It's time for your favorite game: "I Spy!"

An extension ladder.

First Day of School in front of the tree

Braxton survived his first day of kindergarten. If you notice we took a picture in front of the tree. Kevin said it was tradition. Then there was Kanyon, who never misses the opportunity of a picture. HE is ecstatic about Braxton going to school. Braxton seemed to enjoy it and talked about it while we walked home. I asked him if he made any friends. He said not really but it didn't seem to bother him that he didn't. Hopefully he'll find a little buddy. We only know one little girl in his class from church but obviously he didn't play with her. When I asked him this evening if he wanted to go back tomorrow he said "I don't know" I told him he didn't have a choice. He'll do great. His teacher is really nice, Mrs. Clutter. We went in yesterday for a screening with his teacher to see where his "levels" were and she was very impressed with him. I said way to go Braxton. I've tried to make a point of doing your best at whatever it is. So hopefully he won't be too bored in class.
I, too, survived his first day. I didn't even cry. I'll admit I got a little choked up when he had to line up and he got a nervous look on his face but I was strong and I laughed at all the other mom's who were crying. We'll keep you updated on all the fun things he gets to do throughout the year.

Well the other big news at our house is that Kevin has decided to switch job fields. Our friend offered him a job as a Graphic Designer and the job was too sweet to pass up. Kevin has always wanted a job that would use his art more and this is a perfect opportunity. The position is through Aimco, anyone heard of it? It is supposedly a big nation wide company, at least that's what I think. So he'll be starting that Sept 14. Richdell has been very supportive of the job change, and will close down the Residential division of the company.

Mid-Week Blog

Old Faithful

"I'll stand where I feel like standing"

I love this shot. It is from Fishing Bridge, looking down the Yellowstone River and out into Yellowstone Lake as a storm rolls in.

Life has been a little hectic since we returned from vacation. Sunday we had the regular meetings, Matt and Kimbre were here, Seth and Lacey were here and I just didn't have time to write. This week I have had scout stuff, last night Mom and I visited four new families in the ward and tonight I trained Dave Johnson in his duty as the new Stake Physical Facilities Representative for the University Stake. Now, I think I'm through for a while.

Joe called from Ford and wanted to take the Explorer so he could put the old speedometer back in it. He came home and gave Mom a 2007 Ford Freestyle while they work on ours. It won't be done until tomorrow so we have a new car in the driveway. It is nice to drive but the sticker price is $31,287.00. I'm glad it's only a loaner (it has 23 miles on it).

Steve Berglund called the other night and wanted to know when we planned to go to the Stateline Speedway. We set it for September 12th. It will be Steve, Larry, and Me (Seth if he's not busy) and we will stop and get Matt in Coeur d'Alene. Just a bunch of old guys (except for Matt and Seth) re-living the glory days.

Mom's busy working on her next on-line class. The professor seems a little up-tight on this one so we'll see how it works out.

We booked flights and a car for the blessing of the two new babies. We leave Spokane on Saturday morning the 29th of September and leave Denver Sunday evening October 7th. We even booked a tour at the Denver Mint. I think were gonna make it this time. Hopefully you'll put us up for a few days each as we move around the city. We'll give more details as the time gets closer.

The weather has been fantastic. It rained last Sunday and Monday. The temperature dropped from the 80's and 90's to the 50's and 60's. Now it is in the mid 70's and the sky is clear and blue. The rain cleared all the smoke out of the air and gave the fire fighters a better chance at controlling many of the fires burning in Idaho.

Today's Adventure: I loaded up the Man-Lift in Lewiston this morning and headed out for a visit to Orofino, Kamiah and Grangeville. I visited Orofino and took care of the things on my list, then drove to Kamiah and unloaded the Man-Lift and continued on to Grangeville. All went well to this point. I left Grangeville and on the way back decided to turn off at Winchester and check out Winchester Lake and then go on down the "Old Winchester Grade" and meet Highway 95 at Culdesac. Things were still going well. As I started down the old grade I could see all the way to Lewiston and it was a beautiful sight. I had the window down and was eating BBQ sunflower seeds. Man, what a nice day. Then it happened. Something hit my outside mirror and I saw it glance across in front of me and disappear. Thinking it was a bug I looked around and couldn't see anything. At this point I was going down some very sharp hairpin curves and still enjoying the ride. Suddenly something stung me on the side of the throat. I batted my hand at it and a yellow jacket zinged across the cab. Now I'm a little jumpy. I look over and he's crawling across the passenger seat towards me. Remember I'm still negotiating the hairpin curves. I take a swing at him and miss. Then he's down on my radio phone. I grab my little black address/phone book and smash him on the phone. He falls helpless to the floor and I hear a small gasp as his life slowly ebbs from his body. Now I'm safe, still negotiating hairpin curves and thinking about anti-phalactic shock. My throat starts to sting and it moves out to my right shoulder. I start calculating how far it is to Lewiston and if I will make it or not. About that time I do the mind over matter thing, the pain subsides, I arrive in Culdesac and I am here to tell the tale. Mom's comment: "Why didn't you just pull over and kill him and then continue on your way?" Answer: "That's the easy way".

That's it for now. I'm reading Volume 4 the Louis L'Amour's short stories. I've got about 300 pages to go.

We love you all.

Dad and Mom