Then and Now

In October 2008 we took family photos by this Evergreen. How things have changed.

Here we are, October 2010, two years later at the same tree.

And just like last time, Jared did not want his picture taken and, just like last time we spent time chasing him around to get him in the picture with the rest of the family!

I will have to dig them out, but I think we also have pictures from 2006-07 by the same tree!

Fun Pics

More Pics

An Old Home for a Week

Chantel and Victoria traveled down to Sedalia, Missouri for a week
of training for Chantel.

While there, they stayed at the historic Hotel Bothwell in one of the original rooms.


The room was SMALL! Approximately 8x12 with a small bathroom and closet attached.
However, the hotel has a gorgeous lobby and second floor that is often used for weddings and receptions.

Going to the Temple

Before leaving for the week Vern, Victoria and Chantel went to The Temple
in Omaha to help watch the little people of those attending sessions, and to
witness the sealing of the Fonseca Family.

It was a great way to start off our week.

Eternal Marriage

While at The Temple we were blessed to witness the marriage and
sealing of the Fonseca Family.

Cyrus the Escape Artist

Cyrus wanted to show us all how fast he could escape being tied up. So, having wonderful
siblings, he was promptly tied to a chair by them using an assortment of securing devices!

And yes, he got out.....eventually!

Creative Congratulations

We received a box from The Tanners containing a couple of "Haynes left behinds"
and a lovely bag labeled Scrabble. Along with this was a set of Congratulation candles with a tag saying, "Scrabble Hint"

Chantel sat down and put the whole works together.

Thank you Tanners for the time you spent on this wonderful gift. It was fun to do
and a very special thought!!!

Water, Water Everywhere...Including the Basement

Because the river is so high, the ground water table is sitting just below
ground level (literally if you dig down a foot you hit water right now). Our
basement is about 5 feet below ground at the floor, and so water is seeping
into the basement around the edges.

We are taking out about 6-10 gallons a day with the shopvac along with the sump
pump which is taking out about 10 gallons a minute. In this picture, the floor had been vacuumed about 30 minutes prior.

The last picture is a snap shot of the sump pump pumping out water. I set
it to run continuously (not use the float) on Friday. Today is Tuesday.

Flood 2010

Here are some pictures of our areas flooding late September 2010
We received over 10 inches of rain in a 24 hour period
which caused immediate flash flooding, and then long term
river flooding.

The river crested at 23 feet, which is 4 feet over flood stage
and to this post has not stayed below 22 feet.

Family History

Thanks to Kathy, a distant cousin I made contact with through Familyseach.org!

This is a picture of my great grandfather, great grandmother and their family and children. This is my grandfather's (my mom's dad) family.

What Cody Creates

Here is a dragon the Cody painted.

Here is a doll house that Cody created.

She really is VERY talented!!!