Flood relief

We traveled this past weekend for the maiden voyage in our RV we bought at auction last Fall. We went to help out the residents in Fargo, ND area remove sand bags that were around the homes. Ben's church scout troop and other members were organized to go in groups to help out so we geared up to go along Fri after school and spent most of Sat loading sand bags on to trailers and being part of human chain in passing bags(no pictures of that because we were all working). Mikey was even interviewed by local FOX station as they came to see what the large group of yellow t-shirted(Mormon Helping Hands)people was doing. The bags were heavy sometimes and wet and muddy but it was a beautiful Spring day and felt good to be helping people that definitely looked wearied after the past month. On the way home Mike said "I will remember this the rest of my life!" Love to hear that and see concern for others:)

Hawaii videos

Not sure if anyone but family will want to see these but here is some footage of whales breaching and jumping (the zoom is on all the way and they are probably about 2 miles out in the bay). And some video of the boys doing hula at the last luau we went to.
http://www.motionbox.com/videos/3097d6b91a15e1c1be?type=sd
http://www.motionbox.com/videos/3097d6b9161be6c4be?type=sd

Hawaii ID contest!

Ok, here it is. The fastest scrapbook I have ever put together! Now if I could just tackle those boxes and boxes of printed pictures with the same speed:)http://www.scrapblog.com/viewer/viewer.aspx?sbId=1704103
(easier to see if you hit the button upper right that says View Full Screen)

Can you ID these pictures I took before I do? This one is a rare poppy that a ranger told us about growing in the lava bed at La Perouse Bay. And the next one is a bird at the Maui tropical plantation.

Blasted comprehensive exams

This week and next the kids are taking the tests the state requires. Sooo many notes and emails have flooded me with paranoia about getting the kids to bed on time and off to school on time with a good breakfast. Yesterday I finally felt good, coming out of the jet lag, and I had everyone off with hot breakfast and then today came! I stayed up one hour later than I need to to get 6 hrs of sleep before up to take oldest to seminary(studying the New Testament at church with other high schoolers at 6am-7am). And that's all it took. Then I "napped" for half hour stints between getting the other two to school. I did fine on the middle one but then slept over the half hour on the third. I got him to school just as the bell was ringing but he knelt down before going in the door and I thought, "hurry, get in there" but he had stopped to help a girl get her scooter unstuck so she could fold it up to put in her locker!

Here is picture of my new dew and I am halfway done with Hawaii scrapblog so stay tuned!

Promised pix

Fam, here are pictures I promised to post. Lauren in her dress I picked up at Marshall's in 15 minutes flat--didn't I do good picking out the layers?!! Quite proud of myself as I am the sibling with the least amount of fashion sense:) And here is Mikey with his science fair project. I should have him blog about what he learned about periscopes. And I am going to try to attach a clip of Ben's band concert from last week. I wonder if Kai recognizes the song?!!!! Feel free to add the basic head bob as you listen along with Ben:)












http://www.motionbox.com/videos/3098ddb6181de7c6be

Addicted

When we were visiting the eagles, Michael begged and pleaded for a puzzle. He said it will be great fun to do together and we will bond while we do it. The little bonder has put maybe two pieces in, always has something else to do plus it is a little difficult. BUT he loves to buy things and played on my weakness for a good puzzle! I don't know why I like them so much--challenge, satisfaction, discovery? I like to do them while talking on the phone, little time filler when needed. So here it is almost done. This one I think I will frame for his room and he can think of me!

The great North American flyway

It's that time of year when the birds start to migrate back up north and we live in a perfect spot for viewing! The month of March can be cold but I brave the cold and wind to snap as many shots of birds as I can. Last year I took several days at the pond close to our house right smack in the middle of the city as we are and got several great shots of loons dancing and several different species of ducks.



This year Michael and I started the bird watching(he is my bird watching wing-man and fishing buddy) by taking a trip to the National Eagle Center in Wabasha. We had a great time driving down listening to several mystery books on tape and we got some shots of some eagles!