Trip to Arizona

Lindsay was kind enough to drive me (Kari) and the kids down to Arizona to visit everybody. While there Daisy felt in important to compete with Alex for his passifier. Alex won, of course. But it was really cute. One the way home, Lindsay started teaching Alex how to drive. Just because it was when we were stopped at a gas station (one of many many stops) doesn't mean anything right?

Thanks again Lindsay. Your the best.
Kari

ps have you figured out that I finally learned how to post a picture.

Yard Hazards

Tracks left from a stuck cement truck



















Jon and I got cement pourde as footings for our new fence that we are building. The first truck came in around 40 ton and sunk in our yard near the swamp. You can see his tracks he left in our yard. Lucky for us, we ordered enough cement to require two trucks. So when the second truck showed up, he was able to pull the first truck out of the mud.
Jon and Kari

Yard Toys

Jonathan and Asher have been having fun in our backyard. When we moved in we inherited a trampoline. Asher has just learned how to stay on his feet and the lower picture is Jonathan teaching Asher how to land on his bottom. The upper picture is our ferris wheel. It is called the "Whirly Bird" although I am not sure why. It is like a two person swing but when you get going really high you flip upside down. Jon convinced me to go on it and I did. But the louder I screamed, the faster he went and the more we flipped...even with me screaming "NO....Stop".

Also, if you can see in the background of the ferris wheel, our yard is all torn up. We are building a cinderblock fence. More pictures to come.
Jonathan, Kari, Asher and Alex

Taiki's picture

Taiki wanted to post this picture. He says that there is some kind of message in there. love to all. Spencer, Rieko, Taiki, Kenta, and ???...

Taiki

Some more news...

We have recently found out that some of the biological fathers' family has decided to come forward to adopt some of the kids. We now don't even know if Gabby will still be moving in with us. Also something was said about Manny being moved to live with the fathers' son, yes i know, he has 3 older kids from a previous relationship. Peter and I have decided that we will be periodically fasting for the boys, not necessarily for them to stay with us (although that's what we want), but for whatever's best for them. We'll be fasting every Sunday and probably some days in between. If anyone would like to join in we would really appreciate it. All we really ask is that you keep the boys in your hearts and prayers. We love you all and thank you so much for all of your support! Peter, Lindsay, Manny and Angel

Shannon's first tri-athalon

Shannon completed her first tri-athalon today and loved it. She did great and one of the first things she said when she was done was that she wanted to do more. She is in great shape and looks and feels good. I need to get into shape to keep up. I run about once about every two weeks. I think that should do it.

We did it!!!

well i finally graduated. it is a fantastic feeling to be done. i want to thank all of you for your support during this long and difficult time. My degree is a B.S.E. in Civil Engineering. i am taking a couple of weeks off before i go to work at Kiewit Western Co. they are a large Heavy Civil Construction company that has worked on projects like the light rail, the widening of the US 60 between Florence junction and Superior, the water treatment plant in Gilbert and lots of other stuff. right now i am enjoying fishing, spending time with my wife and boys and in-laws as they are here right now and will be until the beginning of June. we will be taking a trip up north next week to SLC, Idaho, Yellowstone, Glacier, etc. they have always wanted to see that part of the country. this is all thanks to a generous graduation gift from Granny. so for those of you living up there i will be in touch and let you know what our schedule is like. maybe we can get together. this is what is going on in my life.

Just a special thanks to Rieko. i know you all know that i would not have been able to complete my degree with out her gentle pushing. so thank you sweetheart i can't say enough in gratitude. i love you.

see you all later. Spencer

Some distressing news...

We got a call from CPS today and evidently the Aunt of the kids has decided that she wants to adopt Jasmine. Also their other Aunt has decided that she would like to adopt Brittany. So this means that Jasmine and Brittany are probably not going to be moving in with us. But for some crazy reason no one is stepping forward to take Gabby so CPS still wants to work on transitioning her to live with us. So although we won't have all five of the kids, as of right now, we still might get 1 more. We'll know more about it after the next CFT which is the 23rd and we'll definately keep you posted. Thanks for all of your continued prayers, love and support.

Granny's Cabin

The cabin is in the very lower left hand corner right above the "nt" in Pointer. Olathe is labeled in the top of the picture and Montrose in right at the "50" at the center right of the picture.


Just in case anybody gets lost or has forgotten what it looks like here are some pictures of Granny's cabin.

Tabi and Payton playing.

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.