The Berry Ranch

So the pictures are out of order, but you can figure it out. This is us after we picked the hottest day and time of day to go berry picking. About 20 minutes form us is a farm that you can go pick berries and other produce throughout the year. We got to pick Blackberries, it was an adventure.
This is when we learned to come better prepared next time. We were picking berries along the corn field with everyone else I saw a few ladies in the next row and a ton of berries. I thought we will get this done so much faster if we go over there. So I found an opening with B and the diaper bag in my hands stepped over saw some mud, but thought I was fine. NOT after I took another step and started sinking. I quickly handed Brooklyn over to Kristian who was still mud free on the other side of the vine. Since I was already muddy I decided to stay and pick as many berries as I could while trying to keep my flip flops on my feet and the mosquito's off my arms. It was the grosses feeling, mud squishing between my toes weighing my feet down, I figured I was giving myself a mud pedicure. Oh and yes I decided to wear a skirt that day, not the smartest obviously I never grew up on a farm and thought you should look cute to pick berries. Dork is what I call myself.
This is B and Kristian on the safe side of the vine. It was quite the adventure for us, but we got to enjoy some yummy fresh berries for days and only had a few bug bites. They are now frozen and used for smoothies, yum yum! It is definitely something that you should at least try once or twice when you are prepared of course.

Tips for Berry Picking
1. Don't go when it is 98 degrees outside
2. Go in the early morning
3. Wear pants and long sleeves
4. Wear Bug Spray
5. Wear RAIN BOOTS ( we learned this from an experienced lady that had no problems in the mud)
6. Leave the 8 month old at home with dad (This might just be the best tip of the day!)

Twin Falls

On our way from SLC, Utah to Boise we stopped in Twin Falls to show Kristian and Dani the falls and some of the other attractions in Twin. The picture above is Dani with the Twin Sisters Statue.

I believe this bridge is called the Perrine Memorial Bridge it is 1500ft long and 490 Ft high over the Snake River it is located in the northern entrance to Twin Falls. People go base jumping off this bridge an old high school friend, Mike Escamilla did some base jumping here a few weeks before we were there. Crazy people!

Kristian and I standing on a platform that hangs off a cliff over the snake river, little nerve racking when you look down.

Cooling off and resting on the park lawn after looking at the falls.

This is the Shosone Falls they are not as spectacular in the summer months since the water is being used for irrigation water for the farmers. The best time to see them is in the spring.

Danny and B at a different look out spot

The girls trying not to melt in the sun!

I hope they call me on a mission!

It is official my parents got there mission call, they will be leaving all there wonderful children and grandchildren to serve the Lord in London, England in the family history center. They report to the MTC on Monday October 19, 2009 and will be gone for 18 LONG months. Yes as you can tell I am quite saddened by this. I part of me has never wanted them to go, then I excepted it with the thought that they would be going stateside and I could visit. Although England is great and I would love to travel to Europe, it is so dang expensive. I am saving my pennies now. I am so happy for my parents just selfishly sad for me, I like to call my mom whenever I want and know that they will be there when I visit. I know this will be an amazing experience for them and they totally deserve to go away and experience new things, but mom and dad won't you miss these beautiful faces! :)
Your precious grandchildren, they are going to miss you tons and they will be so grown up when you come back.
Can't imagine how different Brooklyn will look when they return.
Your gonna miss these cheeks! WE (I) am going to miss you guys and I want you to know that I Love you and am incredibly grateful to have you as my parents and for all the things that you have provided and done for me. Thanks for always being there for me and our family. Now you have to learn how to Blog and Skype so we can keep in touch.

Rembering Grandpa Hugentobler

The Little Clan (minus Randy's family) at Grandpa's funeral
On July 30, 2009 my grandpa passed away. He lived to be 97 years old. Although we did not get to see him often he was a great man. He loved his family and raised them well. When Danny and I were trying to decide on a middle name for Brooklyn we looked through the family history book and learned a lot about Grandpa that we did not know. He moved around Idaho quite a bit before settling for a while in Boise then Mountain Home. He was an amazing sportsman and excellent farmer. He always worked hard to provide for his family and help others. He grew the best vegetable in his home garden. I loved the sweet peas and new potatoes. I feel grateful and blessed to have had such wonderful grandparents in my life, because of them I want to make sure my children have the opportunity to know and love there grandparents like I have. It is kind of a sad feeling knowing that they are all gone now, but I know they are happily reunited with each other and other family members that passed on before them. I bet grandpa is playing baseball in heaven.

We took Caleb with us to visit grandpa.
So this is not the happiest way to see grandpa ( as you can tell in the pictures above he does not look like the same man). When we went to Utah on our way to California we got the opportunity to visit Grandpa a week before he passed away. This was the first time he got to meet Brooklyn. He was not quite awake for most of our visit, but I know he knew we were there and was glad we visited him. Before we left I told him that Grandma was waiting for him and he perked up and told me I was a sweet girl. This will be a moment and a picture that I will always cherish. I am so glad that we saw him, B got to meet her great grandpa and I got to say goodbye one last time. I love you Grandpa and want to thank you for being such a generous man and for raising your daughter, Claudia, to be such a great woman and mother. You will be missed, but forever in our hearts.

Last Day in California

We were originally only supposed to stay for a long weekend, but decided to stay the rest of the week and drive back to Boise with Kristian and Dani Barnett. So we were able to see a few more people and do lots of of things with the family. I am bummed I did not take pictures with everyone we saw. SO I shall mention them and next time for sure take pictures. It was great seeing Lee, Lori and cutie Damon. They are such a cute family and good friends, it was great having dinner with you guys. I got to run over with Brooklyn to see the Casida/Chitwood family before they left for family vacation. Brooklyn was being very cuddly to Aunt Jen it was quite cute. Thanks Sean for the chocolate covered macadamia nuts, so yummy! We also got to see Linda Johnson, bummed we missed Sarah and Gordy, next time for sure. I was excited to see Linda it was B's first time meeting her, she is a great person so lucky to have them as a second family in our lives. We had a good trip, sorry that we missed a lot of people next time we will better plan what we are doing and how long we are staying so we can make plans in advance. We love you all and miss you tons!
We visited Grandma Adair, this is a 3 generations picture
Great Grandma Adair, B and Nana
She is looking more like a little next to dad - the two baldies!
Grandma and B
This is what happens when dad puts her to sleep, she gets to sleep on the bed and suck her thumb! Danny's thinking whatever works to get her to sleep :)

Hitting the Beach!

We got to go to the beach this trip. It had been a while since we had been to Huntington Beach, I know bad since I worked down there for years. I guess when you live there you don't take the time to go enjoy it. This time was Brooklyn's first time to the beach, she liked it the sand did not bother her she even ate it. She loved the water even though it was cold. She is our little outdoors girl, good thing because her parents like it too. It was a great time hanging out with the family. We got there a little later than everyone else so we didn't get to spend much time with my parents, Ursula and her kids, but everyone else stayed and we had a great time around the fire. Sunset so pretty
Long day in the sun,s he crashed out did not even wake up to get in her carseat.
My niece Miranda and me, such a cute girl.
A few of the older nephews and niece. I just love being around them, they make me happy!
Cousins Brian and Eliza playing
Nana meet us down at the beach
Evan doing his warrior pose or freezing!
Jack was entertaining Brooklyn
They may have been born in New York, being raised in Utah, but they are California girls at heart. They love the beach like their mom. The water was freezing the sun was gone and they still played.
Because my sisters hate pictures being taken of them, just had to post it!
Miranda, B and Jace

Pose for me, but watch out the wave is coming!
Jack and Brian, see Jeanette they can play good together!

Having some Cousin Fun in the Sun!

Eliza and B having fun in Aunt Melinda's pool
First time in the swimming pool and loving it
Thanks Aunt Jeanette for the pool floaty.
This is B's excited face!
Cousins Easton (which has gotten way to big BTW) and cousin Brian
Caleb, Brian and Evan having a great time.

Cousin Lisa got hitched!

On July 25, 2009 we got the opportunity to go to So Cal and celebrate Danny's cousin Lisa's wedding. I was super excited to go, we have been so excited for Lisa since she announced the engagement last year( OK maybe I have been a bit more excited). We told Lisa we would not miss it. She found a great guy named Chris. they complete each other and are a great couple. When you are around them you can tell they are so in love and happy with each other. As you will be able to tell from the pictures that Lisa is unique, which is another reason why I was excited to go to the wedding. I knew it was going to be different than any that we have been to. The happy couple. Mr and Mrs. Pokracki
The center pieces, her friend made them. They were paper mache (sp?) and everyone was painted different. The theme was Day of the Dead or All Souls' Day.
I am not the only one that gave B those Cheeks!Paige and B
This was the fun cake! The cake topper are bride and groom skeletons feeding each other cake, only Lisa would find the perfect cake topper.
Cousins - Geno, Danny and Jason

Nana and B striking a pose, sassy girls!
B loves Auntie Dina

Thank you Lisa and Chris for letting us celebrate your special day with you. We had a great time. Remember when I was in Oregon and I had to visit Urgent Care for Acid Indigestion, well it came back at the wedding. So unfortunately we had to leave before all the dancing and the cake. I was sad, but felt awful. Although Maria brought me some left over cake and it was so yummy!