Camping at Jubilee Lake

We're doing a lot of "lasts" before Jayden heads off on his mission. We wanted to get a camping trip in so we headed down to Jubilee with Karen, Travis and the kids where we're guarnteed to catch fish...which we did. We snagged over 50 trout! Weather was beautiful and it was so relaxing. 

 Kenzie got a boo boo...

 Tracen being a little dork

 Colby loves fishing with Grandpa

 Karen lookin' cute

 Grandpa was playing monster with Tracen

 Total goofs

 Grandpa teaching Tracen to tie his shoe

Grandma feeling blessed

On Sunday, we took our time coming home; heading down to Lake Wallowa and stopped in Joseph, Oregon for lunch.

On the way home we ran into a horrendous storm that forced us to hide behind a large warehouse in Pendleton until the winds died down. We had 70 mph winds that nearly ripped our canoe off the truck! It was crazy. By the time we reached Umatilla we were on empty and pulled in to get gas. Unfortunately, there was no power anywhere so...no gas. We said a little prayer and drove 30 miles on an empty tank and made it. The Lord is always watching over us.

To The Mountains We Go

Dad, Jayden and I drove up to Ruth Ann and Bill's for a relaxing weekend and had a blast! They have a beautiful cabin on the north fork of the Coerd' Alene River, heading into the Bitterroot Mountains and Montana. It's amazing country. We arrived late Friday and enjoyed a scrumptious chicken dinner around the campfire. Saturday we bummed around the area for awhile checking out the sites, plants and St. John's Wort...(we enjoyed the little buzz we were getting picking them wild). Later in the day, we hopped onto the ATV's and headed up above the timberline, going into Montant. We happened upon a pile of fresh Grizzly scat filled with berries. We saw some glacial lakes on the way too. In one direction, we look off toward the Selkirk Mountains. In another, the Cabinet Range. Fall is already creeping in. On Sunday, we took a drive over to the Ancient Cedar Groves. We topped off our weekend target shooting with Bill's crossbow and had a moose venture into our camp. Wonderful memories!!

  

Jayden Goes Through the Temple

Our family (taken at Keaton's baby blessing the week before)

We're so grateful that Josten was able to make it for Jayden's trip through the temple. It was an emotional day for Dad and I as we watched our son move one step closer to his mission!

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Uncle Jayden spent lots of time with the kids...playing, teasing and laughing. It's what he does best.

 Breck and Papa

 Braden and Marlee

 Grandma pooped out with Sienna and Veda

 Jayden and Sienna

 Sarah, Josten Jr., Jayden, Sienna & Josten

Uncle Jayden & Veda

Jayden Gets His Mission Call

What more can I say? I know this is an inspired call and he'll be an outstanding servant of the Lord! 

Armenia Yerevan Mission. Reports December 4, 2013.

Bird Whisperer

On top of graduation, planning girls camp and preparing kids for Pioneer Trek...I rescued two birds this spring: a Finch and a Starling. Although Starlings are obnoxious little creatures, it was an amazing experience taking this day old "pterodactyl" and nursing it to maturity. I'm literally having to teach it to fly and eat on its own, which is not easy! It knows when I enter a room because it squawks like it hasn't eaten in a year (kind of like a teenager at this point). He thinks I'm his mommy.

Our beautiful mourning dove, Marlee helped with our Finch by feeding it and prompting it to fly. When put side by side in the cage, our dove would wrap its wing around the Finch and coo.

 Little Finch

Marlee's attached to the little girl

 Starling; about a day old

Starling ~ little pest...is always hungry!

 Starling isn't quite sure what to think of "freedom"

The Finch was released and lives with another brood in the back yard. The Starling was freed July 4th, Independence Day. She was reluctant at first, then soared.

Enjoy the photo's!!