Kool Aid Bags

Does anyone want a kool aid bag or wallet? I will make it for free BUT you must make me at least 2 sales!!! They are super cute and attract a lot of attention so you just have to make the sale. Dorky? Yes. Lame? Maybe but in a cool way!!

*Tara, you could use one to hold your camera equipment!

*Dad, you could put....um....cats in it!

*Gill, maybe you could put your new baby in one

*Tom...you could wear it over your face! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Winter Camping

I had my first winter camping experience this weekend. I recommend it to everyone!

The Elders Quorum had planned to travel to Scout Island, somewhere along the South Shore for an overnight camp out but it started snowing that day, so instead of canceling the event, we moved it to somewhere close by.

It was a learning experience for me, so here is how it went.

Once we parked our cars, we had to take our gear into the woods. I had a backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and a 10 man tent. I managed to fasten my sleeping gear to my pack. I put my arm through one strap, reached for the second one and realized it was ripped off! I had to hang the bag from my neck to haul it into the woods while carrying the 60 pound tent. This seemed fine, we didn't have all that far to go, but today I can no longer turn my head to the right.

Once we found our spot, we began to set up our tents. Speed was important as the snow was coming down heavy. As I go to put the stakes into the ground I find nothing but rock. There was nowhere else to move the massive tent so I had to hope the wind would stay calm.

The snow was building up on the tent so I thought, great, some insulation! But it didn't take long before the whole tent collapsed under the weight (I was not inside at the time). Luckily it didn't snow too hard after that so I didn't get squashed during the night.

So what do you do once you get things set up? You cut down a tree or two, build a fire, and stand around it for several hours trying to keep warm and dry. Then you go to bed.

The ground was lumpy, I forgot my pillow, but I was warm while falling asleep. I thought dressing in multi-layers would suffice, along with my sleeping bag and an extra blanket someone gave me, but it wasn't too long before I woke up freezing and damp. The night went on forever, struggling to keep comfortable. I was on my home by 6am.

So next time I plan to be more prepared by:

Having a proper backpack (available at Mountain Co-op)
Having a cold weather sleeping bag (available at Mountain Co-op)
Having a small portable tent (available at Mountain Co-op)
Having better to clothes to stay dry (available at Mountain Co-op)
Other cool things from Mountain Co-op (available at Mountain Co-op)

These are all great things to have as part of your emergency planning as well.

By the way, Mountain Co-op has very convenient gift cards available on-line 24/7. Great for last minute birthday gifts for those who have a birthday coming up in 6 days (April 5th).

Does it appear Gillian is rubbing off on me a little bit?

Our First Road Trip/My Birthday

So I know my birthday was at the beginning of March but it's been a while since anyone has posted so I thought you would like to see this. Jon and I took our first road trip with out new car and went to my home (Boise, ID) for my birthday! Jon drove the whole way, to his request mind you. We spent Saturday with my dad making dinner and watching football. (Jon's newly accuired interest since coming to the States) Sunday we went to church and had the family over at my Mom's for linner. The picture is of everyone firing confetti bombs at the same time. I thought it was pretty cool. :)

So that's what we've done recently! We are also applying to be managers of an apartment complex. We would get free rent and hourly pay! We have an interview on Friday, so if you wouldn't mind keeping that in your thoughts and prayers. Hope everything is going well in your corners of the continent! We miss you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OLD MAN.....I mean DAD!!!

Hey dad, one year closer to getting all those SWEET seniors discounts!! Have a good one and hopefully mom will make you a special supper....oh wait, she does that EVERY night! Show some appreciation man, take her out and pamper her! HAHAHAHAHAHA Have a great day daddykins!

PS That's supposed to be you with the walker and that's mom beside you. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Happy Saint Patty's Day!

Wishing everyone a good one!

TARA

p.s. Mary, notice the sun glasses. :)

Finally!

So I finally found a job. I'm going to be the HR Supervisor at a Toys R Us not far from where we live, so it'll be a nice short commute. It's a progressive position as well so that means I'll end up with a lot more money and responsibility. So yay!

Funny English Kid

Happy Birthday Mommy!!!

Happy Birthday Mom! Hope you have a great day and dad does LOTS of nice things for you...like flies you up here to see Jen. Awwwww, wouldn't that be the BESTEST day EVER????

Vid of Trenton

He's talking now...kinda... He does this a lot now, just sits there and makes those noises.

I should have been a thief....

So, here at library security, we have a certain rivalry between our security and the museum security, such that we play "pranks" on each other sometimes to test the security of each building. This morning, we walked into the museum and stole their huge donation box right in front of them. Mark another victory up for library security!!

Lot's O Love!

I was just looking at pics of all of you guys hanging out at mom and dad's and just really hope that you all realize just how lucky you are to be able to do that! It seriously makes me so sad sometimes to be so far away from my family! Just know that I think of you all often and wish we could all be together more. Thank the Lord for eternal families!!!!!!!

P.S. Nice try Gill with the whole "Jen is a dork" template...well played but I have to say, you mess with the bull, you get the horns!







Gill smells like dog food!