tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-339329052012-01-27T17:37:33.629-07:00Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.comBlogger761100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-3126765547281983382011-07-29T23:51:00.000-06:002011-07-29T23:51:02.046-06:00

Its no secret that Im terrible at blogging. Everytime I decide to do better it seems like there is even more time between posts. Life with two kids is pretty entertaining (after the initial shock of it all). I am trying to be a good mom, and failing, but that is one thing I wont give up trying to get better at, and just maybe by the time my kids are moving out I will finally get it. Arvella is

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-85072028129783692042011-03-14T19:38:00.000-06:002011-03-14T19:38:05.022-06:00

9 weeks old You can't really prepare yourself for everything that comes with motherhood. I have found that I have just kind of learned things a long the way. Raising Ira so far has been a ride, but it has been such a great experience. I thought I had everything figured out when it came to raising children. I got such a wakeup call when Arvella was born! I had just got taking care of one kid down

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-29559763499601194912011-03-14T19:37:00.001-06:002011-03-14T19:38:44.217-06:00

Ira's feelings on Santa. Ira has been a busy kid since we got back from Samoa. He is excited to have a new sister, but more exciting is that I can really see his imagination kicking in and starting to grow. After spending 2 days away from him while in the hospital holding a new born, i thought that he was HUGE when I saw him again. There is no question that he is getting cuter with age! the

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-36747511644247830652010-11-15T23:20:00.004-07:002010-11-15T23:31:47.011-07:00

I am so glad that Ira and I coud go on an adventure together. He had so much fun being in a totally new place..it was an adjustment, but I think we both enjoyed it completely. We met some great new friends, and the best part was being with Kristi and Dalley for a month. Dalley and Ira had a lot of fun together. and really learned to play so well together.  We walked almost everyday, I pushed the

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-39617886197575985712010-09-12T23:51:00.000-06:002010-09-12T23:51:29.687-06:00

Too cute not to photograph! We had a dead tree cut down this week and the mulch was in a huge pile in our driveway and had to be moved. Ira was a huge help to Shawn as they shoveled the mulch into their wheelborrows and carted it over to a new huge pile. This was after we had spent the morning pulling carrots for a service project with our church for a food bank. Sad I didn't have a camera there.

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-25902863778182623322010-08-31T12:36:00.002-06:002010-08-31T13:18:05.525-06:00

Ira has had a busy summer. His garden is growing very well. We have harvested a lot of beans and squash, peas, a few peppers, lettuce. spinach beets, cucumbers,potatoes, kale, tons of onions, and a few other things. The sunflowers have been in full bloom and the HUGE one are starting to give their seed to the birds now. Our winter squash is doing very well, and we are looking forward to living on

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-7890124526263104952010-04-27T17:50:00.002-06:002010-08-31T11:56:18.503-06:00

 As I have mentioned before.. I don't use my camera too often. I need to get back in the habit. Today I was reading a bunch of blogs and thought it was probably way past due for an Ira update. SO I heard him wake up from his nap and went in and took a picture of him. Then I remembered I had taken a few other pictures of him this month. So I am posting those too. We got him a pair of cowboy boots

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-91348253493607539842010-03-24T22:27:00.000-06:002010-03-24T22:27:03.476-06:00

Well friends-- here is a couple pictures of Ira, in his garden. I am determined to make it the best garden of the year. Shawn has been super great getting everything in order before we started planting. We dragged an old rusty trellis that has been sitting behind the garage for years, and put it as the corner entrance to the garden. I made a sign for Iras Garden and now it is hanging on the

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-64255757119392620382010-03-17T10:53:00.000-06:002010-03-17T10:53:07.342-06:00

I have not been good a blogging lately. Mostly because I havent taken any pictures of Ira and I feel that I should post pictures of him every time I blog. Its batter that way. WEll no picture today, just writing to say we are all still alive and well. Ira especially. He is really growing up. This week we have been house sitting for some friends. and just this morning I am out in the kitchen and I

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-89923331130666541492009-12-02T22:35:00.004-07:002009-12-02T22:42:04.752-07:00

Its hard to believe that a year has passed! Ira celebrated his first birthday at his grandparents ranch in Hiko Nevada. Shawn and I took him for a walk throught the fields and i baked him some chocolate cupcakes. He slept for most of the walk, but he had a lot of fun with that cupcake. It was funny to watch him. He is sure growing up fast. and becoming quite a handsome kid.

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-72660464366318972812009-12-02T22:33:00.001-07:002009-12-02T22:35:25.470-07:00

During our trip in Nevada, we decided to take a picture of Ira with his dad, grandpa and great grandpa. a treasure that he will have for life.

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-7840121022115829132009-11-24T13:10:00.006-07:002009-11-24T13:51:15.366-07:00

I thought I'd better get another post in before Thanksgiving! It was a busy couple of weeks getting all ready for Ira and me to fly down to the ranch, and of course the morning we are to leave Ira wakes up SICK! well i was worried the whole day, but he did fine. i got a few things for his cold before we left and he is feeling so much better already. We flew out of Portland last Thursday night, my

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-72423050729036511112009-10-31T15:26:00.006-06:002009-10-31T15:49:18.312-06:00

Ira, Shawn and I got to chaperon a youth dance last weekend. we had fun and even got our picture taken by a photographer that was there for the kids. I looked scary, but Ira is as cute as always. The photographer even wanted to take a few of just Ira..either Shawn and I arent that cute.. or Ira is just irresistible....a few of the kids wanted their picture taken with Ira too.It was a fun dance

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-45828759922923985302009-10-15T22:57:00.000-06:002009-10-15T22:58:07.835-06:00

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-83151073097851503322009-10-13T22:34:00.004-06:002009-10-13T22:54:20.097-06:00

Ira got a new Grandma this last weekend. Grandma Dixie is now another grandparent that gets to spoil Ira. And he is excited about that. It was a big weekend for our family, having my Dad get remarried. I am excited that my Dad is actually moving OUT of his house, okay so maybe just for a few months, but still, I am tired of moving! I need to not get attached to the house though. I love it because

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-54310125121622958012009-10-06T22:46:00.010-06:002009-10-06T23:17:35.312-06:00

I can just see the look on my father in law's face when he sees these pictures, still, I just can't resist. I was at someones house and i saw this costume sitting on a chair and I just started with the wings..but then i couldn't help but put the skirt and bow on too. its close to Halloween...I am trying to decide what Ira will be, but Im promise it wont be a fairy princess Rocky.In other Ira news

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-18545678417463602972009-09-18T14:36:00.004-06:002009-09-18T15:37:54.305-06:00

Ira is now a walker, he really would rather be running, but he can't quite keep up with his own self. Shawn and I sit across from each other and he likes to walk back and forth. Its like playing catch and Ira is the ball. He has started to let go of funrniture a lot more too, getting more confident every day. He is really proud of himself and gets so excited that he often loses his balance, or

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-71584556343687012432009-09-04T20:44:00.003-06:002009-09-04T20:47:29.092-06:00

We got Ira a stellar new brown suit for my dad's wedding, we've been wanting to get him one, and this gives us a great excuse. Charming boy.

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-69074852190726425372009-08-24T15:53:00.004-06:002009-08-24T16:08:32.390-06:00

So i am really into these videos.... This on is probably my favorite! The first time he did this was last week, I just let go of him and it took him a second to realize he was standing and he immediately sat down..now he thinks about it and actually tries to stand by himself! We are practicing for the races...

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-47796279603048060572009-08-21T10:22:00.002-06:002009-08-21T10:40:08.890-06:00

call it neglect, but i dont think we have played peek-a-boo with Ira.. He is a pretty funny kid!

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-9758151791471399962009-08-19T11:53:00.002-06:002009-08-19T12:01:41.461-06:00

Ira got stuck under a chair trying to get to the curtains he loves to play with....

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-39153699938571511632009-08-18T17:53:00.012-06:002009-08-18T19:14:02.386-06:00

This will be packed, since I feel guilty that Kristi and Lynda have both blogged multiple times since my last Ira update! After waiting patiently, Shawn got a call telling him he is now licensed to practice in Washington! Hooray!! He has been ready to go for weeks, and is very excited to get things finally going. Now on th the cute stuff... Ira is moving fast these days, finally operating on TWO

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-78232737299611873582009-07-19T21:31:00.007-06:002009-07-19T23:19:30.296-06:00

I have been meaning to post this, its a couple months old, but his favorite thing at the time...funny that he couldn't even roll over yet! this is Ira as a wolf...My new favorite thing for him is bandanas.. i love to tie them around his neck for a bib.. so cute, but this day we had been over helping a friend paint, so i just put it on his head..sweet pair of golfer pants we found

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-82676158259742383222009-07-19T21:21:00.005-06:002009-07-19T21:31:05.231-06:00

I know 2 days in a row.. I am sure you all are just about as baffled as i am.. months with no Ira updates and then all the sudden, here I am again not even 24 hours after the previous post!! Well if you had taken these TOO ADORABLE FOR WORDS pitures of Ira, I am sure you would have posted right away. So I found this stellar bowtie in 'the garage'.. it is full of countless treasures.. including a

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-45848849982411315382009-07-19T09:34:00.009-06:002009-07-19T10:26:02.983-06:00

(probably one of my favorite pictures of Ira..when he did this the first time i laughed so hard i cried..)Ira is getting so fun! Such a character.. Shawn and i love to sit and watch him. He is becoming very vocal and very funny. Sometimes while we are driving he starts yapping away in the back seat. He seems to always be talking or singing or making some noise. He has met a lot of dogs this

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-66933958540465098802009-06-11T16:58:00.011-06:002009-06-13T00:32:03.908-06:00

Ira learned how to crawl this week!! I don't know if I can say its a full on crawl yet, but more like a peg-legged baby pirate crawl. He keeps his right leg straight pushing off on his toes and slides on his left knee. He has come along way in just a couple weeks, before he would just get on his hands and knees and wiggle..it was really cute. It is fun to see him accompish something that he can

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-60189606092160592252009-04-30T22:59:00.003-06:002009-04-30T23:58:18.734-06:00

My apologies to the many Ira fans out there that are missing him. It has been a very crazy month since we packed our life up once again and moved back to the great northwest. Great for the fact that I am home and get to spend time with my family, especially my handsome Dad, and we are here in time to help with the walk coming up for the Clara Jean Foundation on May 30th.Ira has done a lot of

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-14023772969368660542009-03-02T19:02:00.015-07:002009-03-02T20:59:55.840-07:00

I know...It's about time for an Ira update! I am sure you can hardly believe how fast this kid is growing up. It is so much fun to be with him. This last weekend we had a fun time in Manti going through the temple with Ryan as he prepares to leave on his mission in 3 weeks. Celeste came early to watch Ira for us. I think they are new best friends. We had--I think-- our first family picture taken.

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-35859437041508587332009-01-16T20:07:00.003-07:002009-08-19T11:50:20.963-06:00

My Dad isn't a big traveler, but he came for Ira's blessing the first weekend in January.

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-20187158363024971312008-12-30T20:36:00.006-07:002008-12-30T21:21:13.858-07:00

We went to the ranch for Christmas. It was nice to get away for more than a couple days. Ira had a good time too. He got to see some of his cousins and of course, spend time with Grandma and Grandpa Hatch. Kristi and I took loads of pictures. Ira Roger with Great Grandpa Roger. I thought Ira looks like he is laughing and he looks so cute. We had a great time visiting with Shawn's Grandparents on

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-11022159814711353412008-12-19T19:18:00.005-07:002008-12-19T19:26:33.775-07:00

Ira is now 3 weeks old. We had a Dr. apt for him today, I was called Ira's Mom--that's cute-- He weighs 10.5lbs now and 22in long.We had a little photo shoot today while Ira was wide awake. He gets cuter every day! I love the faces he makes.Sometimes he gets mad, but it usually doesn't last long.Ira really loves baths, or atleast being wrapped up in his towel after. I have learned that babies get

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-5590953411981439222008-12-11T18:33:00.003-07:002008-12-11T18:50:54.820-07:00

After a fun weekend at the ranch, Ira and i got ready for our first day back at the office. The mornings are a little tricker getting ready, but we'll make it. The hat that he is wearing in this picture was made by a nice girl named Nicole in San Antonio Texas. It is Ira's favorite hat to wear on our walks.It's hard to believe he is only 2 weeks old. I feel like I have had him around much longer.

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-47404080131690669692008-12-01T12:03:00.003-07:002008-12-01T12:08:16.441-07:00

Here's a pic of his cute face. It doesn't show off the hair he has (though not much), but again, what can i do with a phone camera!??! I will get a hold of a camera this week and take some better pictures. He is doing really well, and Shawn and I are adjusting. Ira actually sleeps pretty well and doesn't cry all that much, so it has yet to be exhausting... knock on wood.I will check in again

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-44221029892267335582008-11-27T09:30:00.003-07:002008-11-27T10:25:28.277-07:00

After a very long yesterday, we were richly blessed with a healthy beautiful little boy at 2:30 this morning. We got a call at 5:30AM yesterday and were told to be at the hospital at 6:30AM. When we arrived another couple was also going in to have a induction. They started me off quite slow because my Dr and I decided we would break my water and see if that would put me into labor...well it

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-6520463974916299732008-11-25T18:28:00.002-07:002008-11-25T18:55:34.417-07:00

Tomorrow is the day--- I get to be ready or not. The hospital will call sometime in the morning and then we are supposed to go in and have a baby. I can't say that I am thrilled about this scheduling. Maybe Ira just isn't ready yet, maybe the Dr got the due date wrong? Whatever it is, Ira hasn't come on his own and so tomorrow is the day that the Dr won't let pass without trying to get this baby

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-8115782599776634952008-11-23T15:42:00.009-07:002008-11-23T16:27:35.136-07:00

On Thursday we were really hoping Ira would come, but he did not. Friday we thought he had to be ready, we were wrong. So Saturday we went hiking to see if we could persuade him to come out...still nothing. But we had fun searching for petroglyphs near where we live. We found a few this day, and last weekend we went to a different place and saw some cool ones too. I guess there are a lot around

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-70760441978956339132008-11-21T19:05:00.006-07:002008-11-21T19:23:03.805-07:00

So this little snap shot happened with my phone and the bathroom mirror. Still pregnant, and one day after my official due date. I had a large complaint from my younger sister yesterday- for not posting more pregnant pics... I had to explain that I lost my camera this summer. It has been very sad not to take pictures of everything going on. I do love taking pictures. As for a report on delivery.

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-81601477539694703462008-10-22T10:41:00.001-06:002008-11-11T23:13:54.242-07:00

I haven't been much into the blogging world as I was while living in Peru, (it's hard to believe we lived there 2 years ago!) maybe its because I don't feel all that excited about living in Utah?... Shawn and I have lived here for over a year and now living in a small apartment above Grandma Tobler's Bakery in Santa Clara. It is far more enjoyable than living in one room of a large house with

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-65464960445807115242007-03-13T14:43:00.000-06:002007-03-13T15:30:16.406-06:00

I've been home for a good 3 weeks now, Shawn barely 4 days... We thought we'd share just a few photos from Ecuador with you, Of corse we got to go to the equator, and here's the proof, half of each of us in the north and south hemispheres. Then there is the Iguana Park we got to visit in Guayaquil, there were a few dozen of those lizards running around - huge. Also a picture of us with a family

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-8823180802669771402007-02-16T10:29:00.000-07:002007-02-16T10:40:46.302-07:00

Well folks, the time has come for our adventures to be just about over. Ecuador has been exciting and stressful in itself. It took us about 20 hours and 4 bus changes to get to Machala, but we made it. It was very hot and we only stayed the night. We went back into the mountains in Cuenca where it was nice and cool, we statyed there a few days walked alot and enjoyed prolly the cleanest city in

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-25401407085006707882007-01-13T15:09:00.000-07:002007-01-13T15:14:17.666-07:00

I have no pictures for you, just an annoyed story. Apparently from January until March the kids participate in outrageous water fights with balloons and guns, mostly between each other, but on most days I am lucky enough to get hit by one or two, all the houses here have flat roofs and or balconies so they like to torture the passers by using water balloons or just dumping buckets full of water

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-43009908442353745012007-01-13T15:06:00.000-07:002007-01-13T15:09:27.743-07:00

So I have been trying to capture pictures of babies in these slings that all the mothers wear, and on our way home from teaching english on day, there she was, the perfect little bored face, right outside our apartment door! The cutest little girl who is obviously tired of being slung around like rice.

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-72762303949291418092007-01-13T15:04:00.000-07:002007-01-13T15:06:48.914-07:00

We went to a Dance on the Saturday before New Years eve at the Church in Baños del Inca. We had fun, and I was asked to dance more than Shawn. We of corse went with the Pachas and Cielo met a few of her friends there. We danced the night away, until 10 o´clock and then went home. We´re getting old!

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-83955174127428816852007-01-13T14:56:00.000-07:002007-01-13T15:03:56.827-07:00

we went walking a couple weeks ago and found the Cajamarca Cemetary, the whole thing for the most part in all above ground. check out this photos, the are miniture houses for the dead!And then theres where they bury the poor, in the ground. And the middle class get put in a massive wall of dead, there were walls of dead everywhere, all decorated with pictures flowers candles, some behind

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-20479251710614312292006-12-29T16:03:00.000-07:002006-12-29T16:06:44.731-07:00

This photo was taken at Baños del Inca, the hotsprings here. It was a beautiful morning, you can see the steam coming off the ponds in the back, these flowers were quite interesting to me and i am happy how this photo turned out. enjoy!This is just to show how green it is here now!! it rains everyday with out fail. all afternoon practically, i left to come blog in flip flops and there werent any

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-27229778687988179332006-12-29T15:58:00.000-07:002006-12-29T16:03:10.439-07:00

I think we might have come across a fair, or carnival, there wasnt much to it, but the whole stadium had tents with shops surrounding the outside, but it looked exactly the same as any other outside shoppig market here.... but there were rides, couldnt pay me to get near them.. and cotton candy, i didnt try it.then walking back we saw something a little disturbing.... i wont get to close to him.

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-90838395255037744872006-12-29T15:42:00.000-07:002006-12-29T15:58:30.865-07:00

We had a lovely Christmas here in Peru. Celebrated with our friends the Pacha´s . I made A peruvian style Chocolate Chip cookies and we went caroling on Christmas eve to deliver chocolates and cookies. Its tradition to celebrate christmas at midnight on Christmas Eve, i think it takes the joy and surprise out of Christmas morning, but they seem to enjoy it. So at midnight we had a huge dinner

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-11519621531642735932006-12-08T14:46:00.000-07:002006-12-08T14:51:58.887-07:00

Today was another holiday, i dont know what, i didnt ask. But Shawn had to work as every Friday and I went with the ward out to a country Ranch where we played soccer and ate lunch. Yanet really wanted to play on the see-saw, so we made her get on, and the kids and I helped her to have a fun time. I took out one of the bishops counslers playing soccer, i will have some good bruises for it, but

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-11530762277331309822006-12-08T14:40:00.000-07:002006-12-08T14:46:50.475-07:00

These are our sweet decorations we borrowed for christmas. They really go all out for the nativity, i thought it was pretty cool to see, back home we just have a bunch of white porcelain statues, not the detailed backdrop complete with pig pen and sheep in the hillside.Yanet put this together for us, Cielo and I put together and decorated the tree.

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-35128926366249474112006-12-08T14:27:00.001-07:002006-12-08T14:39:52.515-07:00

Just a few pictures from a country stroll we took last Saturday. There were some great animals we met, including shawns new friend the baby burrow. We also saw these women doing the laundry at the base of a waterfall, i couldnt pass up the opportunity, wish i would have had the guts to get closer, people here often expect payment for a photo. although this couple we met along a trail and i took

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-28686386364745704392006-12-01T17:01:00.000-07:002006-12-01T17:09:19.202-07:00

I took a lot of pictures at Machu Picchu, I was looking through them again and wanted to share some more with you. i thought this over view was pretty amazing, and the stairs you see to the picture on the right is how they built stair cases in the day, amazing! We only got that view from hiking hyaina Picchu (the hike of death). The flat looking stone that the two women are sitting in front of

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-83193799805947062202006-12-01T16:57:00.000-07:002006-12-01T17:01:50.412-07:00

I never feel like i put enough pictures of our trips! Heres one of cuzco and then our travels to machu piccu, including the train station we drove and hour and a half to and traveled about that same time to machu piccu.

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-45129310602298066792006-12-01T16:50:00.000-07:002006-12-01T16:57:25.249-07:00

It flodded the streets! Just today we witnessed our first real rain storm, it was madness. thick fog covered the city and it poured and hailed for close to 45 minutes. the pictures arent great, but it was truly crazy. and the street vendors! the nice lady outside our apt just put a big clear plastic tarp over her and her candy and sat through it. the water was coming through our rook and windows.

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-3830650241505268962006-12-01T16:44:00.000-07:002006-12-01T16:49:42.765-07:00

This is the best picture of Shawn. He really looks good in those campo hats!On another walk in to the hills we came across some sweet ceramic shops, we of corse sent plent home with shawns family. If you are a faithful reader, looker of this really rad blog you may remember a picture of some really long steep stairs with a big white cross and white church at the top. the picture of the small hill

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-18510028727919193192006-12-01T16:37:00.000-07:002006-12-01T16:43:39.885-07:00

Yes the cows of a small coop called colpa. They are known for coming to feed when their names are yelled by the workers, and sure enough they do, i saw it. and they dont come in any specific order, but they go right to the stall where their name rests above their heads! Then While they eat this lady come and milks them all with her hands into a bucket.. i swear they got machines for that in the

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-77171367607521683242006-12-01T16:32:00.000-07:002006-12-01T16:37:27.832-07:00

These are some of the kids in the Primary. We had a fun activity for Halloween. No doubt me and my friend Moroni totally smoked everyone at the sandwhich eating contest, which i really dont recommend in South America.... quality issuses, however we had a blast that day and I love being able to see these kids and be with them at church.

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-60745411155725169342006-12-01T16:23:00.000-07:002006-12-01T16:32:38.394-07:00

These kids live so far out of the city, I am surprised we came across them. Its hard to say if any of them will ever get to go to school, at least have a proper education. The last picture is of a soccer field if you can make it out the wooden goals ore thin branches. We guess that the small building is a school house, not big, and definitly not with the best teachers, these kids will grow up

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-32051167005966210672006-12-01T16:18:00.000-07:002006-12-01T16:23:38.624-07:00

On an afternoon stroll in the hillside, really high up into the hillside, we have been able to come across people like these, who work extremly hard, pioneer style, with their ploughs and hearding skills. Trust me when i say this woman is on a very, very long walk with her cows.

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-86184683573197164182006-12-01T16:06:00.000-07:002006-12-01T16:18:51.506-07:00

The other entry just didnt show our experience there, so here is more of the locals and the rock formations and the Incan channel. There is also one of the Charming Chandler exiting from a very scary tunnel we had to squeeze through on our trek of cumbe mayo, ok we didnt have to, but we did and i was stuck in the front with no way of going back and it was dark, and i am scared of the dark, but

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-40166329884817353602006-12-01T16:00:00.000-07:002006-12-01T16:06:40.556-07:00

Its a Quechua word, pronounced just like "sexy woman" and just about every tour guide will joke about that. When we first arrived in cusco we were taken on severl tours of the ruins around that city, this being one of them was some sort of fortress to the incas, and an absolute magnificent sight, you can really see how the constructed walls back then with out any mortar. cut exactly to fit tight

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-78926661468562286582006-12-01T15:36:00.000-07:002006-12-01T16:00:52.837-07:00

This is a vacuña. they are an endangered speicies after lots of hunting for their meat and especially fur. This entry is long over due. In October we took a trip with the Pacha family to Porcon. It a little cooperative town way up (more) in the mountains, down lots of muddy deserted roads. What we found there was basically...a zoo. and a very sand one at that. Animals in tiny cages fed by bread,

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-67728325431868152092006-11-29T09:48:00.000-07:002006-11-29T09:51:57.808-07:00

Its not only about futbol down here in cajamarca there is a great passion for volleyball as well, and they will string up a net where ever posible, even in the middle of the street. Considerate though, to stop their game a lift the net just high enough for a car to pass through. This game happened to take place on a very steep street, good thing they have pretty quick reflexes or they will be

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-23715285947421345192006-11-29T09:45:00.000-07:002006-11-29T09:48:52.366-07:00

Heres a photo at Vaca Loca (the crazy cow) resturant here in cajamarca. They have the best pizza, and plenty of room for 8 big gringos. The Pacha family joined us for dinner that night as well. The people here definitly loved seeing us walk around town together, especially Shawn´s da sporting a super sweet mustache and cowboy hat. people cant grow facial hair all that well here.

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-16183777600779042702006-11-29T09:43:00.000-07:002006-11-29T09:45:27.204-07:00

just another photo i couldnt pass up to post. the kids really are the cutest here, shawn and i are thinking about stealing a couple....

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-46426169934167398892006-11-29T09:32:00.000-07:002006-11-29T09:43:53.273-07:00

This Picture is above all my Favorite. Taken at Cumbemayo of Luz and her older sister. I traded them Trader Joe´s chocolate granola bars for their photo.On Thursday morning of the famiy trip ( i think nov 9) we headed up and up into the mountains to walk around Cumbemayo. It was a breathtaking place to see and we met some of the cutest kids here. With only a population of 20 families, we weren´t

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-39734951731492911182006-11-29T09:23:00.000-07:002006-12-01T16:50:48.185-07:00

Otuzco. These are some incan ruins near Cajamarca. The first time Shawn and I went we walked all the way there in the rain, and made it most of the way back opting for a taxi near the airport. Its prolly a good 5 mile walk or more from our apt. The hole you see in the side of the rock were to burry peoples remains. the bodies were left out for some time until the flesh and skin came off and then

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-63390425203766820602006-11-29T09:05:00.000-07:002006-11-29T09:23:25.502-07:00

Our Thanksgiving was spent eating tuna sandwiches and oreo cookies during the first of two horribly, uncomfortable bus rides; no leg room or airconditioning and the people here don´t like a cold breeze so we couldn´t even have our window open! The buses were far less comfortable then the one we originally traveled to cajamarca in, HOWEVER we quickly learned the sacrifice that the members of the

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-19555843536908403262006-11-16T17:22:00.000-07:002006-11-17T12:27:46.482-07:00

These pictures are from the top of Huayna Picchu. You can see Machu Picchu below us in the picture on your left.4 of us from the group including Shawn and I decided to get crazy and hike Huayna Picchu which is the taller of the mountains you see in this picture.This Blog might be a little backwards, but its been a long week. We have done alot of touring in the past couple weeks, but our last trip

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-1162512425058447262006-11-02T16:58:00.000-07:002006-11-16T10:59:34.705-07:00

I teach english, I don´t know much, but monday through thursday from 8-1 i teach 1-10 graders at Ricardo Palma Elementary. These poor kids don´t know alot of english, so that makes me feel better for not having a teaching certificate (not that i need one here). Their last teacher was a Peruvian who taught french and english, but i am not sure he had a certificate either, but hey i got one on him

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-1160524670261416582006-10-10T17:52:00.000-06:002006-11-16T10:59:34.608-07:00

one very cramped bus ride there and back, and a very relaxing soak in the hot springs in between. The Inca Baths are very popular here. they have public and priviate baths that any one can in joy of 4-5 soles..maybe a $1.20. our shower was broken for almost a week, so it was nice to be able to take a bath in the middle of the week instead of bathing with a bucket....

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-1160523123856762832006-10-10T16:50:00.000-06:002006-11-16T10:59:34.513-07:00

For those of who don´t know, or know for that matter..... my job before coming to Peru was at a pretty classy lingerie shop in Portland, really Victoria´s got nothing on this shop. So when Shawn told me he had seen a lingerie shop here in Cajamarca, and I was thinking i could relate, they could use me......or not.To give you an idea of the shoppin life here, you walk down the street, all the

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-1160077919293831192006-10-05T13:50:00.000-06:002006-11-16T10:59:34.414-07:00

sometimes we see live chickens too. cages full, sacks full, carts full, being carried in someway....and as for diversity there is a resturant that has some pretty exotic birds just hanging out in a court yard. i dont know if they are happy

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-1159910630195289922006-10-03T15:22:00.000-06:002006-11-16T10:59:34.317-07:00

Well as i mention i had unfortunately erased a blog so i thought maybe i would write it again? i was trying visually describe the colorful markets here, its hard to do and hard to capture. here are a couple of pictures about the variety of economical vendors. There are some who have just a few little things each to sell, and others have and abundance. It is exciting to walk down any market

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-1159817913588656992006-10-02T13:27:00.000-06:002006-11-16T10:59:34.234-07:00

Technical difficulties. mostly because i cant read, or atleast understand what i read in spanish; so sadly i just deleted my last entry. i dont know why these computers dont go to englich for me, but such is life. just a quick word about the food in peru..interesting. Its an experience every time we eat out, which is often, because you can rarely identify what you are about to eat, and if you

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-1158789307550467652006-09-20T15:42:00.000-06:002006-11-16T10:59:33.954-07:00

9,000 feet striaght up. The trip down to Peru wasn't bad, but the 14 hour bus ride up to Cajamarca was tiring!! We traveled through the night, I was happy to see the countryside of cajamarca on our way into the valley Saturday morning. WE are finally here. Its a pretty crowded city, though not to big, lots of crazy taxi drivers, cars, vans, mortorcylcles you name it, they´ll pick you up! Shawn is

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33932905.post-1157514169634017942006-09-05T21:38:00.000-06:002006-11-16T10:59:33.873-07:00

You'd think marriage is adventure enough? We needed something more, so we are moving to Peru. Shawn accepted a Chiropractic position in South America soon after we were married, we have been preparing for our trip ever since. He left about a week ago and I have been working and getting myself ready to fly out on the 14 of Sept. He says that Peru is beautiful and he's very ready for me to join him

Stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16635761949711125063noreply@blogger.com0