Few More

I promised some pictures so we took lots of pictures at dinner tonight. Everyone had a great time smiling for the camera especially Payton.

April in Utah

We have had some incredible and beautiful days here in Utah. The high so far has been in the mid 70's. The problem is that we have some fantastic days and then it rains or better it snows and gives us a few inches of snow. The snow always melts off in just a few hours but it gets cold and everyone starts saying things like "I thought it was supposed to be getting warmer. I rode my bike to work on one of those warm days and then it got cold so I stopped and packed on a few more pounds. I have lost 18 pounds so far and am looking for a few more. Lets make this a little family thing. loose a few pounds. Say no to seconds. Get a little exercise. Shannon is working her heart out getting ready for her triathlon next month. She is amazing, she is swimming thirty to forty of the long laps riding 40 miles on the stationary and running for miles. She was really sick last week so had a hard time breathing when she started working out again but is already back on it. She looks great and feels great also. The Kids had spring break this week and we got a lot done. Shannon has been planting her garden and also been loosing plants to the strong wind and snow we had this week. We also planted a bunch of raspberry and blueberry bushes and look forward to having fresh fruit. I look forward to sitting in my window and shooting the birds that are stealing that fruit. I still have my job and it is going well. I am also working on a few other things that i am excited about and that makes Shannon nervous. My truck has been sitting on jacks for two weeks because Ford is very proud of their parts and is trying to make up for their losses just by selling me parts. I will get it fixed this week though. Jonathan is rebuilding a steering gear box for me and hopefully saving me $200.00. He is so handy to have around. I think he is doing what he was born to do, working in a machine shop given free reign to fix things in any way he feels fit. In that way I envy him. My job is so structured that I have no creative freedom. I think that is why I spend so much time dreaming up things like re engineering a "cleans" bench or building my cabin or the best way to make my truck work on WVO. (waste vegetable oil)
Jonathan and kari are delivering phone books on their off time and Alex and Asher are growing every day. Those are two big kids.
Payton is seriously has brought such a light into this home. We all love her so much. One of our favorite things is to take pictures of her and she loves having her picture taken. If she does something cute we try to capture it on film but she immediately stops and looks at the camera. It drives you crazy. How can a 5 month old know what a picture is. She is such a ham. I don't think she ever crys. As soon as she gets a little fussy we give her to her mom and we are done with our part. She is loving solid food. I get told all the time I can't give her things like Jalapenos but we sneak off and eat what ever we want without Nana or her dumb parents telling us no. I have found she has a very particular taste in Sushi.
Collin comes over once in a while but we have not seen him in a while.
I don't have any recent pictures but I will get some and get them posted.

Our own blog!

Peter and I wanted to let evyone know that we made our own blog! We really only did it because I was extremely bored! Anywho, the website is www.plvanderpool.blogspot.com it's nothing special, and we'll still post on this blog! Peter and Lindsay

Passport regulations for border crossing moved until 2009

I know that there were some questions about passports and the Mexico trip. I found this article that gives us a little more information. Follow the link www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23834411.
Jen

wild ride

here is the video of the picture amy posted. oh and bye the way thanks for inviting us to go hiking... not. CONGRATULATIONS to Matt and Mindy and Matthew and Michael. Love you all. spencer and rieko

Most of the time, life in Idaho is pleasant. Right now, it is downright wonderful. I am currently writing this from a home overlooking the coast. As the sun sets, it reminds me how beautiful life can be. Miriam and the boys are with me, and we are taking it all in. I wish it were a bit warmer, but the sky is clear, and the breeze is pleasant. Sea air is just what we needed to shake off the winter blahs. Pretty soon, dinner will be ready. Relaxing like this is refreshing, but it won't last because tomorrow morning homework will be calling me again. Even spring break isn't really a break. Granny has been gracious in sharing her home with us and buying gift baskets for the boys. No wonder we enjoy being with her. Anyway, it is time to eat. Now, this message may seem a little bit shallow and boring, but it really isn't. Try putting together every capital letter and see what it spells.

Family Picture

Mom asked me to blog this picture.

Family hike to the Wind Caves

Over President's Day a few crazy Vanderpool kin went for a hike in Usery Pass to the Wind Caves. Amy, Carri, Jennifer and Aaron and all their kids came. Mom, Dad and and Alan's sister(and her family) came too. We had a great time. The kids beat the adults up the hill no problem. Suzanna and Jacob survived a cholla attack (nasty cactus) and we saw some beautiful wild flowers on the way. We just thought we would remind all the cold weather family what February looks like back here in Phoenix. Wish you all could have been there with us. Thanks Amy and Carri for putting this great day together.

Our fun trip to the cabin

We had a great time just hanging out together.

Aaron and Jennifer's cute family

The weather was absolutely beautiful. It was sunny and warm the first two days and then cold and snowy on Sunday when we left.

Amy and Darren

More sledding fun

Darren and Kenta.

Bradley chillin.

Aaron thinks he's pretty cool.

Carri and Emily

Wheeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!

Spencer trying to capture his run down the slope.

Mark does pretty well on his little snowboard

This is my favorite sledding picture. Notice the terror on Kenta's face.

Isn't Emily cute!

Update

We just wanted to let everyone know that there was a hearing today to change the case plan for the boys. The judge approved it and instead of family reunification the plan is now severance and adoption. We're one step closer to the end! We appreciate everyone's prayers for us and the boys!

Spring has sprung. The grass is riz...

...I wonder where the flowers iz? Yes it is true that we had a tremendous snowfall just Friday morning. It was cold and wet. But by noon, it was raining, and today only small patches of snow litter the lawn, it is sunny and breezey, and in the upper 40's. What does a groundhod know about weather anyway? Some of you may remember a certain three-year-old who had little "pistolas" (his hands in pistol shape) that he would take with him everywhere he went. We had to put a stop to shooting people during sacrament meeting, so we told him no pistolas in church. He would put his little hands in his pockets and pull them out again, no longer in the shape of pistols. Well, today, in sacrament meeting, the younger brother of that certain three-year-old was shooting at the little boy two rows back. I told him to put away his "pistola", and he put it in his shirt pocket. I had to stifle a laugh as I saw the repetition of such a classic moment in the raising of a little boy.

Thanks to all!

First of all we'd like to say thank you to everyone who fasted and prayed for us and the boys. We really appreciate it! And secondly we'd like to let everyone know that the people in New Mexico did fail their back ground check and can not be considered as a placement for the boys. This has been another testament to us of the power of prayer and fasting. Also we found out today that CPS and DDD are both planning to recommend severance at the court hearing next Thursday. We'd like to ask everyone to keep us and the boys in your prayers for the hearing next week.

Peter, Lindsay, Manny and Angel

A family in need...

Peter and I have a favor to ask of anyone and everyone who reads this in time. We don't know that everyone knows this but we are wanting to adopt Manny and Angel. But we recently found out that we might not be able to. There is a possibility that they might be placed with a woman in New Mexico pending their back ground check. Our hope is that they will fail their back ground check as aniticipated.(Her fiancee has a shady back ground). But we want only the best for the boys. We are hoping that we can join together for a family fast for the boys on Thursday February 21st. Anyone who would like to participate is more than welcome to. We would like to thank everyone for your faith and prayers.

Peter, Lindsay, Manny and Angel

and finally..

Granny sent me thesepictures to post, so here they are

A few more now...

More fun with pictures

more pictures

pictures from Granny