Sunday, October 11, 2009

Is it really October?


Here's our favorite 3rd grader doing something he loves--COOKING! Here he made a "fruit cake"--we all thought it was delicious and he was quite proud of his efforts.

Speaking of 3rd grade, Sam is loving it (mostly). He loves the technology in his classroom (the computers, iPods, and flip cameras). He isn't a huge fan of homework, though!

Sam has almost completed his Wolf in Cub Scouts--go Sam!


(Doesn't he look huge? I'm his mother and I think he looks huge. He IS huge. He's a solid mass of boy and stink and I find myself wondering how much he will tower over me in a few years).





Here we are (some of us) outside the Logan Temple. We took Rachel to do baptisms for the first time. We all look a little dorky because we're a little wet, but in all truth it was a great experience. She loved it! (This was Labor Day weekend, by the way...we're a bit behind!)









Here's Rachel...on her 21st birthday. Actually, it's the day she got her hair cut and I had to have myself a silent little cry because she looks so OLD! I know she's only 12, but in my book she's growing up TOO FAST!

7th Grade so far has been a series of ups and downs. Rachel is still at Cedar Ridge. She's finding the course work a little more challenging and of course, the drama of being a 7th grade girl has us all wondering what to expect from Rachel from one day to the next!

Rachel joined the Northern Utah Youth Symphony this year and LOVES it! She still takes art lessons and bass lessons and goes to Young Women activities each week. She's BUSY (and so are we).






Here's Andy the night we brought home his beloved 50" plasma screen TV--the one he fretted over for weeks. The one he waited for and dreamed of and drooled over. He finally found the deal of the century and went in for the kill. All of his wildest dreams have come true!














Here are Andy and the kids on the trampoline one fine autumn evening. They were playing a game with balls that involved not getting touched by a ball or you're out. I chose this one because Andy is so valiantly trying to avoid a ball while Sam is valiantly trying to avoid Andy's butt (or so it seems!)










One of the down sides to trampoline frivolity...



















Andy and Rachel on their way to a Youth talent show at the church. They did beatnik poetry to "Popcorn Popping" with Rachel on the bass and Andy with his cool as a kat voice. They were well received--but felt slightly irreverent when a group of young women got up and sang "A Child's Prayer" right after they were done!














Rachel and Sam (and Andy) were in the Edith Bowen school "float" for the USU homecoming parade. Good times. Good times.











Just to give you an idea of the crazy weather around here: Is it autumn or winter?!

Rachel took this as we pulled out of town last week to visit family in Mapleton. We've had really cold temperatures and snow in the mountains. We want AUTUMN and DEMAND that it return...








Jen and her Mom (Larri-Lea) tied EIGHT quilts last weekend! It was crazy, but great--we now have some warm fuzzies to lounge with. Hannah and Leah got in on the action too...

Monday, September 21, 2009

Life on Jars #24: September 20, 2009



Rachel discusses options for poor children forced into watching LDS general conference. We show off our converted gun rack. We finish with an homage to beatnik poetry. Smooth man, smooth.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Life on Jars #23: September 9, 2009



We introduce a nostalgic new segment hosted by none other than Jennifer Walker. Rachel discusses moving boulders, Sam explores the possibilities of foam boards, and makes a fruit cake that people would actually want to eat.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Life on Jars #22: August 23, 2009



Episode 22 features a DIY home bowling alley, a new trampoline game and, a recap of Rachel and Sam's first day at school. Both kids make the front page of the local newspaper, and we get set straight on jazz hands vs spirit fingers.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Life on Jars #21: August 9, 2009



We're coming at you a week early because we have yet another special guest, Andy's kid sister Alexa Merkl. Alexa and Rachel discuss matters of grave importance. Sam reveals that he keeps animals in his pants and that squids 'bite.'

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Life on Jars #20: August 2, 2009



For our 20th episode we welcome Julia as a special guest host. Every wish and desire of a tween and her BFF are discussed, as are the visual appeal of Daniel Radcliffe. Cupcake fueled sleep deprivation deteriorates into a recap of you tube videos of questionable quality. The war on drugs receives a bit of a slap in the face. Something random is worth the wait--be sure to listen all the way to the bitter end.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

We'll be late

Jen's BFF Julia is flying into Salt Lake City tonight so we'll have a slight delay and hopefully a special guest on Life on JARS this week--you'll just have to wait a bit to see it.