Peru trip

We flew into Lima and spent a couple days seeing the city, this is my parents with my aunt and uncle in front of their apartment, with whom we stayed while in Lima (and then traveled with later). It was in the 60's our whole visit, meanwhile at home it was 35 degrees and my poor wife and the boys spent the whole day bundled up at the soccer tournament.

Next we headed for Cuzco and the sacred valley to climb a whole lot of rock walls and find out just how bad of shape we are in. Sacsayhuaman, Pisac, and Ollantaytambo were definitely the best. Unfortunately we were on a fairly tight schedule and didn't have time to explore them in depth. My dad and I were the only ones willing to climb all the way to the top most of the time, while everyone else stayed down, promising to take a picture once we were at the top. I haven't seen any of those pictures yet, but here is one of them at the bottom (sitting on the curb in the center of the picture).

Next it was on to the big deal of the trip, Machu Picchu. Dad and I were the only ones to get up at 4:30 to get in line to be on the first bus up the mountain, so we could get tickets to climb Wayna Picchu (the taller peak you see right behind us). When we got in line there were already about 100 people in line ahead of us. One of them said she had been in line since 3:30 and there were several people in front of her, so I guess if you want to be first in line you have to be there all night (you would save on lodging that way).

Machu Picchu was great, and the views were amazing, and here is another picture from the top, looking down on the rest of our group (I'm sure they are there somewhere).

We all used bug spray but apparently I missed my elbows, and every time I lifted my arms to take a picture the bugs let me know it. I counted 30 bites on one elbow and 40 on the other. It's the ideal souvenir since they were free and take up no room in my suitcase.

Next we were off to Puno and lake Titicaca. Here is one of the reed island natives explaining how the island is made, and showing us how thick the island is.

Here are a few of their houses on their island... the night life has gotten a lot more exciting since the recent installation in the middle of this picture (yes, enough solar panels to watch TV)

We finally found a restaurant that served cui (guinea pig). Unfortunately it was a little tough since they fried it well done. Next time I'll order it medium rare I think.

Elder Bednard's Talk: How to Strengthen Families

I thoroughly enjoyed Elder Bednard's talk about his sons and how during family prayer or scripture study they wondered sometimes why they did it, but they were consistent and that's what's important. He said during scripture study someone would say he's touching me or he's breathing my air. I had to laugh because I feel like what's the point sometimes, but othertimes you know it's all worth it when: They're sitting reading scriptures together in their pajamas ready for bed or they remind you, "what about scriptures?" or "I didn't get to read yet!"

We say it's time for prayer and Ashton (who is barely 2) rushes to his knees and becomes so quiet and reverent it's adorable.

We all quietly kneel together and they actually stop jumping, kicking, talking, and yelling. Although it's only for a minute it's still treasured.

Elder Bednar's three points to strengthening families:

1. Express Love and Show it.

2. Bear testimony and live it.

3. Be consistent.

Consistency is the ultimate lesson to learn, love, and live the gospel.

Stop waffling about

We've all heard funny things that they say in England that mean different things here. For instance, knachered is tired, a rubber is a pencil, dustman is a garbage man, afters is dessert, take away is take out, etc. Well Taylor, Devin, and I were watching Prince Caspian. We've been reading all the books (or more like listening to them in the car) when at the end Edmund says that he left his new torch in Narnia. They wanted to know what a torch is. I said it's a flashlight. Taylor replied, "then do they call torches flashlights?" It was very funny, and I doubted it, but didn't know for sure not being well versed in the queen's english :)

Some poses with our own torches. We were playing in the dark.

Stop Waffling About: means to stop talking silly

Soccer Star

Taylor started out at center forward; I couldn't have been happier. He's really become a more focused and aggressive soccer player. He used to pick grass and look all around and the ball would fly right by him, but, recently, he's been playing everyday at school with the other boys and he's now calling for the ball, crashing the goal, and scoring a lot. His last game he scored 5 out of the 9 goals. It's in his blood.

The Fanclub! Devin's soccer game is right afterwards. Ashton likes to walk around begging food off people even though I bring enough snacks for a small army.

Those orange socks have to make him go faster. If not, at least it's easy to spot him on the field.

Funnies for the Day!!!

I had to laugh today when:
Devin was running around the house shooting everyone with his new makeshift gun--my breast pump. (It must be fun looking because someonelse thought it was a crossbow)

Taylor was singing "How Firm a Foundation" at the top of his lungs while taking his time on the toilet.

Ashton so excited to take a bath that he stripped down in the kitchen and ran to get in the tub with nothing but his socks on. "You're never fully dressed without...socks?" or something like that.

Church was also entertaining on Sunday because:
The speaker used the phrase, "break a leg" after which Taylor leaned over to me and said, "mom, that's an idiom for good luck" Oh my, you're only seven and your using the word idiom!

Devin tooted loudly during sacrament meeting and everyone could hear it.

Another speaker spotlighted Taylor by saying in class when asked how he serves those he loves he replied, "I fold laundry for my mom". Later that week when I ran into her she asked how he was doing and I answered (unaware of his Sunday answer) Oh, he's home folding laundry:) He also got the most reverent award in primary. Will miracles never cease?

I left church with my head spinning because I was asked while I was in nursery with twelve little children and a newborn to:
Speak in church
Feed the missionaries
Make elephant ears at the ward party
Drive my visiting teachee every Friday to her college class downtown
Help plan the playgroup that week
Does anyone know what it means to have a newborn and three other small children? whew!

A conversation between Taylor and Devin:
Devin wanted to get Taylor's little tea set down and Taylor said, "No, that's what I said and that's just gonna be the way it is. I said,"you sound like a mom or dad". He replied, "just practicing". Cheekey boy!!

Fall Photo Shoot

For some reason they all started lifting their shirts and Ashton had to follow suit. They're out back by our pond. I can't believe how low it is. In the water you can see the big stick they were sure was a snake and hoped everyone on the blog would think so. I think were too distracted by their white tummies to notice any aqua creatures behind. Adorable Lucas; he's not quite sure how he feels about the new colder weather.

It's amazing everyone is looking at the same time. They weren't thrilled about the pictures, but they love their mama and I wanted them taken.

A very realistic picture of how they really were. Ashton is looking down, Lucas is screaming for his life, Devin is making a silly face, and Taylor is listening.

Cuties!

Apple Orchard Excursion

The kids and I went to an apple orchard and picked 16 lbs. of apples. We went home and got to work making a pie. The kids helped a lot and rolled out the dough, and did plenty of snitching.

This is Devin's scary pie. He cut out the ghosts and placed them all by himself.

Ashton's Birthday Party

Modeling his new bath towel; made by his grandma peggy.

Playing with his new marble works.

His second birthday was fun; we had a little family party.

A worm or a blue snake, not sure. It was designed by dad.

A day at the park with Great Grandma

You'd think there wasn't a ton of ice cream in the bucket by the way he's licking that beater. I couldn't resist a quick pic.

Great grandma, grandma, and baby Lucas enjoying the outdoors at five weeks old.

Chad and family came to visit from Nevada for the Holiday weekend. Yes, I know Labor day weekend was a while ago, but I've been a little busy. Better late than never.

The two cousins. Although Emma is two months older she's not much bigger than Lucas. The other new cousin who was born in between the two has already moved back to Utah for the school year--baby Ryan. In a couple of years they'll all three make quite a gang.

My monkey man; I think he may end up a gymnast. Not only is he built like one, but he's fearless of heights.

Lake Michigan Fishing Trip

The men over labor day weekend went fishing and everyone caught something. My DH is looking alert after working all night, driving seven hours and fishing for three. I think he got home at three in the morning only to be back at work at six. Poor guy, but the fish was sure tasty and I was grateful he went.

Taylor's holding the rod like a pro; he had a great time and wants to go again.

All the men with their proud catches. I do believe the biggest is Chad's, but whose keeping track?