Papa is Sick

Phil's dad has Stage 4 lung cancer. Things are not looking good. He'll be starting chemotherapy and then radiation after that. Please pray for him!

He requested we all go camping as a family over Labor Day weekend, so of course we did!

2 Years of Joy, Sophie Joy

Sophie is 2! Now that we're rid of the binkie, things are pretty easy going now. As easy as can be with a high maintenance child that is. She loves drawing on the sidewalk with chalk, is obsessed with modes of transportation: cars, boats and airplanes, says phrases like "I want ___.", "no no mommy" and "no no daddy", and many other things, some of which are not decipherable by her parents. She enjoys "nooloos" (noodles), peanut butter and honey sandwiches and pretzels. Happy Feet has surpassed Curious George as her favorite show to watch. We're working on asking for help instead of screaming. Still working at peeing in her potty. And now for the best news of all: At her 2 year check up, we found out she is officially ON the growth chart for weight! Even if it is only the 1-3 percentile...good job Sophie!

Bandon By The Sea

We spent an amazing 5 days at the Oregon Coast in a small town called Bandon. My mom and Ray rented a HUGE house on the beach and we met my brother and sister there. Grams came too! We had SO much fun. The house was amazing. 2 master suites, 3 big screens to choose from, a movie room, sun decks, a pool table, etc., etc. Check it out yourself:

www.bandonseaview.com

We did so much I don't know if I can even remember everything...

Explored the rocks and starfish at the beach, went to a safari game park, ate too much, played games, threw a little early birthday party for Sophie, picked blackberries, made blackberry milkshakes, did a little shopping, played pool, ate some fresh seafood, flew kites on the beach, went on a jet boat ride up the Rogue River, went fishing and caught a 20 pound Chinook salmon, went horseback riding on the beach, saw the famous "Face Rock", and visited the lighthouse.

The only thing that slowed us down a little was a trip to the ER after Sophie poked Phil in the eye and her fingernail scratched it. Phil was in a lot of pain at first. He couldn't sleep and couldn't see. Luckily eyes heal really quickly! You should have seen the doctor, it was hilarious. He had long hair and a beard and he was wearing a pastel multi-colored shirt with big hippie sleeves, a sporty vest, light tan jeans and boots. At first I was a little worried, but after talking to him for a while, we could tell he knew what he was doing. Phew!

Thanks for the awesome vacation Mom and Ray. Awesome memories!

We Went Camping!

We have been wanting to go camping for a REALLY long time! I actually can't even remember the last time we went. I think it was at least 3 summers ago!! My cousin Summer and her family went with us. We found a really sweet spot at Mack's Creek where we had our own dock, covered picnic table, and plenty of shady trees. The weather wasn't as warm as we would have liked, but we had Papa's fishing boat and went cruisin while the boys tried to fish. Sophie loved playing with Navy in the dirt and sticks, throwing stuff in the water, feeding bread to the ducks, and fishing with her dad. My favorite part was of course...the smores!

101 Goals Before I Die

My friend Therese gave me the idea to come up with 101 goals. I've had lots of fun coming up with them. Some are silly, some are serious, but I think it's a good idea to always have goals and things to look forward to. Now maybe since I'm sharing them with everyone, I'll feel more pressure to actually do them!

101 Goals

1. Visit my ancestors' farm in Norway.

2. Sing in an opera.

3. See Diana Krall in concert.

4. Tour Europe by train with my husband.

5. Get LASIK.

6. Exercise 5 times a week.

7. Achieve a doctorate degree.

8. Buy a boat.

9. Become a mother of 3.

10. Learn how to slalom ski.

11. Stop grinding my teeth when I sleep.

12. Learn to ballroom dance.

13. Go on family vacation to Disney World.

14. Take up gourmet cooking.

15. Learn to sew well.

16. Always be reading a book.

17. Go GREEN.

18. Watch the 10 greatest American movies of all time.

19. Continue to develop my piano playing talent.

20. Adopt a pet from the animal shelter.

21. Build my dream house.

22. Attend a REAL fashion show.

23. Plan and carry out FHE every week.

24. Simplify.

25. Learn to meditate.

26. Make writing in a journal a habit.

27. Plant an herb garden.

28. Become a frequent party hostess.

29. Ride a camel in Egypt.

30. Go on a safari in Africa.

31. Be content with my life.

32. Learn how to play tennis well.

33. Have a girl's night once a month.

34. See an opera at the Met.

35. Buy BSU Football season tickets.

36. Shop at the Mall of America.

37. Always have at least $5,000 in savings.

38. Visit Daniel and Grandpa Keith at Dry Creek Cemetery at least once a year.

39. Learn to jump a car.

40. Always pick up trash outside when possible.

41. Write a living will.

42. Buy something for a stranger.

43. Finish my wedding scrapbook.

44. Make singing everyday a habit.

45. Be a thoughtful neighbor.

46. Pay full price for an expensive clothing item I LOVE.

47. Get body reconstruction.

48. Visit my grandparents as much as possible.

49. Feed the missionaries twice a year.

50. Review these goals once a week.

51. Conquer my fear of incomprehensible things.

52. Continue my reign as Dr. Mario champion.

53. Get tickets to and attend the Ellen Show.

54. Visit or vacation with my siblings at least once a year.

55. Serve a mission with Phil.

56. Go to a full service spa for a whole day.

57. Give anonymous Christmas gifts every year.

58. Have enough food storage to feed my family for a year.

59. Visit the Holy Land.

60. Learn how to make real gravy.

61. Own a cabin.

62. Go on a girl's trip at least once a year.

63. Go snowshoeing.

64. Spend a week on a house boat.

65. Be the singer in a jazz combo.

66. Own a pink scooter.

67. Make a pie from scratch.

68. Buy plots for Phil and I at Dry Creek Cemetery.

69. Sing the national anthem at a professional sporting event.

70. Have pink hair.

71. Sing a duet in church with Phil.

72. Live somewhere else for a while.

73. See the play WICKED.

74. Read the Ensign every month.

75. Fly 1st class.

76. Teach my children to love and appreciate music.

77. Own a Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

78. See the beauty of Hawaii by helicopter.

79. Fall in love with a vampire.

80. Do my visiting teaching every month.

81. See Billy Joel in concert.

82. See Mariah Carey in concert.

83. Milk a cow on the Hubbard farm in Grace, ID.

84. Recruit 50 members of Kiwanis Boys' Choir.

85. Make a healthy dinner at least 3 times a week.

86. Go on a $1,000 shopping spree.

87. Cruise to the Caribbean.

88. Save at least $50 every week.

89. Read the Bible from cover to cover.

90. Become a member of the Boise Chorale.

91. Acquire my dream wardrobe.

92. Go to the temple once a month.

93. Road trip across the US.

94. Hike up to a lake.

95. Dine on a rooftop.

96. Learn how to apply eye makeup well.

97. Go on a week long rafting trip.

98. Spend an entire summer on vacation.

99. Camp in my backyard.

100. Invite friends or family to dinner once a week.

101. Bike to Lucky Peak and back by the light of a full moon.

Summertime Fun

PP on the Potty

The other day we asked Sophie if she wanted to go "PP on the potty" and she said "Kay". So we set her on her little potty and watched as she strained and grunted a little bit and then there was pee! She's only gone a few times since then, but hopefully she'll get more interested soon. Yay Sophie!