I wanted to share this with all of you and let you know why -- Dave and I both love this song because of when we first heard it. We first heard it on the radio inbetween when we thought we weren't getting the permanent job and when we found out we did. So pay close attention to the lyrics and you'll see why this song is now one of our favs.
We took a trip to Grandma H's house. We did many fun things while at their house. Grandpa took some time off work to go hike behind their house in the beautiful Black Hills. 
Dallin loves his Grandma and Grandpa and the outdoors of course.
Whitney and Danica had a blast in the lake and playing games with Grandpa. We got some crazy video, but I didn't think my parents would like that being broadcast online. But everyone had a great time.
And who can go hiking without a campfire and smores?? Not us of course, guess it's a good thing they have a pit in their backyard.
mmmmmm... messy, gooey, chocolatey children!
Another have to go place at Grandma's is Storybook Island. A FREE PARK full of storybook statues and playareas. People adopt the statues and sponser days and there is a donation box so that kids can play to their hearts content and the parents can too. There were so many pictures I just picked a few that showed all the kids (Danica was too speedy for the camera most of the day)
The 4th of July. We started out the day at a ward breakfast. The girls were off playing with the other kids and Dallin enjoyed sitting on the lawn. I love this picture - I think it captures his true personality.
Then we went to my cousin's aunt's house on the lake and the girls had their first experience on a water trampoline and ocean kayak. My cousin's cousin (on his mom's side) was very gracious to take my kids out as there weren't any life jackets that fit Dallin.
The girls would say the best thing they did this summer was take Dance lessons. They both had Tap and Ballet, and Danica also had Jazz added into her class. The both loved it.
Dallin has been walking around the moving boxes and furniture for the past month, but absolutely hates being on his stomach. Well this is what he did today...
Now I really have motivation to get everything unpacked and I'm sure he'll remind me just how much stuff is not baby proof.
Well, for those of you who have been following our many adventures of moving I am excited to say there were no major flaws in this move. The biggest thing was the moving truck we had was on it's last legs and could not climb hills.
Some exciting news that happend on this move --- Danica lost her first tooth!
Sorry no pics I have no idea where the camera is. We took it on our last hike Monday and found out that the brand new batteries couldn't even turn it on so it got put in the bag and I'm assuming that is where it remains.
But, I have lots of pictures from over the summer that I haven't done anything with so get ready - I have internet at the house again so here comes the details from the summer!!!
Love you all.
Okay - so several of you let me know that I left you hanging last week -
Well, here's the whole story.
Dave's brother was called to be bishop of his ward and he was extended that call the Sunday before we found out about our interview. Well, for those of you who know Dave and Rich we joke that they share a brain they have such a close relationship. So, of course Rich wanted Dave to be there. Well, if Dave had been high on the list at Carlsbad we would have started there on Aug 2 and not been able to come back up for Rich.
And now everything is falling into place with our move and so on and so on...
Anyway, it's been a really great experience for us and has built our testimonies and faith so much. I hope I haven't left anything out - that's the joy of having to go into town to get internet - but that will be over by the end of the week. So look for some massive catching up in the next few weeks.
I only have a few minutes, but I wanted to let everyone in on our big secret. Yes - we won the lottery - the job lottery.
We found out about a month ago that Carlsbd's permanent job wasn't looking good. The head of interp told Dave not to get his hopes up - he wasn't very reachable (even though he had a 99 on his cert which is the highest he can get) She told us that because there were a lot of people that had a 99 they did a random integer to place everyone in a line up based on social security numbers. And we were down the list quite a bit with only one more position. Aghh. So there went our hopes of a permanent job.
Then ... We got a call a week ago monday and Carlsbad was calling to set up an interview for the permanent job. Emotions rushed through both Dave and myself as we had found out the day before some exciting news about our family (which we can't share yet). Well, we got the final call last Friday that they hired him and they want him on the 30 of this month.
So we finally made it and in less than half the time it usually takes to get on permanent with the park service We know that the Lord put us down the list for a reason, and that he made it possible for them to reach Dave. More of this will be explained in my next post (after I can share the family stuff we found out about).
Now - I'm off to find a place to live. YIKES
So, now that we have been here for a while, I'm finally posting somethin about what we do here. Danica had her best friend from Kindergarten come up for a visit. We hiked Alberta Falls and saw many many animals.
Dallin love to play now!! He love to play with his sisters.
He love TAGS. He will do anything to get a tag. Here has has pulled his toy down on him so he can eat the tag.
Here's a close up.
Well, I'm at my mom's house and thought I would try to catch up a bit. Danica graduated from Kindergarten the end of May.
She received many awards from her teacher. She received a 'good citizen award and some other things.
wow - on this move we encountered enough adventures to last us a lifetime of moves.
first - Our truck reservation fell through. We truck we reserved for our city and our day was so nicely 120 miles one way from our location. Yes - UHAL reserved us a truck that wasn't due until 3 days after our pickup day then told us we had to drive 120 miles one way to pick up the next closest truck. EXCUSS ME I DON'T THINK SO. So we call around and after the majority of the day is done and we have less than 2 hours until our help arrives BUDGET calls us and tells us they found us a truck. They gave us a truck that was reserved for someone the next day, but were willing to drive out to their other location to get a different truck for the next days reservation. OKAY that is customer service that we like!!
Second - As we are getting closer to our destination for day one 1-25 is gone. It is completely under construction in one town and the detour takes you in circles throughout the whole town. I will let you imagine what that was like with three tired and hungry kids and two tired and frustrated parents. Anyway we made it to our destination 4 hours later than expected.
Third - We finally arrived at our new home around 4:30 in the afternoon. We got checked in and started unloading the truck. We unload everything we think needs to stay and then tell the kids to get their shoes back on we need to head back out to our storage unit. Dallin is asleep on the bed and Dave and I are closing up the truck and doing last minute checks to make sure we have everyting that needs to go. I get Whitney in her car seat and she says she needs a jacket. As I start back in toward the house I hear the door shut. Danica has been trained well to close the door behind her... can you guess what happened next. Yep the door automatically locks. Keys - inside. Baby -- inside. Phone - inside. A moment of terror strikes me as I realize that at 9:30 pm in the middle of the forrest, all park personnell are home and we haven't been oriented to the park yet to know who to go to. Panic starts to set in - how can I get my baby???!!! Dave and I run around the cabin checking all the entrances and windows. nothing.. older home are much harder to break into. Dave finally dislodges a window and after 45 minutes of trying to get in we finally just rip the screen and send Danica in through the hole. She first checks on Dallin and she says he's okay he's still asleep. So we get the hole closed up and the window back in. Then the rains came. Bythis time Dallin is awake so we feed him and finally load everyone into the car. A small moment of peace and then...
Fourth - If you haven't gathered yet we live in a cabin in the woods - no paved roads, trees and rocks abound around the road. We are disoriented. Dave turns the wrong way out the drive. We drive a little ways and realize we are going to wrong way. Have you ever tried to turn around a 15 foot moving truck in the mud in the forrest??? It took me 4 tries in the van. Now I let your imagination take over... Needless to say we did get it turned around. Dave is a superhero!! Now we are off to unload at storage. Well, we finish unloading at 3:30 am. We are too tired to drive back to our house and try to find it in the dark. First hotel was booked, Second was available. Woo hoo.
After 4 lovely interrupted hours of sleep we are now ready to go back home. We do have to say that through all these fun adventures we had a blast with our friends the Lawerences we stayed with. The girls went to the park, Dave got to play with his buddy he never sees and I rested slightly. We sang lots of songs and made up stories along the way (Mr. Goobers and crocodiles was one of my favorites) and as soon as I get pictures taken I can't even describe the breathtaking view from our windows. We drove through many beautiful places and the girls are now old enough to enjoy them too.
Love you and miss you all!!! And thanks to everyone who helped us in New Mexico!!! We wouldn't have made it without you.
Hi everyone,
I am 6 month old now. Can you believe it. I have had so much fun the last six months. I got to know my mom and dad, and my sisters real good. I love to play with them. I have also been learning a lot of things. I just learned how to sit up. I still need someone by me though.
I love to smile at everyone. One of my favorite things is getting tossed in the air (don't worry - I hold on tight)
Did I mention I love my sisters? This is Whitney. I get to play with her everyday, but Danica is always at school so I don't see her as much.
Our days are filled playing outside, making mud pies, swimming, painting, playdough ect. Although I only have pictures from the mud activity we are keeping ourselves busy.
This is a fun tradition that we have..
We had a great weekend full of activities with the family. Here's what Dallin thought of swimming...
Of course we went to the CAVE..
hung out at home. My kids hadn't seen Grandpa Bob in almost 2 years. Now that is too long, but they remembered him, in fact, Whitney wouldn't leave his side the first day he was here.
