so busy doing something else they didn't even notice.

On Wednesday, Thatcher went up stairs to play and when he came down stairs he was dressed like this. This is Taylor's laser tag gun and glasses. When Heidi asked what he was doing, he smirked and said, "I'm a teenager!" Heidi burst out laughing. We had been telling him he couldn't play this game because it was for teenagers.

Well, I've gone on too long. Work is going good and I'm still enjoying the change. We have another couple busy weeks ahead before school starts. The last couple weeks have been really much better for Heidi and she isn't in so much pain. She is also sleeping a little bit better. So thanks for all the prayers (again). I'll end for now.

Love Jeff and Family

All Aboard!

We found this neat train park in Kaysville. It's called S&S Shortline Railroad and it's in some guys backyard. A couple weeks ago I took the kids to it. It was really fun.

They had a train you could play on that was made out of Trex--no slivers.

They also had some model trains you could put in a quarter and watch. Bridger liked those.

They also had a miniature golf course that we played.

Other than Bridger getting his foot stuck in a hole--and I mean really stuck...

...and Thatcher climbing into the final hole to get his ball back...

...they had fun golfing.

They had two trains you could ride. This was the small train.

They also had train hand-carts. This was the kids favorite thing to do. And Thatcher could easily do it.

And this was the large train.

...which came off the tracks half way through.

We have some video of everything also but I haven't had time to edit it.

The kids had a really fun time.

Good Bye

(P.S. This was really when we first got there but by placing it at the end and saying "Good Bye", nobody will ever know).

We Are Potato Farmers

Howdy Partners. It looks like it is official. We are potato farmers. This year we are doing the Square Foot gardening thing (see bottom left picture) and in six feet of garden space we got all these potatoes (picture on left). And, we still have 6 more feet to go. We have also harvested 10 or 11 bags of mixed greens (which included lettuce and spinach), and are

just getting our first cucumbers and peas. We've also had some radishes (they were the first to come up), some strawberries, , red, white, and yellow onions, and some tomatoes (of which there will be a lot more of). The kids also love to pick the carrots right from the garden, wash them, and eat them. Thatcher too. All of them, including Thatcher and Bridger, have just been amazed at the stuff we have grown. Other than the fact the the sprinklers somehow got turned off for 3 or 4 days, the garden is growing like a weed. Except with the Square Foot method of gardening, there are no weeds. Alright, there are a few, but I really mean a few. The other things we have planted are: corn (two varities), zuchini, cabbage, hubbard squash, banana squash, spagetti squash, and another kind of squash I can't remember, three varaties of raspberries, pumpkins, broccoli (which just went to seed), and cauliflower (which didn't get very big. We didn't plant any beans because I wanted to do dilly beans and the best way is to just buy them so there is enough all at one time. One thing we like to do when most things are ready is to cook a stew and see how many items from our garden we can claim we added. I think the year befor last we had at least 7 things. This year we are hoping for much more. Any way, I thought I'd share our harvest.

Jeff

It's Us Again

Sorry, it's been quite awhile since we last posted something. I guess you can say we have been busy. But haven't we all.

We can hardly believe it's been 3 weeks since Heidi's surgery. She is going to have a nice scar on her stomach but not nearly as bad as it looked at first. She is recovering slowly. Too slow for her but for where she has come from, she is doing great. They say three more weeks before she can lift anything more than 5 pounds--which she has done pretty good at avoiding so far. She still gets wore out easily. On Thursday of last week she was going a little stir crazy and got out to get her toes done. That pretty much exhausted her the half hour she was gone. Then, on Saturday, she felt good enough to go to the Pixar/Disney movie "UP". It is really a fun show. Thatcher even sat through the whole thing. Of course the popcorn, drink, and licorice probably helped.

Not to be outdone by Aubrey, Taylor started Karate last week. Actually, it took a lot of proding and encouraging to get him to even try. And, when he got back from his first lesson, he was really excited about it. I think he should do well. Aubrey is doing really well and really likes it too.

This week and next seem to be a little slower this month than last. However, the last two weeks of July are going to be kinda crazy with swimming lessons, scout camp, and family reunions.

Well, I am going to have to end. I was doing this last night until our power went off for several hours (for the second time in as many days). Now I have to get out the door to work.

Later

Jeff

Happy 4th of July

Thatcher's 4th of July Dance

Giggles