Book Signing

As many of you may know, I am a huge fan of conservative talk show host, Glenn Beck. He has recently written a book entitled "The Christmas Sweater". He is touring with his book and his stage show adaptation of the book and was in Boise yesterday. With book in hand, I had the opportunity to meet Glenn, shake his hand, and get my book signed. I feel that he has a tremendous podium upon which to spread conservative ideals and values which this country was founded on and many have forgotten and others feel are outdated. The book is wonderful and has a great message...one of forgiveness and hope. Don't we need those right now, in these turbulent times in which we live. It was pretty cool!!

Eventful Sunday

Yesterday started out like all the other Sunday's do...rushing around trying to get to church on time. I left church a little early because I wasn't feeling very well. About 1pm Scott told me that Tyler had a cookie and now he doesn't feel very well. I looked at him and he had a few hives on his upper chest and a large fever blister on his lip. He said that his throat hurt and he was starting to itch. We gave him some Benadryl and just watched him. Within about 20 minutes his body was starting to be covered with hives. We put him in a baking soda bath and gave him some more Benadryl. We thought that the bath might help the itchiness, but it really didn't. So, within about an hour of him eating the cookie his entire body was covered with huge hives! I haven't seen hives that big before. He had them on the top of his feet and all the way up and between his eyes. It was incredible how quickly they were spreading. I still wasn't too concerned at this point because it takes a little time for the Benadry to really take effect. I asked Tyler to stand up so that I could put lotion on his back. He told me that he was feeling really weak and then his legs started to give way. That is when I became very concerned. We decided that we needed some help. Scott called 911 and within just a few minutes the paramedics were at our house. We were all concerned, the kids included. They took his blood pressure and it was 88/60...they said that was the minimum it should be. We decided to take him to the emergency room. They started an IV (Tyler was so good with that) and they gave him an albuterol treatment on the way to the hospital because his breathing was raspy. They took a chest x-ray to make sure that his chest was okay and it was. They gave him some steroid medicine to help combat the reaction and just watched him for a few hours. We got to the hospital at 3pm and Tyler was covered in hives. We left at about 6pm and the hives were almost completely gone and he was doing much better. We knew that he was feeling better because he talked all the way home...it was a wonderful sound. We are so thankful for the priesthood because Scott and our home teacher were able to administer to him. Between the blessing and the doctors, Tyler was able to make it through this. The cookie he ate was like a wedding cookie...small, round and covered in powdered sugar. I have seen them made with and without nuts and the ones we had looked like they didn't have nuts. Well, we were wrong. I got the cookies from a cookie exchange...well, I won't be doing that again. We always try to be very vigilant to make sure that he is okay and safe. You cannot let down for a moment, just like everything else in your life. I know that we were blessed yesterday and I am profoundly grateful for that.

50-mile bike ride

Jason, Scott, and two of Jason's friends went on a 50-mile bike ride so that Jason could fulfill all the requirements of the Cycling merit badge. They were able to finish it in about 5 hours. They were tired but seemed to have a great time.

Huge Rainstorm!

Recently we had a huge rainstorm. It only lasted for about 30 minutes but it left tons of water behind. We needed it badly. I was incredible!

Fun after the storm!!

The kids and Kody had fun in all the water that the storm left behind.

Tyler gets his Wolf

Tyler worked really hard and earned his Wolf rank in the Cub Scouts.

WAY TO GO!!

Erin plays volleyball

Erin participated in 6th grade intramural volleyball at Eagle Middle School. She had fun and learned some skills that will help her if she decided to continue on...which I think she will. It was fun to watch her and we're very proud of her!

Jason Runs Cross-Country

Jason competed on the Eagle High School JV Cross-Country team this fall. The courses they run are 5k (3.2 miles) each. He ran his first race in 22:30. His last race at District's last weekend he ran it in 20:05!! He had a great time and intends to continue running. It was fun to watch him compete and improve. We are so proud of him!!

Upcoming Election

Politics is something that I have taken a great interest in during the past several years. I drive my kids and husband crazy because I listen to talk radio quite a bit. I feel that this year's election is one of the most important that we have ever been involved with in my lifetime and perhaps longer. This country was founded on liberty and freedom. The constitution of this country, written by God-worshipping men, was expressly written to provide and guarantee us specific rights. Hundreds of thousands of men and women have served this country and some have given their lives to defend our freedoms. The United States of America is the promised land, the most blessed nation on the earth. It will continue to be so as long as we choose righteous leaders. I am concerned that too many people are being taken in by the celebrity frenzy surrounding Barak Obama. They like the words he says in the speeches he gives. He speaks many words but says nothing at the same time. He would have us live as close to a socialist society as a free country can. I worry about a man who says he is a God-serving man, places a prayer in the Prayer Wall in Jerusalem, and then allows it to be leaked to the media. I think the following applies:

"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."

-Matthew 6:5-6

I am concerned about a man who apologizes to other countries on behalf of our country! I am appalled at the arrogance and the patronization that Barak Obama has. I hope that this country has a long memory. Remember September 11, 2001? We experienced the most deadly attack on American soil. At that time we as a nation came together to stand against terrorism. We stood behind Pres. Bush as he worked to regain and preserve our national security and safety.

John McCain has served this country from the early days of his life. He knows what it means to nearly give his life (and he did in a way as a POW in Vietnam) for this country. He voted for the war and has subsequently voted to continue the war, including the surge which has brought about some stability. The troops just recently handed over control to the Iraqi troops of the Anbar province. We are making progress, however slow it may be. I may not agree with everything that John McCain stands for but I believe that he gets on his knees to ask for direction when he makes a decision. That is the kind of person I want for President. I don't need to see him pray, or read his prayer, just knowing that he prays is enough for me.

Sarah Palin is a great choice! What a dynamic woman who does the right thing because it is right. Decisions that she makes are not based on popularity poles or outside opinions. What a concept, doing what is right because it is the right thing to do. Her family life is private and we need to allow her and her family to deal with this issues in a way they see fit. Our free-agency is a powerful gift which can be used in good and bad ways. Her family is no different from most we just see their use of agency in the news.

I hope that all of us who can, will vote this November. What a blessing it is to have an opportunity to have our say and to have it matter. Whomever you choose to vote for, make sure it is an informed decision. Study the issues and know where the candidates stand. Also, pray for understanding and guidance. We live during a great time but they are perilous times as well. Only our obedience to and our faith in the Lord will help us safely navigate our way through to safety.

Wildlife in Wyoming

Grizzly Bear

Bison

A bull moose at Moose Junction

Yellow-bellied marmot

This squirrel walked toward us on the branch and then just laid down for the picture.

Ashton, ID to Flagg Ranch, WY

August 4th Scott and I traveled to the Tetons via Ashton, ID to Flagg Ranch, WY. What an absolutely beautiful drive!! It is a dirt road and it takes about 1 1/2 hours to drive the 35 miles. We just took our time and were well rewarded with gorgeous scenery.

Conner is ready for summer!

Conner is very ready for summer. Last week it was very rainy here but he insisted that he wanted to go swimming. Well, Kristin didn't get him dressed the way he wanted or as quickly
as he wanted so he decided to do it himself. He put his swimming shorts on over his camo pj's. He was ready to go. Unfortunately, we still did not go swimming but he was happy!

May piano recital

This past Saturday Jason, Erin, and Tyler had their final piano recital for this year. Jason played a piece from the Lord of the Rings and The Imperial March. Erin played a piece from her book and a piece from Harry Potter. Tyler played Ode to Joy. They did such a great job. They have the summer off and will resume lessons when school starts in the fall.

Father's & Son's campout

Scott, Jason, Tyler & Conner went to the Father's & Son's campout at Black Canyon Reservoir. They had a fun time throwing rocks in the water (they said it was too cold to actually get into the water for very long), playing in the fire, and sleeping under the stars. Kristin & Erin really enjoy this weekend because it is the girls weekend and they eat out, or go to a movie, or something else that they enjoy. So, it works out for everyone.

Fun at the park

Conner and Kristin spent some time at a local park and they had a great time.

We were having the missionaries over for dinner one evening and had made a cake for the occasion. Conner was not about to wait so he helped himself. Kristin was a little frustrated to say the least but it tasted great and we enjoyed a wonderful meal and evening with the Elders.

We have been trying to get our backyard ready for grass. Our friend's father came over to help us level the ground. He saved us hours of work.