http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saHyv3rRHsk
I'm not really a country fan at all, but this is one of my favorite songs that Geof. and I found a while back and have shared with a few people (I'm sure most of you have heard it before). Great song.

Indian Heaven in reality

LOVED the hike!! My mother in law (and Geof. agrees) that she doesn't like camping where you have to drive in all the food and tents and crap that goes along with traditional camping. I used to think they were nuts! I LOVE camping and I especially like the food part of camping. (: BUT..., backpacking is great. Easy prep and easy clean up. The hike was perfect and the 7 girls I went with were all so fun. We were just all so giddy and happy to be free of any responsibilities (yes, we're all moms). It was so great. I don't know how we'd do with kids, or how hard it'd be to do a 5 or more day backpack, but an overnighter was more than I could of hoped for.

Indian Heaven

I love Washington. Long before I even had feelings for Geof., I knew that I would one day marry someone from Washington. That's at least what I wanted. And then to meet his family!! Lucky me, I have inlaws who love and appreciate the outdoors probably even more than I do (since they're constantly playing in it). Meagan, Geof.'s older sister, invited me a few days ago to go on a backpack (my first ever) to a place called Indian Heaven. It's only an overnighter, which is probably good since Geof. will be coming home and I'd like to spend some time with him, but I'm so excited!! His pregnant sister Ellynn's coming too and some other girls from our ward. I hope it's as fun as I imagine it'll be and I can start doing this more regularly. Here's some pics someone ELSE took of Indian Heaven. I'll post my own when I return. (:

We went on this wonderful walk this past Sunday up at the Washington State Vancouver campus. So pretty! I finally figured out how to use the Color Accent feature on my camera. I love it! My sister in law Meagan figured hers out as well, so we were both pretty consumed with snapping photos. Geof. says I need to live in the moment more, rather than behind the camera. I know, I know!

..who knows what i'm saying...

I've been feeling a little bit on the crazy side today. Don't know why. Weather, perhaps? It's the first day of real 'fall weather' it seems. Does that affect your mood? My poor kids, that's all I can say. When I get grumpy like this, I wish some sweet gma or I don't know..., stranger, could just take em away for the day. (; That was kind of a joke. I've probably mentioned this before, but I really like this new artist Adele. That's why I've added her songs to my playlist. Yes, I'm aware that playlists on people's blogs can be irritating. So, just hit the pause button when you get on mine. She's great, though! Remember the late 90s and early 2000s? BAD music!! Britney Spears and boy bands. Could you think of ANYTHING worse?? There's some great stuff out there right now. If I had a little more money (and time), I'd buy and listen and DANCE to everything I could get my hands on. Music has such an effect (not sure of the correct spelling of affect) on me. On everyone, I believe. I've been trying to listen to classical in the car to calm me and my kids. It does wonders, I tell ya.

On a different note (not that I was really going anywhere with that last paragraph), I recently was called as a Relief Society teacher. I'm actually teaching this Sunday for 'Invitation Sunday'. All three meetings/classes will be focused on introducing our religious beliefs to those not of our faith. I'm excited, but also a bit nervous. It's been a while since I've taught, and this grumpy feeling I'm having today only makes me feel less prepared. The topic is: Beyond the Veil, Life in the Eternities. wow. How do you simplify that one? Any suggestions?
Cole is doing well, at least that's what he tells me. His bus driver did tell me that I'd have to pick him up from school if he kept standing up when the bus was moving. He told me he hates the bus because it's too long (1 hr!). I'm thinking of packing some Matchbox cars for him to keep him entertained. He is such a sweet boy, though, and I feel bad that as the oldest kid, he sometimes deals with too much from his mean mama. }:
Dayne LOVES to read. She'll read book after book (making it all up of course), and even makes up her own language while doing it! She reminds me of myself in that way. I always thought I sounded so intelligent talking to myself (or my dolls and animals) in a made-up language. Dayne could listen to music forever, and I need to remember that more, because she and I are so happy when good music is on. Lifts our spirits...a good thing.
And what happened to sweet june? She's past the year mark, that's what. There's been a trend with my kids at this age. They are close to perfect until about 13+ months. And then it all goes to pot. I'm kidding, she's still adorable, but throws very dramatic, emotional fits, and it's really hard to keep a straight face while this occurs. Her teeth are coming in and I need to get rid of those newborn binkies 'cuz it's causing some major snaggle tooth (Geof.'s nickname for her now). I'm trying with that one, but she refuses to take anything else and bedtime is becoming torture.
Oh well. Ramblings are now coming to a close. Forgive me.

Pretty clever..I think we should all write one up and send it to our Senator

FORMS ARE GOING FAST- SIGN UP TODAY!
Becoming Illegal (Actual letter from an Iowa resident and sent to his senator)
The Honorable Tom Harkin
731 Hart Senate Office Building
Phone (202) 224 3254
Washington DC , 20510
Dear Senator Harkin,
As a native Iowan and excellent customer of the Internal Revenue Service, I am writing to ask for your assistance. I have contacted the Department of Homeland Security in an effort to determine the pro cess for becoming an illegal alien and they referred me to you.
My primary reason for wishing to change my status from U.S. Citizen to illegal alien stems from the bill which was recently passed by the Senate and for which you voted. If my understanding of this bill's provisions is accurate, as an illegal alien who has been in the United States for five years, all I need to do to become a citizen is to pay a $2,000 fine and income taxes for three of the last five years. I know a good deal when I see one and I am anxious to get the process started before everyone figures it out.
Simply put, those of us who have been here legally have had to pay taxes every year so I'm excited about the prospect of avoiding two years of taxes in return for paying a $2,000 fine. Is there any way that I can apply to be illegal retroactively? This would yield an excellent result for me and my family because we paid heavy taxes in 2004 and 2005.
Additionally, as an illegal alien I could begin using the local emergency room as my primary health care provider. Once I have sto pped paying premiums for medical insurance, m y accountant figures I could save almost $10,000 a year.
Another benefit in gaining illegal status would be that my daughter would receive preferential treatment relative to her law school applications, as well as 'in-state' tuition rates for many colleges throughout the United States for my son.
Lastly, I understand that illegal status would relieve me of the burden of renewing my driver's license and maki ng those burdensome car insurance premiums. This is very important to me given that I still have college age children driving my car.
If you would provide me with an outline of the process to become illegal (retroactively if possible) and copies of the necessary forms, I would be most appreciative. Thank you for your assistance.
Your Loyal Constituent,
Donald Ruppert
Burlington , IA
Get your Forms (NOW)!! C all your Internal Revenue Service 1-800-289-1040.

Geof. has a little pocket in his pilot hat for a pic. Look at the cute one he put in. (: He's gone WAY too much now that we're living in WA and still haven't found a better job. I miss him!
Cole's loving soccer and doing so well (not surprisingly). He listens well to his couch and is very attentive at his games. We'll see how he does today!

Dayne cheering for her brother.

The other night the kids were BEGGING me to take them to a park after we dropped Geof. off at the airport. I knew of no parks near the airport, so I drove around somewhat aimlessly (at least I was headed north, right?) keeping my eyes open. We finally found a little dingy one by some baseball fields. However, I've never seen my kids have more fun. They LOVED IT!
I can't believe how big (and unafraid) Junie's getting. She's just like the other two. Is that a good thing?

Cole started Kindergarten on the 4th. Here's our handsome boy on his 1st day. He also started soccer. Two practices a week and a game every Saturday. Oh, how our lives have changed!

At Heather's request...

remember when....

I guess I was getting a little nostalgic lately, hence the change of music on my blog, and the yearbook pic from '88. Can you believe how much I've changed? That hairstyle was soo in!!
~No, really. How funny is that?? I swear I have a pic identicle to this one, or at least my sister Emily does. (;
Try it out yourself @ www.yearbookyourself.com.
Thanks Lindsey for the fun idea!

Labor Day

Is it possible to post too many pictures? I think so. Sorry! And I don't even know how to do it the correct way: all in one post. So, here's 4 different posts with as many pics as you could ever want. (:
I'll try to keep things simple and short in my explanations. We decided to go up to Duvall, WA this past Labor Day weekend. My cousin Brian offered his home to us and many other family members visiting from Spokane. His daughter Mackaela (sp?) was getting baptized. We had so much fun! They live on 2/12 acres of bliss up near Seattle. On the drive up I stopped with the kids to get my tires balanced and since I was so close to my cousin Jordan's , I figured we might as well stay the night there to keep my kids and myself sane. Cole and Emma LOVED each other and their little house out in Yelm is located in such a beautiful area. Geof. met us the next day up at Brian where we played games and ate, ate..ate. The next day we went to church with Ellery and Le Anne and then spent some more time with Jordy and Megan. On Monday we went to the kids and my FIRST rodeo. I forgot my camera...or else I'd have pics!! It was pretty fun although I was terrified one of my kids would fall through the bleachers. And there were a few things about animal treatment that bothered me...but, what'dya do? On Tuesday Geof., the kids and I went to Lincoln Park in Seattle. It's right on the water, and although not pictured, there was a saltwater pool right there. It had closed the day before, dang it! We're so happy to have Geof. home for these 6 days. He goes back to St. Louis tomorrow and will be gone most of Sept. Really LAME schedule!
I almost forgot. The pics at the very bottom are of my Aunt Renee, Uncle Bryan, and their daughter Leah who I'm fortunate enough to have live in Battle Ground, only 5 minutes away. Renee feeds us yummy veggies from her garden as soon as we walk in the door. Little June-bug can't get enough of the figs from her fig tree. She eats a good 4-5 every visit! /a>