last minute presents

Hey ladies,

I know most of you are probably done Christmas shopping but if you are not then...check out amazon.com! Jared and I have saved over $150 this year on buying presents from there which includes (on applicable products)free shipping! I know some of you already know but for those of you who don't, hurry you are running out of time!

Julie

Hi Everyone,

I finally took some time to start a blog for our family. Shocker, I know! Anyway, if you want to see my mad blogging skills, you can. www.khaoticpeaces.blogspot.com

I would love to get some more ideas and advice from all you expert bloggers, too. I can type like the wind, but the html kind of gets to me. :) Hope you are all safe and happy this holiday season.

Oh! And we are going to send out Christmas cards this year (double shocker!) so please email me your mailing addresses if you can at kateejames@gmail.com. Thank you and love from Richland, WA!!!

Seriously so blessed you guys, like for reals

I discovered this hilariously, satirical blog on one of my friend's blog. Ya'll have to check it out if you already!! This blog was created to help us laugh at ourselves; all of us LDS mommy bloggers. There's a lot of truth to it!

http://seriouslysoblessed.blogspot.com/

add me to the rest of the bunch

Jamie---you better not drink the water when you're here. You may end up with four.

okay so i'm sure we all have our days where we feel completely frazzled and overwhelmed with being a mom.  Honestly, lately i have been feeling frazzled and completely clueless as to how to deal with Dalan and his hitting spells.  I thought I'd ask all the experts. Do you have any suggestions on what to do when your child(2 yr. old boy, is this a boy thing????) hits you in the face and timeouts don't work(really only make it worse) and ignoring the act seems impossible.  It is obviously an act for attention, but trust me I give him plenty of attention, one on one time, we go somewhere everyday(park, museum, jogging, hiking, swimming etc...)  What happened to my sweet baby boy all of the sudden, maybe the terrible twos kicking in, maybe  i'm doing something totally wrong.  Any ideas?  Have any of your kids gone through a similar stage? Just thought I'd get your thoughts.   Have a great week everyone.  Lore

Congrats to the Grads!

Congrats to Josh Ramsey and Erin Smith on graduating!!! And to Jolie and Rachel because of all the behind the scenes work that you have done.  What are your plans now?  Congrats to anyone that may have also graduated and I haven't heard about yet!!

Colby Alan Fry

Colby and I came home yesterday, we are both doing well.  Colby was born through an emergency c-section Monday at Noon. For more information check out my blog!

Beat the Heat

These past few summer weather days have certainly been unexpected! I mean, one day I get goose bumps walking to class, and the very next day I'm digging in drawers for shorts and tank tops!! I guess here in Ellensburg we're just bypassing the whole "spring" thing altogether this year. We're going straight from winter to summer.

Yesterday, after playing at the park and digging in the dirt with some neighbor kids, we beat the heat by having some push ups! Yummy yummy!! And sticky sticky!!

Oh what do you do in the summertime?

Hey I thought it would be fun for everyone to post a picture showing what you have been doing to cool off. Since summer has finally decided to come. This is what we did...
I hope you all are having fun! Talk to you all soon!

Humanitarianism at its finest

If you haven't heard, Central Washington University's women's softball team is making national news today!! This morning the campus was buzzing with camera crews and journalists from numerous news affiliates to interview two players and their coaches. Good Morning America, The Early Show, ESPN, and more were here.

It's a touching story that will warm your heart!!! Read all about it:

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - When Central Washington University softball players Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace helped an injured opponent around the softball field during an April 26 home game, they never dreamed such a simple gesture would become national news.
But their selfless act has gotten significant national attention, with several news outlets, including the New York Times and ESPN, covering the heartwarming story.
On Thursday morning, Fox News, ABC and CBS will interview them, along with CWU softball coach, Gary Frederick. Their story is slated to air on Thursday's "Good Morning America" and "The Early Show."
"We are definitely surprised by the response," said Holtman, a 22-year-old Wildcat first baseman majoring in business. "I think it's exciting we've gotten so much great attention. It's good for softball and for Central."
During the game, Western Oregon University outfielder Sara Tucholsky hit her first-ever, college-career home run. Distracted and surprised by her accomplishment, Tucholsky missed first base as she ran past it. She turned around to tag the base, but her knee gave out, sending her to the ground with a painful injury. It was later determined to likely be a torn ACL.

As Oregon's coach, Pam Knox, was about to send in a pinch runner, Holtman spoke up, asking if she could carry Tucholsky around the field. Umpires conversed and decided that yes, it would be allowable. So Holtman and Wallace, locking their hands under Tucholsky, gently lifted and carried her from base to base, allowing her to tap each base with her left foot. The three players exchanged giggles as they made it around the field.

"We didn't even know that while we were carrying her around the bases, people in the stands were crying," Holtman said. "We just thought it was the right thing to do."
That sportsmanlike, and most importantly, humanitarian spirit, has caught the attention of the nation - much to everyone's surprise.
"It's humbling and overwhelming," said shortstop Wallace, a 21-year-old elementary education major. "It's true, there's a lot of bad press about sports. I hope this reminds them to love and respect the game. I hope that maybe people who've forgotten that can remember."
Both players credit CWU coach, Frederick, with the sporting spirit and said he's one of the most positive influences in their lives.
"He's one of the best role models we could ask for," Hotlman said. "He teaches us there's more to softball than winning and loosing. There's more to life than that."

Frederick said he too had excellent sports mentorship while growing up, and that he hopes he passes some of that to his players; however, Saturday's act was one of character, he said.
"I'm not surprised that Mallory and Liz did that. I think anybody on my team would have. They are quality individuals," he said. "They felt that young lady deserved a home run and they helped her."
Frederick, a CWU coach for the past 40 years, said he's never seen anything like what he saw Saturday. He can understand why it's become such big news.
"It's true that a lot of the press about sports is negative. I think in this day and age, people want to hear a feel-good story like this."
Photo on the CWU home page by Blake Wolf.

Be sure to visit www.wildcatsports.com, the official athletics web site of Central Washington University, for updated links to stories as they are made available online.

Below are links to the coverage of this story as they are currently available: ESPN.com article (by Graham Hays, posted Apr. 28)

WCBS radio story (Apr. 29)

New York Times story (by George Vecsey, posted Apr. 29 for print Apr. 30)

The Oregonian (by Brian Meehan, posted Apr. 29 for print Apr. 30)

KGW TV (Portland, Ore.; Apr. 29)

Statesman-Journal newspaper (Salem, Ore.; Apr. 30)

CNN News (posted Apr. 30)

KOMO TV (Apr. 30)

New Kitchens

Here are some pictures of the Kitchen: They include Dishwashers disposal's.


BEFORE:
AFTER:

Hello friends!

HEy! Never posted on here but there is a first for everything. I really do enjoy reading what everyone is up to. All of your children are so cute! They are all growing so fast, so are mine but you don't notice as much when they are your own kids!
Jared and I are now back in Washington. We really enjoyed living in Arizona for the last year. I really miss all of the sunshine and I get really sad everytime I read Jamie's blog. Seattle is where the Lord wants us so I will just have to deal with it.
My kids are growing so much and I really want another one but right now is not the time. It makes me sad but everything happens in the Lord's time and not my own. The kids really want a baby but I am barely surviving with them right now so...Here are a few pictures of our family.

Let's Here it for the Slacker!

Hey everyone, guess what....I'm alive! It's true, I am totally, truthfully, officially, undeniably horrible at consistent communication. (Whew, too much Wizard of Oz for Audrey, I think. It's rubbing off on me.) My inconsistency is just a flaw of mine you have to get over if you want to be my friend. And if not, sorry to bother you with this post. :)

So, to wrap up the last couple of months, grad school life is crazy-busy and really HARD. I do not envy those of you who are doing dental and med school. I can barely handle one year! (Well, I might envy those salaries in a few decades, but we will see. Ha ha!)

My girls are growing and luckily love each other to pieces. The most common scene of Audrey and Avalee together is lots of laughing and squealing. Not just any giggling, though. I'm talking the gut-wrenching donkey laughs complete with snorts and tears. Audrey starts it by "fake" laughing at Avalee, who seems to think all-things-Audrey are comical. Then it just goes on and on and on until one of them can't physically take it anymore or they bump heads, which, of course, isn't funny at all. It brings sunshine to our house on all these RAINY Portland afternoons. Someone told me yesterday that the rain doesn't really let up here until July. JULY?! I guess I will just have to keep a towel in the stroller to wipe down the playground equipment year-round.

Let me tell you all, WE MISS OUR ELLENSBURG FRIENDS!! I know there are good people in the church everywhere, but we truly miss all of you. I might not have been the most involved of the group, but I always knew if I needed help or a friend, I could call any of you. Anyhow, Matthew has decided to start looking for jobs even though it is a little early. From the specific nature of his degree (Master of International Management: Supply Chain & Logistics in the Asia Pacific Rim) (try saying that fast five times), we could end up with any company or government sector that deals with Asia/Pacific economies. My thoughts? It's going to be Portland, Seattle, or San Franscisco areas. I will try ("try") to update when we get closer to that. In the meantime, I have loved seeing all your updates and everything from Christmas to Easter photos. I will just share a few today so I can motivate myself to do this more often and post more pictures later. :) I hope you are all doing well, and we wish everyone happy spring days ahead! Is Eburg getting warmer yet?

Hey Everyone...I have enjoyed looking at everyones blog.  Just thought I would say hi and also apologize for not commenting.  I am quite computer illiterate and have had no clue this whole time that comments could be made on blogspots so my apologies.  It has been fun reading all the comments some of you have made on our blogsite from the past year.  pretty embarressing.  I am so impressed with everyone's blogsites....how do you do the music and the fun backgrounds....I love it.  

Anyway, Just thought I'd add a few pics.  1st one is Dalan, Jaqueline, Joanna(sorry Jolie I probably just butchered the spelling of their names)hanging out together.  2nd pic is Jaqueline looking so cute so I had to take a pic when I was babysitting one day.  Last but not least, I thought I would really put "myself out there" with the ugly pic of me.  I was joking with Dustin one night and surprised him with a "Sexy" apperance.  I put on my fleece that he really doesn't care for(I love it cause it is so warm, I guess almost 4 years of marriage and a baby brings comfort over style) my glasses that I very seldom wear b/c I hate glasses, my retainers and a hair net.  I walked out and we both just laughed as he made the comment "wow, babe you really know how to turn a man on"   It is always good to laugh at yourself sometimes and that night we both laughed.  Is there a funny/ugly/surprising pic you can share....lets see it....be brave! 

Have a great week everyone

Lore

Is there a marathoner in the house?

Congrats Rachel!

NEW SIDING!!! AND ROOFS!!!

These are the first and second buildings on the Crestview side. New siding, roofs, doors, and not pictured are the ditches for the SPRINKLER SYSTEM!!!

groundbreaking news!!

Yesterday was the groundbreaking for the new chapel that's going to be built here. ((it was so cold outside that my ankles turned red where my skirt didn't cover!)) The service was about an hour long. The Stake Presidency was there along with some of the past presidents. Paul and Helen Gene Sabin spoke first; he has lived here in Ellensburg since the church members were meeting at the KOA Campground for services back in the 30's. He told a funny story about one of the very first church members living here in the valley. The church wasn't organized here yet, so after a few weeks of not going to church she thought she might go to one that was held out in Thorpe. After a week or two of attending, she stood up and bore her testimony of Joseph Smith and the gospel. She was asked to not return. ;)
Jess Gibb spoke about pretty much the same thing....the growth in the church here in the valley.
Musical number.
Then President Grow spoke about the fullness of the gospel and the future growth here in the valley. Couldn't really hear a whole lot because by that time Corgan and Lily were frozen and ready to go home.
Then they had the actual groundbreaking. It was really neat to see all of those priesthood holders out there in the freezing weather, furthering on the work of the Lord. Then they let anyone who wanted to go shovel up some dirt. Corgan was all over that!

emma and paul + 2

So I thought I would just post some pictures so that you all can see the twins and our little family...







This is what life was like the first two months. Crazy! And I only share this ugly picture to illustrate how bad it was.






Easter Fun!

Destructicon

This is the very suitable name that we have given Paul. I swear all I have to do is look away and he is into something else. We have plenty of crayon markings on several different walls, again, because of this dear son of mine. I have grounded him from crayons, forever! So one of the latest episodes, and most enjoyable, was the marshmallow mess that I tried to write about earlier. This is what happens when he tries to get his own snacks. He also likes to pour his own drink. I left a pitcher of RED crystal light on the counter and he proceeded to pour himself some and share some with the floor. Good thing it was a laundry day.

So here you have it, my first official post. I'm sure Rachel and Jordan will be so proud of me. I hear baby cry-see ya!

our easter

Here's some of our Easter shots. Good thing it wasn't this coming Sunday; we might have had a white one! BLAH!!!

Snow, snow, GO AWAY!!!

It was been a very strange spring here in Ellensburg. We woke up this morning and there was snow on the ground. Ethan asked if we could go out a build a snowman. Nathan informed him we are done with winter activities. I whole heartedly agree I want spring to come and stay!!! Hope everyone is enjoying spring-like weather where ever it is you all are, please send warm weather and sunny thoughts this way!!!

Emily

Keep it up!

I'm loving everyone's Easter pictures on here...so I thought I'd add my own and hope that everyone else does as well! I hope you all had a wonderful Easter holiday and hope that you are all doing great! Check out my blog for more pictures if you haven't already!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter everyone!

Hope you all had a great Easter weekend. It is great to hear about all this fun things everyone has been up to.

The White family

I must apologize to all of you lovely sisters...so sorry for not keeping in touch. Congratulations Anjuli and Jolie on your pregnancies! I too, am expecting again...and only realized it when we first moved here to Wenatchee. We're having a girl! We are excited, but a little nervous....what to do with a girl? I guess, pretty much the same as a boy. :) We expect Georgia Louise the first part of June. We are doing well here, the boys are doing great, and we are settling into our new ward pretty well too. I will write more in the future, but wanted to say hello to everyone, congrats, and love all the news and pictures.

Becky White