Our Life

Yep, We have another Happy Birthday in January!!

2012-01-27T11:06:00.001-08:00

With Grammie & Grampa @ the school Christmas Program

I love this one because it was at the church Christmas Party!!!

Zippedy Hey & Hidey Ho ~ We'll sing a song that we all Know

2012-01-17T10:58:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!

W/ cousin Devlen

Wow ~ We can't believe such a grown up girl!! AND we are so impressed by the way you help out at your house and are so cheerful and SO entertaining. We can't wait for all the fun happenings coming up...........

Pages from Grammies scrapbook

WE LOVE YOU SO VERY MUCH!!

This Month is Such a Special Month It's Birthday Time for YOU!!

2012-01-02T09:03:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday darling girl!

It was such fun having you here in November!!

Pages from Mimi's scrapbook

It's such a pleasure having you for a Grandaughter!!
We love watching (and mostly hearing about) you trying and accomplishing new things!
We were especially amazed that you started riding a motorcycle right here at our house. WE love you SO very MUCH!!

This little girl is now 1 year old!!!

2011-11-08T08:35:00.000-08:00

And because of the miracle of technology ~ we got to see her open her presents and blow out her candle!!

We Love you Penny!!
We Love your red hair and your fiery temperament!
We Love your sweetness!
We Love your determined little personality.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARLING GIRL!!

It's your Birthday ~ Happy Birtrhday

2011-11-04T10:00:00.000-07:00

30 years ago a little girl decided she waited long enough to get here and even though she wasn't suppose to come till December, she made her debut on this day!!!
We loved her the minute she got here and ever since!!!

Mommy practice

With big brother Anthon

Daddy painting her room purple for her birthday (NOT THIS YEAR!!)

Little Bro Jess feeding her breakfast in bed

Nicole holding her baby sister Lynsie

26 Years ago Today

2011-10-26T01:30:00.000-07:00

We were blessed with a beautiful baby girl ~Lynsie Kay~
We Love You!!
Happy Birthday Darling.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TREK BUDDY!!!!

2011-09-01T16:26:00.000-07:00

Birthday time is here again in the Burbidge Family!!!
This little fun guy turned 4 today!! We love him so much and are very grateful he is ours!!!!

Happy Happy Birthday in Washington!!!

2011-08-28T16:39:00.000-07:00

We got to have this little (big boy) 4 yr. old with us to celebrate his birthday!!!
We went to his most favorite place (besides He-Pa's) The BEACH!!!!
We loved sharing this great day with you and are so glad you're in our family.

Wed Aug 3 ~ Sat Aug 6 We went on a TREK

2011-08-13T13:07:00.000-07:00

You may ask yourself
Why do Mormons do this?

Good Question ~ I wondered that myself until I had the opportunity to experience it.
A few months ago our oldest son called and invited us to go on a Trek with them. He said this one is unique because it's for families and not just the teenagers.
We had to think about it for a while cause it's not something we EVER thought we would consider doing. Just wasn't up our alley ~ we thought.
After some days past and we contemplated our children and grandchildren out on the trail having this "Pioneer experience" without us, we decided "what could it hurt?"
So we started preparing. Arlin looked up some pioneer stories he found of his ancestors. I sewed some clothes. We packed up buckets (you could only take what you could fit in a 5 gallon bucket) of course + your sleeping gear. ~thank goodness they provided all the meals!!! And we drove to Utah to meet up with our kids :)

The day after we got there we packed up the car and drove to Wyoming where this event would commence.
IT WAS HARD!!!
Walking in the heat, kids getting tired, pushing a cart, thirsty, hungry, tired!!!, sweaty, sunburned, some people got blisters (not me), my lips got sunburned, kids crying, dirty clothes, no running water OR flush toilets..........for 4 days and 27 miles.
Many times I asked myself "why am I doing this?"
The last night as we adults sat together in our tent thinking and talking about all we had done that week I realized why. We were remembering. Remembering the people of our history and what they had done to show the world they were willing to do something HARD for what they believed!
So now I look at my life, there are hard things here too. LOTS! And God has asked us to be different from what happens in the "world". Am I willing to do HARD things? Can I stay strong? By that small amount of torture, I believe I showed myself I can!!
And actually, when all is said and done, it turns out HARD things make your life interesting and help you be better than what you were before you experienced them.
But, most of all, We really did have fun being together! (no phones, no T.V., no outside world) It was good!

Me & my buddy Boston ..... We can see the end of the trail.

31 years ago today........

2011-07-12T07:12:00.000-07:00

.....a baby boy came into our lives.......

....and we love everything about you Anthon!!! We love who you married, your children, your amazing talent to create, your love and enthusiasm for life!!! your curiosity and desire to learn new things, your ingenuity, your style....
We love you son, Eternally!

IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY SHOUT HOOORAY!!

2011-07-11T08:01:00.000-07:00

One year older and wiser too ~ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!

Sisters Weekend

2011-06-23T21:31:00.000-07:00

We got to have our FIRST sisters weekend and it was fabulous. We LOVED being together and wish it could have lasted allot longer!! Denise found us a great hotel and Sherry got us tickets to WICKED. We LOVED the show and we LOVED being together. Can't wait until next time.
While we were sitting there watching the musical I looked over at my beautiful sisters and watched them for a while. What amazing women!!! Both have been pushed and pulled and challenged by life and both have grown through it and come out better than ever. I have so much respect and love for them, they are two of my favorite heroes!!! Here's to you sisters ~ I love you!!

We went to Oklahoma BEFORE the tornados!

2011-05-29T17:55:00.000-07:00

We had to eat @ Freddie's mmmmm so good!

We went to the Cowboy Museum. We could of stayed there for days, read plaques and looked at memoralbilia ~ if only the kids wanted to!!!!!!

This is a very CUTE 2 year old! Grampa and Grammie have been quoting her quite a bit since we've been home ~our favorite~ "Don't like it"

Look at this grown up girl! Isn't she beautiful? She is so helpful and sweet and likes to have lots of fun. She also likes to be creative and that's what she's doing here!

Grampa and his Logan pal! They played allot of stuff together. And Logan was a fun game player. We got to see him hit some balls @ the park too!

We visited the memorial site for the OK city bombing. They sure did a beutiful job at making something so peaceful out of something violent.

You can read in the picture above about these chairs. Some of them represented two people, a mother and her unborn child.

This statue was place across the street from the site by the Catholic Church. The Savior was turned away from it and the caption read "And Jesus Wept"

There is an archway like this at the front of the site and one at the back with a reflecting pool in the middle. They represent (front)the time before the blast (back) the time after (the pool) when it happened

This Elm tree survived the blast ~ amazing!

On Saturday we went to the Science center. It was almost as huge as the Museum w/ lots to do and see and read and play with. We all had fun here. I did try one of these Segways and yes I do want one!!!

Sunday, our last day, just happened to be mother's day! Sis and I got spoiled by Brydon and Arlo. We loved it!
Thanks for letting us come guys!

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY LITTLE ONE

2011-04-27T08:52:00.000-07:00

Isn't it amazing how each new little person that comes into your family brings their own unique qualities and personality? What fun it is to have this sweet angel in our family. We Celebrate YOU today darling!!!

We love every particle of you so very much!!
Love Grampa Arlo and Grammie Mimi!

March 4-9

2011-03-17T19:47:00.000-07:00

I got to play single mommy for a few days in March. Anthon and Jennie went on a cruise and let me be in charge of the kids :)
Wow, we had a great time!!
(can anyone tell me why my pictures are doing this??? It happens often when I download them onto my computer!!)
Boss was a dancin machine!!
Baylee planned a trip to Wendy's and an inside picnic for FHE

Here's the letter I sent Jennie after I finished:
I just wanted to write to you about my stay with the kids:

We had a great time together :)
I was a little too cocky going into this and thought I could handle it all NO PROBLEM - piece of cake!!
Well, too soon, like right after you left, I was reminded of what a demanding job being a Parent of small children really is ~a piece of cake is definitely NOT a correct description~
This was so good for me to come back to reality. I have forgotten what it's like. 3 very different people w/ 3 very different needs. (And not to forget, there's me mixed into the middle of it all!!! thinking I had needs, realizing those needs had to go on the back burner for a while)
What sweet little souls. By about 3 p.m. Tues night (after 4 days of being together) those little souls and this big one all melted down into a crying puddle.........we'd had it w/ being patient and we ALL wanted you two back!!!! But, we finally crawled into your bed (all of us) stuck a bottle in Bella's mouth, put on Cinderella for the umpteenth time and got to feeling better!!!
Here are some highlights from the 5 days I got to share their life:

*Walks* we took one every day except Wednesday. I loved all the questions and wonder the darlings had for this beautiful world. Bella enjoyed her time most being pushed in the stroller outside ~yep, she's a Burbidge~ LOVES the outdoors!!! Boston couldn't understand why all the dead worms and why they didn't get off the sidewalk before it dried up!! Baylee and her infectious laugh just wanted to run and run and run! (wish I didn't have to keep reigning her in)

*Dancing* at night we'd put the music on loud and JUST DANCE! I did take a little video of them getting their groove on. They didn't ever want to stop.

*Michael Michael Motorcycle* sorry Tone, but Bos will want you to watch this w/ him!!! We watched it about 5 times!!! (not kidding)

*Late night talk w/ Bay* we tried to be in bed by 8:30-9 every night, but it was hard to get to sleep. One night after everyone else was out, Bay took my hand and wanted to know everything I could think of about her daddy ( I Promised you'd tell her the goat story Tone). What fun it was to reminisce about ALL her daddy did, built, made while he was growing up. Remember the slide? the pool you built out of pallets? the cedar camp ground? the trail? the dump trailer? the zip line? the speaker boxes and ALL the numerous forts????

*the chore jar* Bay will tell you she hated it but she was the best little worker ever and she DID too like cleaning the toilets. She drew that ball but all 3 of us wanted to work on that one. Me and Bos w/ Lysol wipes, Bay had the toilet brush. (Bella in bed) We also cleaned the fridge together and Bay once again got right in and scrubbed up a storm! One time Baylee drew make the beds, well, the only one that got slept in was yours, so she made it all by herself ~ cheerfully :)

*Bella* OK, to be truthful she was a challenging little treasure for me. As long as I held her she was an angel. But boy she grew on me I Love her smile, the way she trills her tongue, her chubby legs, her beautiful eyes, her sweet little spirit! I really do miss holding her. Kissing her head. Having her stick her little chubby finger in my mouth.
Thank you so much for entrusting me w/ these precious people.
I hope you had the most wonderful time.
We did!!
Love you tons
and for eternity
~Momma C~

It's Our Jennie's B-day!

2011-03-04T06:46:00.000-08:00

I LOVE Birthdays!! They're my favorite holiday!

(I'm borrowing this picture from someone else's blog)
Thanks for being a part of our family Jennie. We love you and hope you have a very beautiful day!!
LOVE Dad & Momma B

We got to have Lynsie, Luke and Penny for 2 WEEKS!

2011-02-24T21:51:00.000-08:00

We got to spend a day at the fabulous Children's Museum in Oly

The water table

TOOLS!!

This was Luke and He-Pa's favorite

Luke Loved these fake rocks you could load into the back of this dump truck

Mimi and Luke tried out this idea on the dining floor ~ we taped off roads. After I went to work Luke and his mother enhanced it w/ trees and block buildings and had all kinds of fun!! Wish I could of gotten a picture of the finished product

After one of our evening walks ~ Nin and Luke on the swing

Mimi got ALLOT of holding time with Penny

He-Pa walking Penny in the stroller ~ at night ~ hence the reflector vest!!

And we even fit in a 5 Generation Picture!

Penny's blessing day

2011-02-19T11:26:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR JESSE!!

2011-02-14T05:06:00.000-08:00

21 years ago our family got an amazing valentine!!

wE Love you so much and are grateful you are in our family.
We hope you have the greatest birthday today.
You're in our thoughts and our prayers.
Love Eternally,
Dad & MOm
xoxoxox

Little Miss Turns 2

2011-01-26T08:33:00.000-08:00

You don't even understand how much fun she is!!! Or how busy she's kept her mother and she's only just turning 2!!

Our First Grandchild!!

2011-01-17T10:14:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday to you Kamma-lamma-ding-dong!! We love you so very much and are very grateful you're in our family!!!

We hope you have the greatest 7th birthday today!

Baylee Ellen Turns 6 and WE got to be THERE!!

2011-01-02T21:15:00.000-08:00

Birthday's are my FAVORITE holiday and it's no fair that we don't get to be there everytime our kids and grandkids have one! So, it's our goal to at least go to one birthday party a year. This year we got to go to Baylee's. It was so fun to be there. We got to celebrate on Sunday and go to school w/ her on Monday (with cupcakes)

We also got to all go on a train ride to Ogden to visit the train museum. That was super fun.

We Need a Little Christmas Right this very Minute!!

2010-12-25T16:58:00.000-08:00

This year I decided to do something different w/ the Christmas tree. I found a bunch of 4 x 5 pictures of Jesus that I tied w/ ribbon all over it. Then I just put silver balls and lots of snowflakes stars and tin tinsel all over. We think it turned out beautiful and left no one wondering WHO we believe in!

This is our main Christmas present, the kitchen floor ~ oak. We absolutely love it!

Arlin also built me these picture rails

And 2 of these beautiful end tables!! Arn't I the luckiest girl ever?

The sisters and Neil & Maddy came over for breakfast, we had waffles w/ strawberries & whip crm, bacon, hot cinnamon milk, hot cocoa & orange juice. I think that should be traditional ~ it was sooo delicious!

Christmas Eve 2010

2010-12-24T16:44:00.000-08:00

My favorite thing to do for Christmas is get new jammies for everyone! I love finding them (sometimes able to coordinate them all) and then we open them on Christmas eve. We've been doing that ever since our kids were born and still do it, even for grandkids and kids in law.

This year was a little too rough for us cause we didn't have even one child home for Christmas ~friends of ours took pity on us and invited us for Christmas Eve~ that was tons of fun cause they had a little talent show and invited us to participate. (as long as we didn't upstage any of the performers) so, we didn't.......

Lookey who Moved Into OuR FamilY!!

2010-11-24T19:17:00.000-08:00

And now we have 8

Zippedy-eh & Hiddey Ho!!

2010-11-04T07:48:00.000-07:00

We'll sing a song that we all know, Happy Birthday to YOU!!!!

You're still our baby girl!
She burst into our lives and made it a happier place to be
I still can't believe how fortunate we are to have such a wonderful daughter in our life! Nicole has always been my little princess and daddy's little birdie! She lights up the room with her smile. She is loving, sweet and so forgiving. She has had a strong belief in God her whole life and has always wanted to do good. We enjoy watching her accomplish hard things, like 1/2 marathons and ragnar, raising kids, moving to unknown places and taking challenging assignments in church. She knows the value of work and she loves & respects her parents. What more could we want? We're so grateful you are in our family. We love you tons!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LYNSIE KAY!!

2010-10-26T08:20:00.000-07:00

25 years ago this sweet girl came into our lives. She joined her big bro Tony & sis Nicole and was a great addition to our happy family of 5! She was a little earlier than expected (2 weeks) and when she decided to get here ~ she did ~ quick!
When she was about 4 or 5 months old she started sucking her thumb and it was so cute cause she had a blanket (gramma dahlberg made) she called her pwetty (pretty). Which she had to have all the time. She's been an outdoor girl her whole growin up life and many times you could find her w/ sis or bro Jess out climbing trees, playing house, building forts, or swimmin in the creek (no matter the time of year). From the time she was just little she liked to draw and she would always have paper and pencil in hand drawing something. Even during school she would draw all around the sides of her school work... We are so grateful you are in our life Nin. We love you so very much!!!

Sunday, October 17th 2010

2010-10-17T16:51:00.000-07:00

Well, we can now announce that Arlin will be released as Stake President. He has served for 9 years, but it doesn't seem that long. We both feel so blessed to have had this opportunity. We have been blessed far more than we deserve and we have worked along side so many faithful, caring, and hard working people. We'll never forget the many prayers and love offered on our behalf.
Thank you Elma Stake for the support you've given to us!

I drove to Oklahoma!!!!

2010-10-17T16:45:00.000-07:00

Well, I didn't ever drive. I got to sit in the passenger seat while Nicole drove. I had the more important job of tending to the kids every needs!!!! What fun we had.

I flew into the SLC airport Sat. afternoon where Anthon & Jennie picked me up, whisked me out to lunch and then on to Baylee's last soccer game.

Then they drove me out to Roosevelt on Sunday the 10th. Kind Anthon brought a washer and dryer out to Sis that she had bought in Layton. Monday Brydon got the U-Haul and then people from their ward helped them fill it up. It was an amazing thing to see. Lots of very helpful people who love and care about Sis and her family, wanting to help any way they can. I loved seeing that!!

We left Roosevelt on Tues @ about 11 a.m. and started driving. We got to see parts of America I'd never seen before. I've never been to Colorado. At one point, as we were driving through that state, we were 11,000 feet in the sky!! So beautiful there. We also drove through Kansas. There's even a Wizard of Oz museum there but too far out of our way to go see. Not sure what to say about Oklahoma, ummm no mountains (or hills for that matter.......lots of farm land...not many trees. TONS of museums!!

And now our kids are there. Can't wait to go back w/ my Arlo in tow so we can check out the place.....and of course see more of the kids.

Some Pictures from Jess!! Hooray!!!

2010-10-07T13:38:00.000-07:00

Finally!!! Just when I almost thought I forgot what he looked like, we got some pictures in the mail from Jess. (Actually, he sent his sim card so I could download all his pictures)

PLEASE VOTE FOR ALLI!!

2010-09-24T11:35:00.000-07:00

My niece wants you to vote for her.
Go to her blog and follow her instructions!!

A Day w/ my Friend, Mary

2010-09-19T16:30:00.000-07:00

We planned to spend the day discovering Olympia and found this little shop.
Mary did something creative, I made polka dots!!
We had lunch at the always fabulous Wagner's bakery.
We get to meet again this Wednesday to pick up our stuff.

My 52nd Birthday

2010-09-19T16:10:00.000-07:00

I don't care how old I get, I will always look forward to my birthday! I'm just like a kid when it comes around, eager to see who thought of me and what my present is!!!

Arlo really outdid himself this time and made me a cool cupboard to sit under the T.V. I love it!!! Also, we spent the day together driving around to some of his bldngs. Throwing in a little fun stuff too. Like riding a funky ferry across the Columbia River. Eating in a cool little Cafe in Rainier, Ore. Seeing lots of beautiful scenery I've never seen before. We even stopped in to an Amish furniture store!

Later we had dinner w/ our empty nester friends and instead of cake I got this wonderfully delicious almond apple cheesecake! Yummmmm
I had a beautiful day ~ the best part of course was hearing from my kids and grandkids!

Lookey who's turning 3 TODAY!

2010-09-01T07:28:00.000-07:00

If you guessed Boston you are RIGHT!!

He loves life outside and wants to be out as often as he can!! He loves things that go and he's pretty much Evil Knievel reincarnate!!! We caught him doing belly flops into the hot tub. He is so sweet and especially loves his Grampa Arlo. He has such a charming smile. We Love you Boss and are very glad you're in our family!!!

LOOK WHO turns 3 today!!

2010-08-28T12:20:00.000-07:00

It's Lukey boy! And boy oh boy is he!! He loves life and lives it. He can figure anything out and loves things that GO! He can be reverant and sweet, but loves being outside and active!! He calls us He-Pa and Mimi and he has the boomingest voice EVER! (I think he'll be a very successful opera singer)
We Love you Luke and are very glad you are in our family!!!

Well, Here Goes

2010-08-24T19:14:00.000-07:00

I'm going to attempt to put this hike into words.
Mt. St. Helens. Remember 30 years ago about 1800 ft of this mountain blew off and spread itself all over the place.

Yeah well, at the invitation of some friends we decided to hike this very mountain!! We had to sign up in February because they only allow 100 people a day to climb. We were determined to get ourselves in shape (for what exactly we weren't sure, nobody could have prepared us for this) Well, time passed a little too quickly and the shape we were in when we headed out on the trail probably wasn't the shape we should have been in!!! Really, from start to finish it's a 10 mile hike...........Pretty easy eh?

The first 2 miles you follow a happy little mountain trail.

The next abt 2 you climb piles of boulders

and when you get to the top of the pile........ there's another pile

and another pile to great you :)

Cindy, Arlin, Russ

The view behind us as we climb the boulders

Then you trudge through a mixture of sand, schale and ash ..... step forward slide back for the rest of the hike.

When we got to the top I was completely exhausted!!

I'm sure it had to do with a mixture of the altitude, the climbing over boulders and the overwhelming-ness of the last part of the climb!!!
Once we got up there and started looking around I just couldn't believe what I had done. The veiw was spectacular, Exhilerating, Breathtaking!

The best part about it though is "the spouse"......... Nearing the end I kept saying "just leave me, plz just leave me, you go up there, I'll watch, I can see the top from here!!!"

But Arlo WOULD NOT. He just stayed behing me and quietly encouraged me to keep going, I could do it, I would be sad if I didn't......... That's how he always is for me, at my hardest times he encourages, I'm so very thankful!

When we got in the car to go home I said "I will NEVER do that again" today is Tuesday, 4 days after the hike and I'm thinking 'when Jesse gets home I may do it again' Funny how time skews your memory......
Thanks for inviting us dear friends, it was a great day!

2010-08-10T11:19:00.000-07:00

The last car of kids pulled out at 7 a.m. and now we're back to just Arlin, Cindy & faithful Ducati! We can't complain though. We've had a month of visits from our fabulous kids and grandkids with a reunion thrown in there to boot.
More pictures to come!!!!

Everyone's here! Now let the wild rumpus begin

2010-08-10T10:44:00.000-07:00

Anthon's family was last to arrive and then our family was complete. Well......

Except for Jesse who is representing us all and serving a mission in southern CA. We all signed the back of his T-shirt.

Jennie had a great idea for waterbottles and brought us each one

Grampa set up hammocks in the backyard and the first two nights the kids slept out in them. Then it just got too rainy ~ we were proud of them for being adventurous to do it!!!

The First Day......... The Birthday Party

2010-08-10T09:49:00.000-07:00

Our first day of the Reunion was a birthday party all day. We had CAKE for breakfast!! We played games. We got our pictures taken. We got birthday crowns and we had birthday cake for dinner!!!

Camp Happy

2010-08-10T09:41:00.000-07:00

On the 2nd day of our Reunion we had "Camp Happy" All the adults (and babies) left while Grampa Arlo (He-Pa) and Grammie Mimi took charge of the kids.

Camp Director

Assistant Camp Director

Making pine cone bird feeders

making birdhouses in Grampa's shop

Making our Wild Things masks

At the very end of the day the parents came home and we put on the play we'd been practicing "Where the Wild Things Are" (grammie's favorite picture book to read aloud) Kamdin was Max(ine) Baylee was the mother, Logan the head Wild Thing, Luke, Boss & Press slightly cooperative various and sundry additional wild things......... Grampa the very important stage hand and stand in wild thing.

a little side note..........I think I got peanut butter on the camera (from the bird feeders) That's why the last few pictures are a little smoky looking!!!!!

The scavanger Hunt

2010-08-10T09:38:00.000-07:00

Before the Parents left We matched them all up w/ a kid to go on a scavanger hunt. It was great fun watching them all hunt for diff. kinds of tree branches, grass gone to seed, pine cones, rocks, fern, etc. etc. Some parents (...grampa...) were determined each item on the list was talked about and memorized, then there were the parents who were on a mad race to WIN!! (Sis & Nin) Jennie & Bella were hunting for the hunters so they could snap pictures of them :)

Lynsie and Kam came in first.

Kam showin us her prize bag

Sis and Pres came in a close second. Was the stroller okayed by the panel of judges??

Brydon and Logan worked hard for their 3rd place status

Jennie and Bella had a most important job

Ken and Luke did very well for not being from around here and unfamiliar w/ the great northwest plants

Anthon and Baylee hiked all over the property

Grampa and Boss came in dead last, but Boss has allot of new information stored in his ever growing brain!!

The Beach Day

2010-08-10T09:27:00.000-07:00

Saturday we all packed up and went off to the Beach. ~fun~ right? Well let's just say it was a different sort of beach day. All our lives our family has gone to the beach for fun! We love it there. As soon as we arrive everyone gets out and starts working away, fixing up a picnic site, digging holes, making a bonfire, etc. etc....... well, in that way it wasn't so diff. We all jumped out of the cars and got right to work, first we built a wind wall out of tarps, then we built a huge bon fire, then we put up a pop-up shelter (it was raining) smoke filled up our wind wall... we couldn't sit in our cool shelter, the kids started getting very wet, .....and sandy, ........and cold, Some of the men took off and swam in the surf..... (what the heck?) The rest of us decided enough was enough and we started workin on the kids and packing up the vehicles. The great fun of it was being together smellin that good ole salt air ........ Eld, Candy and Fam came with us :) and we were together. We went back home and cooked our foil dinners in the oven. Layed around and just enjoyed each others company. Will we try it again next time? We'll see......

30 Years ago Today!

2010-07-12T09:39:00.000-07:00

Our first little baby was born.

And an amazing thing happened to me.......... I learned about real love. I couldn't understand before him how you could love something that cried, pooped, cried, ate, cried, puked, and cried some more. Now I could. When you give up everything (your life, your body, your time, your sanity, your dislike of changing poopy diapers, etc. etc.) for someone else, you find out what real love is. And did I fall for him. I remember just holding him, and singing to him, and not letting anyone else hold him, and reading stories to him and walking the floors with him.
I'm so grateful he came into our lives.

We have watched him grow into an amazing father,

husband, Priesthood holder, SON, brother, friend.

We have witnessed his ability to do whatever he set his mind to and to do it well. Whether it was building tree forts, a huge slide for his bro. & Sisters, a zip line, a dump trailer from a wagon, a playhouse for me, a chicken house, a dirt bike track & learning to ride motocross style, serving for 2 years a full time mission to Venezuela and learning to speak Spanish, and so many more things. We have watched others line up to take advantage of his talents. We have seen him help and bless others.
Sometimes Arlin and I just stand back in amazement and wonder how he got to be so great. We can't help but be proud and grateful for this wonderful son.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Anthon Newell Burbidge.
Dad and I love you very much!

The Goobs turns 5

2010-07-11T09:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Happy Birthday Logan dear, Happy days will come to you all year, if we had a wish then it would be, a happy happy birthday from Grampa Arlo and Grammie!!!!
We love you Logan. What fun it is having you in our family. We love how energetic you are about baseball. We love how awesome of a bike rider you are. We love when you come out to visit and you want to help Grampa feed the chickens or work in the garden. You are our first grandson. We love having you in our family!!!

Dahlberg Family Reunion

2010-07-06T23:56:00.000-07:00

July 2-3 and 4 was the Dahlberg family reunion. The greatest part about it was me and my sisters, Sherry and Denise, got to spend a whole day together. I picked them up from the airport Wed. morning. We went to all the old places we could think of in Tacoma, our houses (even the one on Violent Meadows). Saw our great-grandma's place, amazing it's still standing. Saw our grandparents home on A street in Parkland. Went inside Sher & Denises old H.S. Went out to lunch and drove around Pt. Defiance Park.
After that we went to Eldon & Candy's where Anthon, Jennie and kids (they drove all night Tues) were waiting and had a delicious bar*b*que. Another great thing was we got to meet Brinkley for the first time. My little island niece!

Thurs. Fri. and Sat. other family members started showing up and the house got fuller and fuller. There were people everywhere! We had fun though. Sat. a photographer came and captured lots of the "Newell children antics". After dinner there was a talent show & Sher, Denise & I even performed!! Saturday night Eldon put on an amazing fireworks show, right in our own yard. He included allot of "the boys" to help. They love the feeling of blowing things up! (why is that?)

Sun morning early Denise had to leave and then Sherry in the afternoon. I LOVED having them here!
The very nice thing was Anthon and Jennie stayed all the way till Wednesday morning. So we got to have a couple of days together after all the chaos!! Loved that too.

I Bet You're Thinking...........

2010-06-26T09:06:00.000-07:00

...............We lost interest in our Hiking Club!!! Not true!!! We've only lost participants and SPARE TIME!

So, this morning Arlo & I got up early and went off (with our two faithful dogs of course) and hiked up to our favorite spot (the logging roads/beaver pond area above our house)
Then, when we got home we were met by a delicious surprise..
Fresh Strawberries.

We made ourselves a delicious treat of strawberries & cream, but instead of cream we used our new favorite indulgence GREEK YOGURT yUmmY. It was so good. I sweetened the berries w/ just a bit of honey so I wouldn't ruin them w/ sugar. Oh MAN that was a tastey treat!!!!

Here's Arlin sittin at our exclusive table at our favorite restaurant!

I can't Believe it's already been a Week!

2010-06-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday (wow that went by tooo fast!!) we flew to Utah for more than one reason. The main one being Bella got blessed by her daddy on Father's Day. What an awesome thing for her daddy to be able to give her a special blessing just for her, to encourage her, inspire her, and inform her of her importance!
Also, Anthon & Nicole participated in a 188 mile race (along w/ their team of 12 all together)from Logan to Park City, Utah. After we flew in Saturday we drove straight to Heber to find Tone & Sis. It was a relay and everyone on the team ran 3 different times. It just so happened that Anthon ran right before Nicole so got to pass off to her each time. We got to witness the pass off (there's a video of it on my facebook) on their last leg. We even ended up following along trying to encourage them and just wanting to be a part of the whole deal! Ken, Lynsie & Luke came down for the blessing, so we ALL (-Jesse Wayne) got to be together on Sunday. WE loved it and Monday evening, on the plane, on the way home, we once again left our hearts behind!!!!

Things are changing!!

2010-06-05T09:54:00.000-07:00

First of all, I LOVED this book!!!
Now that Seminary is over I get to indulge myself in some novels and this is my first one.
Well: here's the story..........
Last weekend we went to Payton's graduation in Bonner's Ferry.

Quite a few members of the Stinebaugh family live there, all of which are avid readers. I love when a reader finds another hungry reader and starts loading them up with their "favorite" books. Well, Dad Stinebaugh, Mom Stinebaugh, and two daughters Stinebaugh did just that for me. We came away with quite a carload, not to mention a list for more!
This book is one Sarah, Stinebaugh daughter #2 (and my sister-in-law/niece) just happen to throw in at the last minute. I'm so glad she did. I really enjoyed it. In fact I loved it so much I finished it this morning and then put my order in @ Amazon.com for the boxed series set of 5! It's just what it says it is. A detective book. But, a very delightful one. I think my sisters would enjoy it.

Some of the others are The Scapegoat Daphne Du Maurier (written in the 1950's, Arlin and I started reading it on the way home from Bonner's Ferry) The Kite Runner (seen the movie haven't read the book yet) Ordinary Heroes Scott Turow, Wish You Well David Baldacci (Father Stinebaugh likes this guy) 3 Cups of Tea, Born to Run, and The Help Sounds like my summer will be very intertaining Yes?

Anyway, on to things changing are you wondering what that has to do with books? (nothing really)
But, they are changing. All the time. Not only are my babies growing up but my brother's babies are too.
Payton of all people had to go and do it!!!

We are very proud of the Young Man he is, for his integrity and high standards. Congratulations Payt!!!

Arlin turns 53!

2010-05-24T19:14:00.000-07:00

Jesse Left to California

2010-05-20T20:35:00.000-07:00

There's no way I can write what I feel about the experience we've had this last year.

But I just want to say that I think Jesse understands God and his ways more than I do. He has a faith that far surpasses mine. The things he says and the way he feels incredibly impress me!! I have been taught by him in so many ways.

I'm excited that he gets the opportunity to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. He's an amazing person. We're very proud of him.

He IS very ready!

This is Jesse's Mission President and Wife.

Mother's Day

2010-05-11T15:09:00.000-07:00

Actually this is Mother's day eve. I finally figured out that because things are so hectic on The day of Mother's day, I don't quite enjoy it as much. This year we decided to have a celebration on M.D. eve. What a great idea and I hope we can make that a tradition!!! We had a nice little meal on the front deck. Arlin grilled salmon (my all time fav) Jesse made pina coladas (virgin of course) and we listened to my new favorite group on the stereo 'Mister Sister'. What a nice relaxing evening. You'll also note some of the flowers I got from my MAN!!!!

Our Trip to Utah ~We are the luckiest Grandparents ever~

2010-05-11T13:19:00.000-07:00

First we went to Anthon & Jennie's to await the birth of Bella!! How excited we were for her arrival.
We had a great time spending the week with Baylee & Boston as Jennie & Bella got detained a few extra days at the hospital.
We enjoyed playing clay dough, watching tricks on the trampoline, lots of walks where we got to see ducks AND some real foxes! I got to tag along when Tone signed Bay up for kindergarden. What fun that was. I got to see her class and meet her teacher. She's going to love Kindergarden. Dad, Tone, Jess, Bay and Bos got to go to a cool museuem, while Jennie and I got to take Bella to one of many blood test dr. appts. We cooked allot and ate allot, went to their ward conferance AND their stake conferance. We were taken care of very well by Bay & Bos, Thanks guys. We LOVE this family!!

2010-05-11T13:18:00.000-07:00

Next we got to visit Nicole's family (really, this visit happened in the middle of visiting Anthon's family.
This was a short visit on account of the fact that we were in Utah to help w/ the new baby. We went out there on Mon. evening (with Bay and Bos in our care) and came back on Wednesday. ~a quickie~ But, we packed lots of fun into it as possible. Tuesday was 77 degrees outside and we stayed out there all day long. I got to take Kamdin in to school and took some pictures, see her w/ the class pet? The kids played on the yard toys, Logan and his daddy played T-ball, they even let other kids try it. Presley was as cute as ever AND I feel gyped I didn't get a picture of Sis, she's lookin so dang cute herself! We ate good food and Sis and I even got away by ourselves for several seconds!! We love this Family so much. Thanks for letting us visit guys!

2010-05-11T13:17:00.000-07:00

Monday afternoon we said Goodbye to Tone's family and drove up to Ken & Nin's house. They were eagerly awaiting our arrival and we were so glad to see them! Lynsie had a yummy chicken soup ready for us. Aly showed up after we got there ~FUN~ she's pretty cute. Luke had lots to show grampa Arlo and liked keeping him occupied. Tues. we ate a yummy breakfast out and then drove to Idaho Falls after Ken got out of class. We spent allot of time looking at yarn cause Nin is crocheting like crazy for the Farmer's Market she's involved in. She makes hats and bracelets, i-pod cozzies and headbands. We also went to the mall and looked for shoes for Jesse Wayne. Then we went to visit Rohn at his work. That was really great cause this big kid comes driving up gets out of the car and it's Christopher all grown up. He was really cute with Luke taking him for a ride, helping him get in the tractors and trucks. Luke was in heaven!! When we got home Aly came back and we made the most delicious tacos w/ guacamole. YUMMY. We sure had fun seeing their cute place. Thanks for letting us stay in your bed Luke. We Love you guys very much.

2010-05-11T13:10:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning Jesse flew in for a visit. HOORAY!! Grampa, me, Bay & Bos all got to go to the airport to pick him up. The kids were very excited to see him. Was he excited to see them???? _____ I think so. Kids just seem to love Jesse. After we picked him up we ate some lunch and then got home minutes before the arrival of baby Bella. Soon after that and when he made sure we could handle things Anthon took Jesse to Supercross. They had loads of fun but froze to death because it snowed ~outside stadium~ Sunday Jesse was helpful w/ the kids going to church, it was Stake Conferance and Bay and Bos would rather run in the gym than sit on a metal chair. (Jess is very understanding of that) Monday a.m. Jess, Dad, Tone, Bay & Bos went to a flight museum @ Hill Air Force Base. They all enjoyed looking at old planes and hearing the Vets tell stories..... well, all that is except for one little runner who would rather run than leisurely stroll through, look and listen!! Speaking of that little runner, notice the picture of him and Jess together, they look a little alike don't they? Bos seems to have Jesse's personality and stamina. YEAH!!!! We had a fun time up at Nin's, it was fun for Jess and Al to be together. They got some goofing off in and you'll notice Jesse giving Al a ride on Lynsie's bike. Funny!! Jesse's been on many a road trip w/ mom & dad he's well seasoned and helped make it enjoyable. He even took a turn reading to dad so he wouldn't fall asleep at the wheel. We love this guy! Thanks for accompanying us on this trip Jess!!

Miss Bella Elizabeth Burbidge is here!

2010-04-30T15:20:00.000-07:00

Baylee and I made this sign for all the world to see!!

Bossy had to wear this mask cause he had a runny nose!

Isn't she a beautiful girl? We love her already.

But for the Grace of God there go I

2010-04-18T19:33:00.000-07:00

Today was Stake Conferance and we sure had a great meeting. I love to hear people speak about their life experiences and how they've come to know their Savior. We heard from different people with different experiences and felt edified! Arlin gave a great talk w/ the theme being the title of this post! He encouraged us to reach out to others, to love and forgive and not judge. He said when he sees others who seem to have made bad choices or are down on their luck he thinks "in 2 or 3 choices I could be in the same situation" Which is true for all of us!!

After church today Arlin & I got on the motorcycle and delivered some eggs to one of our favorite people........ then we hauled ourselves up the hill (it had been a while) It's been a very beautiful day, nice and warm. We loved being outside!

Easter Time

2010-04-05T19:58:00.000-07:00

Jesus has risen, Jesus our friend.
Joy fills our hearts, he lives again.
Praises we sing to him this Easter time.
Jesus has risen, Savior Divine.
Jesus has risen, Savior Divine.

I really think Easter is my favorite holiday. I love the Easter Story and the fact that the Savior really did die for us and now he lives! He lives and wants us to LIVE also. By his example he has shown us the way. I love him.

We were very fortunate to have Meg and Payton here. I got to make Easter Baskets!! It was fun to have them and I think they had fun being here!

YESTERDAYS HIKE

2010-03-14T19:52:00.000-07:00

We had a great hike yesterday! Jesse led us up behind the beaver ponds for about 7 miles to a beautiful waterfall he discovered.
At one spot we had to climb through this tree to get over a body of water!
We walked on roads that were covered with grass and some had a strip of grass down the middle. At times the trees made a canopy over the roads
and in some places we took shortcuts through places that looked like the haunted forest in 'Wizard of Oz'.

The falls were beautiful and high. There was a straight cliff down and I'm amazed Jess even found the place. We sure enjoyed the time together. A side note, it took us about 2 1/2 hours to get there and we were kinda draggin our feet thinking about hikin 2 1/2 hours home, but, Jess found another way back. We kinda came out in a different spot when we went through the haunted forest. So Jess just went running ahead. Me and Arlo were lookin at each other wonderin 'what the heck?' Then Jess yells to us "I'm on the road by the beaver ponds!" Hallelujah!!! That cut 2hours off our hike home!!!

IT'S SOMEBODIES BIRTHDAY!!

2010-03-04T05:36:00.000-08:00

Can you tell who's it is?
JENNIFER ELLEN DUNFORD BURBIDGE.
Happy Birthday Darling.
We are so very fortunate to have Jennie in our family. She just jumped right in and loved us all right off! The first time Anthon brought her home we drug her up through the mud and the sticker bushes to the beaver ponds and she didn't mind a bit. She is a fun loving, happy, very busy Mother of 2 (almost 3) We appreciate all you do and really love how you fit right into our family.
Have the most Beautiful Day!
We Love You
Love Dad & Momma B

NO more teenagers!

2010-02-14T07:30:00.000-08:00

Today is Jesse WAyne's 20th birthday. That means we are all done with teenagers in our house ~unless someone wants to give us one~
The thing about Jesse is he is capable of doing so many different things, and has a wide variety of interests.
But mostly he's all about adventure! From sleeping out in the most obscure places, to hiking, to jumping into the coldest water, to jumping ~or falling~ out of moving vehicles!!!!
I remember him as a little boy out in the garage "knockin nails"
or sneakin over to Gramma Norma's for hot mush. (he doesn't love when I make it but has fond memories of eatin hers)
Since the day he was born we've continued to be surprised and entertained by the boy.
WE LOVE YOU JESS!! Have a great day.

2010-02-14T07:29:00.000-08:00

GUESS WHO turned 1 today?

2010-01-26T08:19:00.000-08:00

Presley Anita Skeem is one year old. HAPPY BIRTHDAY beautiful little girl!!

Grampa Arlo & Grammie Mimi Love you so very much!!!

KAMDIN NICOLE SKEEM

2010-01-17T09:00:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU KAMDIN!
Today is Kamdin's 6th birthday. She has the honor of being the oldest Grandchild in this Burbidge family. We sure enjoy her sweetness, her creativity and her beautiful smile. And are so grateful she's ours.

Hike #2

2010-01-09T20:41:00.000-08:00

We are so very fortunate to live in this great northwest where there's beauty to be had right out your backdoor. We're also very fortunate to have a son who always wants to be moving about and wants US to too!!! Here we are on our second hike, this time Maddy, Cocoa & Ducati joined us! Bet you wish you were with us don't you?

Burbidge/Newell Hiking club

2010-01-02T16:47:00.000-08:00

Today was our first official hike of our newly formed hiking club. We are going to hike somewhere once a month and anyone can join us that wants to.
We hiked up Mt. Eleanor until we got to the snow line. (a good hour) It was fun and some of us realized how out of shape we've gotten!!!
Our next hike date will be Feb. 13th
Fri. January 29th we're going to have a potluck/planning/game night to plan it.
We all had a great time. Some of the highlights were: Devlen loved the hike and kept well up to the front, he even broke out into a run sometimes, Flat Stanley (a friend on loan from Wilson) came along, & every once in a while the sun would break through the clouds and we could see how very high up we were and the beautiful lake Cushman below.
Great fun, more to come!!!!

Today Baylee Ellen Burbidge turns 5

2010-01-02T09:41:00.000-08:00

Here's a few of the pictures we have of her.
She is a fun loving, fast talking & even faster thinking, little firecracker of a girl. We sure love having her in our family.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BAYLEE ELLEN!!!

Merry Christmas from the Burbidges!!

2009-12-30T11:08:00.000-08:00

We feel blessed in knowing we are loved by a Heavenly Father who knows us personally & cares about us individually. That fact has been made manifest over many times in our lives.
We are grateful to have health, strength & determination to carry on.
We feel gratitude for employment and the ability to be self-reliant.
We know so many good, wonderful, caring people who have shown us by their kind acts of love & service that they are our true friends!
We are blessed with beautiful children & grandchildren.
We value our extended family members and all they add to our lives.
We are all well and happy and feeling at Peace with experiences we’ve had this year!
We appreciate our Savior, Jesus Christ & the magnificent gift he has given to us; His Life. He was born as a humble child, He died so we can live, He lives forever and so will his gift.

Have a very beautiful Holiday centered on what Christmas is really all about.

We love you,
Arlin, Cindy & Jesse Burbidge

THANKSGIVING

2009-11-29T07:15:00.000-08:00

We have so much to be Thankful for, and we had an amazing Thanksgiving!! Thanks to Eldon, Candy, the 3 D's and Neil & Maddie coming to celebrate, our Holiday was very fun and filled with lots of deliciousness!!!!

Yes, you're seeing it right, Jesse made the pies!! I am NOT a pie maker and Jess & Arlin both LOVE pies (I think thanks to Gramma Norma & her wonderful pies) so Jess decided to take on the job :) While he was staying with Gordon & Sarah she taught him some important hints on making a good pie crust.

Devlen shared his Wii and everyone, even Arlo took a turn having fun with it.

Cute daddy/daughter!!
Neil supplied us with drink! Egg Nog (he even brought sprite if you wanted it mixed) and Martinellis.

Very CUTE couple!!!
Candy brought some great food. The two things that REALLY stand out are the breakfst caserole she made ~yummy AND mostly the mounds balls!!! Oh man I couldn't get enough!

US!

Oh, and one more thing. What made it really fun is E & C came down wednesday night and stayed the night with us!!! Thank you guys......we loved it!!!

We got some suprise guests!!!

2009-11-18T06:40:00.000-08:00

Jennie, well actually Anthon called me and asked, Have you talked to Jennie yet? I said no, what's up (wracking my brain on what could it be about????) He then told me she wanted to come up and had found some very good priced tickets. HOORAY!!!! So Saturday morning Nov. the 14th Arlin & I went up to SeaTac and picked up Jennie & Grandkiddies Baylee & Boston. We had such a fun visit. They got to stay till Tues. Which worked out so well cause I didn't have to work till Wednesday! Here's a few pictures:

At family night we wrote (or drew) all the things we were thankful for. Everytime Grampa said 'thankful' in the lesson we all got to take an m&m :)

Grampa bought this cool train set at a garage sale (Kristin's!!) last summer and was excited for a grandchild or two to come and play!

Bossy where he's meant to be ~OUTSIDE!!!

Jennie and Bay checking out the progress of the Kyak!

IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY ~ HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

2009-11-04T08:58:00.000-08:00

28 years ago today a Princess was born!! Happy Birthday Nicole. We hope you have the greatest day!!!

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY LYNSIE DEAR!!

2009-10-26T15:46:00.000-07:00

24 Years ago this angel came into our lives!!!

The Reunion

2009-10-20T12:42:00.001-07:00

We had the pleasure of going to Arlin's mission reunion for the 75-78 Spain Madrid Mission. Coincidently it was held on the 2nd of Oct. OUR 30th Anniversary. It was very fun and interesting to see people I had only seen pictures of. The very fun of it all I'll tell at the bottom. Well, it was very fun that Anthon wanted to come with us and bring his family. They fed us good food, some 'real Spaniards' spoke with us and we watched a video of mission pictures. Only one of Arlin's companions were there, but others were there that he knew.

Boston would share his watermelon!!

We got to sit at the same table with Richard G. Scott's daughter, Mary. She was very nice.

Baylee Ellen added to the fun of the evening.

The very fun part is the fact that a family Arlin baptized has gotten in touch with him, and he just spoke with them on the phone for about 45 minutes. They want us to come to Spain (you won't have to force me!!! especially if we could just sneak over and have a look at that Eiffel Tower I have always longed to see!!!)....

2009-10-20T12:30:00.000-07:00

These pictures were taken by someone @ the reunion

While in Utah we got to see ALL our kids & Grandkids!

2009-10-19T08:02:00.000-07:00

Boston in the carseat waitin for his sister

Little Miss Presley

Logan watchin dad make apple juice

Kamdin at school

With Luke at Gardner village

Baylee at Pre-school

30 Years of Wedded Bliss!!

2009-10-02T05:18:00.000-07:00

..............and they are living Happily Ever After.

Tonight is Arlin's Mission Reunion

2009-10-02T04:31:00.000-07:00

From 1976-1978 Arlin served in the Spain, Madrid mission. Here's a few pictures.

A visit to the Farm

2009-09-12T16:45:00.000-07:00

Jesse's Dream Job!

2009-09-12T16:00:00.000-07:00

We got to see Diana Krall!!!!

2009-08-28T17:31:00.000-07:00

Outdoor setting, beautiful music, my man by my side, lovely people (except for the 2 in front of us!!!!) It was wonderful. Thanks for the great time Denise!! We missed you Walt!!!!

2009-08-28T17:11:00.000-07:00

These are pictures of Denise and her beautiful Grandchildren. You can tell she thinks they are the heaven and earth!!!!

This is a picture of a bed and breakfast in Jacksonville bought by a Washington couple who had just won the lottery!!!

Sis and her cute Family came for a visit!

2009-08-27T18:01:00.000-07:00

Here I am doing one of my most favorite things ....braiding hair!!

My Dad & Joy's Reunion @ the River July 26th

2009-07-26T01:33:00.000-07:00

We Drove down to Vancouver this morning to spend the day with Dad & Joy at their river property. It was a beautiful day and even I swam a bit. Eldon & Candy and the 3D's, Josh & Cath, Us, Dad & Joy, Neil, and Becky (Joy's daughter) and her family were there. We made it in time to have pancakes......yum!!! and pretty much spent the whole day down by the beautiful river.

The Harris Reunion July 18th 2009

2009-07-22T01:09:00.000-07:00

Arlin and I slipped away with Bay & Bos (while they were here) to Spanaway Park and the Harris reunion.
The kids played on some big toys.
We said Hi to as many people as we recognized.
Then we hurried back home to our visitors there!!!!

My 2nd Cousin (an up and coming "famous" country singer) came and sang to us. He sang a song he wrote for those serving in the military. It was very good!

We Had a Visit from Anthon, Jennie, Baylee & Bos!!

2009-07-22T00:56:00.000-07:00

Anthon called us one day and said "We're coming for a visit!!" Hooray! I love visits. They got here early Friday a.m. the 17th and stayed till Tues the 21st of July. We had a great time and what made it even more fun was Eldon and Candy came and parked their trailor and camped out for a few days. We loved it all and didn't want it to end!

4th of July Fun

2009-07-04T19:02:00.000-07:00

Eldon and Candy, w/ Devlen and Dayton decided to come and spend the day with us on the 4th of July. Neil and Maddy decided to stick around for the day as well. It was impromptu but the mostest fun!!! We rode motorcycles, ate, played games, swam, and rode motorcycles. Arlin taught Dayton how to ride one of the bigwheels and his hinder was pretty much attached to it the entire day! Then, in the evening Eldon set off a few fireworks.

Raegan followed us home from Utah!

2009-06-23T10:17:00.000-07:00

After the wedding Raegan decided to take a needed little break! She drove Jodi home to Lacey and then came to stay the night w/ us Sunday night and slept in our sleeping shed (I'm pretty proud of her!!!). I had to work Monday so she said she layed around all day ~um.....I'd have to see that one to believe it~ RAEGAN????? When I got home from work we ate and then played tons!! We rode the big wheels all around the property (garth's kids were here too and we did our best to dodge them so we wouldn't run them over or jump them)
Then we played a fun game Jennie gave Arlo for F's day, called Bananagrams

~we really like it~ then we watched a movie called forever strong. I would highly recommend that show. Raeg's on her way to her sister's now. It was fun having her here!!!

(I had to prove that I was there too, didn't I?)

We spent the Day with Raegan's family on Saturday

2009-06-21T21:29:00.000-07:00

Tan-Tan got MARRIED!!!

It would have been nice if I had gotten a picture of the Happy Couple. But here's the happy (remainder of) family!!

I've Been to Utah and Just Got Back Today!!!

2009-06-21T20:52:00.000-07:00

Our Sleeping Shed

2009-06-01T08:31:00.000-07:00

We used to have a cute little trailer in this spot, but it was old, rotting, and musty smelling...........We painted and scrubbed it but it never let go of those problems so we hauled it off (Neil found a willing owner) and Jesse built this cute little shed in it's place. Which I like better cause you're sleeping outside (open front) with a roof over your head.

We celebrated Margaret's life on May 21st, 2009

2009-05-26T14:19:00.001-07:00

My friend Mary's beautiful mother, Margaret

A classic!!!! Neil & Brent

Now hold on until we say it's time to let go...........

okay, let go!
Goodbye Margaret! We will never forget you.

2009-05-14T20:26:00.000-07:00

The baby chicks are growing!

Momma Got Glasses!

2009-05-14T20:21:00.000-07:00

Which do you prefer? This one

or is this one better?

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

2009-05-06T14:42:00.000-07:00

I found this on Someone's Blog

Principles of Motherhood
In honor of Mothers this month (and all year round, actually!), I hope this brings a smile to your face!

1. Motherhood ~~ If it was going to be easy, it never would have started with something called labor!
2. Shouting to make your children obey is like using the horn to steer your car, and you get about the same results.
3. To be in your children's memories tomorrow, you have to be in their lives today.
4. The smartest advice on raising children is to enjoy them while they are still on your side.
5. Avenge yourself ~~~ Live long enough to be a problem to your children.
6. The best way to keep kids at home is to make the home a pleasant atmosphere ~~ and to let the air out of the tires.
7. The right temperature in a home is maintained by warm hearts, not by hot heads.
8. The joy of motherhood: What a woman experiences when all the children are finally in bed.
9. Life's golden age is when the kids are too old to need baby-sitters and too young to borrow the family car.
10. Any child can tell you that the sole purpose of a middle name is so he can tell when he's really in trouble.
11. Grandparents are similar to a piece of string ~ handy to have around and easily wrapped around the fingers of grandchildren.
12. A child outgrows your lap, but never outgrows your heart.
13. God gave you two ears and one mouth ... so you should listen twice as much as you talk.
14. There are three ways to get something done: Do it yourself, hire someone to do it, or forbid your children to do it.
15. Adolescence is the age when children try to bring up their parents.
16. You know the only people in this world who are always sure about the proper way to raise children? Those who've never had any.
17. Cleaning your house while your kids are at home is like trying to shovel the driveway during a snowstorm.
18. Oh to be only half as wonderful as my child thought I was when he was small, and half as stupid as my teenager now thinks I am.
19. There are only two things a child will share willingly: communicable diseases and his mother's age.
20. Money isn't everything, but it sure keeps the kids in touch.
21. Adolescence is the age at which children stop asking questions because they know all the answers.
22. An alarm clock is a device for awakening people who don't have small children.
23. Why is it that our children can't read a Bible in school, but they can in prison?
24. How do you cope when the apple of your eye becomes a bone in your throat?
25. No wonder kids are confused today. Half the adults tell them to find themselves; the other half tell them to get lost.
26. The persons hardest to convince they're at the retirement age are children at bedtime.
27. A mother's work is never done...but do we really want it all to end?? Let's live & love each moment!

Jesse is in Brazil!

2009-04-23T20:26:00.001-07:00

Here we are at the airport saying Goodbye to Jesse Wayne. We had quite a time building up to this day! Wednesday the 15th in the wee hours of the morning Anthon, Jennie, Bay & Bos showed up here. It was so fun to see them. Then Thursday evening Nicole and Presley flew in. Friday morning @ 6 a.m. Lynsie, Ken & Luke got here and late, late Friday night Sarah, Aly, Payton & Meg came! All day Friday the girls baked goodies (I had to work) All day Saturday we girls did what we wanted. The guys went to Super Cross in Seattle.
Sunday we all made it to church on time! Jesse sang "Take My Life" and did a fantastic job and then he gave a great talk. He's amazing!!
After church allot of people came over to wish him well.
Monday We went out to Schaffer State Park. (an old favorite of our families when we were younger!!)
Tuesday a.m. Anthon & Jennie left and the rest of us went to the airport. Sis left at the same time Jesse did.
Wednesday a.m. Lynsie and Ken left. (My sweet friend Kristen came over and brought me a raspberry hot chocolate to cheer me {it worked} Thank you)
Wednesday afternoon I got a phone call from the MTC in Brazil telling me Jess had got there safely. She said he was a handsome boy who looked like he was ready to get to work!! What a relief that phone call was!

This is for Baylee! Mimi got some yellow chicks too.

2009-04-13T08:52:00.000-07:00

This is for Logan, he wanted to see Grampa Arlo's new chicks!

2009-04-09T14:38:00.000-07:00

We're in Bonner's Ferry Idaho!

2009-04-05T16:53:00.000-07:00

Friday night after Arlin and I got off work we headed out to Idaho (first we stopped on the side of the highway & Eldon threw Dayton into our car!!) We got to Gordon & Sarah's at about 12:30 p.m. and visited till 2:30. Saturday Gord showed us around town and now today we're heading out to the Hubbard farm. We'll be leaving tomarrow in the morning. It's been a fun stay and the sun's been out all day today. It really is beautiful up here, even though it feels like we're on the edge of the earth!!!

I got tagged by Maria

2009-03-15T09:02:00.000-07:00

I don't look at blog's as much since FaceBook!! but I just happened by Maria's blog and noticed I got tagged. (unless there's another Cindy out there???) Oh well, I'll play along.

8 TV Shows I Enjoy Watching: I don't have, nor do I want TV, but our kids sometimes tell us about shows that are fun and we rent the series from Blockbuster, after the season is over. Currently this is what we watch. There are not 8!!

The Office we can't help it, it's funny and a little bit habit forming!!
Lost But, after seeing the first few episodes at our kids house ~don't know if we'll ever figure this season out!!
30 Rock and it's just me who likes it......

8 Things That Happened Yesterday:
Made waffles for Maddie (she stayed the night Friday)
Cleaned out a cupboard (it's my goal to do that every Saturday)
Mopped the kitchen floor
Cleaned the bathroom upstairs
Did laundry
Went to Dallin's b-day party
Went to a wedding w/ Arlo
Went out to dinner w/ Arlo

8 Things I am looking forward to:
Going to Gordon and Sarah's for a visit
I'm always looking forward to any call or contact from kids and grandkids
General Conferance
Warm weather!!
Flowers!!!!
~and Well, the main thing on my mind constantly is Jesse going on his mission to Brazil.
~His talk the Sunday before
~The visitors who will come for it!

8 Things on my wish list:
(so many of my wishes are fulfilled, I can only think of 3)
Another trip to Mexico
that my kids will move home and live nearby
An FJ

8 Things my husband did yesterday:
Taxes
Fixed the wood stove (again) he coined the phrase, fix it up, wear it out, make do, or do without!!!
Dressed up in a suit
Went with me to Dallin's b-day party
Took me to Aberdeen with him
Married a couple at the Aberdeen bldng.
Took me out to dinner
Went shopping with me for "court" clothes and didn't pace or get all anxious or try to get me to buy something funky..... he did good

Jesse to the Temple

2009-02-22T21:28:00.001-08:00