This-n-that

We took some Roses and Reichners down the river. Heading into some rapids:

We went out to eat at a japanese hibachi grill place last night. The cook gave Chloe a peice of shrimp and said, "Try this piece of chicken." After she said she liked it we told her what it really was . Her eyes got really wide, "I like shrimp!?" She was pretty impressed with herself and declared, "Shrimp is the bestest kind of chicken ever!"

Stella's first try without training wheels. Not too bad for barely three.

Amy & Dalls Win

They were our first visitors. They came late Wednesday night and left early Monday morning. So we had four full days together. They were afraid they had over-stayed their welcome but, not so. They are the best guests ever. They clean up after themselves and us. They took care of their kids and ours. Amy even mowed our lawn. It was really fun to have them.
We took them on our inflatable two-seater kayaks. This was my first time in an inflatable and it was so much fun. Not as stressful as a hard shell. I'm done with those. We forgot our camera but I'm telling you--yes YOU, it was fun. YOU would love it. (So come visit.) Next up for kayaking: the Roses. Can't wait.
I wasn't the best host. We ran out of milk and Amy wanted to bake something--anything, but we didn't have all the ingredients. And when we went camping I forgot the plates. But we had a good time anyway. We went camping at Pine Flats Hotsprings. There are hotsprings by the river. Great for kids. Not too hot and not smelly. Here are a billion pictures:

Jumping in the freezing cold river:

McCall 2: The Electric Boogaloo

Ok, that last McCall post sucked since none of the pictures would enlarge. A bit more about our trip. Bonnie was a mission companion and is one of my favorite people. She is from McCall and whenever she returns home for a visit she invites us. Now that we live in Boise it is so much easier to impose on their vacation. Their house is on the lake and they have a ski boat and lots of toys, and wild animals. It is beautiful and we love it. I am about six months behind Bonnie in the multiply and replenish game. (Except she is prego with her 4th and I don't think I'll be right behind her on this one.) But check out the height of our kids. Chloe is shorter than their 3-year-old and Stella is the same height as their 1-year-old. Our kids are midgets and their kids are giants. The Hufaker family. Happy mom-bob to me.

Can't wait until next year! :)

McCall

Goodbye

A Survey

This has nothing to do with Chloe, Stella & Fred. I'm just curious, would you rather:

Get free college tuition and live at home with your parents

--OR--

Go away to school, rent an apartment with friends, and get student loans?

Enter answers in survey on the side, and comments below -->>>

I want lots of feedback. If you read this please leave a comment. Annonymous comments are welcome. A simple "Stay" or "Go away" will do. But I'd also love explanations, like, "My student loans are stressing me out, if I could go back and do it for free I would." Or, "I loved my college years, living on my own--so FUN! Student loans have great rates anyway." For lots of people the answer is obvious. I want to know what others think.
Thanks

4th of Julio

Dan had to do some business in SLC so we all went down. As we were driving we called up Jared and asked if we could do whatever they were doing for the holiday. When we pulled into town around 8:00 they had a bbq and cupcakes all ready for us. Then we set off fireworks with their neighbors. And when it got late and we still hadn't left they invited us to stay overnight. You guys are the best!

The next night we stayed at the Ball's residence and they threw us a bbq too! We got to enjoy their new patio. Thanks guys.

We would really love to be the hosts. SO COME VISIT! We'll take you kayaking. Or we'll tend your kids while you do whatever you want. Take out a small loan to pay for the fuel. It will be worth it.

That's a Reh-kurd!

Germany

I got to go to Germany with my parents to pick up Zach from his mission. It was amazing. Germany is beautiful and the people are so nice.

Skimboarding

I found my camera but not the cable, so no Germany pictures yet. I also found the power cord to the laptop and was able to get to some more St. George pictures.
My kids are lucky to be related to a very decorated skimboarder. Uncle "Doyun" (Jordan in Stella-speak), aka Shuttle Boy, took us to the Virgin River. I don't know the details of his resume but I know it is impressive--including multiple champion titles. Chloe doesn't get the value of his skimboarding status and spent the whole time playing in the sand with some other girls. But Stella and Fred got some private lessons from a legend. I tossed the board once after Jordan asked, "Don't you want to see if you still have it?" And I do.

clockwise: Jordan, Aubrey, Michael, Lauren, Halle, Fred, Chloe. (Stella refused)
Self-portrait. I think my double-chin is getting smaller. maybe.

As blue as the sky

***Up-date*** Jordan is single. He has been home from his mission for over a year so he isn't too wicked or nerdy. If anyone knows of a young lady willing to go out with him please leave contact info in the comments. Thank you. he is lonely

...

I have not forgotten you. This is what I've been doing since the last post:
Left St. George, stayed with Sarah and Mike in Mapleton. Backed out of the triathlon because it was raining (snowing on the nearby mtns) and they cancelled the bike--what's the point? Instead we hiked up to Timpanogos Caves (not recommended for young children).
Stayed in Sandy with Amy and Dalls for a night.
Drove up to Meridian and stayed a few more days with Chanell and Brock.
Closed on our house but didn't fully move in because we had painters. (Long, sad, expensive story).
Left Fred and Dan in Meridian, sent the girls to aunt Rachel's house and I flew to Germany to see Zach. I was gone ten days.
I've been back for a few days now but I have misplaced my camera and what is a post without pictures? Just a lot of letters.
So, I'll post as soon as I locate some photos. I know, you can't wait.

Poolside

Our stay in Santa Clara is coming to an end. We have had a very nice time. My dad is out of school for the summer so when Fred took his morning nap I would go run, bike or swim (triathlon on Saturday). Then during his next nap we would go two doors down to Rachel's pool. They keep it warm. The kids love it. Especially Chloe, she never wanted to leave. My dad would bring Fred over when he woke up.

Jordan took the first three pictures, I took the rest.

I like the sun on Fred's eyelashes.
Tan and green-eyed:
This is the first time Chloe has swam without a life jacket. And she started diving on her own without prompting or instruction. She's pretty good.

I got tired of unsuccessful sunscreen applications and bought them

rash-guards:

I think we will be using our community pools a lot this summer but they will have to get used to cooler water.

Sunday in Santa Clara