First of all, Brent, thank you so much for the gift cards. Jane picked out several cute shirts and a skirt and two pairs of pants. I let her use the whole thing because last time we were there I really squared myself away and there wasn't too much in her size that worked for her. Plus, Ellynn and Brind were worried about being on time for work and I HAVE to try everything on.
It worked out great and was much appreciated.

Secondly, Adina I was tearing up reading your blog. I am going to miss you very much. We have so many memories over the years and to me they are all good ones. As far as the running, maybe we could post our pathetic miles on the blog each week as a little friendly competition/support/public humiliation. That's once I've run any miles to post. Dave and Mike can laugh silently- to themselves.

Barb and Marnie, thanks for the b-day/anniversary info. I did change the year I was born to 1974, unfortunately.

Tracey, I'm sorry you were having such a hard time. I hope you really do feel better.

Okay, I have to go call our airline and confirm that they have fixed the double booking that was going to cancel out our tickets and confirm Mike's because now he's worried. I can't believe how quickly this week is flying by. I'm not going to lie to you, I'm pretty thrilled about it.

Take care. I love you all. Love, Brooke

Here it is:

Birthdays:

January
January 23, 2000- Parker Boyce Stinchfield

February
February 3, 1948- Kenneth Marne Stinchfield
February 14, 2004- Ellyn Kay Stinchfield
February 16, 1978- Thomas Sterling Stinchfield
February 18, 1986- Kimberly Barbara Stinchfield Perry
February 26, 1977 (?)- Buffy Jo Babb Stinchfield
February 28, 1979- Peter Andrew Olsen

March
March 8, 1976- Brent Matthew Stinchfield
March 9, 1984- Anne Brittany Stinchfield Olsen

April
April 3, 1998- Taylor Jacob Stinchfield
April 23, 1974- David Joseph Stinchfield
April 29, 1979- Tracey Michelle Rowan Stinchfield

May
May 27, 1983- Treven Alan Perry
May 28, 2002- Sadie Jean Stinchfield

July
July 30, 2006- Andrew Peter Olsen

August
August 13, 1974- Brooke Anne Bennett Stinchfield
August 14, 1996- Jane Esther Anne Stinchfield
August 15, 1995- Isaac David Stinchfield

September
September 28, 1973- Adina Marie Archuleta Stinchfield

October
October 4, 1910- Grandma Esther Capito Stinchfield
October 10, 1981- Marnie Kristen Stinchfield

November
November 27, 1948- Barbara Kay Van Heemskerk Duker Stinchfield
November 28, 1970- Michael Kenneth Stinchfield

December
December 12, 2005- Danica Elizabeth Stinchfield
December 23, 2001- Morgan Katherine Stinchfield
December 23, 2002- Hayden Thomas Stinchfield


Anniversaries
January 2, 1999- Brent and Buffy Stinchfield
August 6, 2005- Treven and Kim Perry
August 16, 1969- Kenn and Barbie Stinchfield
August 21, 1993- David and Adina Stinchfield
December 16, 2000- Tom and Tracey Stinchfield
Deember 18, 1993- Mike and Brooke Stinchfield
December 30, 2003- Peter and Anne Olsen

Hopefully, I didn't get any wrong...or miss anyone!!!

Love,

Mom

I noticed that Martha put an anniversary/birthday synopsis for the entire Schickedanz clan. Could someone (mom, since you probably have most of the dates, or anyone else) post our list too. It would be very helpful for remembering, there have become so many.

Dave

Well I guess since I do it every year...here it is:

Mike - Anne
Brooke - Kim
Dave - Treven
Adina - Mike
Brent - Tracey
Buffy - Peter
Tom - Adina
Tracey - Brent
Marnie - Tom
Anne - Brooke
Peter - Dave
Kim - Marnie
Treven - Buffy

Well there you go...I was wondering if you guys wanted to start doing the exchange with the grandchildren...since by christmas we will be up to 11 grandkids and we definitly don't have money to get every one a gift...here is the exchange for them if we do decide to do it:

Isaac - Sadie
Taylor - Melia
Parker - Hayden
Morgan - Danica
Jane - Taylor
Sadie - Morgan
Ellyn - Andrew
Hayden - Jane
Danica - Parker
Andrew - Isaac
Melia - Ellyn

So there you guys go.

-Anne

Wow, I have been bad about blogging. I’m sorry to take so much and give so little!! Things were hard for a while after my experience with the bike accident but I am doing better now. Even sitting at the computer next to the front windows was hard. I was dealing with a little posttraumatic stress and several things would set off a reaction of intense anxiety and nausea similar to what I felt when I first ran outside. I think that if I hadn’t been the first one on the scene and hadn’t felt that sense of responsibility I wouldn’t have felt so much stress all at one instant. It would have been much easier to have simply been a sad/worried observer. It was so much stress all wrapped up into one split second and the feeling kept coming back to me when something would trigger it. Fortunately, Tom was able to give me a blessing and it promised me peace if I would turn toward the scriptures. As I have done that I have had a great deal of peace and the attacks have stopped coming. I am so thankful for the power of the priesthood and the strength I receive from it. Truly, before the blessing I felt like I would never feel good again and I just couldn’t wait to move. But, just the other day I got another call from an officer asking for more info about something I wrote in my witness report and I was able to handle it just fine.

Tonight, Tom and Hayden are gone to the Indian’s game, they should have fun. I’m going to my book group; we read “Life and Death in Shanghai.” It’s a great book, I’m learning a lot from it and learning that I really am so busy that I can barely find 20 minutes a day to read by catching a few minutes here and there! Danica won’t let me read when I feed her, she insists on grabbing the book! I used to read during my meals but now breakfast is scriptures and Hayden insists I read The Friend to him at lunch. So there just isn’t time! Needless to say I’m not even half way done with the book but I’m going to the group anyway! But on the topic of having no time to myself, Hayden starts preschool next week and he is soooo excited! We went today to help clean the classroom and he kept begging me to let him just stay forever! I think it will be fun for everyone! I am sad that he is “growing up” and leaving me but I think he’ll love it.

We mailed off our paperwork to the Navy, our top request is a GPR in San Diego, and hopefully we’ll get it. But if we don’t we’ll be happy anywhere, it’s all just an adventure! Now Tom just needs to take up running and he can follow Dave in everything! I’m still enjoying running and would love to join a running club of sorts. I’m with you Adina in that I feel pretty happy about going 3 miles or so. Let me know what you think we should do for our running club.

So the census just came out today and said that Cleveland is the #1 poorest city in the nation. 32% of people are living in poverty, we actually fall into that category but luckily it's different for us. Crazy... Hopefully the city can figure out a way to solve this problem.

Dave great job on your run!! Marnie send up pics of your new place when you get moved in! Brent and Buffy what are your upcoming plans? Brooke and Mike good luck with the move!!! Wow!! Anne keep the pictures coming, he’s adorable! Kim, how are you feeling these days?

We’re starting to look at airfare to possibly go to Vancouver for Christmas. Who will be there? Does anyone know of anything going on that would effect the dates we get our tickets for? Okay, I will stop writing now, I always write so much, that is why I don’t have time to sit down and do it!!

We hope you’re all doing well! Talk to you later!

Tracey

CTR: Choose To Run - an all LDS team from Washougal (Dave) and Camas (everyone else) 

The race began at Mt. Hood Timberline Lodge 

Dave running his last leg 

The race ended in Seaside, OR. 

Has someone done - or is someone willing to do - the name drawing for Christmas this year? Just wondering - it is nice to have some time to think about the gift...

Kids off to school today. They were all very excited. Washington weather has returned today - but won't last long - it is supposed to be a hot weekend.

Dave is out putting up our 3-room tent to make sure we have all the stakes, etc for this weekend. We leave on Friday morning with Brent & Buffy for the Dave Matthews concert in the gorge. Brian & Paige - we plan to be there on Friday by 1 or so. Let us know if this still works!

I'm off - to enjoy the remaining 2 hours of peace and quiet today. Oh - and we are going to look at a piano tomorrow - in Portland. Hope it's in good condition.

Adina

Well - Dave is on some lonely road in Oregon in a van with 5 other sweaty runners - and he's not here to listen to my idle chatter, so I will blog. Lucky you.

We were able to see Dave after his first leg - it ended in Sandy, OR. He got eight kills (passed eight other runners) and faired well despite the heat of the day. He is having a lot of fun and I know this will become an annual event for him. After speaking with Brooke - who also went to watch Meagan run her leg - we both feel pretty much like losers for not being big 'runners'. It's tough being around the likes of Dave and Meagan - my three miles looks like child's play after Dave comes home from his 17-miler. I'm too embarrased to even call it a 'run'. Regardless, Brooke and I have decided to press on - we will form our own non-elite running club - and aspire to get better. For all of Dave's good intent, I need encouragement like Brooke can offer. No matter how much he loves me or how sweet he is, whenever he says, "Hey - why don't you go for a run? I'll watch the kids", I interpret it as, "Hey fattie - go exercise." Anyway...

Our club will have to be a long-distance one...I have been in a state of denial over the whole 'Brooke going to Germany' thing, and I guess I have done a pretty good job, because I didn't realize it is only about 10 days away. We will miss them so much - having them here has been awesome - but we are so happy for them and for Mike. We look forward to their visit next year and to our trip out to Germany in a couple of years.
Now I will go back to blissful denial...

Not much else to report. Isaac starts middle school on Tuesday - big, bad sixth grader. We went to his open house thingy last night and got acquainted with the school and teachers. Taylor is dying to take piano lessons. Every time we got to Papa's and he pounds on the piano, it is like a little knife being driven into my heart. We are trying desperately to acquire an affordable piano that will fit into our house. Parker starts every sentence with, "Dang". Dang, Mom, it's hot out here. Dang, I love this movie. Etc. And Morgan has started drawing pictures and taping them to neighborhood kids' doors. It's pure excitement in Washougal.

We love you all...hope to hear your news.
Adina

Hello everyone! Nice to hear from some of you and see what is going on.

I am well into moving. My apartment is completely packed up and I will be moving most of everything tomorrow. My amazing friends are going to help me so I am not going to have to get a U-Haul this time. (yay!) So I should be completely moved in and out of my old apartment by this Tuesday.

I am not sure if I had mentioned it but I was going to have to pay rent at my old place in addition to my new one through the 15th of Sept because I gave too late of notice that I am moving. So my wonderful friend had the great idea last Friday that since my landlord wasn't doing anything to get someone in there (cause he already had my money coming to him) that I should find someone myself. So I put up an ad on craigslist that my apt would be available on Sept. 1st. I got a ton of responses and I narrowed it down to about 10 promising people. I sent those names and numbers off to my landlord and after calling him a few times to remind him to get on the ball, my landlord came over last night with a couple of very promising renters that are super interested in the place. So I think that I am going to be out of there and not have to pay rent through the 15th! No double rent is awesome. Persistence works people.

Work has been really busy. We have two major programs that have materials that need to be revised and redesigned so that is where it comes to me! It is nice to be busy. We also have a new shipping manager because our old one is moving to Cleveland (I got him an Indians hat as a good-bye gift!) The new guy is from Boston and is pretty nice although I can already see him getting on my nerves sometimes. He drives a Mini Cooper though! It is light electric blue and it is an S with a white top. He also really likes movies so at least I will have someone to talk to at work that has some idea of what I am talking about when I reference anything pop culture. There are only 6 people working at my office so one new person can be quite a change, but I think it will be fine.

I went to Disneyland last week. It was really fun. It was Goth Day apparently and there were people everywhere wearing really crazy outfits. Some were really cool but others were just annoying. They officially call it "Batz Day at the Fun Park" and it is a weekend long thing every year. Weird. I also got to see the new Pirates which is so cool! The new anamatronics (sp?) that they put in for Captain Jack Sparrow are amazing, they look just like him! Pirates is totally taking over Disneyland. They have street show outside the ride and people dressed as pirates wandering around everywhere. They also have a Jack Sparrow character that walks around and you can take pictures and get autographs from him. The guy who plays him now looks more like Freddie Mercury than Johnny Depp though but it is ok.

Sorry about the double LOST countdown! It said that it wouldn't post and then it did so...i dont' know how to change it.

Hope all are well! Good luck on the Hood to Coast David and all involved! Now I should get back to work!! :)

Marnie

If I knew it would be the last time, that I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and a kiss and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word, so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time, I could spare an extra minute to stop and
say, "I love you," instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time I would be there to share your day,
Well, I'm sure you'll have so many more, so I can just let this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance to make everything just right.

There will always be another day to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong, and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance you get to hold you loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow, why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes, you'll surely regret the day.

That you didn't take that extra time for a smile, a hug, or a kiss,
and you were too busy to grant someone, what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today, and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them and that you'll always hold them dear.

Take time to say "I'm sorry," "Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorow never comes, you'll have no regrets about today.

We've just spent another fun and relaxing night with the Vancouver Stinchfields...to officially celebrate Isaac's 11th birthday. He got a new bike and loved all of his other gifts. Marnie - the shoes were a huge hit, so thank you! I think you've really started something...

School starts next week. Considering what a noisy and busy summer it has been, you'd think I'd be jumping at the chance to send the kiddos back, but in all honesty, I know I will be so lonesome without them. I'm pretty pathetic. We just really have a lot of fun together and every day seems to go too fast to do all we wanted to. Anyway - we have all their school supplies, Isaac has his schedule - he is in middle school now, so he has different periods to go to. He is nervous, but takes comfort in the fact that most of his friends will be there with him.

The Hood to Coast is this weekend. I know Dave is ready and I hope it is a great experience for him. His legs are at 3pm, 1am, and 10 am approximately. We are hoping for tolerable weather and no injuries. We went and got him a new pair of running shoes. Ouch. Brent - all I can say is Thank you - for saving us so much money for so long. :) Now we have to pay what normal people pay.

Our 13th Anniversary is tomorrow. Doesn't seem like it's only been 13 years - I honestly feel like I've been with Dave forever. And I mean that in the best way possible. We have the purchase of the practice looming over us - it consumes much of our thoughts and conversations. We are also prone to 'heated discussions' in front of family...but it is a big decision. In the end, we will rely heavily upon the advice and wisdom of K&B - and upon our own good sense. But truth be told, I have total faith in Dave and trust him completely. After all, the last 13 years have just been getting better and better.

Enough mush. Love the Andrew pictures - he is an adorable boy. Can't wait to see you all again.
Love, Adina

This is just too good not to pass on to all. Something absolutely positive
for a change. I have repeatedly seen the breakdown of the cost of raising a
child, but this is the first time I have seen the rewards listed this way. It's
nice.

The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to
18 and came up with $160,140 for a middle income family. Talk about sticker
shock! That doesn't even touch college tuition.

But $160,140 isn't so bad if you break it down. It translates into:

* $8,896.66 a year,
* $741.38 a month, or
* $171.08 a week.
* That's a mere $24.24 a day!
* Just over a dollar an hour.
Still, you might think the best financial advice is don't have children if
you want to be "rich." Actually, it is just the opposite.

What do you get for your $160,140?

* Naming rights. First, middle, and last!
* Glimpses of God every day.
* Giggles under the covers every night.
* More love than your heart can hold.
* Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs.
* Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies.
* A hand to hold, usually covered with jelly or chocolate.
* A partner for blowing bubbles, flying kites
* Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what the boss said or how
your stocks performed that day.

For $160,140, you never have to grow up.

You get to:

* fingerprint,
* carve pumpkins,
* play hide-and-seek,
* catch lightning bugs, and
* never stop believing in Santa Claus.
* decorate cookies

You have an excuse to:

* keep reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh,
* watching Saturday morning cartoons,
* going to Disney movies, and
* wishing on stars.
* You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator magnets
and collect spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas, hand prints set in clay
or Mother's Day, and cards with backward letters for Father's Day.

For $160,140, there is no greater bang for your buck. You get to be a hero
just for:

* retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof,
* taking the training wheels off a bike,
* removing a splinter,
* filling a wading pool,
* coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs, and coaching a baseball team that
never wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless.

You get a front row seat to history to witness the:

* first step,
* first word,
* first lost tooth
* first bra,
* first date, and
* first time behind the wheel.

You get to be immortal. You get another branch added to your family tree, and
if you're lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary called grandchildren
and great grandchildren. You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal
justice, communications, and human sexuality that no college can match.

In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there under God. You have all the
power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken
heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever, and love them without
limits, So . one day they will, like you, love without counting the cost. That is
quite a deal for the price!!!!!!!

I need to get rid of that video being the first thing I see. The last 2 days I have had that song in my head nonstop and Peter decided to watch it twice before we left for church today at 9am. Anyways, Our camera decided to start working again so I have gotten a few pictures in this last week.

I started coaching volleyball at Timberline High School this last week. I am assisting the JV team which should be great. The head coach of the program/varsity team keeps saying how excited she is that I chose to coach there being that I am the first coach there that has ever actually played under the system/philosophy that they are teaching the girls. It has been a lot of fun and quite the learning experience in just getting used to really being a coach and having other coaches really trust what I am saying and take it and use it. Andrew is cooperating with me and being quite the good baby in allowing me to do this while he is in the office sleeping with a baby monitor so I know when he cries. School starts back up at BSU tomorrow and so I am starting the babysitter thing. It is hard to give up that time with him but I know if I get my degree finished ASAP I won't have to worry about it later on. My plan is to graduate a year from December, hoping everything goes the way we have planned it out.

Andrew had his first appointment this last week where we found out that he gained 1 lb since leaving the hospital but I swear he has put on even more just since monday. I still can't believe that he is already 3 weeks old. Time definitely flies by too fast. I am calling the orthopedic specialist tomorrow to make an appointment to get his thumb checked out and find out ultimately what will be done about it. Other than that, he is doing fantastic and continues to be such a great baby.

Peter continues to do well with work and everything. He is helping out more and more each day with Andrew and all the things I need to do. He is such a fabulous help and I love him more everyday because of it.

We love you all and are so glad to be apart of this family. We miss you and hope sometime to be able to see you all in the near future.

Love, Anne

In case you're wondering, we look bad on purpose :) 

Hey everyone,

I would like to take a second and just say a happy happy day to everyone who has a birthday or anniversary this month. First Birthday's, Brooke, Issac, and Jane. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!. Next Happy Anniversary to Dave and Adina, Kim and Treven, and last but not least Mom and Dad. Happy Anniversary. 37 years ago today this whole Sundry Seven began at it roots. Congrats Mom and Dad on this wonderful day. You guys have been excellent role models for us all. Hello to everyone else and I hope all were able to get some good things at Gap for friends and family. Buffy is going through her internship and beginning to get a job offer. Please keep us in your prayer to make the right choice. Tracey, you are so brave, I would like to think I would be so calm and try to react like that but I am sure I would have freaked out. Love you all and keep in touch. For you guys in the fantasy football league, the draft is Saturday morning at 9 am pacific time. Mike, I need your info so I can operate your draft for you.

Love
Brent

We are finally home again. I couldn't be happier. It has been a really fun few weeks, but it is just so nice to be home. The party for my parents was awesome...they were totally surprised and we got 57 people there. It couldn't have been better. Thanks again to Kenn & Barb for coming - I know it meant so much to my parents. The rest of the trip was fun - we went to Santa Cruz - the Boardwalk - on our last day. Great weather, fun rides, greasy food - it was great. We got home tonight at about 7:30 - we hit horrific traffic and trudged along for about an hour - in which time, Morgan threw up. So - all in all - a typical road trip.

It is nice to get home and get re-connected with everyone. Tracey - sorry to hear about the tragic accident you witnessed - but I've no doubt that you did your best. It was very interesting to read your blog and it serves as a good reminder of our own mortality and the importance of every day. Hope you're feeling better...

Marnie - no Vans yet, but I will be sure to let you know when they get here. Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes for Isaac - not sure what our plans are yet for the family celebration, but I'm sure we'll get it worked out. Can't believe he's 11.
Brooke - thanks again for taking care of Bailey. She was so happy to see the kids again. Nice note on our white board - I didn't get it at first, but Dave did and started laughing hysterically. Anyway - sorry you have to know us that well. :)
Peter & Anne - love the pictures. I shared them with my family and they were very excited for you.

Gotta go - I'm beat. Love you all...
Adina

First...I have been very negligent on getting on here...especially to wish all well on their birthdays...Brooke..on Sunday...Jane...on Monday and Isaac today!! Our August birthday run! I think the trip down to California and Dad's biking trip so close on the heels of it really disrupted any possible brain I have left. We were going to celebrate all on next Saturday so I'd mentally put it down for that...then Brooke and girls will be going down to Utah for the Bennett family reunion. So hopefully eventually, I'll make it all right. Brooke and the girls are coming over tonight. I'm going to make that yummy salad that Tracey made with the frozen raspberries in it.

The last two weeks I've been substituting on another shift at the temple. So I've been spending both Tuesday and Friday mornings there. It kind of puts a hole in your week but is great for my spirituality. Yesterday, down in Oakland, we went up to the visitors center at the temple and saw the Joseph Smith movie. Dad hadn't seen it before and really enjoyed it. By the way, in rewatching the movie, I did see that they did show the aaronic priesthood ordination prior to the baptism. However, it is very brief..probably about 10 seconds if that and just says something about John the Baptist giving authority to baptize. They then show Peter, James and John giving the Melchezidek Priesthood...but I'm not sure they even say Melchezidek. Anyway, it makes me feel better that they didn't reverse it!!!

Well, at that point, Brooke and the girls got here...we had dinner...Buffy came home midway through dinner so I haven't had as boring of a night as I anticipated!

Grandma was in pretty good spirits today. The owner came and handed me an envelope with $5 in it. Apparently, she keeps trying to pay them for her dinner and gets very upset when they won't take the money. So, the agreement now is that they will take the money and then just give it back to me. Meredith called her and had a pretty good talk with her.

So excited about your apartment, Marnie....and Andrew looks just great...obviously thriving.

Love,

Mom

Isaac, we all hope you are having a great birthday. I can't believe that in one more year you will be a deacon! You are such a good boy and a caring cousin. We love you.

Love, uncle Mike, aunt Brooke, Janie, Sadie, and Ellyn

Great pictures Anne and Peter! He looks so cute! It is crazy how fast they grow! Seems like everyone had a fun time in Fremont. It was pretty cool on Sunday we got me, Tom, and Dad's computers hooked up in a video conference chat. It was cool because Mom and Dad were at the Carlile's house and they were all there along with a few of the Bodily's. I haven't seen any of them in quite a while so that was really fun. You should all get on that!

Anyway, update on San Diego life I guess. One big thing is that I am going to be moving at the end of the month...no, not to Washington...just a few miles away from where I live now. I found a 1-bed condo that is being rented out. I don't know how many of you are familiar with San Diego neighborhoods but it is on Mission Gorge Rd in Allied Gardens just east of the I-15 Freeway and north of the I-8. It is more of a house-neighborhood as opposed to a apartment-neighborhood and there are a lot of families but still sufficient singletons because it is somewhat close to SDSU. It is about the same distance from work as my current place (closer north-wise but farther east-wise). It is bigger than my current place with newer appliances (dishwasher!!), a/c (!!!), assigned parking (glory be to God!), and a little patio with a cool view of the golf course across the street. It is also in a complex of condos with a pool and jacuzzi and quite a bit of security (there are about 3 locked gates to get through before you get to my apt) so that makes Mom and Dad feel a bit better. It is also really close to a shopping/food center so that is nice. There is a Vons less then a block away so I may actually go grocery shopping! So anyway, I will be moving in there over Labor Day weekend. Should be a better place for me and I am excited about it.

Other than that I have just been working. Work is getting busier with a few projects having just been thrown at me. So that is nice, I will have something to do. I think I will be going to Disneyland this weekend since my Southern California Annual Pass will start working again (darn you blackout days!) and it is my friend's birthday. I haven't been since I went with Mom and Dad so I am ready to go again. I haven't even seen the new Pirates yet so that will be cool.

Happy Birthday Brooke, Isaac and Jane! I am hoping that Isaac's shoes have already gotten there. I just got an email from Vans saying that the shoes that I got for Jane that she wanted have been discontinued!! So I am going to need to talk to her to see what kind she wants now and I can get them out to her ASAP.

Well that's about it from me. Hope everyone is doing well! Love seeing an active blog! :)

--
Marnie

Happy birthday to Brooke, Jane and Isaac this week! Plus Happy Anniversary to Mom and Dad! We have been and still are super busy with the last 2 weeks of school. We will definitely blog more after school is over and there is a break. Everything is great with us though!
Again, Happy Birthday!

Kim and Treven

Hey everyone,

These are some pics from this last week when our camera was still working.

-Anne

We wanted to wish Brooke, Jane, and Isaac Happy Birthday from Anne, Peter and Andrew. We love you guys and hope these birthdays are great for you all.

Love,

Anne, Peter, and Andrew

Well I have been meaning to post for a few days to try to get back in the swing of things. Here's a quick update of what's been going on here. Tom and kids are doing well, really enjoying a nice cool temperature this week with tons of time outside to enjoy it. Tonight we went to a BBQ for a friends birthday. Yesterday I ran 5 miles, my personal longest, and it wasn't that hard. My friend and are trying to do one long run a week so next time we'll try for more. Tom had his softball championship tournament this morning, his team took 5th place. Danica is getting really close to crawling, rolling around everywhere and trying to dive for things. She can go from sitting onto her hands and knees but then doesn't know what to do. Hayden has learned how to draw pictures of people, they are really cute. He drew me really tall, I liked that!

I would say that things here are great except yesterday there was a horrible accident right in front of our house. A 30 year old man on a bike was hit by a car and killed. I was standing near our front windows and heard the accident. I called 911 and was the first person outside to respond to scene. I ran to try to help the man but as I approached I could tell it was too late. Needless to say I was panicked and traumatized. People started to come out of their houses and I saw my landlord and yelled to him asking what we should do but he just stood there. I was panicked and went into "task mode." I tried to calm the driver, a 31 year old woman who was screaming and going into shock, then I ran back and forth telling cars to turn around and find a different route. It was all really a blurr and I just kept thinking that I needed to do something besides just stand there but I wasn't sure what to do. I ran back in my house and closed the blinds. Luckily Hayden was in the booster seat eating a snack and watching a cartoon. He had heard the 911 call I made and wanted to come out and see but I just tried to pretend everything was fine and made him stay where he was. Danica was napping. The ambulance and police then arrived and things just went from there. Fortunately, Tom came home just about 15 minutes later. I was shaky, nauseas and had a headache most of the afternoon and cried some from the stress and trauma. It was like a bad movie that wouldn't stop replaying in my head. I took some Ambien to help me sleep last night and I feel much better today, I am sure I will continue to improve. The newspaper article said that he lived just about a block away, he lived alone and was just going on a bike ride. They believe he lost control of his bike and veered into the car.

So please pray for the man's parents, and the woman who hit him, they all need it right now. It makes life feel all too fragil and just makes me want to hug everyone or something. How thankful I am for the Plan of Salvation and the peace I can recieve from the Lord. But that said it was still horrible and I am sorry to post such a depressing story, maybe I shouldn't have written it, I'm sorry. As I said, I am feeling much better today and it will be behind me soon.

We just finished playing a game of LIFE, Hayden played with us and he beat me! He's now in bed and Tom's asleep on the couch so I think I'll go to bed as well! Good night!

Tracey

We are four floors up in our hotel room watching the local motorcycle gang in the parking lot below run their bikes back and forth for their "show". Looks like about 100 or so bikers and their sweeties. We are in a Holiday Inn Express in Newark, CA awaiting the celebration for Adina's parents' 40th Anniversary across the street in about 2.5 hours. It is a surprise for them so we are avoiding them like the plague.

We got into Oakland this morning at 1000 and rented a car. Drove to Fremont and visited with Mark and Cole and took them to lunch. Jonna and Jenni were in San Francisco doing a mom and daughter "one last time" before Jenni heads off to BYU in Provo in two weeks. Brittany was with friends and Rochelle in Sacramento for a pageant cast member party.

We are going to church here tomorrow and then visit with friends in Fremont. Monday we head up to Berkeley to visit with Cathy and Everett before we leave for the airport to fly home.

Tuesday through Friday I and another YM leader are headed to Bend, OR with 13 boys for a bike trip through the Cascade Loop along with some fishing in the local lakes.

I still haven't figured out how to transfer my files from my new Canon 600 digital camera. The I-Photo says it is loading but the pictures do not get loaded on the computer. Hmmm. I'll have to play with it when I get home.

That is about it for now. I have to go to a bike shop and find some repair kits.

We're off for the rest of the day. Will return tonight and see if Tom or Marnie can be I-Chatted. Tom tried to chat me a few minutes ago but we were knapping from the early morning rise for the trip to the airport.

later, Dad

We're off again - headed to Fremont til Tuesday. Most of you know, I think, that my brothers and sisters and I are throwing a surprise wedding anniversary party for my parents. We're expecting over 50 people at a dinner reception - it should be a lot of fun. Dave created an awesome DVD - photo montage - that we will present to them at the party. Yes - he did it on a Mac and it couldn't have been simpler. Praises to Mac....

Anyway - as soon as Isaac makes it home from his first soccer practice, we'll head. It's a good thing we all love road trips, or this wouldn't be half as fun. We'll drive as far as we can tonight, stop, then finish the drive tomorrow morning.

Thanks to Brooke & girls for looking after Bailey while we are away. Hope you all have a great weekend -

Love, Adina

So you guys like fantasy baseball and football, huh?? Well...how about this!?! I found a fantasy celebrity league today! It is just like fantasy baseball or football but you have certain celebrities on your teams. When they are in the news or tabloids they get points and that is how you rate them. There is a draft and everything! It sounds like fun so I have started up a league. There are only a certain number of spots in the league and they are filling up quick so if anyone is interested in playing along let me know and I will send you an invite! It is at www.fafarazzi.com if you want to check it out. My league is the 3M Chanklas. Now this is my kind of sport!! :)

Marnie

Well,

Andrew has begun his "messing with mom" skill. This morning, I had to change him as always and like lately, he decides to start peeing after I have taken off the diaper. I have gotten used to it. Anyways, while I was cleaning him up of that mess, he decides to spit up...another thing I have gotten used to. So I picked him up, still naked I might add, to clean his back and the changing table of the pee and spit up and all of a sudden, he decides to poo onto my foot and the floor. Lovely mess to clean up :). But hey I still love the little kid even though he decides to come out of all ends while I am trying to change him. Just thought this was a blog worthy story.

Love, Anne

I am wondering if you would be interested in a nursing blanket. It's light weight cotton with a velcro strap that goes around your neck to hold the blanket in place and a little peice of boning that allows for a "window" so you can see your baby and give them a little air (while maintaining privacy). I made one for myself and just bought some fabric to make another one. If you don't already have something like that and think it sounds good I would like to make one for you. Kim saw the one that I have and I told her I will make one for her before Melia is born. Just let me know if you're interested and send me your address so I can get it to you this week before Andrew grows up too much!

Thanks!

Tracey

Well, here's the story about our car. We were going to Idaho Falls for our anniversary dinner and everything was fine. We get off the exit and our car sounded really strange. We pulled off the road and noticed that the engine looked like it was shaking and we noticed a hose was cracked. We took it into a mechanic who said we have a hole in our exhaust that will cost 400 dollars and they have to do a tune up that costs 500 dollars. We thought that seemed a little expensive and we have a friend from the ward who worked as an automechanic for a while so he knows what he is doing. Treven and him called in to the place today to see exactly everything that they were planning on doing in the "tune up" and found out that Treven and our friend can do everything that needs to be done except one thing that won't cost a lot to have them do. Anyway! we are going to go pick the car up today to do what we need to do for it and then take it back to them to do the part we need them to do. If that story was boring to any of you.... sorry!
We have about 2 weeks left of school and then we will be done until January. Treven is looking for a full time second job for the fall right now. Melaleuca has some openings so I am hoping he gets in there. Melia is doing great... she is definitely growing though! I can't get any comfortable position at night. Oh! and Treven and I had to get used to the full size bed again after the reunion. We got used to the King.
We are heading down to Salt Lake City this weekend with some friends to go to a waterpark in SLC. We will be staying with our friends that live at Thanksgiving point so that will be fun. On the 19th I am going to Laura Warner's reception (from San Diego) in Idaho Falls which will be fun to see her and her family.
That is really all that is going on currently with us. 12 more weeks to go with Melia. It is crazy to think about! Well, love you all.

Kimberly

The site is at Kayak.com. It is really cool because it searches the internet for the best prices and displays them all for you. Just FYI.

marnie

...in case you do and you are interested the new Official LOST Podcast is a just about full recording of the LOST panel from Comicon. It is just over 50 minutes long but I like it :) so if you have time and are interested, it is entertaining I think but that might have been because I was there. You can download it here: http://abc.go.com/primetime/lost/podcasts/111248.html

-
Marnie

I have been reflecting this weekend what a busy weekend it was this time last year. Hope you had a great day today. I tried to call but all circuits were busy. Hope nothing dramatic happened in Rexburg!!! Amazing to think a year has already gone by.

Had Grandma over for dinner tonight. It was the first time back here in the house but I don't think she remembered it at all. Three hours pretty much tuckered her out.

Still have the gang here so I'll write more later.

Love,

Mom

First off, Congratulations Anne and Peter! Andrew looks so cute!!! I am so jealous of all those who got to go and see him!! We have been telling everyone how excited we are for our new nephew, sorry we didn’t get a chance to post sooner! Secondly, thanks again to Lexi and everyone who made for such an awesome reunion. We had a fantastic time! Third, thank you Brent for sending us the Gap discount card, we went to the regular Gap, Baby Gap and Gap Outlet this weekend… we got a lot of great stuff for the fall!

And now for my exciting news: She did it… she really did it! Danica slept all night without waking up!!!! The first night we were home she did her standard waking up and at 3:00am I couldn’t get her to go back to sleep… in desperation we pulled Hayden out of bed (they share a room) put her in the crib and walked out and closed the door. Hayden took my spot in bed with Tom and I headed for the couch, expecting a LONG night… 20 minutes later she was asleep and didn’t wake again until 10:30am!! (That’s 8:30 in Utah time) The next night was just as great! After putting her in bed she woke up a few times but cried only a few minutes and after waking briefly at 2:00 she didn’t wake again until late into the morning! Then last night she didn’t wake at all… it truly seems like a miracle!! After her first failed attempt of crying it out that lasted two miserable weeks this really does feel like a miracle and I figure now that she’s got it I just won’t turn back and things should be good from here on out!!! HOORAY!!!!

I suppose moving onto other news… yes, we made it home safely. After the reunion we spent a few days in Utah running around visiting old friends. We saw BYU and then the last night we went up to Snowbird with my parents to ride the tram, zip line and Alpine Slide. It was a lot of fun. Coming home has been nice and it’s great that Cleveland feels like home.

We got our packet from the Navy with all the info about applying for the AEGD. I am so nervous about doing all of this and dealing with the detailer and such. I hate feeling like someone else has so much control of your life and saying one wrong thing can ruin everything… I know, I know, welcome to the military! I’m still getting used to this idea! We really want to go to San Diego but I’m trying to be prepared for anything. Really going somewhere else would be fine since we haven’t seen as much of the East coast as we would like to while we’ve been here.

As always, Hayden is hilarious. The other day he gave Danica a huge kiss and said “I’m pretending she’s my wife!” Then, he was hugging his toothbrush and said “Now I’m pretending this is my wife!” Another day he was sitting in the backseat of the car and suddenly said to me “Mom, if you were the sun and I was a tree and Daddy was the sky, we’d be best friends forever.” Random!

Okay, I am sure I forgot to say a lot since I haven’t written in a month but I’ll stop there and post this while I can. Great to hear from everyone!

Tracey

Well this will be a quick blog as Andrew is beginning to cry for me to feed him. Just wanted to stop in and say all is well in the Olsen home and Andrew is beginning to adjust pretty nicely to our family. Happy Anniversary to Kima nd Treven! Hope this last year was a good one. We love you all!

Love, Anne

Hey guys, wondering if anyone has bought LOTR RTS yet? I don't want to get it unless someone else has it and is willing to play. As you all know, I don't really do the campaigns, I like to play with real people. So I need to know before I break out the greenback whether I will be playing with kin or be relagated to going face-to-face with some 15 yo from New Jersey.

Weather is nice, went for a long run this AM and was again feeling comfort in the fact that we live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Especially after running in Idaho and Utah. I have nothing against them, but it was different. One word explanation of Boise: Monotony. Two words for South Jordan, Utah: Flat, Straight. Three words for Eden, Utah: Hot, Elevated, and Beautiful. So, of those places, Eden wasn't too bad except for one run that was miserable. It's a little tougher to run at 45oo ft rather than 45 ft. Hood to Coast is in 3 weeks, the 25th and 26th of August. Brent, would you be able to be a driver? Or Dad? It'll be a 24-30 hr stretch, stop and go, with some quick naps in sleeping bags possibly. Let me know.

Later,
Dave

Wow - I think I have finally convinced myself that the reunion is over and I have to wait some interminable number of years for that kind of fun again. Much thanks to Lexi and her helpers for organizing such a completely relaxing and enjoyable week - she has set the bar so high - I hope she doesn't plan on an early retirement.

We were able to catch up with Tom & Tracey in Provo before heading to Boise - we enjoyed some bowling and I was able to hang out with my brother and his current girl for a while. Then off to Boise where we were able to sneak a peek at Andrew - the kids are absolutely in love with him and we are all so glad we were able to meet him. I think my twisted boys will be sorely disappointed when he gets his thumb fixed - they think that is so awesome.

I went on my first obligatory run since my two-week hiatus. But - there's nothing like ten or so reunion pictures to give you that kick in the pants you need to get back on schedule. :) Dave is back to work, interviewing prospective hygienists. He is getting over a cold that plagued him the last few days. And while on the topic - Morgan has developed a lace-like rash on her cheeks, arms and legs, warm to the touch - following a cold - and we suspect Fifth disease. Nothing serious, but the timetable suggests she got it while at the reunion - highly likely since it is spread through coughs and sneezes. She is totally symptom-free, except for the rash, which should fade in a few days. Anyway - for those of you with little ones - just a heads up.

We take off in a week again for Fremont - August promises to be much like July - a blink of the eye.

Brooke - travel safely. We picked up Bailey, and besides needing a bath in a bad way, she did just fine. Let me know what you think about next week - taking care of her - if it is too much, then we will board her again.

Love you all...
Adina

Love the pictures Anne and Peter and anyone who posted them! Andrew looks so cute!

All is well in San Diego. The weather is calming down so that is a relief. It rained on Monday and yesterday it was cooler than it had been. It has been pretty cloudy ever since I got home. I am enjoying it though. And the humidity is calming down a bit which I REALLY appreciate. I can't stand feeling sticky all the time!

Work is good, kinda slow but that is always what happens in the summer. We are having issues today because there is a crazy lady that works at the building behind us and she went off on one of her crazy paranoia/terrets (sp?) outbursts this morning which I could hear from my desk which is at the opposite end of the building from her. So my boss has locked the doors just in case. Kinda scary and messed up but hopefully it will be resolved. My boss has talked to her boss who is on vacation and he said he would talk to her when he got back.

Anyway, I have been really tired since I got home. I guess the reunion took a lot more out of me than I had thought, but maybe it is just having to wake up early for work again. I am getting through it but it is probably good for me, going to sleep at 11pm instead of 1am!

I got V for Vendetta yesterday, it came out on DVD. Such a good movie. Tonight I am probably going to see a movie but I am not sure yet. I want to see Lady in the Water. I have managed to stay away from anything that would give anything away but I don't know how much longer I can do that. Speaking of movies and such, I have updated my website with a summary of what I saw at Comicon if anyone is interested. I still need to put on Saturday's events but I figure I should get something done that is work related!

I am trying to get into a photography class this fall at one of the community colleges. We will see if that happens but I hope it does. I have always wanted to get into the technical side of photography and learn more about it but I have never taken a class. I'll let you know about that one.

That's all for now.

Marnie