Alright, I tried that....

Dawn,
My computer says that it doesn't recognize something. Howbout I try e-mailing them to somebody and they post them for me. I will try one more time....here goes. Nope. I should just resort to printing many many prints to snail mail to our whole family. Oh...my.....
Kari

Kari Jean,

The best way that I have come up with to put pictures on the blog is to use Picasa. Go to www.picasa.com, and download their free program. It finds all of the pictures on your hard drive and puts them in one place. Then, down at the bottom, it has a nice little button that says "blog it". It automatically puts your picture on the blog. Good luck! I'd love to see a picture of Asher!

Dawn

I’m back, it has been a long time since I have blogged. Do I have any special news, I guess, any huge news or am I making an announcement, NO! For all those who don’t go around with me day to day, here is the scoop in my life. I still have my two callings in the singles ward and am enjoying it thoroughly. I really like my ward, it goes against the norm, it is a fun, and loving ward. Everyone in the ward is cool with each other and it is very non clique-ish. I am going to school still full time, so far I haven’t dropped any classes and I don’t any time soon, that’s not the effective way to get through school. I am working only three or four days a week so I can keep up with my school schedule. I was going to take a job at the orthodontic lab but life is too crazy. I have quite dating around and have been able to lasso me a fun, smart and beautiful girlfriend. Her name is Stacie and she is 19 and works as a dental assistant. She and I have made a couple a great trips lately. First we went to conference and stayed with Andrew and Shannon, thanks again. We were up there for the weekend and I got to go to my mission reunion, which was soooo cool, to get to see president Acosta and all my old mission companions. We did so much fun stuff like went to conference on Sunday morning and we drove up Provo canyon and went to Thanks Giving Point. We also had a great Sunday dinner at Rick and Jackie’s. We drove up in a cool rental; it was a new Magnum, what a great car. Then last weekend we went to Mexico together. We are part of a volunteer organization that puts on medical/dental clinics. We all fly down they’re in little planes and I got to fly most of the way down there, our pilot was very cool. We flew down to San Carlos and spent all day Friday on the beach and ate at that awesome little restaurant in the picture with an American LDS couple we met at our hotel. They were very nice, they let Stacie and I borrow one of their cars and we hung out with them on Friday. We rented a four-wheeler and had a ball on the beach and the dunes. We went to the little town on the other side of the Baja called Lopez Mateos on Saturday and put on the clinic and had a great experience. We went back and spent a night on the town; ate at a great restaurant and then went to a little club with live music and danced, it was soo fun. We flew home on Sunday morning; it was an amazing trip. Well life is really crazy right now and I just trying to find time to squeeze it all in. That’s life though. So thats me and lets here from everyone else.

A Second Attempt at Pictures

Well, to no avail. I guess you are just gong to have to settle to either come visit to see Asher or tell me how because it is beyond me.
Anyway, Jonthan, I know you read this sometimes at work. I love you and miss you. We are probably going to come visit soon. Just don't know when.
Peter and Lidnsay, congrats on you place. I am just cathing up on the news.
Tabitha, baptised. No way. She isn't 8 yet. congrats girl. I wish we could have been there.
Anyway, We miss you all but Asher and I have a date with the park today.

By all. We love you.
Kari and Asher

Is Washington & Oregon the edge of the earth?

As most of you know, but have evidentially forgotten, Jonathan is in Washington greatly anticipating the completion of his tour of duty. At the present time he is living with a buddy of his, Marlow Olson, and loving every minute of it. Except when he goes to sleep. Why you ask only at this time does he not like living with Marlow? It is because Asher and I (Kari) have moved down to Gold Hill with my parents. We are living in a motor home on the top of the driveway. But all is not bad. We are not in Washington for another gray, gloomy winter and we are down here with the hopes of avoiding a few bills so as to be completely out of debt by the time Janurary 8th rolls around.
And what is Janurary 8th you might ask. That is the date that Jonathan is getting out of the military. He is in countdown mode. A word to the wise for anyone thinking of joining the military, they are not family oriented.
Asher and I are keeping ourselves busy. I have gotten and incredible job that I love at U-Haul in Medford. It is fast pace and there is always something to do. I got to work a little later so I can still have breakfast with Asher and put him to bed at night. But on my off days, Wednesday and Sunday, we get to play in the park and go horseback riding at the fairgrounds. I am also continuing my work on a whole box of journals.
Asher is attending pre pre school in Central Point with a woman who loves to send him home with his latest invention. The other day I got a Halloween book mark. He is having fun playing with cousins and grandma and grandpa Fisher. He also gets a hoot out of teasing great grandpa Fisher (my fathers father who lives here too). On our days off we take a walk out to the house my father is building to help him where we can. Needless to say Asher copies both my dad and Jonathan when he sees them swing a hammer or cut something with a skill saw. He now has a toy skill saw and is constently cutting off somebody's foot or arm. My mom has found a headband with yellow yarn hair and a cowboy hat. Asher likes to shake his pig tails when he puts it on.
He is saying words that we understand like Uh-oh and Da or Gampaw. Those are what we can understand. Everything else we call Ashereese. His own language. At his last check up he was 3 feet tall and over 30 lbs. Yes, Jonathan is his father and he is bound to be tall. I just can't seem to keep him in clothes. He is now growing out of a 5T and size 8 1/2 shoes so we get to go shopping today. Goodwill of course. That is the only way I can afford for him to wear a shirt two or three times before he is into the next size.
I am still waiting on my appeal from the college in Washington and my hearing should be scheduled sometime this month or early next month.
Jonathan is staying busy as well. He seems to be golfing every time I call his cell phone. I am constantly told to "hang on" while he hits his ball. Most the time, just after that I hear a series of "awe come on" and "man, get up there". Then coming back to the phone he acts as though everything is just fine and he is still beating Marlow. Maybe Marlow is just that bad of a golfer.
As this is my first time on the blog I am going to do my best to post a picture. If this message has pictures on it, you know I was successful. If not, someone give me some help. Oh, one last thought. Andrew, Jonathan says he is already on Monster.

Help in Boise

You do realize, don't you Matt, that my dad works at the Department of Education? And that he's in charge of doing teacher investigations? That should get you some help!!! ;-)

Dawn

How to do poorly on the GMAT

First, so you know, our family is fantastic. Miriam was released as the Gospel Doctrine teacher and was immediately called as the first councilor in the Relief Society Presidency. She is now out of the house about three or four evenings every week working on her calling. Mateo is starting to talk about school more. It used to be like pulling teeth (just a little dental reference for Alan's sake). Now, it is more like trying to use the method of squares (for Spencer)--with a lot of practice, the mysterious eventually makes sense. Miguel is growing up far too fast! He is using more complete sentences--minus a few articles, prepositions... verbs (Mom car. Daddy home. Matthew hit). He is learning that running with the big kids sometimes means getting left behind. He also loves to sing; sometimes he will walk around the house humming and mumbling--still tunelessly, but he sure is happy doing it.

Now, about the GMAT:

1. Make an appointment for a weekend when there does not appear to be anything else happening.

2. Procrastinate preparing.

3. Accept an invitation to return to working the audit for Best Western on the weekends.

4. Schedule a job interview for Friday morning.

5. Get very little sleep on Thursday before going to work the audit.

6. Get to your job interview on Friday morning and check your online calendar so you can realize that the GMAT is on Friday--in 2 hours--not on Saturday like you meant to schedule it.

7. Take the GMAT after being awake for over 24 hours.

I guess I did not do THAT badly. My verbal was in the 94th percentile, but my quantitative was lower than the 40th percentile. Does anyone know someone on the BSU board of regents who we could bribe to letting me into the Masters Program next September?

Happy Birthday Eleanor

Yesterday was Eleanor's 4th birthday. She had a fabulous day starting with Cookie Crisp and doughnuts for breakfast, presents and even a new bike. She loved the entire day. Dad stayed home and took her to lunch and we had a party in the afternoon with 10 little girls. It was a great day. She even got to choose what to have for dinner- cheese crisps made in the oven with salt on top.

Tuesday Toothday

No this is not a picture of Alan choking Bradley. This was last Tuesday and as we all know Tuesday is Toothday and the tooth fairy pays out a little more on Tuesday so Bradley agreed to let Dad pull his first tooth. "It didn't even hurt that much." The tooth fairy came through and left quite a sum of money especially compared to the quarter she used to pay out. I'm not sure she is just sticking to normal inflation rate.

Happy Days

We have had a few very happy days lately. The latest of which was today when Luke turned the official "18 months" old and was finally able to stop terrorizing the adults and go play in the nursery. He loved every minute of it. No seperation anxiety at all for this kid. They give you snacks in there!

A few other days were of course the first days of school. The boys love being back in school and Eleanor just adores preschool. Mom of course is happy to have them back learning and making new friends and having some quiet around the house is kind of nice too.

The picture of Luke with his mouth wide open is something we had to capture. Any time he really wants a bite of something he opens his mouth as wide as he can and stares at you until you give him a bite. He loves to eat more than anything in the world. Most of his day is spent contriving ways to get at food.

We would love to see some pictures and posts from Jonathan and Kari and Andrew and Shannon. You are becoming the lost ones in the great white north.

Love you,
Amy and family

Congratsulations Tabitha!!

Tabi I am sorry that we can't come up for your baptism, but we wanted to let you know that we are so happy and proud of you. Have mom take some pictures and email them to us. Janelle and Dallen both say hello.

Aunt Jennifer and uncle Aaron

Kari, Johnathon, Andrew and Shannon where are you??

Has anyone heard from the Vanderpool families up north?? I haven't heard from these guys in forever. Shannon and Andrew send us some pictures of your new house please. Johnathon what are you three doing up there?? I hope to hear from you guys SOON!!
Jennifer
(the busy body sister-in-law)

Sorry Alan, we just couldn't wait!

Well, it's official. Chalae got her braces off on Tuesday. She loves it!! She says it's a LOT easier to play the oboe. I can't imagine why?? Anyway, she has a little bit more cosmetic work to do on her teeth, whitening and the like, but she loves her new smile!

Dawn

ps When I told Chalae (while Dr. Peterson was right there) that she could have waited for "Uncle" Alan, Dr. Peterson said, "Do you have a family member in dental school?" To which I replied, "only your son." He was astonished. "Did I know that Amy was your cousin?" "I won't forget it, now!!"
 

For Dawn and Chalae

Que tienen en comun el tren y la manzana?
El tren no espera, y la manzana no es pera

What do a train and an apple have in common?
The train doesn't wait, and the apple isn't a pear

Thanks everybody for making the birthday party great. Amy & Alan the slide show was amazing. We sure missed everyone who couldn't be there. Happy Birthday Mom & Dad!!! You guys are the greatest.

Uncle Cory

Actual occurence this last week.

The kids and I (Amy) were driving quietly along when Mark piped up from the back seat, "Mom, Cory is pretty much my favorite uncle."
Mom: "Oh yeah, Why?"
Mark: "Because he's funny."
Mom: "Why else?"
Mark: "He tickles me."
Mom: "Any other reason?"
Mark: "He invented the claw and he's good at it and the claw is really fun."

Beautiful Nauvoo

Posting

Noone has posted anything lately, so I thought that I would.

My incredible summer has been sent traveling to exotic places, like the mold farm I have growing in my shower, or the jungle that was formerly my back yard. It was quite the expedition just getting through the gate! I went through at least 3 machetes. I have also been to the happiest place on earth, otherwise known as the laundry room. I am a frequent visitor, and even have a season pass. It's renewable automatically. I'm so lucky.

Thank heaven school starts soon!

Dawn

Thanks so much!

Good news! Peter and I have finally moved into our new house! We are SO happy and excited and just want to say thank you to everyone who helped us. Thans to Dad, Spencer and Cory for helping us get everything in. And to Matt and Mindy for helping us unpack our kitchen and living room. And we can't forget Mom, for helping us find the house in the first place and then helping us unpack! We REALLY appreciate all of your help and just wanted to say so. Also thanks for everyone's enthusiasm. And everyone is welcome to come over anytime! In fact, we'd love to have you over!

Peter and Lindsay

The happiest place on earth?