I know...I know...it's hard to believe that you're looking at something different!

Since before school started, one month ago, our lives have been overloaded with waterpolo, soccer, a little bit of x-country, plus lots of church stuff, just to make sure we are gone every night of the week!

Logan plays soccer and this is his true love. They have a great team and a great coach. He is from England and I love hearing him

yell at the boys on the field, sounding something like this...

"Gentlemen! Get down there!" or "Come on lads! Get in position!" Even when he yells, he sounds so nice. Logan also runs x-country, but only sort of. If there's soccer practice or a game, he'll sacrifice going to x-country in a heartbeat. He's good at long-distance running so hopefully he'll keep it up.

Jacob (#4) and Jordan (#13) are in their 3rd year of water polo. Three mornings a week they have 5:30am practices for 2 hours,

as well as 2 hours after school with 2 games a week. The last 3

weekends they have had tournaments (Friday evening and all day Saturday) playing about 5 games in those 2 days. I still don't get all the rules - it's crazy - but I love watching them play. It's a

great game and every second is exciting! They come home completely exhausted and starving every night. This Sunday, October 7th, these two are receiving their Eagle Awards. It's definitely a great accomplishment ... 4 down and 1 to go!

Yesterday Corey was in Boise for a job interview with Horizon and ... he got the job! Before this week is over he'll have his solo pilot's license (he's already been flying by himself all over Oregon) and will be moving to Boise in a couple weeks. He'll continue with his flight training there, as well as doing school on-line like he's been doing since early September. Things are moving forward, slowly but surely but it's all good.

Brady is home - it's been a difficult, rough month for him and all of us and we're trying to get our old Brady back. He's doing alright and working hard on healing. He sees a counselor twice a week and that's been so helpful for him. This guy happens to be LDS and is great. We just want Brady to get better, inside and out, and feel better about everything that has happened. Thank you all for your prayers and good thoughts. Keep em' comin' - he's an amazing young man.

Basically, we think our boys are awesome and we really are so proud of all of them and the good things they're accomplishing. I've definitely earned every gray hair on my head though!

Summiting Mt. Hood

On May 10th, Craig, Brady, Jacob, Jordan and a four other men/boys from our ward, climbed Mt. Hood (11,239 feet high). They had two previous dates and had to cancel because of weather and May 10th turned out to be a perfect day for them.

They got up at 1:30 am that morning and Craig called me at 8:15am from the top! Descending was quite difficult but they got to Timberline Lodge around 1:00pm. Nothing like climbing Mt. Everest but quite an accomplishment all the same.

There were 3 deaths up there in December and I did have some worries - over half my family was up there! but everyone arrived home safely.

I'm hearing little bits every day about their adventure - they did have a few scary moments but as they have rested and realized what they accomplished, I think they are (and should be) quite proud of themselves!

Brady, Jacob and Jordan have no plans to do this again but Craig is thinking about climbing Mt. Adams in the Fall (which is the mountain you see in the background). I'm afraid he's addicted now!

I'm quite content in my little Troutdale... elevation 150 feet above sea level!

PS: I apologize for the layout of the blog. Every time I do this, I realize why I don't do it very often. It never works right for me!

Are any of you bloggers out there LOST fans? Who says that TV can't bring a family closer together?! :) We love LOST. When the new season started in February, I woke up to LOST pancakes, courtesy of Jordan! Pretty great, huh? (we had to take a picture) Any thoughts about last nights episode?
Spring is coming to Oregon too - we don't have all that rain for nothin'! It's beautiful with the pink and white and yellow blossoms popping out everywhere. It's been a long, gray winter.
All is well here for us. Corey is busy with ACN and doing great with it. Call him if you are interested...(971.998.5381)! Brady's mission papers are being mailed in the next few days. He was ordained an Elder last Sunday and we had the honor of having Uncle Army stand in the circle too. He was here playing in a raquetball tourney and got a Gold in the doubles! What a guy.
Jacob and Jordan are sooooo close to having all their Scout stuff done. We should be having a double Eagle Court of Honor VERY soon! Only one more son to go! Logan is in basketball right now (Craig's the coach) and he made the winning hoop last game. Awesome! (and a happy ride home in the car). He plays the French Horn and loves that too.
I'm going Snow Caving tomorrow with the YW in our ward! I've been before and helped talk the girls into doing it. Most of the dads have never done it but Craig, Corey and a couple other men are helping out. This ought to be interesting! I've been learning a lot about teenage girls during the past year that I've been in the YW - mostly though, I've learned that I'm really thankful I have boys!
That's it here ~
Happy Spring!

Just wanted to share a few photos of Emily on her wedding day. We were able to go to Florida and share this special occasion with her - a very happy day!
Doesn't Bud look handsome and happy with his baby girl? It was tough to get through the ceremony without tears - of joy for Emmy and of sadness for missing Brittany.
We had a great trip and were able to go to Brittany's 'spot' at Oak Hills Cemetery. We were able to laugh and cry as we talked about her with Bud. I'm so glad we were able to go (7 free round trip tickets, thanks to Corey!)