A Crazy Week

To start off this was the first calf we got her name was Phoebe ( a jersey), she didn't make it. But we have since got four other calves. We got two jersey holstein cross heifers (Rachel and Monica), a holstein bull (Chanandaler or Chandler) and a black angus bull that were going to sell to our neighbor (Angus).

We had some really nice weather the other day so I thought I'd take advantage of it and do some gardening. It's still to early to plant (here) but this is the perfect time to get your soil ready. So I rotortilled 8 beds.

Last Sunday we woke up to about six inches of snow/ a blizzard and we needed to feed the calves so we got ready and this was us right before.
Unfortunately Chandler got out and Isaac and I chased him all over Lockwood for about two hours in the blizzard. We started to get cold and wet so we came home empty handed and haven't seen a trace of him since.

This was the back door as we were heading out to the cows.

When Isaac and I came home the power was out and therefor no water. It wasn't long before we lost the phones from our house we could see at least 8 poles that either were falling down or had cables that were down. So we spent Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday with out power, phones and water. We didn't get power till Wednesday morning but that was a lot sooner than I expected because there was so much damage around the town. We spent all of Sunday and Monday playing Rook pretty much and taking care of the cows. Mother did a wonderful job at keeping us all fed and this was her outfit one day because it was so cold.
This was Monday morning. It as a beautiful day, so we went out around the house and surveyed the damage. We had several trees with broken branches.

Tuesday was arts and crafts day so we made lip balm with Elli's kit that she got for her b-day. Only we added our own twist and used essential for the flavoring. We also were able to go to the temple with Kurt and Amy.
As a result of the crazy weather that came in waves the kids had a two hour delay on Thursday and no school for the rest. I have to say though, the issues we ran into made things a little hard but very interesting. I am glad we had this experience because it brought on a lot of chances for learning.

I've got the time and the internet

So I'm here at the high school waiting for dad because were are going to go pick up some calves today. I can't wait, I love when we get baby cows. Anyway since I had a little time I thought I should take advantage of the internet and post the latest pictures I've taken. But before I do that I'll give you a little update.

Well to start off the other day Mom took the car in to the dealership to get some work done. As a result we got a rental car. Fortunately someone was using there brain and we made the up grade to truck. So yesterday Dad, Elli, and I took three loads to the dump and a load to the local thrift store. It felt so good to throw away just some of the junk around the house. Also it has been about 60 degrees for the last couple of days so I just can't help myself I have to go outside. This morning I ate my breakfast while sitting on the edge of the fish pond. The chickens have been out in the yard so they all came over and hung out with me while I ate. It was such perfect morning. It's this time of year that reminds why I love Frazier Park.

The other night Isaac came home from a baseball game and asked me to drive him around so he could go rabbit hunting. Apparently he saw three driving in. We didn't get any though, they must have been scared away. But this was his amazing outfit.

This is just a cute picture of Maddox wearing Isaac's hat. I love this picture because he looks so gangsta in this little pose he did himself.

A couple weeks ago the Shillig3's came over and played the kinect. It was a really fun night and I think everyone really enjoyed playing. This Emmitt playing, which is really funny to watch, but I also liked watching Maddox in the background. Just kidding it's taking to long I'll have to try again later.

Mission Prep

Even though I have a lot to catch up on this is just going to be a quick update.

This was Elli's birthday party that was held at curves. A bunch of her little friends came, Amy showed us some cool dance moves, and we played a bunch a of games. Note don't play mafia with a bunch of 11 and 12 year old girls. It's like playing with a bunch of gold fish with memory spans of like 30 seconds.

Elli's friends used her presents to do her hair. They should look in to becoming hair dressers.

This is Dad, Mom, and me right before going through the temple on February 18, 2011. I am wearing one of my missionary outfits except for my shoes. On my mission I wear a pair of loafers.

Afterwards we went and ate at this little burger place that Kurt and Amy recommended called Habit. This is almost all the girls that went to the temple with me Geri Klenk (use to be Howe) was also there.

Of course my sweet sister Larkie was able to be there. She came with Carol and the kids from Utah. It was so nice having them home.

I was so fortunate to have some brother representation there. It's hard because everyone is all over the country now. So It was nice having Kurt and of course Dad there. Thank you to everyone who was able to be there for coming it really was a wonderful day.

This is Atticus joining grandpa in a little Xbox time, during the weekend visit from Larkie and Carol. Thank you so much for making the effort to come down guys it really was a special treat for me.

This was the Sunday after I went to the temple. I liked the way I looked so I told Elli to take a picture of me and I decided that this is my official missionary picture.

Panama!!

I'm sure you all know by now that I got my mission call but for those of you who haven't I am going to the Panama Panama City Mission. I will report to the Missionary Training Center in Utah April 27, 2011 and three weeks later I will be transferred to the Guatemala MTC. I am so excited I have all ready made my appointment to begin my immunizations, so I can be all set to go. I think that my mission covers the whole country because I received a map that said the Panama City Mission and it is of the country. Like this...

This is my reenactment of getting my call because my camera was dead when I got it.

Lately I spend a lot of time at my brother's Kurt's house and so I get to hang out with these cutest kids often. I love hanging out with my sister-in-law Amy and going to her boot camp. She is such an inspiration to me to get my body in shape, and she is just fun to spent time with. It is great to hang out with Kurt too. He is probably the brother I have spent the least amount of time with since I graduated from high school. So I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to strengthen my relationship with him and his family.

This was New Years at Kurt and Amy's place it was a blast and we were blessed with the presents of my dear sister Kailie. In my mind what better way to bring in the New Year than with family and friends.

Don't I have such a beautiful sister? Also you can see how my nose is healing in this picture and the one with me and my call.

Here in Escondido

So I feel like a ligament blogger because my last two blog posts haven't been a month a part. It is amazing what having the internet can do. Anyway we are here in Escondido and it such a nice place to stay this is my second time being here and I think I like it the best.

To start off, on our first day here Isaac, Elli and I went swimming. We were having tons of fun and we started to play leapfrog in the pool and you had to stand strait up when someone was jumping over you. Now the pool was only 5 ft deep in the deepest part so it was kinda a shallow pool. Well when jumping over Isaac in the 3 ft section it was a little difficult and during one of those instances I went head first into the water and NAILED my face on the bottom of the pool. I felt my nose hit the ground and heard it hit the ground. I swam up and told Isaac not to jump over me and asked if my nose was broken. Isaac said "yeah, and your nose is bleeding like crazy" so I got out of the pool and put my towel on my face. Isaac came up said let me see, then proceeded to say "Oh! Your face is fricked up." At this point I decide that my nose isn't broken but just damaged. So I headed to our room and this is what I saw when I get there.

We called the front desk and asked if they could someone with some medicine and a bandaid because stitches wasn't going to do anything for this bullet hole. So the resort's little security guy came and put some ointment on it, and a bandaid and gave me some extras and left. So for the last 24 hours I have been walking around with a bandaid on my nose and I look like I had a nose job.

Today we went an visited the San Diego Temple and then went and visited this little historical Mormon Battalion place in Old Town San Diego. It was very informative and and fun I really enjoyed it.

This background almost looks fake to me it is just so unbelievably beautiful.

Dad volunteered to get dressed up like a soldier. And Elli of course is telling dad to look at me so I can take a picture.

Merry Christmas

We went and visited Aunt Dana, Grandma Lorelei and Marisa on Christmas day. We ate dinner and played games and had a great time. Thanks Dana.

Christmas morning was a little cold so Isaac put those stocking to use.
Dad gave a Isaac a gallon of rainsoft body wash for a present.

Isaac surprised me with my favorite perfume. He is such a nice brother.

I replaced Dads sludge hammer that I broke splitting wood

Elliana gives Mom pedicures so she gave Mom this foot file.

This is Dad's balanced Christmas diet.

Isaac wasn't a completely good boy this year he got a bag of ash and coal in his stocking.

Elli with the traditional orange.

And last but not least Dad and Isaac got a sweet present this year. (I reloaded it so hopefully it works this time.

What I've Been Up To

Since I've been home I have been lucky enough to see Elliana's and Isaac's sporting events, so here are a couple pictures. Lately I have lost motivation to clean the house so I have been spending my time reading the scriptures, practicing the piano, practicing leading music, learning new primary songs, listening to pod casts, and working on mission stuff. The current progress on my papers is that I am done with all the medical stuff I just need to solidify my funding. My goal is to have my papers in by the end of the year. Also to finish the Book of Mormon before the end of the year.

I have been really enjoying my new calling of primary chorister (probably the best calling I have ever had). This Saturday is the ward Christmas party and the primary children will be singing "Christmas Bells Are Ringing" and "When Joseph Went to Bethlehem." The later is my favorite it is really a pretty song.

This is Elli at her soccer game she is number 10.

This is her playing the position of Goalie

This is Isaac's basketball game he is number 50.

That's Isaac boxing some guy out waiting for the rebound.

Hopefully this works this is a video of Isaac throwing William up in the air while we were at Luke and Kaylene's. The first toss is a little iffy but it makes me laugh every time I see it.