Monday, May 26, 2008

Weekend in Portland



Lisa and I had so much fun this past weekend. We went to Portland, Oregon for my brother Jeff’s graduation from law school at Lewis & Clark. Jerry and Shirley (Lisa’s parents) came up from Utah to watch the kids and we flew out from Boise on Thursday. We spent the day hiking and looking at the sites on the Columbia River gorge. We spent the night at Doug and Rhonda Smith’s (Scott’s uncle and aunt’s) beautiful home and stayed up talking with cousins.



Friday Fred, Dalene and Jeff flew in and we toured the law school and spent time at our gorgeous hotel overlooking Lake Oswego. Saturday was commencement and again we just spent time on walks and lounging around by the lake. We could believe how green everything was, we were truly in the garden of eden!




We’re so proud of our little brother, and grateful that the Lord has answered all of our families countless prayers in his behalf! Jeff’s now preparing for the bar, and Lisa and I are back playing with the kids and living in the desert... but what a wonderful weekend.

Austin and Allie how does your garden grow?

Scott had a green thumb when Lisa, Austin and Allie went to California to visit family. With hundreds of bulbs, corn, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli (an act of love by Scott) and zucchini it will sure be fun to watch the back yard this summer!

Backyard garden




Monday, May 12, 2008

A Journey Worth Appreciating

The idea of hosting our own blog was always a decision built on good intentions unfortunately; we have yet to develop the discipline needed to keep up… I’m convinced the Lord blesses effort, and in that spirit we’re back with an update.

Looking back at our last entry, boy were we ambitious. Certainly over the past few months it seems we bit off a bit more than we could chew and often Lisa and I have looked at each other and commented that these have been some of the busiest, hectic and challenging times in our family. Of course, through it all our little family has been a strength and a joy. Heavenly Father sure has a way of helping us keep perspective and we have luckily seen his hand in our challenges.


Just saying the name Allie and we can't help but chuckle and laugh. Our little girl is so hilarious, funny and full of personality. Allie is so expressive and although she doesn’t say much by way of words, her expressions will sure tell you what she’s thinking. Allie has no fear and love being ‘flipped’ by daddy onto the couch and is always climbing something. She’s caught Lisa and me off guard because Austin just wasn’t as “adventurous/death defying” at her age. She’s starting to act like she owns the house and I think if this is even a glimpse of her at 14 we’re all in for a hilarious ride.


Austin, Austin, Austin- how could such a sweet little boy be such a terror at the same time? He is so busy! Austin loves trucks, dinosaurs, and asking constant questions. Of course one of my favorites, “Dad, do you think you could surprise me with a movie, maybe Curious George?” It’s not just Austin’s mouth that’s moving a mile a minute, the kid is lightning fast and loves to run around the house and be chased. Right now it’s a riot but I’m afraid soon I we won’t be able to catch him!
Now that the weather is starting to get warmer the kids just want to be outside 24-7. Austin and Allie love their sandbox and the clubhouse that my dad and I built with consultation from 57 German engineers; seriously, what a pain- but it has been an incredible investment.

Lisa is amazing. She’s had a busy semester finishing another math class. Her instructor commented that in all his years teaching he never had a student as dedicated to her studies as Lisa. She’s a phenomenal mother and friend; and she’s been the glue that’s keeps us together.

As for me, I have loved my classes in the Educational Leadership program but they’ve been a heavy load. My work at Idaho State University has been quite demanding because the university is continuing to adjust to new administration and progressive direction. There is an increased pressure because of declining enrollments, but I am confident that we can turn things around. Idaho State University is a wonderful opportunity.

In the midst of all our activities and challenges we can’t help but appreciate all our friends and family and know that there is a loving Heavenly Father who watches over us and wants us all to be happy. Life is a journey, sometimes the journey is difficult, but all the while it is worth taking.

Monday, January 21, 2008

Cabin Fever



After a much needed holiday break coming back to the tundra of winter has been a real shock. We still love Pocatello and the town has been very good to us, but darn it's cold right now (maybe we born to live in the tropics)!

Lisa jumped back in to school, she's enrolled in another math class at Idaho State and is quietly conquering the math endorsement requirements. Austin also has started his second "semester" of KinderMusic. He's loving it because they are singing about trains and trucks. Scott's also dived back into school by enrolling in the History and Philosophy of Higher Education, and Finance in Higher Education- you would not believe the readings! And Allie? Well she is "schooling" us all. She is quite busy and is walking all over the place!

That's right, I said walking. Over the break Allie took here first steps. Now she is walking everywhere. When she falls it doesn't even phase her, she just jumps back up and she's off!



I guess we just love being busy, and our calendars are filling up... we can only hope to make it to spring because... we're tired of being cold!