Aaron and Jennifer's trip

Here are a couple of pictures from our trip. I could only get 3 at a time to upload for some reason, so I will send a few more in another blog. I am not the tech person in our house. These pictures are from Pisa and Venice. We did the tourist thing and rode in a gondola in Venice (on our 13th anniversary). Venice is a really unique place. It is so easy to get turned around because half the streets and alleys are not listed on the map. It was just incredible to see this entire city floating on the water. They have water buses and taxis that take you around the city. You can walk most places, but there are a few outer islands that are only accessible by boat and water bus or boat. It was cool to see all the boats "parked" outside all the buildings and houses. Venice has a lot of cute alley ways, canals, and old courtyards. We lovingly called it a floating Disneyland because it is all geared towards taking the tourists money. It was amazing to see.

More to come....

James and Karla Vanderpool Family

James and Karla Vanderpool Family
Hi Guys,
We got back yesterday from the family reunion in Lava Hot Springs and had a wonderful time. About 75 people showed up and we got to renew old aquaintances and get to make some new ones. I just got an email from Jerel Potter who I saw for the first time in 40 years an he mentioned how much he loved it and said it was one of thr best days of his life. We are having another on next June 30th never too early to start planning. Dad and I plan on rafting the Salmon River afterwards. It sure is beautiful country up there, Never too early too start planning,
Love. MOM

Granny asked me to post for her she is asking all of us for our prayers for the mother of Diane Uncle Toms wife. Diane's mother has cancer through out her body and is now in hospice care. Granny is requesting that we pray for Tom and Diane during these trying times for them. I can't imagine what they are are going through but my prayers will be with them and I pray that they can find some peace and comfort during these difficult times. Mindy

Episode II: Attack of the Clones

There is unrest in the Vanderpool Republic. Several family members have declared their intentions to miss the Reunion.

This separatist movement, under the leadership of the mysterious Count Taiki, has made it difficult for the limited number of Jedi Knights to maintain peace and order in the family room.

Senator Alli, the former Queen of Perry, is returning to the Galactic Senate to vote on the critical issue of creating a CARAVAN OF VANDERPOOLS to assist the overwhelmed reunion attendees...

James and Karla Vanderpool Family

James and Karla Vanderpool Family
Yea! Yoakim and Sabine both wrote, what a great week. We loved hearing from both of you, keeps us close to people we love and miss very much. And believe me the trip to Hawaii won't keep us from coming to Europe as soon as we can. Aaron is in Italy right now seeing the sights and presenting the facts at a seminar for Intel. How are your folks Yoakim, we miss and love them too. Tell them to keep writing we love their cards. And congrats on being a Uncle, we would love to meet your girlfriend she looks great! Tara is in Florida with her sister Amy and family this week and having way too much fun. We are all getting ready for our family reunion in Idaho on July 1st. Hope to see Jonathan and Granny while up there, but are still deciding what to do about a car because we are taking our foster kids and Keyiona just had surgery on her right leg and has a long cast. How to make room for all of us and the cast! But won't it be lovely to get them out of the heat into the cool Northwest for awhile. We may never come back, or until Oct. at least when we have our first day that hits less than 150 degrees on the thermometer. No worry I just got the air conditioning fixed in my car and it is tolerable now.
Love MOM

Hey dear Vanderpools!
I found this impressing blog (big family = many members) on the net and just had to join.
Hawaii doesn't sound any wrong and Karla and James are definitely worth it. But now, unfortunately, it will take a longer time for them to get to Sweden.
Me myself just came home from a long trip to Asia and New Zealand. Saw everything from the most beatiful and clean scenery in New Zealand to the most filthy and overcrowded citys in China and Vietnam. We also went to Thailand, Laos and Cambodja.
I became an uncle to mother Charlottes, my oldest sister, baby about five months ago. She's married to a danish man and they live in Denmark. Very close to Sweden...
Now the scandinavian summer is here and it looks like the sun never sets. I'm delivering mail this summer before I'm going back to University this coming fall. I'm planning on finish next year if nothing stops me.
Well, I'm always gonna be updated about you from this blog, and I'll tell you next time I'm coming by Arizona.
Take care, Joakim Aspeheim (exchange student 1997-1998)

James and Karla Vanderpool Family

James and Karla Vanderpool Family

James and Karla Vanderpool Family

James Vanderpool
Thank you for your kindness to me as the father of this family. We are looking forward to going to Hawaii. Your generosity is overwhelming. Your good wishes today are even more apreicated. It just so happens that I am the most fortunate of men. The blessings of the Lord has been poured through open windows. Thank you again for being that blessing.

James and Karla Vanderpool Family

James and Karla Vanderpool Family
Spencer, I can't believe we weren't the first to know the good news! Congratulations to Dad and I for one more grandchild. You guys keep making us famous (in Japan at least). Tara left for parts unknown today somewhere east of here and was way too happy about it. I suggested she come home for the family reunion but she said she would rather stay with Amy and fam. The nerve. We might be getting two more little boys and one has ADH or whatever, Mindy and I didn't even blink when they said that because no one ever had a case as sever as Jonathan. And look how great he turned out, oh wait, he isn't where anyone can look to see how he turned out, might have had a sex change or something for all I know. And about Andrew moving to Utah, our new attitude is that it is just north Phoenix and they can still make it home for Sunday dinner three or four times a year, especially if I visit up there as often as I hope to. I hate it when my kids deliberately move out of hugging range, you would think they didn't need all that attention. Admit it Matthew Kyle, you love Grandma's wet kisses.
Love
Grandma

well as i sit here i ponder the deep things of life. where do we come from, where are we going, what is the purpose of life, how do they get the ship in the bottle, and where do babies come from. mom and dad say that i need to learn how to use this thing because they can't afford diapers for two. i think they are just cheap. but i guess if i am suppose to be a go0d big brother i need to be able to give advise on such things as this. any way i need get down to business and Bob the Builder is more fun to watch. see you guys later.
love, Taiki (the soon to be big brother)

Mindy Lou

Happy birthday! I was just thinking of some memories I have of you and I growing up. I can think of a lot of times of us being very silly together and really having fun. We spent many a night trying to go to sleep with way to much energy left. We used to have pretend seizures in bed and laugh until we heard the "girls, I'm sending Dad down there." Most of my memories are of you being very happy and laughing a lot. I know you think you were bossy but I really don't remember you bossing me around that much. I always felt like you loved me and wanted to protect me. You were so good to me in high school in band even though I was the tag along little sister. Your friends were just so cool and always had tons of fun. One thing I have always envied of you is your ability to have amazing friendships. You are a great friend and are loved by so many. Thanks for being a great example to me of hard work and righteous living. You may have regretted some of your decisions you made as a teenager but I never knew any of it. I thought you were perfect except the whole Walgreens episode. I am glad we were friends growing up and still are. It is wonderful to have sisters that are great examples and understand who you are and love you anyways. I love you Mindy. I wish I could call you Miriam but I don't know Miriam, I only know my Mindy. I hope you had a great birthday!--Amy

Over the Hedge

Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Miriam. Happy birthday to YOU!!!

Singing that song reminds me of a time when Miriam and I were dating in Salt Lake. She came back to Phoenix to visit for the weekend. I called to talk to her, but the phone was answered by Colin. I said "Is Miriam there?" He replied, "Who?" "Miriam." "Who?" "Miriam, you know, your sister?" "Oh, you mean Mindy?" Granted, he was 12, but when you don't even know your sister's name, maybe there is a problem.

Miriam is twenty-five, I think, so for the next six days, I guess I am twenty-four. Yippee! Actually, she is "Over the Hedge" now. That's almost like "over the hill", only younger. It has been a full and wonderful life to date. Like Amy says, I don't know if she will ever see 8 hours of consecutive sleep again. Sometimes, I feel like our life is like that story about the guy who fell out of the airplane. Fortunately, our children are out of the spitting-up, midnight bottle stage. Unfortunately, they are in their terrible twos. Fortunately, they will grow out of that as well. Unfortunately, they will too soon be teenagers. Fortunately... Well, you get the idea.

We have been busy trying to stay out of the heat. Unfortunately, Grandma won't let us put the trampoline in the living room, but we bought a wading pool. If we could just find a way to have the swing-set in the shade all day, we might survive til October. Dad, Mom, and a very helpful Spencer got motivated last week and installed celing fans in the living room, so now it is my favorite room in the whole house. We are also eating a lot of icecream! Miriam and I are more committed to working off the extra calories though. We are going to the gym at least three times a week. We have yet to decide if it is easier to do it at 5:30 am or 9:00 pm, but either way it is paying off. I can almost run up the stairs without getting winded! Wish us luck with not surrendering to laziness!

Thanks everyone for all the great stories. Cory, we are glad you are still seeing Stacie occasionally, and that you are working so hard for your goals. Way to be responsible. Amy, if I didn't have summerschool, and an internship, I am sure that it would take me less than a minute to talk my wife into driving to Misery for a couple of weeks, but alas, I have to pay my dues before I can start making the big money and aford to live the carefree life of a jet-setter like Mom and Dad. We will hope to see you for Christmas!

James and Karla Vanderpool Family

Hello everyone, its me Cory, following the rest of this family. I have to start this so I can get good at it and eventually get Alan back for that not so true story about me and Lake Powell. Well, I have been home now for two months. I know time is flying. Well since I have been home I decided to go into debt and am now driving a kind of new truck. I gets me all the chicks. Speaking of the chickas, I do 4 things in life right now. They are, one Church, I am going to singles ward and just got called as one of four ward fathers. They split the ward into four families and I am the dad of one of them. I also attend the temple each week and that is awsome and then also institute. Next is work, Mom and Dad have got me slaving away on that house which with any luck, we or should I say I will finish next week. Next is School, I am taking an Algebra class this summer and it is really fun, I even took a girl out from my class last night. That brings me to my last and almost the most important thing and that is dating. I am dating a lot, and I mean a lot. I am averging three to four a week and most of the time differnt girls. Although there is one that I have been dating a little more than the rest. Her name is Stacie. She is awsome. The problem with a scedule like this is I am breaking the word of wisdom, I do not get enough sleep. Five hours a night is not getting the job done, especially when this tired body is used to eight. Well, more info than comedy but Ill try harder next time. Cory

Well, I guess that for Amy's sake, I'll go over the lives of the Brimhalls.

Jared is seriously considering going to school. He would really, REALLY like to coach, and get paid for it, and the only way to do that is to teach. He is going to be a wonderful teacher. He already is!

I am still doing the Stake Music. (My poor stake) I also continue to play the piano for the choir, and am now teaching Relief Society once a month as well. I do not even try to make sense of it, I only serve. I was very surprised to have gotten that call, though. Other than that, life is going on as usual. Clothes not being folded, dishes not getting done, that whole thing. (sorry about the "dirty language". I told you I was going to have to watch it. )

Chalae gets her braces off in 12 weeks. I can't believe how fast it went. She's beautiful and talented, and a very wonderful part of our family. She just got back from girls camp and loved every minute of it.

JJ is hilarious, and loves to laugh. He usually can be found running around or telling jokes.

And lastly, Joseph is turning 2 next month. Where does the time go?

Well, long post, so I'll write more some other time.

Dawn

Que Paso?

So this blorg thing is pretty cool if you can keep up with it. Lindsay and I have been pretty busy. We recently returned from Hawaii and loved every second of it. I will post some pictures sometime later and describe a few of the excellent activities we did (We do not apologize for any jealousy we cause anyone to feel). Anyway, I started a new position at a small CPA firm in Chandler as a Bookeeper and am struggling, but enjoying the position as I learn my way. Lindsay is still doing great at Desert Schools Credit Union and is super excited about doing foster care. We hope to start that around the beginning of August. And like Lindsay already posted here on the Blorg, we have a contract to buy a 2/2 townhome in Mesa. It is between Gilbert and Lindsay off of University. To say we are excited is to say that Taiki is only a little cute. ;-)

Just to let everyone else know, the reservations have been set for Hawaii. Mom and Dad will be leaving September 14, and returning the 21st! We had a book about Hawaii and Mom is reading it and getting herself psyched up for the trip.

Now for a few pictures:



Mindy communicated to Spencer telepathically that she wanted to join her children in the pool. We were happy to ablige.

Our new home:



Ok that is all I have for now.

Peter

Hi

Hello! While I'm bored at work I just thought that everyone would like to know that Peter and I are purchasing our first home! We are extremely excited and can't wait for everyone to come see it! But not all at the same time, it's not that big! :)

Peter and Lindsay

Rules for posting

I was just reading through some of the older posts, and I found one that mentioned rules.

So, if I were to write any dirty language on the blog, for instance, talking about dirt, mud, floors that need mopped, dog hair on the carpet, any of that kind of talk would get me kicked off? I'd better watch it, then.

Dawn

summer school

well things are going well at the Vanderpool house. the spencer and rieko vanderpool house that is. i am now in summer school taking a class called intro to deformable solids. it is great stuff. rieko just got back from a short trip to Salt Lake to see one of her old missionary compaions wedding reception, she had a great time. i quit my job last week and just got the permit for our house and am slowly working on that. that is going to take a while but it will be nice to go from a 450 square foot room to a 1550 square foot house. Taiki got a haircut last night and has never looked more like a little japanese boy in his life. he is really cute. he understands japanese better than english so if you want to talk to him you have to learn japanese. well that's all for now. see ya later.

Exchange Student Blog Invitations

Amy, everyone is getting very excited about the Blog. Thanks for starting it. The following former exchange students need to be added to the list of bloggers. Can you invite them?

Daddy and Mateo taking down camp

I feel so special!!!!!

Life, the Universe, and Everything

Thanks to Jared and Spencer's able instruction, I still haven't caught a fish. Wrong bait, wrong cast, wrong day, I don't know, but I will keep trying. I quit the hotel...again. I feel like an addict who needs a fix, then realizes how harmful it is, sobers up, then needs a fix again. Terrible! Amy and Carri, thanks for the great posts. Having the Blog is fantastically valuable. I am trying to get my family in Idaho to use it too. Dawn Brimhall's email address is. Could you please send her an invitation as well? I will be sure to harass Tara today about not checking her email.

The Nielsens spent commemorated the sacrifice of our nation's heroes on Memorial Day by having a barbeque/swimming party with several illegal aliens. Actually, I think only one of them was actually illegal. It was a lot of fun though, and we enjoyed the barrilla. The internship has begun, but I did not do any real accounting until day three. We will see what the new week holds tomorrow.

Amy
Well I am not sure but I think that if you go to the DES and apply for any kind of aid that they will qualify you for child care or not. I have heard rumors that the DES in Missouri works at super sonic speeds so you will probably not need this next advice. One thing I have seen done before is to find a willing soul in the ward probably in the A or B group, bring them lots of lasanga and brownies and then suggest that they babysit for the desperate families. Here is where they have to like Mormon food. Suggest that they get paid, not in cash dollars(money is way overrated) but with vouchers to the Bishops storehouse. They would recieve say $100 per week in food. This works even better if the family who does the babysitting is already recieving help from the ward with thier mortgage, utilities, internet bill, cable bill, new car payment or funds to start a new business. I'am sorry the last four things should be deleted. People who recieve welfare money for these items probably won't babysit anyways. Ok the person doing the babysitting doesn't need to be recieving any monies from the ward but they will probably end up being a saint. Good Luck. Just for fun a couple of pictures of what we did today.

OOPS!

Yesterday was our first day of summer vacation. The Missouri Botanical Gardens happened to be free that day so we decided to go. We had a great time. It was beautiful. They have an incredible glass exhibit right now and the weather was even not horrible. They just finished a huge new children's garden complete with rock climbing, tree houses, rope climbs, water, sand, a play and pretend vegetable store and of course plants. We played for a few hours and then it was time to go home. On the way out we were all hot and tired when we saw this incredible fountain. There were a few kids with their feet dangling in so we told the kids they could get their feet wet too. It wasn't thirty seconds before Bradley was full on swimming through the water and then everyone else was following suit. We kept wondering if it was ok or if someone was going to come out and yell at us. We didn't see any signs until after about 10 minutes we looked to the side and saw a little sign that said "no wading in the fountain". OOPS! We quickly got the kids out and had to take a picture of our soaking wet children (and half of my pants) by the sign. You have to walk through a building to get out of the garden and Mark was scared to death to do so because they were going to see how wet we were. The fountain felt great, too bad we can't do it again.
Does anyone know of a government agency that provides free or low cost childcare. We have two families in our ward for a total of six children that need immediate childcare for the summer and have almost nothing to pay for it. If we don't find something I'm afraid me and the other RS counselor are going to end up with a lot of extra kids this summer. Yikes! Is this what I said yes to when I agreed to serve?
Jennifer, I wish we could come home this summer. It feels like it is time to. We are definitely coming home in December for Christmas again. If someone decides to get married between now and then we could come home for the wedding. Cory get busy. We really miss everyone. I can't believe Andrew and Shannon are really going to move away. Everyone is supposed to stay there until we get back and even then you aren't supposed to leave. Or you can move to Utah until December of '07 and then you have to move back. Not fair.
That's all for now.--Amy

So long, and thanks for all the fish

Whoever has editing powers on this blog needs to send an invitation to Tara so that she can have her own login name. Her email address is . She really really really wants to blog. She feels left out, disconnected from the family, unloved. Having her own blog will allow us to continue to exclude and ignore her without having to listen to all the whining.

Life is good except that summer school starts on Tuesday, and I am not ready to start being responsible again. It was a bliss filled two weeks of fishing, building things, and spending time with my family. Miriam will miss me as I start my internship on Wednesday, so I will never be home again. I complain a lot, but I realized that it was rare that Tara ever goes to bed before me, and almost always wakes up before me, and she doesn't even have a wife or kids. Wow, she is busy! Anyway, give her a blog name, please!

April and May Happenings at the Petersens

Carri inspired me to post today. I tried to post the other day but the electricity went out in the middle and I never got back to it. We have had a busy month as I am sure all of you have as well. It started with Alan going out of town to Vegas for a convention. Almost the minute he walked out the door I started a project. I decided to dig up the existing weed garden and plant a vegetable garden. It was a ton of work and I loved every second of it. It just feels so right to be outside digging it the dirt. Alan did not want me to plant a garden due to the many and various animals that would love some new plants to munch on. After about 15 hours of digging, pulling, shoveling, rototilling, fertilizing and watering I was ready to plant. I had quite a time using the borrowed rototiller by myself. I only got two major bruises and almost lost a toe. I planted tomatoes, carrots, peas, beans, cucumbers, zuchinies, pumpkins, watermelons and sunflowers. I used my recycled shredded paper for mulch between the rows. I have lots of rabbit and deer deterents out but I already have deer tracks through the garden. I bought the stuff for a fence but convincing Alan to help me put it up has not quite happened yet.
Luke had his first haircut and I ended up cutting off most of his curl. It does not seem to be coming back. I hate doing losing their curls but they have to grow up I guess. Mark had a performance at school called "Planetary Jammin'". He was very intensely singing and was the police man to all the kids around him to be quiet, look straight ahead, it is your turn now, pay attention and so on. He did a great job and I could hear his singing above the all the other kids. Mark and Bradley finished a great soccer season this month. We thought that Alan got a pretty lucky shot with the soccer picture. Mark did not have much of a clue when the season started how to play but he got pretty good by the end. He loves being goalie and did a great job at it when his team supported him. The other teams got some shots in when he was the only one around to defend the goal. Bradley had a lot of fun in soccer. Not so much on the field but eating the snacks after the games. He likes to run at the back of the pack looking ready all the time. When he did get in the action he usually had good results. Bradley also had a birthday on May 15th. We did a GI Joe camouflage birthday. We had to find tiny plastic soldiers hidden in the grass, do an army training obstacle course, target practice with water bombs, unwrap the bomb(present wrapped 15 times) and tank, tank, grenade (duck, duck, goose). Everyone had a great time. Alan and I had fun decorating the cake together. I love that he helps me with things like that. I didn't include pictures of Mark's first piano recital which he did very well at. He was so excited all week to have his tow and a half minutes of fame. The boys have had lots of end of the year activities including field trips, performances and pride days. We are excited for summer and the relaxed fun that it brings. Hope all of you are well. Anyone that wants to visit the St. Louis area we welcome all!! Love you all Alan and Amy

HI EVERYONE!!

This is a very exciting moment for me. I think I just joined the 21st century. That is if I don't clog the blog and completely screw this up. Well on May 16th about 16 hours after Mr. Bradly boy turned 6 years old Emily Iva did too. She was the most excited and had more fun than anyone else I think. I am going to try to put on some pictures so hopefully you will see some of the kids trying to eat pie without hands(notice Tabbys new haircut). And the K9 version of applebobbing. Joes knee is getting stronger or at least healing a little more each day. He now can walk without crutches, or the cane his lovely friend bought him. He is even back to doing projects around the house. I decided to add a couple of more pictures. Yes that is my sweet girls, Emily at Center and Katies at Quarterback, in thier NFL flag football league. By the end of the season I think they liked playing football. Suzanna is in her end of the year orchestra concert. She loves the violin and wants to be a "professional violin player". I hope she can last into Junior High. We hope all is well with everyone. We love you all, take care of each other. Carri

James and Karla Vanderpool Family

Thank you, thank you, thank you, What an amazing gift our children bestowed upon us this Mother's Day. We were both really thrilled, and can't wait for Sept. 14th to fly away to paradise. And that gives me plenty of time to get the old body in as good a shape as is possible. Dad of course will do nothing and still look better than I will, men ought to thank somebody for that little gift. I love the pictures of my grandchildren that appear on this site. I am still waiting to learn how to do that so I can send pictures of Costa Rica, hopefully it will be before we also need to send pictures of Hawaii. Want to see me parasailing or staring down a shark! What's a little zip line compared with that. Miguel leaves us this weekend and we will truely miss him. He is outside mowing the lawn as I speak(I mean write). And I am so happy a few more family members have signed on to go to the Luther Potter Family Reunion on July 1st in Lava. I have just one thing to say to all of you who aren't going, you don't realize you have to face him some day and you have no idea what that will be like. He was never a man to take excuses, lame or not. Oh well, can't say I didn't warn you. All my love,
MOM

Asher Jonathan Vanderpool

If you look through the window of the last picture, you can see Matt Garcia delivering Grandma's new bicycle

Best Mother's Day Ever

Does anyone like to see mom cry? Normally no, but this mothers day we loved to see mom cry. As you all know we gave her a trip to Hawaii and yes we invited dad to go along. We put a pretend airline ticket on a seashell lei and then put them around her neck. Mom at first was a little confused because carri had given these lei's to her when she got home from her trip to Hawaii but then she noticed the card/ ticket on the lei and started to read it. She was smiling and then crying and then balwling like a baby. Everyone else was standing around with big grins, very happy for mom to finally get to go to Hawaii. I can't remember a time when Mom has not wanted to go to hawaii. It is awsome to be able give Mom and Dad this trip. Well Mom we love you and hope that you will have the time of your life.
Mindy

Happy Mothers' Day

Grandmas are great because they do not get too mad at young padawans who train in their living rooms, even if it means giving up their favorite couch. They always know that their grandchildren are the coolest, even if the sunglasses don't quite fit...yet. Mateo and Miguel love their grandma. Sometimes they think they are too old to give her kisses, and sometimes they destroy her new plants, and sometimes they like to interrupt, but Grandma just loves them back! Thanks, on Mothers' Day, and Grandma's sleepover day, and every day. Love Mateo and Miguel

I love the smell of fresh ewok roasting on a spit. The great outdoors are still out there for the taking. We stayed the night at Woods Canyon Lake, just east of Payson. Because of one last final, we got a late start, so we were not able to put the canoe in the water til the next morning. That was a small blessing because we forgot a mattress, and if Miriam had to sleep on the ground after paddling the canoe, she would not have been the only one who got no sleep. Thanks to Mateo's Jedi prowess, the camp was safe from bears, coyotes, and battle droids.

Unfortunately, my Jedi Mind Trick was not working on the fish in the morning, because they weren't exactly jumping into the boat. My dad says it was a while before he learned that fishing trips with boys were not meant for catching fish; they are for catching memories.

Finals, finally

Sometimes it seems that the semester will never end, and then it does, and I wonder where all the time went. Between a trip to Idaho, Cory coming home, three significant projects, and then finals, I wonder where I found the time to see my family, fulfil my calling, or play World of Warcraft. Well, my wife still likes me, so I guess I managed to spend just enough time with her. Of course, "enough" isn't the objective, so something has to give--maybe my calling, because it sure won't be Warcraft! JUST KIDDING. Don't stone me.

Miriam is taking great joy in scrapbooks, family pictures, and teaching her children. Miguel is trying to talk, and sometimes it sounds like English, sometimes like Spanish, and sometimes like he has marbles in his mouth. With his cast off for two weeks, he is up and running at full speed. Still not enough to keep up with Mateo, but give him time. He hates to be left behind. Mateo is not making it easy on Miguel to catch up. He is learning letters, thanks to the genius of Jennifer's pre-school lessons. All the time he will point to signs and say "Look! Ma-ma-Mateo" when he sees the letter M.

That's about it for this week. Tune in next time when you will hear Mateo say "Give that back to me, you scruffy looking nerf herder".

Matt

Blog Wars Episode I: The Phantom Post

Turmoil has engulfed the Vanderpool Republic. The ownership of the outlying parking spaces is in dispute.

Hoping to resolve the matter with a blockade of deadly tricycles, the greedy RM's have stopped all parking on the small planet of Nielsen.

While the Family Home Evening Council endlessly debates this alarming chain of events, the Supreme Chancellor has secretly dispatched two Jedi Knights, the guardians of peace and justice in the yard, to settle the conflict...

Easter pictures

!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Easter

I wanted to wish everyone a happy Easter. We were sad to miss the big family Easter egg hunt. We all talked about running around grandma's yard with all the cousins and having a great lunch. We did miss it. Alan smoked his pork and brisket for Friday. We had neighbors and friends from school and church over. It was perfect. It got up to 91 degrees that day and we were a little worried about the heat but it cooled off beautifully and everyone seemed to have a great time. I am really going to miss our deck and amazing back yard. You just don't get the green sloping hills and all the beautiful trees in Arizona. The trees have all their new leaves and blossoms on them. St. Louis is stunning right now. There are tulips everywhere and everything is that new bright green with white, pink, purple, and fuschia blossoms. I never knew spring could be quite this amazing. Maybe I appreciate it a little more because the cold winter that seemed to last forever is finally over. I hear we had better enjoy this while it lasts because it gets hot and humid very soon.

Yesterday we planned a very last minute Easter egg hunt. We had two other families over from the ward and ate leftovers from Friday night. It turned out great. You really cant' go wrong with good food and hunting for eggs and candy. After Luke found his first egg he was perfectly content to sit on the lawn and explore the candy inside. His total score was two eggs. The other kids all found quite a bit more. It was nice.

This morning we were able to celebrate our Savior with a breakfast on the porch in the early morning. We ate more great food and read from the scriptures and talked of the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It was a beautiful morning with birds singing, trees swaying and a cool breeze blowing. I am so grateful for the knowledge of a Savior that loves us and now guides our prophet and our church. I have been reading the New Testament lately in the four gospels and am so grateful for the record that we have of Christ's life and his ministry. I know that he lives today. Mark and I were talking this morning and he said that he would love to go and see the tomb where Jesus was buried. I told him about Jerusalem and how far away it is and how much I would love to go and see it as well and to walk where Jesus walked and feel the spirit of the Holy Land. Isn't it great that we really don't have to go all the way to Jerusalem to feel that though. We talked about the temple and that Jesus walks there today and we can invite that same spirit into our homes when we are doing what is right. Mark is very sensitive to the spirit and always identifies it when he feels it. He said, "I feel good just talking about it mom."

I am done rambling. I am grateful for my family and for the joy that I feel from family, nature, friends, and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter Sunday!
Amy

James and Karla Vanderpool Family

Hi!
We are back from Costa Rica where we picked up one very tall, good looking local and tried to turn him back into a gringo. We rented a great car for the trip and got way more than our moneys worth. Costa Rican roads are 1950's vintage in the southern US where they forgot how to fill pot holes. I amazed we didn't blow a tire or four in some of those babies. We did meet and eat with a large variet of saints in their homes. They were gracious and kind and I only got sick for about five of the 9 days we were gone; no stamina like the youngsters. We saw monkeys, cota mondi's, guanas, and a ton of birds in the jungle. Fortunately we missed all the snakes and all the spiders but one very large one on the arm of a couch(not to worry, no one thought it was poisonous). We met a Northe Americano who had been living there for 42 years and was bitten twice in the foot by their most poisonous snake and barely survived. Of course he was running through the jungle bare foot at night chasing a crockadile when he stepped into a den of snakes. Not a real bright thing to do but certainly very macho. His daughter is a world champion boxer so I guess it runs in the family. We met the famous Willy and he was not a disappointment at all. He says the definition of a hippie is "highly intelligent person pursuing infinite enlightment" and I think he finally found it after 30 years pursuing a drunk, Indian, false prophet. You do meet alot of unusual Americans in Costa Rica, but the Ticas (natives) are wonderful. Changes meeting was a real highlight. We sat in the chapel surrounded by the Lord's finest and watched them sing, pray, clap and cry as their Mission President moved them around, opened new areas, promoted them and altogether changed their lives. He was amazing and so were they. After 8 missionaries, that was the first of that kind of a meeting we have ever attended. Thanks Cory for a unforgetable week.
MOM

working hard

Here is the phantom blog from April 8 that disappeared. Sorry everyone. Glad I found it!

If anyone ever asks you "are you working hard or hardly working?" grab them by the throat, squeeze, and ask "are you breathing hard or hardly breathing?"

The house is empty without mom and dad and tara, with the almost unnoticeable exception of Spencer, Rieko, and Taikito, oh and Sabine, oh, and Keshon and Keona. Oh wait, Miguel is still here too. Maybe it is that the house seems really empty because when I come home at 11, everyone is sleeping. Why don't they want to wait up for me? I don't understand it. Anyway, I am glad that Cory is coming home in a week because it will mean that the house isn't quite as empty anymore. We don't have anyone sleeping on top of the wheat bags yet. In all honesty, living at the Vanderpool house is the greatest blessing my family could ask for. I know it gets a little crazy, Mom, but we are VERY, VERY grateful!

Sorry we won't be there to greet Cory when he comes home. It is a very exciting time. I don't know how we are going to convince Mateo that he doesn't have to say "Please bless Uncle Cory and Colin that they can work hard."

James and Karla Vanderpool Family

Let me introduce you all to our latest group of kids. Keyiona (her mother is apparantly quite simple and that probably expains the spelling) is 6 and Kishawn is a normal three year old. We are all getting along quite well, even Mindy who had to babysit 9 kids yesterday while Dad and I went to the temple with Jackie and Rick. We had a great day and it included lunch at the Landmark, which Rick paid for so we owe them big time. Peter and Dad are deep into the new house in Phoenix and we purchsed a new lot in Mesa to build on next, if it ever clears the county. You could grow old and die waiting on a building permit in Maricopa county. It has turned into a buyers market suddenly and who knows why, I mean just as many people are moving here every day as there was last year. Oh wait maybe it is all the big builders like the one Spencer works for who went out and started 30 new developments at once and flooded the market with new homes, if you want to live next to Flagstaff, Coolidge, or Wickenberg. Hopefully someone wants to live in downtown Phoenix or east Mesa where we are building. Andrew is talking about maybe moving to Utah and so is Cory after he comes home. What happened to the Vanderpool resolve to never cave in to that impulse, and build Zion here instead? After a long conversation with Jonathan I realize they could end up anywhere after he gets out. Thank goodness Amy and Alan are pretty much tied to this area. Thank you Bro. Petersen. See ya

We are still here. Interestingly enough, we took the kids to Elephant Rock National Park on Saturday. It is basically an old granite quarry. It's about 90 minutes south. We didn't hit any rain, but the people we left there sure did. The tornadoes went through that area. As much damage as the tornadoes did, I can not honestly believe the towns will look that much worse. Maybe some of the broken down vehicles were blown from the lawns. The tenements on wheels are sure to have sustained damage. The old adage holds true. If you would like to get hit by a tornado follow these easy steps.

1. Research where tornadoes are most likely to happen.
2. Research when tornadoes are most likely to happen.
3. Buy a trailer home/modular home
4. Put it on land next to other trailer homes
5. Get a few old vinyl folding chairs and sit out in front of your home.
6. Let everything around you go to shambles.
7. Get drunk

Now, if you followed all of these steps, you have wasted some time. You could have skipped the first two steps. Naturally, if you followed the other steps, you were probably too lazy to follow the first two steps, and the result would be the same. Okay, really only steps 3 and 4 are necessary. The remaining steps come naturally. I know it's possible to purchase lightning rods, but I think there should be tornado rods. We could simply set up fake trailer parks and "fool" the tornado. Of course, we should have a Ghostbusters "Tornado Containment Unit" to allow for easy trapping of the 200+ mph winds.

Before you hate me for being right, let me say that I feel bad for those who were hurt and killed. That is not funny, but I know something that is- giving garlic fries to a 1 year old. Most of you are thinking of how the 1 year old's reaction would make you laugh. Your sense of humor should be more developed. I was thinking of his mother's reaction when she went to change the diaper. I guess my sense of humor needs more development, because the kids laughed even louder when Amy put him on my lap- diaperless.

For those of you that are still concerned as to whether or not I am getting bored of orthodontics, I would ask you to consider this. Something that takes this many years to learn might be a little more complicated and intricate than you give it credit. There might be one or two or 1000 caveats about orthodontics which might have been overlooked. There are many wonderful things about orthodontics. One of my patients comes in every time with a depressed look on her face. She has a huge overbite, and her mother and grandmother say she never smiles. I already know that when all is said and done, she will smile at me and thank me for changing her life. We see it all the time in the clinic. That satisfaction never gets boring.

Keep posting, we appreciate any news from the family. We may not be there physically, but mentally, we know where home is.

Are the Petersen's still there?

We saw the news last night and saw all the tornados coming your way. We hope all is well. We had our share of weather the past few days. We have snow on the Supersitions and Four Peaks and the entire mountain are covered with snow. It is absolutely beautiful. The kids have a week off for spring break so we are trying to keep them entertained. Hope all is well.
Jennifer

James and Karla Vanderpool Family

James and Karla Vanderpool Family
140+ DAY WITH OUT RAIN
Today we woke up to pitter pitter patter... Normally i would not talk about rain but this is a cool story. On sundays paper they had in the paper that all Mormons State wide in Arizona were going to have a fast for the State to get rain. Well i read that and thought the pressure is on. Do i have the faith to bring rain to the State. We fasted and prayed and then waited. Well kind of waited each and every prayer we prayed for rain Mateo was especially good about it. Wednesday it spit on us and i thought well i need a little more faith. More prayers and today we woke to a rain that had been falling since midnight and still till noon the next day. Thank you for blessing us Heavenly Father. It was really cool to have a teaching moment this morning with Matthew that if we have faith and pray that Heavenly Father answers prayers. I love teaching moments like that. Well the Nielsens are happy and hopeful that Matt will get through school he is getting great grades and even gets to spend a little time with the family. YEs my children will know their dad. Amy i admire you for keeping the faith through all the school. YOu and Alan are amazing. Funny story Matthew developed a rash on his legs. We thought it was exezema so i was treating it. It was just getting worse. Then i was sitting outside watching Matthew and Michael play. Michael and i on the trampoling and Matthew walking in the irrigation with his (rain) irrigation boots on. I noticed that the boots rubbed right where the rash was on his legs. Then i realized that the rash got worse every 10 days or so and then went down. Hum right on the irrigation schedule. Well to the sadness of Matthew many tears we had to shelve the boots for 2 weeks and see if that helped clear up the rash. Magic it did. So now we are on the look out for rubber boots that have a cloth lining. Needless to say we live in Phoenix Arizona where we have a snowballs chance in ---- of finding these type of boots. Maybe if we lived in say Alaska we could find them. Oh yes these boots are Matthews favorite possesion. He wears them when ever i will let him. Well we are going to Idaho in April and i have told him that we will look there. I better call my sister in law there and have her look out for them for me. Well we will find a solution to this because if i dont he will still play in the irrigation and then we will probably be in the emergency room because he will cut his foot or something. Well i love being a mom of two cute boys and the great learning experiences that come with them.
Mindy

Just a quick note

We found out recently that Mark will be baptized September 23, 2006. Any and all are welcome to travel here and participate in the event. There will be plenty of room made for any that would choose to come. We would love to have any and all.--Amy

James and Karla Vanderpool Family

James and Karla Vanderpool Family
that was Taiki in Japan...

James and Karla Vanderpool Family

James and Karla Vanderpool Family

James and Karla Vanderpool Family

I can't beleive I missed two important birthdays, first was Lukes which I still wouldn't know about without his mother's blog. Happy Birthday little man from your whole AZ family, we love and miss you a ton. And then Andrew had to remind us as he was leaving last night that it was his 35th birthday. I didn't know it was March 5th or I would have known it was his birthday. The time is getting away from me lately. Have a wonderful birthday son, and enjoy it even if it is late. At least it was Sunday and you didn't have to work on your birthday. We will celebrate his, Matthew Kyles, Spencers, and Lindsey's all on sunday, March 19th ( Birthday Sunday). March is a big month for birthdays. Also Dad and I have decided to compile our family history using stories and some pictures. We would like help from all of you and when it is done you will all get a copy. First we would like everyone to write a page or two of memories of Mom and Dad that we will compile. Please give them to us in a week or two so we can then get other stuff. Amy's memories of Jonathan was an inspiration to all of us and that is exactly what we are looking for. You all can remember something different I am sure and would love to read everyone elses memories from their point of view. So please take some time (not too much) and write away. Love MOM

Luke's First Birthday

This Thursday was Luke's first birthday. We had a great time celebrating his big day. He started the day with his favorite breakfast of scrambled eggs and a drinkable yogurt. The first picture is of his favorite face to make these days. He loves to close his eyes tight and wrinkle up his nose. He knows it is very cute and makes everyone laugh. All of the other kids were convinced that He would magically be able to walk on his birthday since he is just starting to take a couple of steps. They were a little disappointed to find that not to be true. He is making good progress and is very proud of his efforts. He loves to stand by himself but then he gets excited and starts clapping and falls down. We all love having him around to entertain us and to see him delight in the littlest things. It is so fun to experience some of these stages over and over again with each new child. Anyways, for his birthday party we had pizza for dinner and then played in a room filled with balloons. For his birthday cake we put him on the table to enjoy his own cake and he attacked immediately. It was serious business. There was not a smile cracked. He just steadily stuffed as much in his mouth as he could. We were all thoroughly entertained. After we watched him for a while I brought out the homemade icecream sandwiches I made for everyone else. Luke took one look at Eleanor's and quick as lightning stole here sandwich. Ellie didn't appreciate it but we sure thought it was funny. He would have sat there and eaten the entire cake and the sandwich had we let him but we didn't want to deal with a puking baby all night so we cut it off early. We opened gifts after that and the other kids enjoyed his presents almost more than he did. He certainly had to compete to be able to have a turn with them. We had a great time but we missed sharing it with all of you. It was our first one year old birthday party where the most of the family from both sides couldn't share it with us. We miss you all and hope you enjoy the pictures. I was having difficulty with my camera so they are fuzzy. I don't know if you know if you click on the picture it will show you a larger view of them. -Amy