THE HOUSE IS STARTING

Well the builder has finally started on our house. We got a call last week and he said that he got the approval with the permits to start. I could hardly believe it. Here are a few photos of the start of the foundation. Warning: House postings may be extreme in the next 6 months.
The first and third Picture is looking West on out property.
The Second picture is looking East.The Fouth picture is looking North West.

It is hard to believe that we are finally building. It feels so right to be here in this area. The new church building is only a few blocks away. I am learning that having patience pays off.

I am so thankful for my blessings for they are many.

Barkley Family Murder Mystery 2007

This year Jer had a 1920 mobster theme. The scene took place on October 27th, 1927 at the pinnacle of Prohibition. The mafia and the criminal underworld ruled the streets in chicago. Today we were held hostage in a small bank while a couple of mobsters, "Mad" Paulie Moretto (jer) & "Pretty" Tommy Piccoli (Mark), cleaned out the vault. In the meantime Robert Worthlin ownner of the Worthlin Bank of Chicago layed on the floor dead from a gunshot.
Who did it? As we played the game we had to uncover the clues scene by scene. In the end we fould out that Mr James Cantwell (Jason) killed Robert Worthlin because he stole Mr. Cantwells share of the Bank. All too fun and can't wait till next year. check out the Photos. I wish I had everyone.

Our Fun Trip

I can't believe it. We finally got away. Mark and I figured it had been about 3 years since we had a trip longer than a quick overnighter. We decided to go to Uncle Don and Aunt Carols new home in Spring Creek. We missed our visits with them every year and it was at the top of our to do list. It was a blessing to be able to see them and look forward to next year.

It was beautiful ~ the pictures do not show the true beauty. We have a full mixture of weather from 75 degree weather on Friday to snow in the afternoon on Saturday.
Friday we went up the canyon where we came across a nice heard of what looked to be Angus Cattle. I think they might have been herding them down for winter (At least that is what I'd like to think for they were way too cute to send to the slaughter house). As we went up the canyon it was so beautiful! The pictures do not do justice. We came to the glaciers and at the bottom was a Boy Scout camp. WOW ~ It looked like the Swiss Alps. We continued to the top which was about 8,800 feer in elevation. Check out the web site I have posted. What a wonderful trip it would be to go hiking there.

Saturday friends on Don and Carols, Ron and Linda old neighbors brought one of the final loads to complete their move ~ lots and lots of rocks. It was fun to sit and visit. Ron and Linda are wonderful people.

Sunday we had breakfast and went into the casino. It was fun. Aunt Carol hit bank on the penny slots and took us to dinner. It was another great day.

Of course Aunt Carol cooked us some great dinners. I can' wait to make them. One of my favorite parts of the trip was the birthday cake Aunt Carol suprised me with for dessert. It was soo nice. Uncle Don and Aunt Carol look GREAT! Aunt Carol reminds me of Grandma ~ So down to earth and so sweet and kind. I love the fact that you can just sit and talk. Both Uncle Don and Aunt Carol have such a great insight on life. We love them alot! Can't wait till next year.

Oh Beautiful Day!!!

It is such a beautiful day today, I feel trapped all stuck inside the house. The sprinklers have just kicked on reminding me that we have such beautiful weather in Richland. I even had to turn the AC on today.
My favorite part in fall is the cool crisp mornings with a cup of hot cocoa, watching the leaves turn from yellow to orange to bright red. Then the wind just blows them around getting in the perfect spot to walk on.
When I was a kid I don't remember ever walking on the sidewalk when the leaves were falling. I do however remembering the old man on the corner yelling at me because I always cut across his lawn right thru the leaves. How rude of me! He probably enjoyed looking at his leaves all beautifully fallen on his yard. I guess I am much more mature to understand that now. LOL.
Anyways, I hope everyone is enjoying the outdoors.
Smiles

HERITAGE DAYS

It was a nice day with just Emily and MJ. Dad and I took the little-ones to Heritage days where we got to look at some pretty cool stuff from the old west. We watched and learned how a blacksmith heats iron and twist it into decorative iron rods. This was MJ's favorite. My favorite was the hats. Check out the hats in the pictures. These are hand made & Beautiful. We visited many trading post and learned how to speak an indian language. The Lewis and Clark musuem had many interesting facts about there journey.

All in all it was a relaxing day with the kids. I forgot what it was like to only have two kids to take around. It was sure alot less complicated. The older kids stayed home and did homework. We are having lots of fun up here in the Tri-Cities.

Mark's Big B-day

As you know Mark turned "40" this year. This year Mark's family decided to surprise him by driving up to wish him Happy Birthday. Let me tell you it is hard to keep a secret from your husband. I slipped a couple times but thankfully his brothers bailed me out with playing Battlefield. It was a great seeing Mark come out of his room with a big "WHAT THE HE??" look on his face. We all got a great laugh out of it. Mark was very happy to spend time with his family ~ He misses his Brothers alot.
I Love you Mark!! It has been an eventful past 25 years with you. I think it is so sexy to watch your man grow old. This may be sick but I love those gray hairs on your head. Happy B-lated B-Day.

A fun and exciting morning

Every morning we wake up and get ready for school. This week, Wednesday was picture day. Emme and MJ were excited. They got up did there chores, got ready for school and then made lunch. After I did my morning workout I was getting ready myself. I had a few extra minutes so I sat at my computer trying to get ahead of the game for the day. I overheard Emme amd MJ singing, for a long time I might add. It was so cute so I had to get my new video camera a try. Heres a clip. Enjoy. I think we might have the next future American Idols here..... I guess it wont upload. I'll have to post another time.

So much to do So little time.

Well with the kids off to school its has been great. Sometimes a little too quiet in the house. I wish I had a little more time. I envy all you mothers out there who sit and eat bonbon's. (LOL) Don't you wish.
So While Mark was gone last week hunting I had some alone time (somewhat I still had the kids) but you know what I mean. I realized that I have really let myself go. Not only physically but sometimes mentally too. I'm sure you know what that means.
I feel as if I need to start my life over. Go back to the basics. But how. I have so much I want to do and have so little time to do it in and I am running out of steam.
So this is what I have decided to do.

Get back to reading my scriptures daily: On BYU.EDU they have in the independent study gospel doctrine classes. I want to know more details about the church. It is a free class and I can work on it in my own free time.

Exercise daily and eat healthy: The exercising is easily. I get up in the Mornings and go down to the fitness room here at home. The eating thing is a little more challenging since it seems like I eat to make me feel better but yet it doesn't because I keep getting fatter and fatter!! ygh. So I am going to eat slow and drink lots and lots of water.

Have me time: I had Mark bring my sewing boxes up to the house. In that box I am going to finish all my UFO (un finished objects) crafts. Here's is one that I have just finished. I probably got it about 10 years ago with Lorena. It was a fun short project but I now have a sense of accomplishment.


So there it is. The question is can I fit it all in between Work, cleaning house, making diners ect... ect... You Bet!
Have a great Day!!

Off to School we Go!!

How cute they are so eager to get to school. Mj and Emme Love school. They have been fortunate to have the same class together this year. Alot of teachers mistake them for twins. I don't think they mind too much.
The School is brand spankin' new. Just opened two weeks before school started.

The Kids love the open soccer field and have made lots of new friends. Look at the view. It is nice. You can see for miles and has a view of the Columbia River. I love it here. Since we have been here we have had only 3 days where it sprinkled and 2 days where we had thunder storms for only a couple hours. The kids get to even wear shorts.
So during the day I get to sit around and be lazy. Eat bonbons...? I wish. No our day starts at dawn and goes to dusk. Then we are lucky enough to do it again.

I am sooo excited!!!

So this weekend my Brother Jason his wife Dana and Jayden, Brayley and Ansen came to Richland to visit with me. While they were here Dana told me that I needed to Blog more, which I agreed ~ and now that I can remember my password, I can. I still wasn't excited enough so she dragged me to Costco. With my arm in intense pain from her tight grip she insisted I had to buy a digital camera. She said that blogging would be alot of fun with a camera. So I did. I didn't want to get on her bad side. (all Hell would brake loose!!) lol. So I am Soooo Excited.
Here is my first blog with my new camera.
I think pretty much the pictures speak for themselves....Don't You??

YEAH

OK My super sister Dana made me do it. No... I thought this might keep you involved in what is happening with the Barkley Family. More to come later.... so look out Dana here I come with all my fancy words. Love ya!