Leave it to the Japanese

Convenient looking, isn't it...

Kinetic Sculpture

To Bribe...

Travis is learning the art of bribery with our horses. And after being chased down relentlessly as a result, he has also learned that bribery is generally not all that profitable, at least when it comes to 3 year old 'nerd' geldings. The seagulls from 'Finding Nemo" come to mind. Mine mine mine mine mine

Yes, IT happened...

Well it happened. We went to let the dogs out, and Kenya, the big cow who never listens (don't ask, wasn't our problem until now) ran after a skunk. And completely contrary to all of our shouted protests, chased a skunk under the trailer and tried to bite it, even though it had sprayed her, all over her neck and chin, and then finally, into her mouth. Needless to say, the whole place, house, yard, garage, everything.... REEKS! I have never really had anything against skunks, even found them mildly interesting and I daresay cute-ish. Never more. If I have power over the situation, their certain death will be my only pleasure... Ughh, after staying up nearly all night and much washing, scrubbing and deoderizing, I still can't get the smell out of my soft palate. Poor Lynn and Anne and Travis...

Autumnal Voyage

This last Friday, Lynn and Anne took us on a trip to Medford to shop for Brad and Molly's reception, to get out of town and to see if we could see some of the Autumn scenery. We of course became sidetracked, gloriously and discovered a wonderland of Aspen. It was absolutley beautiful. I love that Lynn discribed it as "a flower... except 30 feet tall!" Travis took the camera and was able to take some pictures, like the one of us guys. I only was able to snap a couple, but it was all worth it. Too bad the photos don't do the real thing justice. The crisp air, the smell of damp leaves, the breeze whispering through the trees. Good golly I love Autumn!

The Crossroads of Sark

Sark, the smallest of the Channel Islands, in Great Britain is the last bastion of feudalism in Europe. Rob Crossan of the Guardian writes:
Nobody has tried to change things on Sark for some time. Its arcane system dates back to Elizabethan times, with the head of the feudal government, or seigneur, owning everything, including anything that gets washed up on the island's shores. The present incumbent, Michael Beaumont, has held the position for more than 30 years. Sark's tenants are required to own a musket - a relic of the time Elizabeth I sent 40 Jersey men there to quell debauchery and piracy in the 16th century. There are no paved roads or cars, and bucolic harmony has reigned pretty much unchallenged (bar occupation by the Nazis) for more than 500 years.

Now Sark has fallen afoul of the EU because, as Seigneur Beaumont so disarmingly puts it, "Nothing much is human-rights compliant here." So, the tenants have three options. They can vote to retain the status quo and risk the wrath of Strasbourg, decide to bring in democracy straight away, or adopt a transition phase, which would mean a parliament of 28 people, of whom 16 would be elected.

And now, very probably, we will have to bid godspeed to Elizabethan Sark. The ruffs, the stomachers, and even the codpieces will have to go into mothballs, all for the sake of modernization.

Rent a Potty Pony!!!

Well the story is that Brynlie is going through that wonderful time of Potty Training. She has a motivational chart that gives her a reward when she fills the squares with a sticker. She gets a sticker every time that she goes to the bathroom. Her reward this time was a pony ride furnished by our wonderfully sweet horse Dante. Needless to say that she had gone like 16 times a day.

So this last Saturday, the whole family turned out to watch Brynlie on her Potty Pony Ride. We walked into the field to grab Dante and the other horses, and tied him up to tack him out. Ty was just beginning to brush Dante down when Brynlie let out a scream and started to cry. We all jumped thinking that maybe the horses had scared her, or that one had nibbled on her looking for treats. When asked what had happened, she stuck out her bottom lip and cried, " I want to ride the pony, RIGHT NOW!!" She is too cute. When she was on, and walking around she was so happy, it was adorable. She ended up having so much fun, that Travis had to have a ride too. Which of course Dante was glad to oblige with.

Beautiful Views

So I just wanted to share with you all some beautiful pictures of what the view looks like from Lynn and Anne's deck. Their house sits on a hill over-looking the Klamath Valley, with the Lost River meandering below. The other day there were some beautiful cloud formations over the valley, there were high winds and they just created some stunning views.

This whole job hunting thing stinks...

Well as you all know, we moved to Klamath Falls, at the last minute, though we were intending to be in Portland really. Ty took a less than satisfactory job at a local elementary, when NOTHING else was available, and I am looking for a job in order for us to move out of his parents home. Then comes yesterdays paper, confirming what I already knew through trial and error. THE JOB MARKET IS NON-EXISTENT. Klamath has less than half of the living wage jobs necessary for its trained workforce. And everything else doesn't pay half. Real fun, let me tell you. Anyways, I am still trying to remain positive... But it is wearing thin...

But at least I don't have to do this... ST

What a Pony Ride looks like in Louisiana

Fun while it lasts...

A new theme.

Along with all of the standard, everyday, family things, I thought that I would display some of the strange things I find while looking for more random knowledge. I will try to do this periodically, so as not to overwhelm, but hopefully it will also give you something to call your significant other over to look at in wonder/ astonishment/ suprise/ chagrin. To start with, I found this photo of a mushroom. And an intersting one at that.


It is a 'Bleeding Tooth Mushroom." Looks more like a crime scene to me. ST

Anne will be so proud ;)

I thought I would share with you some pictures of some of our favorite squash varieties that we have grown in Anne's garden this year. For Christmas last year, Ty and I gave Anne a book entitled, 'The Compleat Squash' by Amy Goldman. Basically it is Martha Stewart + Heirloom Squash = Fun! It inspired Anne to plant ALOT of squash, with some pretty interesting ones tossed in the mix. I was just the Johnny-Come-Lately who horned in at the end of the season and am enjoying the fruits of her labor. Anyways here are some pictures, maybe it will pique someone's interest and then I can blab a whole bunch to you about my passion for heirloom squash.

This one's for all the horse crazy girls...

I thought that I would share some pictures of our pretty ponies for those who haven't seen them yet. Especially Miss Meysa. Anyone would be welcome to come and see them, they are all actually a little bit too lovey-dovey sometimes and would love an apple or two from somebody's little hands. Thats you too, Brynlie :)

Hewp I am Twapped!

This is my little niece Lauryn. Out of all the cute pictures, I think that this one is pretty darn funny. And that smile is her mothers to an absolute 'T' or I am the Pope! Don't believe me, look at any of our old school pictures, K-3. Love ya sis. :)

Brynlie is the Best!

Here are some pictures of Julie's daughter Brynlie. She is just the most precocious, agreeable child around, not to mention, cutest. We don't get to see her as often as we would like, but when we do, its like we never left :)

We are missing you Jessi

Jessi has left for her freshman year of University at BYU-Idaho. We miss her silliness and her smile. We love you, have fun, we'll see you soon!

Brad and Molly are engaged!

Well its official. Ty's brother Brad and his fiance Molly have announced their engagment. The wedding day is set for December 28, 2007 in the Seattle Washington Temple. We are all excited to hear this, and look forward to it. Congrats kids, we love you.

Luomi's Way of Helping

Luomi trying to stowaway in Ty's teaching bag, hoping to go and give Ty encouragement in his classroom.

Whistle while we work!

So yesterday I had an interview with US Cellular for a Consultant position. It was a terribly long interview with a lot of in-depth answers, but I guess that suits me just fine, everyone knowing how verbose I am. We are crossing our fingers and saying little prayers that I get the position, not only because it would allow us to finally sign on our own place, but also because itwould be a great job to transfer with when we move to Portland in July for school.

Ty is getting ready to take his ORELA test this Saturday, to become considered highly qualified here in Oregon. This would make sure that he would be able to find a job when we do move to Portland. When we moved here, he had his teaching license from Utah and was told that if he was considered "highly qualified" in Utah, which he was, he would be considered "highly qualified" here in Oregon as well. That ended up not being the case and with the whole No Child Left Behind thing, that basically meant that in order to be hired, it would have to be at the discretion of the individual principle. Needless to say, there is a reason that he is teaching at a certain school in less than satisfactory conditions. And why he is taking the test this weekend so as not to encounter this problem again. Regardless, he is a trooper, and tries hard not to complain, getting up every morning to drive an hour in the dark to a classroom full of little heathens, stay late, and give up most of his evenings on extra work for his grateful family.

Zoomies!

Sorry I know that I am barraging the blog with random photos and dates. I figure I'll get it all out of my system and then we can go on to the new stuff.

India is loving having such a large, soft yard to run and play in here at Lynn and Anne's, she has SO much energy, it is just great to watch her have a "mad case of the zoomies".

Luomi being Luomi...

Ty's Classroom

Ty interviewed for his job and then in less than a week, he had his First Day of School. The old teacher who left, left due to health issues, so his room was in complete disarray. These pictures are of what his room looked like only after we made piles! Needless to say it is a bit outdated and clearly in need of a new paint job. All things that are hard to come by in little old "scary" Chiloquin.

ONE reason we moved, okay ALOT of reasons...

Building a home for our horses

When we had to move here to K-Town, we had to find a place to put our horses. Luckily Gma Vel let us put our horses on her property. Though we had to build our own fence. Here are some pictures of the process, notice the horses are there, though the fence is not. :) (Rushed is an understatment.)

Oh yeah, the history.

So I think that I should do just a bit of general filling in. Ty and I moved from Salt Lake City to Klamath Falls at the beginning of August. Our job at the Stables that we run, not to mention our living situation was no longer a good option for us, and since Ty had been wanting to return to Oregon for quite some time, we decided that it would be best to "Head West!" Ty was able to find a job at Chiloquin Elementary School on the Klamath Indian Reservation. Not necessarily our number one choice, but given how late we moved here, it was nice that there was a job at all. I on the other hand am still looking for a job. Lynn and Anne have been so generous to us and have allowed us to stay with them until we are able to get jobs and could move into a place. Even knowing that that meant allowing our furry family to live with them in their house, which is no small thing considering the extent of our animal collection. So that is where we are now. Updates to follow :)

I love the babies!

I just had to post this one of Kelson and I. I dont know what it is between me and Julie's babies, but I just love them, and I am lucky that their mom tolerates me stealing them any chance I can get.

The Bounty of the Garden

I just had to post this photo as a tribute to this small portion of the INSANE amount of produce that Anne and I harvested from her garden this year. Anne and I had so much fun watching all of it grow, ripen and be harvested, right down to weighing every last thing. For posterity's sake of course :)

Miss India

This is our most recent photo of our girl. Miss India is just over a year old, and though we love her and think that she is great, we are still hoping that she will grow into herself and then we can take on the show world! What a pretty girl, look at that neck!

Family Photo

This was a photo taken at the Evan and Lyn's house, just before Jessie left for school. It was so fun to see all of Julie and Jaime's kids, they are all just so sweet, and it was nice to have Jena and Josh here for the weekend as well. All that was missing is Brad.

First Post

Well after Ty's sisters published their blogs and evidently my family has jumped all over that bandwagon, we have decided to put in our two-cents. I have several other blogs, but those have always been just online journals, so posting current events so that our families can be kept up to date is certainly beneficial. I will hopefully try and post pictures and stories from the last couple of months to bring everyone up to date.