Trek Pictures

Napping in the field
Ari and Cara pulling at last.
Melissa and Ma
Kade, Ari and Melissa guarding the handcart.
Tyler, Trent and Jackson (We teamed up with the Lassig family the last day)
A mother could not be more proud of her family.

Trek

Justin and I were asked to be Ma's and Pa's for Trek almost two months ago. At the time we thought it would be fun but mostly said yes because isn't that what you are suppose to do when the Bishop asks you? As the time drew nearer, we were mumbling about time off work, prep time and then leaving our newly born seventh child. When we first started trek we were a little unsure about all of our new found children. One, they only had two legs instead of four and two there were eight of them, one more than we were use to. We had four boys (Jordan, Joe, Trent, Kade)and four girls (Rachel, Melissa, Ari and Cara). Our family was very unique in personalities. The boys while very different blended together very well. There were already gas and girl jokes floating around their tent the first night. The girls were all very shy and did not bond as well, although I believe they liked each other well enough. The best thing about my family is we raised them strong and healthy. The boys were tough and full of never ending energy. The girls never complained except to say that they were not getting enough turns pulling the handcart. Pa(Justin) did more than his fair share of work especially on the steep uphill parts. We worked out a system were almost every family member was pushing, pulling or throwing the wheels when it was harder. This trek was designed to be a mini trek so we really did not pull that many miles each day but it was fun to work with the kids. I really did get that proud mom feeling each day when you saw how hard the kids and my husband were working. I really never pushed or pulled for more than five minutes each day. I was one of those lucky pioneers who had a husband, and willing boys and girls to make the journey with. Our family was so strong in fact that we rolled into camp first each afternoon. After setting up tents and getting dinner started we would sit on our buckets and watch as others rolled in. In hindsight we probably should have gone back and helped the less healthy. The hardest part was the last day going down a really steep hill. It was pretty scary and we had six or seven very strong boys using sticks as breaks against the wheels and we still felt like we were going to fast. At the end of the trek I have to say that Justin and I reluctantly left our trek family behind. I didn't think that I would miss their silly jokes or quick remarks about others pulling abilities. Trent was awesome at keeping the younger brothers inline, he was the first boy to offer to help ma. He made pa very proud when he told us he wrestled for Cottonwood High School and he always checked in during free time so I never wondered where he was. Cara and Ari, you girls are so helpful and I am glad that I get to see you each week in YW's. I can not wait until you are Laurels. Rachel you pushed almost all day everyday and I want you to know how much help you were to those boys. Melissa, you trudged alongside never complaining about the pace or the heat, I appreciated that. Jordan, Joe and Kade. You all kept me laughing and a little nervous. The three of you are such flirts and at such a young age. Thank you though for not being some of those boys you put their ma and pas to shame by sneaking out at night. In the end while we are now paying for the days away from home by longer working hours we are so glad that we went and would go again in a heart beat, especially if we could have our family back.

Family of Seven

We have now added our seventh family member. Mariah gave birth Wednesday night around 9 pm. Justin and I were pretty upset because we missed this birth by minutes. We were going to go to the store about ten minutes earlier but the brownies I was making for trek were not done. Ten minutes later Justin walked out to start the car and Mariah had just finished the process. We got out there in time to see him finish kicking out of the sack. Mariah gave birth to a black and white male paint. When he was born he was only 1-2 inches shorter than Koda who is now almost four weeks old. He is going to be a big boy. Even though paints tend to look a little like cows we still love him and couldn't wait for Trek to be over to come back and play with him. Here are just a few pics of him.

2nd Anniversary

I know that it doesn't seem like your 2nd anniversary should warrant a special trip, but as long as you don't have anything to stop you why not. Justin and I chose to go to Jackson Hole/Yellowstone for our little vacation. We left Sunday and managed to make it to Jackson after being pulled over in Montpelier, Idaho for speeding. Really we were going 40 in a 35 so not super fast. It turned out to be a good thing because we had missed the turn off to Jackson. The cop was kind enough to put us in the right direction. Once in Jackson we settled in to the Anvil Motel. Not a fancy place but right in the town square so everything was really close. Monday morning we went down the Snake River. I had worked myself into a tizzy thinking it was going to be super scary and I was for sure going to drown. Well needless to say we had a blast and it was not anything like I thought it was going to be. I didn't even get that wet. Monday night was spent around the Town Square watching the shootout, shopping and dinner. Justin and I went to a nice restaurant where we both decided we just like hometown cooking better. I know how very uncultured of us. Tuesday was spent in Yellowstone. It was really neat to see Old Faithful, a grizzly bear and her cub, lots of bison, elk and two moose. I really thought we would see more than we did but it was gorgeous up there so it made up for the lack of animals. Wednesday we checked out and went shopping for souvenirs. We saw a bear nativity that had them in sheep and camel costumes. It cracked Justin up all day so we just had to go back and get it. The drive home was uneventful but did include a stop for a Bear Lake Raspberry Shake. It was a short trip but nice to get away just the two of us.

Addition to the family

Justin and I decided that rather than have kids we would just keep our family growing by adding four legged animals to the bunch. Our latest addition is Oreo the bunny. Justin's brothers rabbit had bunnies and they were just to cute to pass up. She is pretty smart because she figured out how to jump out of a hutch that was pushed against the kitchen wall and the other side is at least two and half feet high. For just a little bunny she jumps high. Justin thinks she is using the mesh wiring as a springboard. I think she is an escape artist. Tomorrow we will have to finish the hutch and get the roof put on to avoid any further incidents.

Live Birth

I don't just mean that the foal came out alive, I mean I was there standing a few feet away from the whole processes. It was amazing to see how quickly it happened as well as how soon after the foal is born it tries to stand up and then succeeds. Justin and I have had little sleep as we first were in awe and then realized that mom was not letting baby feed and mom was not passing the placenta. The baby seemed really tired and hungry. He was a fighter and kept attempting to get to the milk. Even when a 900lb horse was kicking at it. Most of the morning we had to hold Jasmine and pinch the nerve in her nose so she would hold still and let him eat. Around the afternoon she finally passed the placenta and then was willing to let him eat without us holding her. Both Justin and I are exhausted and it is not even our baby. I guess that is what happens when you live on a "farm". The moms name is Jasmine. I was thinking of sticking with the Disney theme. If you have any name ideas feel free to share.
First minutes after birth
First Steps
Baby Boy

Tired Mama

Proud Papa

Vacation Ideas

Justin and I are going to go to Jackson Hole to celebrate our 2nd anniversary. Does anyone have any ideas or cool places we should visit while we are up there? So far we only have Yellowstone and river rafting scheduled we need a couple more little things to do during the evenings.