Big Bear Camping Trip

For the last outing of the summer, Joe and I took the kids camping at Big Bear Lake to a place called Hanna Flats. We had so much fun and the kids had a blast.We saw Tyson, the original skate boarding dog. We went to the Big Bear Discovery Center, we went to the Zoo, we went on the Alpine slide and just hung out at camp and enjoyed nature. It was a great way to spend the last few warm nights of summer.

Ryan's first lost tooth!

Ryan lost his first tooth the other night when we had the missionaries over for dinner. he was so excited. We had to stop dinner and get pictures and call grandma. My baby is growing up way to fast!!

First Day of School

The first day of school was a very fun day. Joseph started 5th grade; Jenna is in a 3rd-4th grade combination class; Jacob is in 3rd grade and Ryan started Kindergarten.

Maverick's Baseball Game

The day before school started for the kids we decided to take them to a Mavericks minor league baseball game. They had so much fun. Ryan got a ball from the opposing team's pitcher and Jacob won a race with another boy and got a bag full of goodies. Here are some fun pictures of the day.

Tessie

We decided we needed a dog--albeit a calm, non-crazy dog (lets all take a moment to reflect on Clover).
Joe and I went to the county shelter about 3 weeks ago and got Tessie. She is a German Shepard/Jindo mix. She is more cat than dog, but we love her. She is really shy unless she wants her belly rubbed. The kids have been really good with her....i.e. not getting her so excited she bits, pees or any other thing dogs do when they get worked up.

I did win the battle of inside vs. outside dog. It did take about two weeks, but after no sleep due to puppy whining and both Joseph and Ryan sneezing, Joe finally said we could try it. We set up the side of the house (it didn't take much because it was already set up for a dog--we just had to clean it up a bit)and put her outside in her cage for the night. She didn't make a peep!! She loves it outside.

We are so happy she could join our family and we feel great that we were able to adopt her and give her a good home.

Jenna's Baptism August 1, 2009

Jenna Leigh Elder was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on August 1, 2009. She was baptized by her father, Joseph Meehan and confirmed a member by her Grandpa DeLoss Christensen. She was so beautiful all dressed in her white baptismal outfit. I am so proud of her decision to get baptized. Joe did a great job! This was his first baptism so he was just as excited that he got to baptize Jenna as she was about him doing it. My dad did a wonderful confirmation and blessing. Afterward we went back to our house and had a spaghetti dinner and Jenna wanted another Luau, so we decorated a little bit and had a fire pit for the kids to roast marshmellows on. It was a great day!! It reminded me of my baptism and the covenants I made with my Heavenly Father. I am so blessed to have been raised by such wonderful parents who taught me the true and happiest path in life. I know Jenna will be a strong woman in the church one day and she has just started on that journey. Congratulations Jenna! We love you very much!!

Sea World and La Jolla Beach, San Diego, CA July 2009

My parents and my brother Scott came down to California for Jenna's baptism and we all went to Sea World and La Jolla Beach. My parents were able to bring my brother Cody's kids, Reagan and Garrett, when they came and Scott brought his whole family. We spent most of the day at Sea World. The kids had some much fun and so did the adults. We went on the rides and watched a few of the shows. The favorite show of the day was the Dolphins. My kids have all been before, so they had fun telling the other five kids all of the "ins and outs" of Sea World. After Sea World, we decided it would be fun to find a beach so that Reagan and Garrett could play in the water (They hadn't been able to play in the water when they saw the ocean in Oregan because it was too cold). We found La Jolla Beach by accident!! It was so beautiful. I wish the pictures showed more of it. The sand was so fine and soft and CLEAN! The water was warm and it wasn't crowded at all. The three older boys(Garrett, Joseph, and Jacob) went out into the waves to swim with Joe and a surfer came up and asked if the wanted to learn how to surf. I think all three boys nearly died from excitement. Joseph did awesome. He got up on the board the first try and rode that board all the way to the beach! Garrett did great as well once he got the hang of the balancing and rode pretty dang far too. Jacob had a little trouble getting up at first, but then he finally got it and rode all the way to the beach too! They could have stayed forever, but it got too dark. Jenna, Reagan, Ryan, Me and My mom stayed in the more shallow area but they had fun too letting the waves take them back and forth. We were so sad to leave. It was a great day and I can't wait to do it again!! Hopefully next time more of the family can come with us.