Well, I am glad you all enjoyed the movie so much. Gives me motivation to make more videos to put them on there. The truth is, and I think you will all agree with me, he was not good enough to move onto the next round. His performance was forgetable at best.
So, nothing else going on here because we are back in classes. It would almost be better not even to take the break because it is so hard to go back to getting up to go to school. As I told Tracey, it is not that school is not fun, it is, it is great to learn and move forward with my dental career. It is just so much fun to be home with all of them that it makes it harder. After hours working on Dads xbox 360 we finally were able to get him online and it was all because of his router. I wish I had known that in the beginning because we could have saved some time and had a little more playing time. Instead, we were able to spend a few nights on the phone with "Jennifer" and "Michael" from India, no doubt those were their favorite english names. So, there were multiple options, finally we found the right one, and the problem was solved. The people really do not know what they are talking about. Nobody ever said it was the router, including microsoft, comcast, and linksys, until the router was laying on the ground taking its last breaths as Dad looked on helpless. Then, they could say definatively, yes, I think it is the router, you need a new router. Well thank you "Jennifer", if that is your real name, Thank you for the diagnosis.
Well, that should be all, I must go.
Tom

I know you have all been waiting with great anxiety, wondering, where is Brooke? I've come to relieve you of all the stress. I'm sorry. I only have an excuse for the last four days, during which time my PowerBook was inoperable. The power adapter had gone bad and I had to go down into Portland for a new one. It has been fun catching up on about a week's worth of blogs. I read them backwards though and was quite concerned about Anne and Peter's decision to move to Miami (resale on the house, new baby, etc...).

Let's see, where to start? I spent several days of cleaning and organizing after Mike left. I had six million phone calls to make, paper work, dr. appts., etc... that I had put off for the three weeks of Mike's visit. I still have more to do, but I've made a dent. Ellyn's therapy takes up alot of our week. Plus, I've decided that I really needed to put in a more concentrated effort to play with her with all of her little developmental toys. She needs some guidance and I don't want to rely exclusively on the therapists. I know that seems like common sense to most of you but around here it is very difficult to find down time. Especially since Ellynn got home there are always about 10-15 extra people at the house, places to go, phone calls to Mike, trying to fit in laundry and homework and everything else. It's been a bit overwhelming but also fun.

Today Ellynn gave her homecoming talk in church and then my sisters and my mom and I sang. I brought Sadie and Ellyn home right after sacrament meeting because they both have goopy eyes and I figured they wouldn't be welcome in class.

Yesterday we had an Activity Days surprise breakfast. I went around and kidnapped 7 girls and took them over to the other leader's house where two more vans met us for a total of 16 girls. The highpoint was driving the Pilot while all seven were singing Hillary Duff at the top of their lungs. I can't believe I have all girls, this is just going to continue, and probably get worse. Yikes. Of course I was totally exhausted because we had been playing games at our friend's house until after midnight the night before, so I got a little nap in yesterday afternoon.

Jane took a tumble off her horse Wednesday night. She eventually stopped by hooking her leg onto the fence. It's all a bit hazy, but that's how she ended up. She has bruises all over her leg and some strained muscles. She couldn't put any weight on it Thursday night at all. I was afraid she was going to have to miss yet another day of school (she missed a few while Mike was here), but the next day was a snow day. Luckily the instructor's husband is a family doctor and so he checked her out before we left. You can only imagine the drama that has been involved with this whole episode, the pain that comes on conveniently when there is a job to do, the amazing numbers of people that know the story within minutes of being near Jane. I have to say that she really is being sincere about the pain, most of the time, because it wakes her up in the night and we have to give her more advil. Also, she is very brave about riding again. She is already talking about next week's lesson (0n a calmer horse, Nancy is a bit spirited).

Sadie is switching ballet lessons. The woman in our ward that was teaching her kept flaking out at the last minute. Once, we were in her driveway with Mike ready to watch. Sadie lives for her ballet class. She wears her outfit all day, talks about it all week. Two hours before, two minutes before, just doesn't cut it. So...we have her all set up at a real school here in town, you know, for the whole four months we have left here. Besides that Sadie is great. She really had a spell of acting out after Mike left and talks about going to get him every day, but she is settling back into a calmer, more obedient Sadie and I am grateful.

Ellyn is doing well. All her therapists love her. I think the biggest challenge for both of us is when I have to leave her and she's crying and I feel like crying. But she only cries for a minute or two and then has a great time for the rest of the time. She is making progress, baby steps, which I detail to Mike proudly every time he calls. She is such a sweet loving baby. Yesterday she was singing "The wheels on the bus." No real words, but sounds and rhythm, with the Shh, Shh, Shh part in between. It was very cute. We visited a developmental pediatrician this week and he says we are doing everything right. He wants to run blood tests on all her enzymes to see if antything turns up, but he says she doesn't really fit into any specific category. We are also going to have her eyes checked as soon as the referral comes in because she keeps moving to sit directly in front of the tv, she stares at the lights alot, and a few other reasons too long to explain.

Okay, there is the Mike Stinchfield family novel. I wish it involved Mike's doings with us as well but at least time is passing. To all those birthdays I've missed, I'm sorry. I love you all and hope you had a great birthday. Someday I will be as cool as Adina and Marnie. Risking the judgement of others I'm going to thank Marnie for the shoes for Ellyn, which obviously I haven't done yet. They are darling. It is so thoughtful of you. Okay, hopefully I will get to see the Stinchfield side of the family a bit more this week and next. I miss you guys. Take care all. Love, Brooke

Tom, you seriously need to send that in to American Idol. We definitely enjoyed Hayden!

Well we are doing great! Mom is coming next weekend so that will be fun! We also adopted two little turtles this last couple of days. A girl in my Spanish class needed to give them away so we took two of them. We will have to take pictures and put them up on here! We also have a frog and a fish in an aquarium (Tom, the one you noticed in the picture). I am doing well. I am getting nauseous at about 4 everyday and perfect timing.... because I have work MWF at 6-10! well, I just found out Kim Hatch is pregnant. Just a few weeks earlier! So thats pretty cool. We got midterm grades this last week and I have a 3.7 and treven basically as a 4.0 because one of his teachers didn't give out real grades. His teacher gave B's to everyone because his gradebook was messed up. But Treven has an A in that class so with that he has all A's. Pretty impressive. Also Treven just applied to Melaleuca so we are crossing our fingers that he gets the job. Please keep him in your prayers!

Well thats all that is going on for now! Love you all!

Kim

There is new content on the link to Ohio Stinchfields, just an update.

This is a site that we have for the mac. Just a way to post some pictures and in the future some short video clips. Feel free to check it out. Here is the link.

Tom

I am not sure I like this vlog thing, hard to edit stuff unless you buy the whole version. And I want to find one that allows me to have the video directly on the Blog. This is Kumamoto Castle in Japan a couple years ago.

Dave

Isaac, when we went down to Anne's wedding. He was waiting in the car, discovered the camera and found out he could turn the screen to see himself.

Dave

We had a good time on our spring break trip. Very relaxing and fun to be with friends and away from home. There is just something about leaving and not having to stare at all the chores that aren't getting done. I would have to say that the only thing frustrating about nursing is having all that time to just sit there helplessly staring at all the messes that need to be cleaned up. The cabin we stayed in had a pool table, a big hot tub and a playground and pond nearby- tons of fun!

Happy Belated birthday Anne and Brent!! Brent we're glad you're safe! Anne, if you move to Miami we will come visit!

Marnie, awesome pictures of your Oscar's party! WOW!!! And I love your beach cruiser, how fun! We are looking at getting season passes to Cedar Point and I was remembering you once mentioned maybe coming to go there so I thought I would remind you the invitation for you and your friends (or just you) to come and visit is always open. We'd love to have you!

Dave and Adina your house loooks awesome! I am trying really hard not to be extremely envious but it's not working very well! I can't wait to come and see it in person. It sounds like we will be coming for sure around the 9th-23rd, it would be awesome if Dave had some time off then! Thanks for the funny stories about the kids, it so fun to hear about them.

Brooke, how are you doing? We can't wait to hear from you! :)

Kim, how are you feeling? Still good I hope.

Well, I better go relieve Tom because Hayden is having a major tantrum about going to bed. It's been hard to get him to bed ever since he was little and we do what they say about having a routine and such but it just doesn't matter, we're not doing it right. Sometimes he still yells and screams and cries about not wanting to go to bed. He gets himself so worked up that there is just no calming him down until he cries himself to sleep. Naturally he woke up Danica and I had to move her into our room to escape some of the noise. Luckily, she's so easy going she went back to sleep easily. Phew! Oh good, it's finally quiet back there!

We're taking the kids to get their picture taken tomorrow. It's the first time we will take Danica to get "professional" ones done so I am excited but stressing about what to have her wear! Hopefully she'll smile and Hayden will cooperate. We were surprised to see Ayla go home on AI. I hope you're all looking forward to a good weekend! Keep in touch!

Tracey

It is a cold one here in Washougal today - snowing off and on all day. School was delayed for 2 hours.

Happy Birthday, Anne - I mailed the shoes to you today, so watch for them! Good luck in Miami!

The floors are almost done. Plumber is coming tomorrow so we can finish the bathroom. It was a lot of work, especially on Dave's part, but we really like the results.

Sorry to hear about Br. Turnwall - our thoughts are with his family. What a difficult thing to go through. It reminds me of something from Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. He states that we all know we are going to die someday, but none of us actually believes it. I guess that means that if we really believed it, we would be different people - probably much more Christlike. Anyway...

Just dropped the boys off at the Boys & Girls Club in Camas. They have a pretty good art and music program and just a lot of fun things for kids to do after school. There are teens there, too, which makes me a little nervous - but the boys have eachother and Isaac has his phone (firefly). I just called him on it to check in - I've decided he hates it when I call. He answered, "What, Mom?" "I was just calling to see how you are...what are you doing?" "Well - I was just about to make a new friend, then you called." He loves me, I'm sure of it.

K&B acquired a 360 for us last week while they were at Costco (for which I need a total so that I can pay you back). I understand we have Tom to thank for tracking it down for us - although I am a little concerned that you are so concerned that we have one. Anyway - we decided that we are the shame of the Stinchfield boys - ours has been sitting in the garage since we got it. Don't worry, I've no doubt it will be hooked up soon.

Readings: Just finished The Historian and enjoyed it. Reading Night by Elie Wiesel...republished recently. Very difficult to read (chronicles his holocaust experience), but it is short and important.

Brooke - we need to get together...
Tom & Tracey - let us know for sure if you are heading out this way in May. I think Dave has a week off.
Marnie - enjoyed the pictures! Thanks for being so good about sharing!
Brent - best of luck with the drive home - I mean it!

Love you all!
Adina

Lisa Leavitt called this morning to let us know that Bob Turnwall passed away on last Sunday. His funeral will be on Saturday at 10:30 am at the Mira Mesa building. If you could go, Marnie, to represent us I would really appreciate it. He was a great home teacher and friend. I know Melinda will have a hard time getting on without him. He had lung cancer but actually died of a heart attack which was quite merciful since the doctor had just told him that they had done all that they could do for the cancer and it was still progressing rapidly. He told him he had only about three months to live. If any of you want their address to send a card etc, please let me know. We'll be sending money instead of flowers since there is a greater need for that!

Love you all,

Mom

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNIE, BANNIE. I can't believe you and Peter are going to move to Miami. You know, I was there for a couple of months and really didn't care for it. If you leave, I won't have my Boise visits with you, as if that would ever come to pass anyway. Well, good luck with selling your home. Maybe we can make the Miami trip occasionally. Actually, I thought I'd keep writing this so you'd think your father had lost his mind, but mom and I are going to do scriptures and then I have to get to work. L/ Dad

down 

Ouch 

Brent and Anne's Birthday Surprise, but no one came to the party. Fun. Dad 

Don't know if anyone noticed but I put links to the Schick, Duker and Beecher blog on the right panel of our blog. Just in case you feel like using them...makes it easier. :)

--
Marnie

Well, we're thinking of relocating to Miami. We are intrigued by this show "Miami Ink" on TLC. It's about a tattoo shop there. Anne found out that they need someone to run the shop because Yo-gi is being promoted. So they are taking applications to work in the shop and be on the show. So we're thinking that I could get an engineering job there and Anne could work at the shop. Married white girl, Mormon, pregnant, no tattoos, piercings only in her ears that close up due to lack of use.....she's a shoe-in for the job. So what do you guys think. It would be so awesome.

Mike,
Have you seen those 2 new Garmin GPS running watches? Pretty slick and much lower profile than the Forerunner (?). Look in the latest issue of Runner's World, there is an advertisement for it.
Dave

It is in my possesion and I am on Spring break.
Tom

So I am old now.

Things are fine back here in Korea. It is finally warming up. Went out with some friends to a good meal last night. I really like the way restaurants here (Japan was the same) create the meals in such a way that you feel comfortable just sitting around for 2 hours eating and chatting. For some reason, in the US, I always feel like I have to get up and leave soon. Maybe it is the whole sitting on the floor thing, or that most the time you are cooking the food right at your table. I don't know, but eating out here is fun.

Afterward, we sat around and watched the second episode of Amazing Race. Thanks to Dave and Adina for getting me started on the show. I am so glad those sisters got kicked. Now if we could just get the annoying "frat boys" and the twin bimbos kicked. I felt sorry for the old lady when she fell on the rope, I though she was going to tear an ACL right there.

This week is the season 2 finale of Battlestar Galactica. So Brooke (who is now as completely hooked as I am) and I are a little depressed that the season is over. The second season has been amazing, twice as good as the first. Dave and Adina have the first season right now, so when they are done it is up for grabs.

The German Coast Guard video is a huge hit here at the HQ. I think that is one of the funniest things I have seen.

Brent, dude, stop travelling.

Marnie, I had no idea the party was so big! Wish I could have been there.

To the three fellow 360 owners out there, Ghost Recon is getting incredible buzz, and it has up to 16 player coop over Live. We must get this going! To quote another blog:

"I rarely use this word to describe a game: exhilarating.

I've seen a bunch of 95% reviews of Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter. Maybe on a non-HD set. On an HD set this game is 10+, at least for the first two hours (which is about how long I've played). And anyone who thinks graphics don't matter should be forced to sit in front of an HD set and play this.

The controller layout for this game is also brilliantly done. Tons of things you can do, and it could easily get very confusing, but it's laid out and shown to you in a progressive manner that isn't intimidating.

Even in the first mission, you'll be commanding a three-man squad, controlling aerial drones for reconnaisance, and calling in a strike from a Huey helicopter. Hell, I haven't even finished the mission and I've gotten to do all that. "

So it sounds really good. And you must buy it. Mine is in the mail (right Brooke?).

Next week I start some events for a month long Expert Infantrymen certification. We have a fitness test, weapons ranges, and cross country land navigation next week. It won't be all that hard and it will be nice to get out of the office. The following week, I have to do the 12 mile footmarch in less than 3 hours. Easy, but I haven't stretched my legs on a march for a while, so I'm thinking I need to go out and walk in the boots on Saturday for a bit. The whole certification process ends with a bunch of skills tests in early April. Hopefully, I will get it because this is the first time in my career I have had a chance to try for the badge and who knows when another chance will come up. Some of it is just plain luck, so please include me in your prayers. It is a pretty important milestone for Infantrymen.

Brent and Anne, I hope you have great birthdays.

Congrats to Kim.

I love you all.

Back to work.

Mike

Happy Birthday Brent! The big 3-0! Crazy!!

and for tomorrow...

Happy Birthday Annie!!

I hope you both have tons of fun! :)

-
Marnie

Riding on the Matterhorn

Peter Pan with me, Nicole and Tia

Grizzly River Run...too funny!

Space Mountain

Nicole doing a Newsies jump

Marisa and Grant Carter

3MChanklas

Jump!

Derek arrives on the red carpet

Nominee Window

Lauren Pittman, Kristy Gill and me

Nicole Cannon and her sister Amanda

Tiffany and Jose Navarro (previously Tiffany Gill)

Nicole and I strike a pose

So I survived...barely...and had a blast.

Nicole and her sister got here very late on Thursday night and after a short day of work on Friday we headed to lunch at the Cheescake Factory. It was raining so we went shopping and tried on $1K dresses just for fun. Friday night we went to dinner at the City Deli in Hillcrest with our old roomate Jocelyn and her husband and our friend Brad and Matt. It was really fun. Good to see Jocelyn. Nicole then dragged me down to Coronado so she could look at the San Diego skyline at night from her favorite spot. On Saturday I finished preparing for the Oscar party while Nicole and her sister ran all over San Diego. Nicole brought her beach cruiser down with her so Matt fixed it up at Sport Chalet and then we went to Mission Beach to ride on the boardwalk. Then we went on to get some Gelato at our favorite gelato place in Mission Hills. Then on to Coronado again to ride beach cruisers around the island. Let just say my bum was quite sore after all that riding. After Coronado we met Matthew and Michelle at Islands for dinner. Then Nicole bought me Walk the Line on DVD so we watched that and went to sleep.
(breathe...)
Sunday was the Oscar party. It went really well. Probably the smoothest it has so far. Michelle worked wonders with the decorations and they looked awesome! I just realized when looking at the pictures that I didn't snap any of the theatre itself! Whoops! But it was really cool. We had a few people cancel on us at the last minute but we also had a couple additions so it evened itself out. It seemed like everyone had fun. It is always hard to be the hostess because I felt like I was running around the whole time so I didn't really get to sit down and watch the show. But I did see most of it at least out of the corner of my eye. I was happy with the results. I wish Joaquin could have won for his performance but he had some pretty stiff competition this year. At least Reese got recognition for the movie. I was very surprised by Crash but very happy. I really liked that movie and if any of you haven't seen it yet you should. Very good. We finished the party up around 10:30pm just in time to clean up the room and get out by midnight. Really fun! I can't wait for next year!! :) Then home to rest up for another day...
(breathe...)
Monday we left at 8am for Disneyland. We had to pick up my friend Tia and then off we were. We arrived at 10am just as Disneyland was opening (I haven't been there that early in about 5 years!!) It wasn't crowded at all which was really nice. We started at California Adventure because Nicole had never been there. We went on all the big rides there including the new Monsters Inc ride which is pretty cute, just like a storybook ride in Fantasyland. The best was us going on the Big River Run. We came prepared with trash bags which we tried to cover ourselves with as much as possible. I got pretty wet but it wasn't too bad. I was laughing so hard though I almost made myself wet!! Then we went off to Disneyland where we also rode just about every ride and some twice. The park closed at 8pm so we were trying to fit everything in. And let me tell you...I haven't gone on that many rides in one day in about 5 years. Usually I have the legacy of taking it slow since I don't have to "get my money's worth" because I have a pass. I was certainly feeling it by the end of the day. Not to mention I had been walking around all day on Sunday in 3 inch heels so my feet were pretty much screaming at me after hiking at least 3 miles at Disneyland all day. We had dinner at Red Robin then headed home. Poor Nicole had to drive while Brad, Tia, Amanda and I fell asleep as soon as we hit the seats. It was a fun day but the weekend as a whole had definitely taken it out of me.

Tonight I am taking it easy and am going to go to sleep soon to try and make up some energy. This weekend my other two old roommates Sandy and Kim will be in town to wear me out again!! I will post some pics from this last weekend. Congrats Kim and Treven! Sorry it took me so long to get to it on the blog...I've been busy. The floor looks really nice Adina and Dave. And that is quite a story Brent! Scary!! Glad you are both safe though. Love the stories of Hayden! Glad I inspired some of you to watch the Oscars this year! It was a good one!

Hope everyone is well! Love you all!
--
Marnie

Okay, I need to sit down and read but I have to do my taxes and so I just wanted to very quickly let Kim and Treven know how happy we are for them. I almost had heart failure the other night reading the blog. I let out a huge gasp and Jane looks over from the couch across the room and says "What? Is aunt Kim pregnant?" Pretty funny huh? I promise to write more later and read everything soon. I love you all.
Love, Brooke

OK so sit back get some popcorn and a blanket and listen to this fun story. I know it sounds like it could not happen all to one person on one trip but yes it did.

So it all began on Sunday (which maybe we were punished for traveling on the Sabbath). At 7:00 am we left Terry's house (Buffy's Mom) to head to L.A. to pack up our apartment. Everything was going great and smooth. The goal was to hit the passes between 12 noon and 4 pm so it would be the best time of day. We could not be more wrong. We made it through the first pass very easily, a little snow but we made it easy. We arrived in California and I sang the song Mom would always sing when we arrived in Cali. Off to Yreka to get some McDonald's for lunch. With our stomachs full we headed of to hit the Shasta pass. Mother nature had other plans for that day. We drove about another 20 miles then came upon what must have been thousands of semi's and cars. Apparently the I-5 south was closed from Weed to Redding and the CHP had no plans to reopen the freeway anytime soon or at all on Sunday.

So we had a decision to make. We either could stay in good old Yreka and hope the road reopens in the morning. Or we could figure out another way. Well we did it the second way. We decided to take the 96 highway which goes down the Klamath river to Eureka, CA on the coast. Very curvey and fun road to drive on. I saw some beautiful scenery and Terry saw some wonderful pavement because of the hairy drive.

So we arrived in Eureka at 7:00 pm at stopped at Wendy's and Starbucks. We then set out again trying for L.A., but this time we decided that we were going to stop in Livermore for the night, but we wanted to get through the Bay Area so we did not have to hit traffic on Monday morning.

We made it just fine through the Redwoods, Santa Rosa, San Rafeal and over the bridge. Then at 12 midnight the fun began. We were on the 580 west and were planning on taking the 24 to the 680 S to the 580 again to Livermore. Well on the 580 before the 24, a car made a crazy move from the far right lane to the far left in one crazy move. Terry was driving and backed off a little and flashed her brights once like I think anyone would have done. The person then went crazy. She put on her brakes and came down the left side of the car looking at Terry with a glare. Everytime Terry would speed up she would also and every time Terry would slow she would also. I told Terry to floor it and get out of the area. We were in a new Nissan Murano and the lady was in a 1985 Toyota Tercel station wagon. I thought we could get away. I was wrong.

Coming up to the interchange for the 24 we had to get all the way over to the far right to go on the 24. As Terry was getting over she had to brake a little to get behind someone who was trying to get to the left for the 580. Anyhow all on the sudden we heard a screetch and saw the Tercel spinning out of control down our left side of the car. Everything was going in slow motion. You think the movies are dramatic but the slow mo is realistic. Anyhow the Tercel, ( Oh I did not mention that it was raining as if there was going to be another great flood with an Ark), caught grip on the road and slammed into the drivers door of the Murano jolting us. The Tercel then went slamming into the right side of the highway. We pulled up were we could stop and called 911 right away, while I was keeping an eye on the other car. We did not now if the other car driver had a gun or was unsafe to us. And we were to far away to get a license plate number. Well to may surprise as was on the phone the lady pulls back and drives away. HIT AND RUN!!!! I could not believe it. The CHP came and filed and report and took our statements. It pisses me off so much that the idiot lady could have gotten away with it. But she probably was drunk and uninsured.

The worst thing about it was that we were about 15 to 20 minutes from our destination. We still stopped in Livermore and I did count my many blessing. We were both okay, just a little shaken up. The car is drivable with just a little more wind noise. And I was able to see Buffy at 1 pm on Monday afternoon. And finally, Terry and I will never forget what movie won the Oscar for best movie in 2006 "CRASH". HAHA, we got a good laugh out of that.

We still to have one more leg on the trip so please keep the unlucky brother in your prayers. I am off to load up the truck. Love you and I am glad to be with my wife for a few day. And boy is she beautiful then ever.

Brent
The Unlucky One

When Anne returned from volleyball practise tonight we wanted to make some nachos, but she sat down to check and make sure she hadn't missed some major news during the 2 hours she was at practise. Not just because of my laziness, but Anne is the best nacho builder so I was trying to get her to make the nachos. She found an article about Kirby Puckett who passed away today because of a stroke. She mentioned that his baseball career was ended early when he was diagnosed with Glaucoma in 1996. This being a sensitive issue in our household I urged Anne to go make the artery clogging nachos and we can wash it down with some diabetes causing Kool-Aid. Ya, those carrots in the refrigerator are just for looks, we don't actually eat them for snacks. We had a good laugh at ourselves over this.

Marnie, I thought I'de let you know that I watched the oscars more intently than I ever have before because of your inspiration. I hope your party went well.

Dave and Adina, I need to talk to you about your floors. They look great. I'de like to do something like that for our kitchen/dining area.

Peter

Like Martha's title for her blogs! Dad and I had a day full of errands today as we get ready for the clinic party on Saturday. We are praying for NO rain!!!! Brent called and has reached his home (not for long) down south. I'll let him give the details but suffice it to say that Brent has the worst luck imaginable for driving to and from California!!!

David and Adina---your floor looks great! I loved hearing about Morgan's directing since she was hard at it when we picked the kids up on Saturday.

Tracey--I love your Hayden stories!!!

Treven and Kim--I am very excited about #11 grandchild. You will both be great parents! I was figuring that you are having your first at the same time after your wedding that we had Mike.

Marnie--when you get back from Disneyland and your guests leave we need an account of your Oscar party and Disneyland day!

Yes, I am printing these out and putting them in binders. It is a great way to keep a family journal...but only as good as we keep it up!!!

Love you all,

Mom

"We renew our appeal for the keeping of individual histories and accounts of sacred experiences in our lives--answered prayers, inspiration from the Lord, administrations in our behalf, a record of the special times and events of our lives. From these records you can also appropriately draw as you relay faith-promoting stories in your family circles and discussions. Stories of inspiration from our own lives and those of our forebears as well as stories from our scriptures and our history are powerful teaching tools. I promise you that if you will keep your journals and records they will indeed be a source of great inspiration to you individually, your husband or wife, your children, your grandchildren, and mothers throughout the generations."

( Spencer W. Kimball, "Therefore I Was Taught," Tambuli, Aug. 1982, 3)

GOOD THING WE'RE DOING THE BLOG! You're saving them mom, right?

I know I have posted this before, but here is an old pic I found when looking at files.

Mike

Living room on Saturday 

Living Room now 

Morgan 

Morgan directing our flooring efforts 

Parker's Sixth Birthday 

The view from across the street. 

An overdue picture of the new sign at Dave's practice.  

Just a quick one on how we are doing here in Washougal. Busy as usual.

Congrats to Kim and Treven! We are very happy for you and wish you the best of luck with the start of your family. There is no doubt it will be tough - with school and all - but if you are perserverant and faithful, you will both succeed.

We are putting in our new floors this week. Started on Friday with the much appreciated help of Brent who helped tear everything out, including our very stubborn tile. Continued on Saturday with the much appreciated help from Kenn & Barb who stole the kids away for the afternoon. Got a little done yesterday and hope to finish them on Tuesday and Wednesday. Our living room is done and looks great - the carpet we bought with wood in mind a few months ago really looks nice in there. Anyway - Dave is doing an awesome job and is a little sore. I figure it's not easy for such a tall person to spend so much time near the ground.

The kids are tolerating the upheaval well. I think they thrive in chaos. I, on the other hand, do not. I am anxious for all the work to be done so I can have my order back. Morgan spent about an hour yesterday directing our work. "Now Dad, put this one there and then Mom will put that one next to it. Put some glue on it - that's right - now wipe it. Good job!" Very encouraging - I see her directing some architectural firm in the future.

All else is going well. We attended a baptism preview last night for Taylor. Great program - introduced the baptismal font to all the kids, gave them little baptism boxes to prepare for the big day. Taylor will be baptized on April 8th at the Vancouver East Stake Center at 10:30 am - probably followed by lunch at Red Robin. I am guessing that Washougal has no font, which is highly likely. Anyway - because it is at the Stake Center, it is scheduled in advance. There is another May baptism in our ward, so it will have to be April 8th. I wish that we could have everyone there, but alas, we live by building schedules.

Kids are great. We are looking into an art program after school for Taylor. He and Isaac have a week of baseball camp over Spring Break. Parker is reading up a storm. He is the reverence child in sacrament this month and just stands up there with his arms folded, trying to hold back a smile - so he's just smirking for 10 minutes. Morgan wants to know all about the "big hills" on her Barbie's chest and is writing her name on every flat surface in the house. Life is good.

Love you all!
Adina

Congratulations Kim and Treven! It sounds like given the birth control you may be more than a bit surprised about your big announcement but we are excited for you! As many of us know all too well it seems that we are blessed with children when the Lord wants, not necessarily when we want. I've been hoping there would be a cousin for Danica to play with and now it seems like there will be two! Hooray!! So have you established when you are due? I bet you have a million things to worry about and plan, please let me know if there is anything we can help out with.

As usual things here are good. We were watching some of the awards show tonight and thinking about you Marnie. Did you have a good party? I'd love to see some pictures. Tom is off school for spring break this whole next week. Tomorrow we are headed south to the cabin, should be a lot of fun. Here are a couple of funny Hayden stories:

1. I might have told this before but I was laughing about it again today- one day I was working on an email on the computer and Hayden wanted to play a computer game. He came over to me and I told him he needed to wait. He got inpatient and after a few minutes I looked over and he was standing there completely naked!! He said "I took off all my clothes because you won't let me have the computer!" It was really hard not to laugh!

2. Hayden made me proud today. Hayden's primary teacher told us that today at church he said the opening prayer and he got up in front and said to the class "Now what do we do first?" "Fold our arms!" "Now close you eyes and go like this (head bowed)." Then he waited for everyone to do it. And apparently part way through the prayer he suddenly stopped and said "Oh yeah, my mom said that we can kneel too!"

3. Hayden is also very manipulative. For instance, he loves to stall when going to bed. When I put him down for his nap I read him a story and then say good night and leave. Lately he lays in bed yelling things to me like "We forgot to brush our teeth." "I want to give you another kiss!" and when stuff like that doesn't work he gets smarter and says "We forgot to say our prayers!" "We need to read our scriptures!" What I am supposed to say to a request like that! :)

4. Have I told you all that Hayden is very into the scripture stories he is learning at church? He loves the song "Follow the Prophet" and "Nephi's Courage" and sings them all the time. However, he happens to be obsessed with the bad guys in all the stores. One of the sunbeam teachers told me today that when they act out the stories in sharing time most of the kids don't want to be Laman and Lemual or King Laban but they can always count on Hayden to be begging to play these parts! Should I be worried about this?

Okay, I think he has finally gone to sleep so I can go finish packing for tomorrow. We are thinking of taking a trip out to Vancouver in May. Maybe May9-May23 or so. Tom has three weeks off so we are flexible. Are there any special events or activities going on during May that we should try to be there for? I hope you're all doing well. Have a great week!

Wow! I think I speak for everyone when I say congratulations Kim and Trevon. I think I am surprised like you guys and wish you all the best as your family gets off to an early start!
I hate to say it, but I kinda had a feeling that the youngest Stinchfield would probably beat Brent and I in the baby department. Oh well, good things come to those who wait whether it's 9 months or 9 years!
Buffy

Yes I am pregnant if any of you are confused by what Treven said. ha ha! Anyways, Looks like birth control doesn't work! nice huh?

Well love you all just wanted to clarify!

Kim

yes, yes, yes. I am writing. Just wanted to let everyone know what's going on in Rexburg... First, Kim and I are (really...I let kim learn) learning that a budget is necessary. Second, the snow is leaving and things are heating up. Third, because the snow is going away kim can no longer snowboard, or at least that's a good excuse..... the real reason is that she positively peed on a stick. And fourth, life is just good. We're doing good in school, grades and patience.
Well, writing this has taken me like 45 minutes, so you all can kind of get an idea of why I don't tend to write alot on these things. Besides, that's about all I can think of to say, so deal with it.
Love, The Trevster

For Dave and Adina, Mike and all other's who have been to Japan: (actually everyone would probably enjoy this)

http://www.engrish.com/

Recent Discoveries are pretty funny. Nice website.

Oh and another one is www.myheritage.com. It has a feature where you can upload a picture of your face (or anyone's face) and it will match you to what celebrity you look like the most!! Way fun!! I think you have to register to do it though. I just made up a fake name. :) One of mine was Emma Thompson and in a different picture I was Lara Flynn Boyle...go figure!

Enjoy!

--
Marnie

"By divine plan we are constantly faced with important decisions. We may ask ourselves questions such as: Why is there so much suffering and hatred? Does God exist? What does He think of me? We eventually come to the conclusion that we do not know all the answers and that surely there must be someone who can see more clearly. If we realize that someone is Jesus Christ, we are likely to become more humble and teachable and to desire, like Abraham, 'to be a greater follower of righteousness' (Abraham 1:2)."

( "Come unto Christ," Liahona, Dec. 2004, 23)

"Holiness is the strength of the soul. It comes by faith and through obedience to God's laws and ordinances. God then purifies the heart by faith, and the heart becomes purged from that which is profane and unworthy. When holiness is achieved by conforming to God's will, one knows intuitively that which is wrong and that which is right before the Lord. Holiness speaks when there is silence, encouraging that which is good or reproving that which is wrong."

( James E. Faust, "Standing in Holy Places," Ensign, May 2005, 62)

OK ladies...on my last trip to CA, my sister gave me a pair of shoes that regrettably do not fit me. She bought them and then decided they are not her style. They are brand new, size 10, MUDD brand. Brown leather loafer with thick sole and raised thick heel and square toe. Very cute. Wish I could keep 'em but don't want to just give them away if someone out there wants them. Anyway - if you're interested, I'll send them your way.

Adina

Hotel Pyongyang

Added a view from space courtesy of google.

And a revealing picture.

Very interesting article.

- Mike

Front Cover

Back Cover

As I was reading Peter's blog I remember that I wanted to brag a little bit. My first bit of work was just published the other day to the general public. I have made a lot of things for our company that people who work with us get to see but this is the first one that is going to be sold to the general public. It is the new cover for a book that the president of my company wrote called "Be Your Best". I really good book by the way if any of you are interested in reading it. (http://www.gordontraining.com/aboutgti.html)
Anyway thought I would brag a little. :)

Things are going well down here. I have a busy two weeks ahead of me with a couple old roommates coming into town, the Oscar party and a trip to Disneyland. Should be fun though!

Great to hear from you all! Very exciting about the baby stuff Anne and Peter! :)

Love you all, Marnie

Joseph Smith
Nauvoo, Illinois
April 7, 1844

"You don't know me; you never knew my heart. No man knows my history. I cannot tell it: I shall never undertake it. I don't blame any one for not believing my history. If I had not experienced what I have, I would not have believed it myself. I never did harm any man since I was born in the world. My voice is always for peace."

( History of the Church, 6:317)