sledding with the kids at Bogus

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The day before John's baptism we went sledding up at Bogus with both sets of grandparents. It was a lot of fun. They had a nice safe run with a rope tow so we could sled down and get towed back up. It was perfect for the kids and grandparents alike who were all a little nervous that they might injure themselves. It was military appreciation day so we got all of the tickets for super cheap! I love military discounts!

Bogus Basin

To celebrate our 10 year anniversary and graduation from residency, Justin and I went on a four day trip up to Boise to go skiing and sample the night life here in Idaho. It was wonderful!! Both of us had only been skiing a few times when we were teenagers so there was a lot to relearn or really learn for the first time. I have to admit that after the first day I was seriously worried that I might die on the mountain. On my last run I totally lost control and flew down the mountain as fast as gravity would pull me. I really was kind of freaked after that, but the next day we went I got my confidence back and was feeling like a pro. We stayed at the anniversary inn all week and it was amazing! I really didn't think a room would make that big of a differnce, but it really did. The room was absolutely beautiful and they brought us breakfast every morning and cheesecake and sparkling cider every evening. It was great! The best part was the 2 person jetted tub. Everyday after skiing all day we would come back and take a nice long soak in the tub. I can't think of anywhere else we could have gone to have more fun.

John's Baptism

John was baptized on Feb 7, 2009. It was a wonderfully spiritual experience with both grandparents and Mike and Sarah and family came. We really had a great time. Too short with all of the family, but we'll take what we can get. John was so handsome. It is amazing how quickly our children are growing. I can't believe that we now have two boys who are baptized and are reading the Book of Mormon on their own. It is amazing!

Christmas Gifts From John and Shauntelle

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New years Eve 2008

Mike and Sarah called us the Monday before New Years to see if we wanted to get together for the big day. We of course did, and were so grateful they were willing to make the trip out to Mountain home because Justin was on call and we couldn't leave to visit them. We had a great time with all of the cousins together, playing the wii, dancing, playing board games, and of course eating all sorts of good food on New Years Eve! The kids even ate all of their asparagus! Cousin dance party! We had to work off all that good food some how!




Joey, John, Julia, and Gabe at midnight. Joey and John still remember trying to be tricked into bed early last year at Brandon and Kim's house and were determined not to fall for it this year. With the little kids down, it really was no big deal having the older ones up to play.


Jason made it to midnight unlike Nathan, Michelle, Rachel and Samantha. He was so cute and nice for a little boy at that age at midnight.


Mike and Sarah at midnight. No that is not alcohol on the counter behind them.


Here we are playing the wii:

Christmas 2008

Here are a few pictures from our Christmas this year. We went to Grandma Stoker's house in Washington. We left on Christmas Eve and were afraid we might not make it through the pass, but it all worked out and we were able to make it there safely. Once there we had a great time just chillin with the folks. My brother Danny came and did alot of stuff with us too including feeding us chili and cornbread in his house after watching the movie "Bedtime stories". It's always nice to be home for Christmas and this was the first time we had spent Christmas at my parents house in six years! It's so crazy how time flies.

The grossest thing ever

The story I am about to tell is true none of the names have been changed to protect the privacy of those involved. Be forewarned it is really gross so those of you with a weak stomach may wish to skip this post.

That being said, the weather is starting to warm up around here. On Friday I decided to walk and to take the dog with us to pick up the kids from school. It really isn't very far and we all need the exercise so we behave better the rest of day. Lucky is now 6 months old. She has grown a ton since we got her, and still has tons of energy. So I am walking down the street pushing a double stroller with Michelle strapped in the front and Nathan is intermittently running far ahead of me and then stopping to pick up a rock, getting side tracked and falling far behind me. I however am being pulled all over the sidewalk by the dog who is so ecstatic to be out of the house, she is oblivious to the choke chain around her neck. I am currently reading the dog whisperer's book "Be the Pack Leader" and am trying so hard to reign her in and make her walk correctly beside me but to no avail. We finally make it to the school and pick up the kids. The older boys of course could care less that I came and are soon off walking home with their friends. Samantha however is walking right beside me complaining about how her legs hurt and trying to get into the empty seat of the stroller. This is when Lucky suddenly stops, crouches and leaves her little present for the world. I start to panic because they have very strict pick up your poop rules here on base and I knew I didn't remember to bring a bag. Luckily, my stroller was prepared and there were 3 bags left over from the last walk we took. I calmly pulled out a bag and picked up the offending feces and we were on our way again. 10 feet later she was crouching again, and I calmly used the 2nd bag, tied it neatly and continued to carry it along with the other bag until I could find a garbage can. I did notice that this second group was a bit runnier than the first (though of course still a solid.) We continued on our way and about 10 feet later she was again crouching. I only had one bag left, so I calmly picked up the somewhat fluid feces but didn't tie the bag so I could use it again if the need arose.
Suddenly, Lucky smelled something and tried to run off in one direction. I gave a quick jerk of the leash held in my left hand which was also holding the 3 poop bags to get her back on track. The entire contents of the third bag that never got tied went flying and landed directly on top of Michelle's head. It was soooo gross. I tried my best to get as much off as I could with the bag because I didn't really have anything else. I then realized it was also on my coat and my pants. We walked home as fast as we could and jumped right into the bath. GROSS!!!!!!!!