Cortez, Colorado and Arches trip....

Every year Karl has to work in Cortez, he takes dad with him to help with the work. So we all go for a fun little vacation. This year they were able to finish in one day, Tuesday. So we were able to spend the other three days just playing. We went to Mesa Verde, of course! We love that place. Then we drove down to four corners. That was alot of fun and the kids thought it was neat to be in four states at once. After this we had a LONG drive, (dad chose the wrong road!) but it was pretty none the less, back to Monticello, Utah and stayed up the canyon there for one night and a day before we left mom and dad (they didn't want to hike!) to go to the Arches.
We met our dear, close friends, Tammie and Ryan Nelson and their kids there and spent two nights at the Devil's Garden campground. The first day we took the kids to Sand Dune Arch. It is their very favorite place and we very rarely go to Arches that we don't stop there for a visit. Later that night, with our 8 children and three of my other friends children, who happened to be there also, we left for a hike in the dark under a nearly full moon to Delicate Arch. It was a memory maker! We had a great time on the way up and while we were there. The night was a cloudy one so we waited a while in hopes that it would clear up and the kids played games. On the way back we ran into some other people on their way up and one asked Jacee "Isn't it past your bed time?" I laughed. The kids were getting tired, but over all it was a great time!
The next day was WINDY but the kids and Karl and Ryan managed to have a good time none the less. Ryan bought his repelling gear and they had a great time repelling on the rocks at the campground. Kenzi was all about that! She has recently decided that she wants to be a rock climber when she grows up! Can you imagine!

Mesa Verde. Balcony house in the background.

Four Corners National Park.

Sand Dune Arch. The kids would race down the hill and then they would face plant or roll until they were covered in sand! YUCK

Resting on our way up to Delicate Arch!

The kids playing Down by the Banks.

Curtis, Luke, and Karl cuddling at Delicate Arch.

Kenzi is getting ready to repel. She did so good but the wind was blowing so hard that she didn't dare go down too far. She felt like she was loosing her balance. But they had done a smaller rock before and she loved it!

Liberty Kids go to BASIC TRAINING!!!

Last week as you know we talked of George Washington's childhood. This week we talked of his life as a soilder. We had a great time when Chris Bernard, a drill sargent for the U.S. Army, came to visit our class and teach us a little bit about what it means to be a soilder now days. The kids were put into a formation and taught some drills. They were then tested to see who could be the best "soilder". They tried hard but most of them got out because of giggles! They had a really good time. Jax got dubbed as "Mr. Questions" because he and his friend Jaren asked many, many questions-mostly about guns and tanks! They were put through an obstacle course and even competed in a push up contest, in which Jax came in second behind his friend Jaren. It was a great day! When I asked the kids if they had plans of being in the army I knew Kenzi would say no but I was interested in Jax's response. He told me he didn't think he was too intrested. Boy did I breath a sigh of relief!! Only time will tell. Here are some pictures of our fun day:

Welcome

I have been enjoying so many of my friends blogs that I couldn't stand it any more, I had to start my own! I hope it is a great way for me to share all the memories we make with our kids and keep in touch with all of our friends and family!
By the way Aunt Gay, if you read this, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I forgot to tell you when I talked to you. I'm sorry we couldn't make it to your party. Hope you day was great.
Love you all and hope to hear from you soon!

Liberty Kids Class!

Meet our Liberty Kids class!
Top: Jax(of course!), Jaren. Standing: Lizzy, Dakota, Daniel, Kimmie.
Front: Adam and Kenzi (class officers).

This year we have a name for our school: Liberty Light Academy, and a place! It is a little cozy house. It is wonderful. I will send pictures so everyone can see what we are doing!

On Monday, Oct. 17th the Liberty Kids Class had it's youth conference at Huntington Lake. We had a great time eating, playing games, making Liberty Kids shirts, learning about the childhood of George Washington and then participating in one of his favorite childhood activities..... Canoeing!

Yes, I'm the one in the canoe! I think that was my first time ever in a canoe. I'm the mentor so I got to help the canoers! (Is that a word? lol) I really enjoyed myself.

In this picture Kenzi and her friends are in the canoe with me. She is the girl leaning back.

Where is Jax, you ask? Well don't worry he was there. He was playing in the stinky mud, finding a crawdad, sticking his finger in it's claw and screaming when (imagine this) it pinched him! (I'm not kidding!) He makes a smile!

Our Summer Recital

This was Jacelin's very first piano recital. She did a great job! This picture shows her bowing, after her duet, with our wonderful, inspiring, teacher! Yea, Jacee!

Kenzi finishing her solo: Minute in G major by Bach. It was a beautiful piece one of my favorite that she has done so far. It wasn't one of her favorites, but she did a great job none the less.

Each of us had to play a solo and a duet at this particular recital. Kenzi and I had the oppurtunity to play our solo together it was fun and might I say we didn't do too bad.