Well, I have been a bit remiss on adding anything. Since everyone left I have been trying to put my hours in on my new job and getting the house back in order. It was so great having everyone here..the game nights, the good food...and just the love of everyone, but life does return to normal. My job is going well. I think I am catching on to what I am supposed to do. A lot of it is just reasoning and word processing skills. Grandma is getting more and more out of touch with reality. She asked Dad the other day where his mother, Barbie, was...and asked me whether I had see her mother today. We did find out that she had a UTI which can cause a lot more confusion so she is now on an antibiotic. She seemed a little better today although she called one of the other women, Barbie. I'm hoping it improves because if it doesn't we will have to pay for someone else to work there so someone can be with her all the time.

We have several things I have found as I have cleaned up. Please claim what is yours so I can send it out to you. Also, if you have noticed anything else missing let me know. I'll look around. Some I have already identified and talked to you about so I'm not going to put them on this listing...

1. A sponge bob with rabbit ears
2. An I-tunes video card (it may have already been used...or may be Brent's...I forgot to ask him and he is asleep right now!!)
3. A book- The Lincoln Lawyer, Michael Connelly
4. A puka shell necklace with shells (been here quite some time..Jane's??)
5. Child's white socks
6. Adult white socks--look like women's socks
7. Argyle socks- grey and black with small red threading
8. 2 different Snow White underwear---what is it about snow white???

Dad is working a lot since he has started at Dr Wong's this last Monday. That is going well so far. We're putting off really thinking about any decision until at least April or May. Speaking of April, when Pres Bush gave his speech last night, they talked about orders been issued for units to go to Iraq now...Mike, have you heard anything?

We are giving a party on Saturday for the Loomis's (friends from our ward) that are moving to Utah this month. We are going to play "It's about Time" and the "Amazing Race Game", I think. I also have found about 4 sets of Phase Ten cards so we may have several groups play that. There will be about 20 people. Mike, can you play teams for "It's about Time" and not have to split the group into several games. At the New Years Eve festivities you split them up but I didn't know why.

The title refers to our weather. It snowed yesterday...less than an inch on the lawn but the roads were wet and it is now about 18 degrees so everything is frozen. I'm going to call Curves now and see if they are open. The schools are closed so I'm not too sure and I don't want to drive on the icy roads only to find that Curves is closed. Dad and I think we'll join the gym where we had our pictures taken. We just finished a free trial and we're now at the decision point. It helps both of us as it gives me more intense aerobic exercise than I get at Curves although I will continue to do both.

Speaking of pictures, I need to have your preferences for the pictures by Sunday as I need to let Alex know which ones we want to be put in High resolution and cropped etc. If you don't let us know, we will just pick one that we like. We'll provide one picture for each of you and will give you the electronic file of any that you would like. Also, I will be e-mailing each of you for some geneology info that I need....some of the spouses info as well as endowment and baptism dates.

Love you all!

Mom

We are currently offline. I am posting from work. Since our phone is internet based, this is why you cannot get a hold of us. I will try to get it figured out. In the meantime, you can e-mail me at mike.stinchfield@gmail.com.

Thanks,

Mike

I just found that if you try to post a comment from another blogger account (like I tried to post from my google/blogger account) it asks for approval from the administrator. I logged in to approve my own comments and found a ton of old comments that have never been posted!

I guess I will have to check that more frequently. In case you want to post a comment and it does that - you can sign in as the main user (stinch******) and go to post then on the upper left tab for posting there should be a "moderate comments" section - just approve the comments there.

Just FYI.

-marnie

After all of the fun over the holidays, I guess it was time for a lazy weekend. I had not intended to lay around most of Saturday and Sunday... I had big plans to go with Brent to downtown Portland and go to movies and have a great time during his weekend off.
But of course a cold hit the Stinchfield house and it took me down good. On Saturday morning the only thing that mattered to me was finding some non-psuedafedrine drug to stop the horrible sinus pressure from making me go crazy. (I am one of the lucky few who cannot tolerate the red pill because my heart goes a little bizerk)
So instead of painting the town red, Brent and I cozied up on that big couch chair and watched way too much football. I'm sure Brent was secretly happy that I didn't feel up to going out because this is his idea of the perfect day. And of course I didn't care what was on TV as long as I could doze in and out of sleep. I do have to say though that Brent definitely proved himself an excellent caretaker with running out to the store for cold remedies and such without being asked. I feel very blessed to call him my husband.
Other than that excitement there has been nothing new. Of course Brent and I are still making trips over to the house every other night and obsessing over what we need to purchase for livability... window coverings for the bedroom, bathroom, shelving, etc.
Our jobs are going well. I am trying to finish my Washington state license papers so I can work my 5th day on our side of the river for extra money... of course for house stuff!
Well, that's my blogg-saving contribution. Take care all,
Buffy

Yes, at 3 am...

"Are you talking about the brown guy or the peach guy?"

"He just hugged that man because he really likes him" (After UF TD)

"Ahhh, look at that, he put the ball down on the ground for his friend to have"

"These are the husbands playing"

maybe more to follow...

Mike

Melia had her 2 month check up today and she was measured at 24 1/4 inches long and weighed at 12 lbs 14 oz. So she is in the 90th percentile for weight and 95th for height. Everything is going great with her and she is growing everyday. She also got her shots today so I just gave her some tylenol and now she is out!

Our classes are going well and we are definitely busy with work and school and Melia. But that is how it is so we just have to deal with it! I am starting work a week from today. They got me a two day a week shift on Monday and Friday from 4pm-10pm and if I wanted that shift I have to start 2 weeks early, but it is worth it.

The couches are wonderful and they actually fit in our living room! I love them! We will have to post some pictures. Treven and I are also thinking of coming down to San Diego this Summer after we get out of school at the beginning of July!

Well thats all going on with us... just getting used to it being the winter!

Kimberly

I am finally recovering from my post-holiday funk...I am rising before 10 and making lists again. The holidays were amazing - thanks to all those who made the effort to be here - we know traveling is not always easy - destroyed or missing luggage, the flu, ornery and tired kids, various belongings left behind, early flights - it made our small commute to Salmon Creek seem like a breeze. So - thanks. (Mike - you left your hat and gloves behind - we will get those to you.)

Kids are back at school, Dave is back at work - now as the official owner and head honcho. Morgan went in for a cleaning this morning - she has got to be the only five year-old that yells "Yahoo!" when told she is going to get her teeth cleaned. She loves the hygienist and she is cavity-free. About a week ago, Dave had to go in on a Sunday for an emergency patient. It was a crown prep so he asked me to assist - I think he thinks I know more about dentistry than I really do. It went well, though I could see him stifling laughter under his mask. This poor woman - though she was amply warned that I was not the regular assistant and was a very good sport, she was a pawn in Dave's little game. We are both determined to get me trained so that I can really assist at the practice in the future.

My spare time is spent preparing for the course I am teaching next month - and I was recently asked to organize a health/nutrition/fitness group for Enrichment. So - right back into the grind.

T 'n T - Dave & I were discussing our own Disneyland trip soon - since you and Marnie are (or will be) locals, it would be fun to all go together.
Kim & Treven - glad the furniture got there - and thank YOU for getting it out of our garage!

Time to start the day.

Adina

Okay Marnie, I'll help you out by posting this story about Hayden. When we lost our luggage on Monday Hayden came up to me and said "Now we are like the family who lost everything." I was confused and asked what family he was talking about. He said "The family on Arrested Development!" We've been dying laughing about it all week! For those that don't remember that is what is said in the opening credits, something like "The family who lost everything and the one son who kept them together..." Funny kid.

We switched to morning church today and it was nice to be done so early. Hayden went to his CTR class and got a CTR ring and loves it! We've been making a lot of changes with him now that he is a "big kid." Simple things really but it's been nice, for instance, he now has to eat the peel on his apples, he has to sit at the table and feed himself his entire meal and other basic acts of independence. He is also doing really well at remember to say the "th" sound on his words like "thanks vs. sanks" and "three vs. free" and "something vs. somefing". He's really growing up!! His 4 year old check up his tomorrow.

Danica is getting so close to walking! I know we keep saying that but now we really mean it. She takes up to 6 or 7 steps at a time and will simply let go of one piece of furniture and walk to another without any coaxing. It's just a matter now of figuring out how to not fall down! She is also growing up and no longer gets a bottle, her binky is confined to the bed and she is up to 18 lbs. Hopefully we can pack on a few more so she can get that better carseat!!

The house it almost back in order and kids are close to their normal schedule only sleeping in until 8 or 9. We leave for Disneyworld a week from tomorrow. Now that we know we are moving so close to Disneyland and we got to do some fun traveling for the holidays we thought about cancelling the trip and saving the money but it just sounds too fun to give up. The airfare was free but everything else is pricey! We have a few more days to decide but I think we are going to go.

Well that's my two cents for today. I dont' know if you'll read this, but Sean and Bridgette we think of you constantly and hope things go well with the little ladies! We wait anxiously for the good news!

Take care!

Tracey

I was just playing with our new work camera that we got today with our new copy machine! :)

Well everyone,

We have returned to our humble and small abode. I am so glad to be home even though I wish I could live there so I could have family wecould see every so often. I have been watching the America's Next Top Model marathon since I've been home. They are going thru all of the seasons this week. I have been taking care of lots of stuff at home and still have to get lots done before school starts in 2 1/2 weeks.

Volleyball started back up yesterday and we are going strong now until the beginning of May. Our first tourney is Jan 19-20th so I am getting the girls ready to play against other teams. Our biggest hurdle is rotations and where to be when the ball is being served at them. Anyways, it is lots of fun but hard work.

Andrew continues to grow but not much since you saw him last. He has his 6 month appointment at the end of the month and I don't know where the time has gone. It is weird to think we have had him in our live for almost half a year. I know it is not much time to some of you with older kids but it is alot for us.

Peter and I are doing well and are having fun. Friday, Peter is going night skiing with a friend of his for his friend's birthday then we are going out to dinner on saturday night with them. We will finally break down and get a babysitter other that the ones for school. It will be weird.

All is well and love you all!

-Anne

We had a fantastic time on our visit out to Washington but it is nice to be home and getting settled back in! The kids are still on Washington time and have slept until 10:00am every day this week, it's awesome! (Although that means I sleep in also so we are getting nothing done everyday!) Our flight back was okay but we barely made the connection in Vegas and our luggage didn't so we didn't get that until Monday night. Luckily that happened coming home and not going there! I was trying to help Hayden not be so sad about leaving Washington so I reminded him of his friends here who have missed him. He got the idea that they would be waiting for him at the house! It was pretty funny and luckily we got home so late I convinced him they had to be home with the their parents. Danica still shows very little interest in walking but we are diligently trying to bribe her into it. I think Tom just wants to prove she can and I want her to quit put her hands all over the dirty floor and wearing out the knees of her pants and the toes of her shoes!

We leave for DisneyWorld in a week and half, on the 15th, so I am busy making the last minute arrangements for that. I am hoping we can get by without a car since there is a free shuttle from our hotel. My main concern is food, I don't want to eat out every meal for a week but we can't go to the grocery store without a car so I just may pack an entire suitcase full of stuff like break, PB & J, chips, applesauce, pop tarts, oatmeal, etc. But I guess we'll see... some you Disney veterans, what have you done to keep cost down and fast food to a minimum?

Hayden decided to take the rest of the money he got from Papa and use it to buy the Lego Boba Fett's ship. He is so thrilled and watched Tom for hours as he put it together. He was flying it around the house showing me all the things it can do. Thank you Papa! I had to take a moment to remind both Tom and Hayden that it is made of legos and they need to be prepared for it to break sometime and not to panic!! Hopefully it will be okay! Adina, we got Danica a Fisher-Price piggy bank to replace the school bus. It plays music as you stick the plastic coins in she loves it. Thanks!

Okay, I"m off to bed but just felt the need to help in the blogg revival. Lexi called today and said she'd been tempted to blogg something for us while we are there just to keep the blogg alive! Sorry everyone else!

We are doing well here in Rexburg. We are glad to be home and relaxing before school starts, which is tomorrow. Our classes seem like they are going to be great classes, but we are going to have to put a lot of work into our anatomy and phys class. Melia is growing faster and faster by the day and she has her 2 month appointment on Monday so we will see really how much she has grown.

We called the subsidized apartments yesterday to see where we were on the waiting list and we are #8 which is great! We were #22 at the beginning of December so they is a huge chance of us being able to move in in the next 2 months.

We got the couches last night from Dave and Adina and again, thank you so much for saving them for us. They are great, we just have to figure out what to do because we still have our other couch. So we have 3 couches right now and our living room isn't big. (the subsidized apartments have bigger living rooms).

This blog is a little boring, but that is what is happening in our world. Love you all!

Kimberly

We had some great times together with little need to blog about anything but as we move back into routine I think we need to get back to the regular style blogging.

Happy New Year everyone! The year is starting well in San Diego. I am back to work and busy busy busy. We have already (well, my boss has already) sold about what we sell in a month in one day! So looks like the year is starting out right! :)

I am trying to fall back into my routine which is much nicer for me. Everybody needs a little vacation but too much is, well, too much. My old roommate, Sandy, is visiting this week. She is staying at her aunt's house in North Park so I got to spend some time with her this last weekend and will again this Friday probably. She is moving back to San Diego in May so she is on the job hunt right now and trying to relax after the football season (she is an athletic trainer for Texas Tech). So she is busy but it is nice to have her visit.

I have the Justin Timberlake concert in LA in a couple weeks which should be really fun. And I really need to start cracking down and seriously studying for the VH1 WSOPC. I only have 3 weeks! I am trying to be pretty persistent with Matthew and Michelle about studying since it depends on them too. :)

Anyway, it really is busy so I need to finish eating lunch so I can get back to work. Love you all!

--
marnie

Melia is actually looking at the camera so that is a big reason we picked it.