Hey guys! I've been super slow to upload pictures of my adventures. Here are a few from our road trip... We drove from Idaho to DC, stopped to explore the miles and miles of corn fields, and stumbled upon the American Gothic House (which can be rented out for $175 per month)!! ...and a few miles away was John Wayne's birth place, may he rest in peace....

Awesome Alaska Pictures

Eye Eye Cap'n

Just looking at this picture had me busting up. I love this shot.

The smart alec in him just won't die, and I love it! His hand is doing great. No surgery needed.
He will spend the next four weeks in a cast. He is pain free and can move his fingers fairly well.

A FAMILY REUNITED

This afternoon the girls and I had our first meeting together with Zach. This was a meeting that allowed Zach to admit his mistakes and challenges to the girls and for them to ask any questions or express their feelings about what has gone on in our family.

As you can imagine it was a very emotional moment, but a highlight of the past year. everyone was nervous as you'd expect. The kids hadn't seen or spoken to each other in over a year. But over all it went very well. There were some very tender moments that our family will cherish forever and at the end we were all smiling and laughing.

I am so thankful for the courage that children demonstrate in the face of adversity. Our children amaze me very day, and their love and compassion for each other far exceeded my expectations today.

I love our kids, and each day my respect for them as individuals grows. My heart is full!

wahooooooooo!!!!

This is probably my favorite picture that Terrance brought back from his Alaska trip. How can you not laugh when you lool at this. I'm laughing while I'm writing. Terrance said that the boat was really rough that day and they were all bouncing around. HILARIOUS!!!!!

A moment of peace.

I got to looking at the picture that I posted of Braiden and I decided that it kind of made him look funny so I thought that I'd put up some better pictures of him. So as I started looking I felt guilty to only put up pictures of him so I decided to just put up some pictures of all of them. The one on the left is them all watching a movie together. They were all actually happy that close together for this one. Usually Kiley starts with the He's looking at me and then Braiden will spit on her and the'll fight over who gets to hold the baby. the Picture on the right is the 4th of July. They weren't happy about posing but they did it anyway.

Addie's First Day of Preschool

Addie is so excited to be back in preschool again. This is our second year of a preschool co-op dealy. Last year it was just one day a week for an hour. This year we decided to do two days a week and to have the kids come to the same house for both days and also to hold it for an hour and a half instead. So far it has been great. It is nice to have two days focused on one subject for the review aspect. We have a great group and some awesome moms who really are invested in teaching these girls.

Clare's Bath time and Addie helped

The Rise and Fall of Pork Chop the Goat

Paul and I agree on most things. Unfortunately pets are not one of those things. Also the HOA said it was great to have the little guy if the city was okay with it. So, knowing that this may be a short lived experience I set out to get us a pygmy goat while Paul was in Alaska. I promptly built the below goat house and drilled my hand in the process(minimal damage)to try to soften the goat sitch' for Paul. I was pleasantly surprised with Paul's reaction to Pork Chop and started to love Pork Chop all the more,knowing that the city most likely hates goats and happiness.
 

Addie, her buddies and cousins all have had a blast playing with him and he really is the ultimate pet. He is quiet, friendly, his poop is mini and hides in the grass. He is well mannered and seriously good for our soil.

So yesterday it was brought to my attention that yes, the city of Twin Falls does indeed hate happiness. I think in one of my future posts I will document how ugly and nasty most of this town is. And question some of the lame policies enforced and the truly necessary ones that are not enforced. I really am very sad. Regardless, our little buddy must find a new home. They don't know it yet but it will probably be my parents. They have a huge yard. And he can play with my parents dog.
 

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Pictures of Morgan and Bailey on the first day of school. They both have had a great start to the school year. Bailey's teacher likes doing lots of art projects and Morgan has a male teacher for the first time. Morgan is also expanding her social network...(growning up way to fast.) Both girls are great students and enjoy school.

Fishing Trip and other such nonsense

Pictures will be posted in the next couple of days...later tonight if I can figure this thing out. A special thank you to all those who made the fishing trip possible!! We have our freezer half full of fish, and hungry eager mouths. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for Steve and we are truly grateful for the awesome experience. We love you all

All grown up

Kiley's first day of school. She said that she wanted to look like tinkerbell. She is so cute!!!!

Newton Family Campout