hiking

Yesterday we took the kids to Adams Canyon (about 12 minutes from our home) to do a little hiking. We were looking for a waterfall, but took a wrong turn. It turned out mostly fine though . .. the kids loved hiking on the mountain and we were warned by several hikers returning from the falls that the falls trail was pretty steep and not very good for little kids. The only bad part to the day was that I slipped with the camera on my wrist and it smacked into a rock and killed the viewing screen. Soooo enjoy these pics because I don't know when we will replace the camera!

You may see this in a future Christmas Card??!!

(note the ever present binoculars with Carson)

Carson insisted on holding on to the binoculars the whole time. We could not convince him to turn them around to look through . . . funny kid

So we're here

Boxes and boxes and boxes . . .but we are getting settled and look forward to our new adventure

Garrett and his new teacher, Mrs. Bowen

Elena and Carson at Bluff Ridge Elementary for Garrett and Camille's first day at their new school

Elena trying out the kindergarten park
Camille approves of her new park and school

Here are some pictures of our new place . . .

nice big master closet

hall to garage entry, 1/2 bath, laundry room and master bedroom

kids bath

kitchen

Front door and entry

The drive goes on and on and on

These pictures are to fool you into thinking our kids actually slept in the car on our long drive.

They did not.

Okay, they slept for maybe 2 hours total (and that's a generous estimation) of the 19+ hours.

Camille, bless her heart, never did succumb to slumber.

This is what we really did.

Talk on the phone. Watch movies. Eat. Complain. Cry a little. Eat some more. Continue watching movies. Eat something else. How much longer? Can we play in the snow when we get there? Can we swim when we get there? Is there anything to eat? Let's watch a movie.

Before the looong drive . . .

So sad to see our empty space

We were so well taken care of before we began our long drive West. Thanks to all those who kindly fed us and helped watch our kids that week as we packed and prepared. The night before we left (Thursday 10/08/09), with our things all in boxes, our fabulous neighbors (and Parsons grandparents) housed us in their five star home. We had a great dinner with the Al & Norma Jean Hendricks and Kay Lawrence and then the three youngest enjoyed a luxurious bubble bath that lasted far longer than their Mom would ever have agreed too . . . aren't grandmas great!

More of what we miss . .

our Home & the best neighbors

our friends and teachers

Garrett's 4th grade class with Mrs. Smith

Camille & Mrs. Spielbusch

Elena & Mrs. Kutz

The things I will miss most

I had such a great time tonight. Thanks Jen and Traci!

Camille's Funny Faces

Just some funny faces from Camille

Crazy Busy. Crazy Good

The crazy began a month ago . . . Derek got offered a new job in Layton, Utah at Davis Hospital and Medical Center. Although we never thought we'd end up back in Utah, westward ho we go! The job offer came just before Heidi and Tyler's wedding in Seattle. Debbie kept our kids so we could make a fast weekend trip there. The wedding, reception, food, and company were perfect. Thanks Heidi and Tyler!

While we were in Seattle, our house in Kansas sold! Yeah! We couldn't believe it--it was on the market for one day and after four showings we had an offer.

Then we were off to Utah for a few days of fast and furious house hunting. Jessica drove all they way from Indiana and stayed at our house to watch the kids. She had six kids for 5 days--we offered her our next born (no I am not making an annoucement), but she declined. After 30 houses we ended up choosing the first one we saw . . .

While we were house hunting we got to meet Michael's latest (and totally adorable) addition-Brayden. It was fun to see his kids and we are excited to see more of them.

A HUGE Thank You to my fabulous sisters (and Luke and Ronin) for keeping my kids while we went to the wedding and house hunting.

You guys are the BEST. . .thank you! thank you! thank you!

And finally, we had a great trip last weekend to see Grandpa and Grandma Walker on their mission to Houston, Texas. Garrett, Camille, and Elena did great on the 9 1/2 hour drive (yes, I did not mention Carson, because he did not do great--we're hoping the "practice" works and our move next week proves better). We visited the Children's Museum, Houston Space Center, and touched the Gulf of Mexico in Galveston. I miss my parents, but am thankful for their service and example!

That's our latest. We'll check back in when we get moved!