New Features

So every once and a while, blogger comes up with new features to use in your blog. I noticed one that I wanted to give a try. Now my blog lists for friends and family will show the most reciently updated listed first. It was supposed to give the dates of the update but for some reason my background page won't allow it, so you will just get the title. Also I've shut off the music. You can click the play button if you want to listen. Last, I LOVE Tetris! Its at the bottom of the page. Enjoy!

Black Canyon

One of our favorite things to do every summer is to hit the lake for some wake boarding and skiing. My Mom called us Monday morning to see if we would like to go up to Black Canyon with the girls. Of course I was totally excited to go but the problem was that Alex had a paper to finish and three lawns to mow before he could go anywhere. So for the first time ever I went outside and mowed our lawn and our neighbor's lawn with our old non-automatic drive lawn mower. That was a tough job but it felt good that I could help Alex. He finished his paper just when I finished mowing then went to mow the last lawn. I packed up and we headed to the lake. There were not a lot of people there and the lake was pretty smooth. The girls had a blast on the little beach, and Alex wakeboarded with my brother and cousin for a bit. I really wanted to take some pictures because Alex has gotten quite good. Since one of us has to be with the girls at all times I couldn't take any pictures. Oh well, this won't be our last time up. I'll get some good shots soon. When it was my turn the water wasn't as smooth, but I had a great time anyway. Its too bad that gas is so expensive these days. This is truly one of our favorite things to do. AH Well what-do-ya-you.

Yesterday we went with some of Alex's family to a big pool in downtown Boise. There was a big waterslide that we enjoyed, but I don't think the girls were too crazy about it. Today, Alex and his brothers are leaving on a backpacking trip in the Sawtooths for a few days. I'm afraid they will run into a lot of snow. Our summer has been a late one. Hopefully they will have a great time. While he's gone I am going to work on getting our playset fixed up and take my girls to my Grandparent's reunion. Fun Fun.

Tis The Season

With the Summers we get family reunions. The Beal reunion on the Oregon coast was canceled due to poor Salmon fishing and a late planting season for Alex's dad. I guess Alex's mom was feeling a little bad for canceling so ventured out by inviting everyone home to Arco. I had to laugh when she sent us an email reminding us that she doesn't have rooms and beds for everyone. Not enough hot water and towels. And not enough refrigerator space. There are twenty eight of us so we all had to make it work. Some slept outside in sleeping bags, and some in the house. Alex and I slept in the camper with the girls. The first night was a bit rough but the second night was great. Shelley did a fabulous job hosting everyone. There was plenty of food, plenty of hot water, and tons of fun things to do. There were basketball games, a trampoline, a fort, a fire pit, four-wheelers, bikes, a water hole, pool table, movies, and even a litter of kittens for all the kids to play with. We had a great time visiting and eating to our hearts content. All in All I think it was a success. Thanks everyone for a great time and thanks to Seth and especially Shelley for all the hard work she put in.

Gathering around the Fire

Some of the Grand-daughters before church with Granny

Playing Basketball

Check out some of the Game!

Oh The Joy

Well everyone. My girls are getting bigger every day. There is so many great things about it, and then there are the NOT so great things. Lets see. The other day I was at my mom's house. She lives in remodeled home that they have not finished yet. One of the unfinished things is their stairway and their basement. These are old wood frame stairs that I fear every time I go over. Since Mycah is still learning stairs I just don't trust her. Well, I let her out of my sight for a minute and all of a sudden as I sit there enjoying some adult conversation I hear, Thunk..Thud...Clank...Bump..Bump...Bump..mp..mp..Crash! And as I run to the stairs I hear Dejah, Mycah, and cousin Caleb shriek into tears. I guess Dejah decided to help her little sister by carrying her down (at least that's what I got from Dejah's story). Well lets just say, Mycah is not so little anymore and they all took a tumble down those old rickety stairs. Mycah had four goose bumps on her head and even bruised the tip of one of her ears. Ok next. Along with this growing up thing, Mycah is also teething. Not fun for me because it feels like she has been fussing straight for two days. She woke all of us up about three times last night....and if you know me well at all, I am NOT a friendly person when I don't get my sleep. Dejah is quite the spit fire and sometimes says...What-everrr Mom, and tells Dad he is a wiener when he is picking on her. So much fun...I think I'll wait another year before adding to all of it.

TAGGED By Mitzi

4 Jobs I’ve had

1. Dental Assistant 2. Zuka Juice 3. Day Care 4. D.I.

4 Movies I’d watch more than once

1. Hitch 2. Gladiator 3. Rush Hour 1&2 4. Anything Goood

4 Places I’ve lived

1. Eagle 2. Oregon Coast 3. Laramie 4. Provo

4Places I have visited

1. California Coast 2. Mazatlan Mexico 3. Canada 4. VEGAS Baby!

4Favorite foods

1. Pizza 2. Ice Cream 3. Chocolate 4. AppleBees Oriental Chicken Salad

4 places I would like to visit

1. Hawaii 2. Disney World 3. Caribbean Cruise Ship 4. Mexico

4 things I am looking forward to

1. Crazy Beal get together this weekend 2. My next break from the kids 3. Going wakeboarding 4. Next Vacation

4 friends I am tagging

If you haven't been tagged yet, you are now!

Charlie bit my finger - again !

So my sister Heather showed me this video the other day and I thought it was Hillarious!!! Enjoy.

Alex the Daddy

The Top Ten Things that make Alex the Best Daddy in the Whole world!

1. Patient! Oh my goodness, he has me trumped on this one. I have so many times when I feel overwhelmed with the fussing. Alex is always so patient with the girls and never yells at them. He always steps up when the girls are getting to me.

2. Playful. Last night before prayers the girls just wanted to play with him. He let them crawl all over him while giggling and having a great time. He is so good about getting the girls out for fun times.

3. Loving. As much as he teases, I know that he loves us.

4. Sense of Humor. Sometimes I take things too seriously. He can always lighten the mood with his laugh.

5. Takes Time. One of the biggest reasons Alex has not sought a job that payed more money is because he wants to have time to spend with us.

6. Thoughtful. Sometimes when I need some time to myself he is very willing to let me go out while he spoils the girls by taking them to ice cream and toys.

7. Testimony. Because Alex has a great testimony of the gospel, I know that he will always be there to teach our children true principles that will make their lives full of blessings.

8. Teacher. As a mother I want to help my girls with all of their trials. Alex is so good about letting them struggle so that they can learn how to get out of their situation. I love that about him.

9. Hard Worker. He is very dedicated to his jobs and making a living without sacrificing his family. I know that he will never be lazy and let our family go hungry.

10. The BEST DAD! I think I tend to overlook Alex's ability to Father. He is all these things and more. I have truly been blessed to have him in my life. He is so loving to me and the girls. He always makes us laugh, and always knows how to make things better. I love you Alex. Thank you for being such a wonderful DADDY!

Oregon!

What a fun trip. I'm actually bummed to be back already. It was short, but a blast. We left Sunday morning and drove to Salem where we stayed in a Hotel. The girls did really good on the drive but they were ready to get out an walk around. We took them to the pool, which was too cold, so we all hung out in the hot tub for a bit. The first night with Mycah was Horrible!! She refused to sleep, so Alex and I were up between 1am and 5am just trying to get her to sleep. The next morning we had our continental breakfast and drove twenty minutes to Silver Falls State Park where I had planned and fun hike for us. The trail was to rough for any kind of a stroller so we geared up to pack the girls.

The Ten Falls Trail is about a seven mile hike. We started off and were doing ok. Alex was carying Dejah and I was carying Mycah. This my friends was much more difficult than I had expected. First off, I NEVER work out. So I was really tired early on. Despite the fatigue, the hike was beautiful.

The pictures don't capture the real beauty of it all. We had Dejah walk for a while and that gave Alex a bit of a break. Toward the end of the hike we took a short cut which cut out the last two miles of the hike. Making our hike a five mile hike.

The girls were tired and Mycah was falling asleep on my back. We drove a little more than an hour over the the coast where we stayed in Depot Bay in my sister's Time Share for two nights. It was BEAUTIFUL! There were two bedrooms, a living room, full kitchen, cable, indoor/outdoor pools and spas, game room, and our very own view of the Ocean. The weather was of course cloudy and rainy but pleasant. The first evening there we hit the casino for an all-you-can-eat buffet. TERRIBLE food. That night Mycah slept like an angel. The next day we visited the beach and then took the girls the the Under Water Aquarium in Newport. They loved it!

Our last morning there the sun came out and the beach was a blast! After checking out Wednesday we took them to the Portland Zoo and then stayed one more night in a Hotel. We all had a great time. There were so many details, but I will have to make my own entry for that, it would be too much for all of you to read.