Friends of a Feather

 It was so neat to be around so many other raw loving people!  This is my roommate, Erica, from Oakland, CA.  She stayed for the first 3 weeks.

 This is Gina, one of the inspiring instructors.  I just wanted to follow her around and take notes.  Amazing!

 This is David and Betsy.  They are married and David came along to support his wife's decision to change her lifestyle.  He was a chef already, but really got into the raw.

 I was so excited to meet this lady.  This is Jennifer Cornbleet, the author of one of my favorite raw cookbooks!  She is TINY!  So nice and also an instructor.

And this is my friend, Lauren from SLC.  She was my assistant during demo week and I was hers.

More Amazing People

 These are the women who pulled it all together.  I'm standing next to Cherie, the founder of the school.  I want to look like that when I am in my 60's!  Then there's Martine.  She was French Canadian and I love how she talks.  Super instructor!  Vinette is the master chef who can create any dish in raw that you can think of.  I think she loves food more than anyone I know and knows her stuff!

 Christina Archila is a food photographer and so fun!  I just ordered her book, SNOG, healthy treats.

 Siu Yee was from Hong Kong and was so much fun to be around.  She lived in the house, snored like a man, and said the cutest things.  My favorite was when she tries to say "crispy", but it comes out "cripsy".

 And how could I forget Audrey?  She was my roommate for about 4 weeks.  She was born in Singapore, but lives in Australia.  I learned a lot of new words from Audrey and never stopped laughing.  We caught a moth in our bathroom together and freaked each other out!  Good times.

Audrey and Siu Yee would sit out on the chairs and eat dinner every night.  They loved China Buffet and were very good friends.  I miss them all!

Check Your Stations!

 One more thing I learned at Living Light is that organization is critical!  Everything has a place and has to be accounted for.  Label everything and keep track!  Here are Brian and Keith checking their station for the last time.

 Siu Yee, Audrey,  and I worked on the same team a lot at the end.  Siu Yee was serious about inventory, but she wasn't all work and no play.  I liked to help her.  "We have one whisk.  Check!  It goes in the top left drawer!"  Everything accounted for...we are free to go!

Summer Away from Home

 This summer we had a long vacation planned.  First stop was to drop off the kids at my mom's house.  They got to spend almost 2 months in Idaho playing with Rex, the dog, my sisters, aunt and uncle, and mom and Steve.  

 I think Rex loved the attention and having the kids around to play with him.  

 Grandma was so nice to let them come and stay and take care of them.  I had a second stop to make.  I was going to California to learn all about raw food!  Thanks for helping me go to school Mom!  I couldn't have done it without you.  I missed my kids, but never worried about them for a second!

Fourth of July

Our friends, the Willardsons, invited us over for some water balloon volleyball before the fireworks.

It began innocently enough.  Toss and catch, toss and catch.

But, of course, trouble soon followed and an all out battle began.

Out came the weapons and the game faces.

There was mercy from no one.  Poor Darin!

Fireworks!

 After the water fight, we drove over to the school parking lot and had a root beer float while the dads lit the fireworks.  Here are the fabulous moms: Betsy, Christina, lovely lady whose name I forgot, and Christine.

 Riley opened up the back of the truck for the kids to sit, eat and watch.  We were the only family who forgot to wear swim stuff and bring towels so we were still wet.  Oops.

 Sparklers!  Thanks for sharing guys!

What a fun night!

Elli Turns Ten!

Oh Boy!  Elli is in the double digits now!  I remember thinking I was so old when that happened to me.  We made this cake and went to Friendly's.  She got colored duct tape, an Adele CD (that she plays constantly) and some Adidas slip ons.  With birthday money, she picked out roller blades and a book.  Not bad!  Happy Birthday Elli!

Birthday Lift

 For Elli's birthday, she wanted Riley to take her to school on the motorcycle.  I think Riley was more excited than she was.  

 Hold on tight!

 And away we go!!

Spring on the Farm

 Our friends, the Bauchers, have a farm.  Riley loves to go out any chance he can to help with whatever they need help with.  This last week, Patty invited us to come over and see the little lambs that were born just a week or so ago.  This white ewe on the top is named Amy.  She is very friendly and was the only sheep that hadn't delivered yet.  They also have a dog named Elli, but nothing named Adam.

 Patty explained the cycles of the sheep and how many times they can have babies and all that stuff.   It was a lot for Amy to take in.

 Although it was a chilly night, the barn was nice and toasty and the lambs were getting their warm glass of milk before bedtime.

A couple of them even played around.  I doubt the moms appreciated us getting the kids all wound up.

New Donkey

 The Bauchers always seem to have something new every time we visit.  This time it was a donkey.  Last time it was a Mastiff puppy.  The puppy is very big already, just after a few months!

 We learned that a donkey is a great protector and Patty wants it to protect her sheep.  First it has to be introduced to the man sheep and then it will be ready to meet the lady sheep.  Very interesting!  Adam was worried the donkey was going to get mad at my camera.

I had avoided using my flash so I would not scare the animals, which explains the blurry photos.  But, I decided to try it for this picture and it did scare the donkey.  It tried to get back and started taking Elli with it.  I wish I could remember the donkey's name.  I know it's not Daisy.  Anyways, we love the Baucher's farm and are so happy we have the chance to see what it is like.  Maybe someday we'll have a small one of our own....

One Hundred Things About Me

Alright, let's do this. I've been tagged. Hopefully it won't turn into confession.

1. I was born in Idaho.

2. I have 3 kids.

3. My 11th wedding anniversary is this year.

4. I love any kind of pudding.

5. I have a bad habit of popping my knuckles, toes, neck, back, and knees.

6. My favorite thing to do is play volleyball.

7. I am more afraid of moths than spiders.

8. I like to run.

9. I ran a half marathon. ( 2 times now)

10. When I was little, I pulled part of the soul of my shoe off and stuck it up my nose and have never found it.

11. I have the cutest kids.

12. I don't like most other people's kids.

13. I can play the piano.

14. I am shy.

15. I think Sponge Bob is hilarious.

16. I love math.

17. I am an early bird.

18. My favorite person is my Grandma Butler. I think about her everyday.

19. I am left handed.

20. My husband is left handed too, but all our kids are right handed.

21. I got to marry my high school sweetheart.

22. I've never kissed anyone but him. (romantically)

23. I love oldies music. Not so much 70's, but 50's and 60's.

24. I wish I could have lived in the 50's.

25. I can juggle.

26. I gave birth naturally.

27. I love to look at antique shops.

28. I'm not crafty, I copy.

29. I'm very conservative.

30. I enjoy being home with my kids.

31. I'm scared to go back to school.

32. I think TV is a waste of time.

33. I don't like to read.

34. I'm in a book club.

35. I've worn contacts since the 5th grade.

36. I occasionally get migraine headaches.

37. Water is my favorite drink.

38. I make my kids listen to show tunes and they love West Side Story.

39. I love to sing really loud when I'm by myself in the car.

40. I played the violin in the 6th grade. I liked it until I found out we had to go to the concerts.

41. I never thought I would live on the east coast.

42. I miss my family back home.

43. I had a happy childhood.

44. I can't wear yellow.

45. I cry easily.

46. I have very easy pregnancies.

47. I have lots of gray hair!

48. My dream car is an old Mercedes or BMW.

49. I can't wait until Riley and I can travel.

50. I have blue eyes.

51. I tan easily.

52. I'm snoopy.

53. I don't like secrets.

54. I'm sentimental and hate to throw things away.

55. I feel much better after I throw things away.

56. I love to recycle.

57. I don't know what I would go back to school for.

58. I like all my in-laws.

59. I think newly weds should move away.

60. I hate the way lotion makes my hands feel.

61. I rarely wear lotion.

62. My legs constantly need lotion.

63. I floss my teeth EVERY night.

64. I hate being cold!

65. I am a jealous person.

66. I like to play sports.

67. I am competitive.

68. I have a dog and want to get rid of her.

69. I had hair down to my waist in highschool.

70. I broke my arm in 4th grade.

71. Popcorn is my favorite snack.

72. I shouldn't eat ice cream or drink milk.

73. I get very grumpy when I'm cold.

74. I've been to Mexico twice.

75. I went to New York this year.

76. I love Mexican food.

77. I love Asian food, too.

78. I tried tofu and liked it.

79. I never weigh myself. (now I do...can't stop)

80. I have a better credit score than my husband and it drives him crazy!

81. I cut my hair short and I like it.

82. I find sideburn attractive on a man.

83. I am a P90X graduate times 3.

84. I like my nails short.

85. I like antiques.

86. My favorite store is Anthropologie.

87. I love babies.

88. Blush is my favorite makeup.

89. I have to shower everyday to feel good.

90. I like to wear perfume.

91. The kitchen is my favorite room.

92. I don't like to talk on the phone.

93. I teach Seminary.

94. I don't like Las Vegas.

95. I love Pennsylvania.

96. I never snore.

97. I am going to graduate in May! (just with an Associates)

98. I was recently on the news.

99. I try to cut my son's hair and think every time that it will look good.

100. I love my life!

This has taken me over 4 years to finish. Hopefully I haven't repeated anything or contradicted myself. Thanks for reading.

Amy's Baptism

There are a lot of things that you do for the last time as your youngest child grows up. I bought our last package of diapers when Amy was finally potty trained, went to our last playgroup when Amy started kindergarden, and I recently planned our last baptism.

The program was simple. Adam said a prayer, Elli gave a short talk and played the piano, and Kathy gave a talk. We had lots of friends come to support Amy, which was so nice of them to get all dressed up on a Saturday and travel to the church an extra time that week! It meant a lot to us.

Kathy flew out all the way from Montana to be here, like she had with Adam and Elli. We got to spend 2 whole days with her until she had to go back to her busy schedule.

Here's Riley with Amy after everything was over. It was a such nice day. We are very proud of Amy for choosing to be baptized!

Bear Creek Hike

After the baptism, we headed out to enjoy the beautiful day. We are lucky to have a fun trail so close to our house. Riley comes up here often to run with Sandy or steal some boulders for our fire pit.

Sandy is getting better and better at listening and coming when we call, so she gets more time off the leash to run free. But, we have to let her know we have treats so she will be sure to obey.

I love catching Adam when he doesn't know I'm taking a picture. He is a cute boy when he is not ducking.

The girls enjoying the view from the top.

President's Day Off

Today was designated as a big clean up day. There were bathrooms to clean, garbages to be taken out, stairs to vacuum, rooms to organize, piles of laundry to be folded and put away, etc. The kids worked pretty hard all morning and got their jobs done. Their reward request was a trip to the park. It was very sunny out, so I said "Yes". Too bad it was not as warm as it looked. We played a little bit and got some cute pictures. Adam stayed home, but vowed he would take Sandy for a walk instead. Riley washed my car for me and restacked some wood in the backyard. Not too bad!