This is Mike's gingerbread house. James told Mike that he thought Mike had "such good ideas" . It was fun -- although the frosting that came with the kits was not real strong and we had a few construction problems and the roofs needed reinforcement.

Here are some fun pictures from halloween, we dressed up for our ward party.


Captain Jack Sparrow made an appearance, winning the award for the best costume.
















Captain Jack was accompanied by his gypsy woman.















This happy couple was the life of the party.

















Captain Jack and his woman enjoyed the company of Mr. and Mrs. Castro.

My First Tri

Well I thought I would give a small report on my recent triathlon exeperience over the weekend. The race was up at Pineview Resevoir in Ogden canyon. In my craziness I had mom drive me up there early (the race started at 10:30, we showed up at about 7:00) so I could be ready. Luckily I had plenty of time. It was about 37 degrees when we showed up and they had cancelled the swim portion of the race and replaced it with a short 1 mile run. I was dissappointed but later realized I would have likely died of hypothermia, even with a wetsuit.

We started the race at 10:30 and I ran my first mile a little slow but was in 112th place overall. I was pleased with this and got on my bike for the 18 mile bike ride in warmer weather (about 50 degrees). This proved to be my downfall. I have loads of excuses (cheap bike, too cold, etc) to justify the fact that by the end of the 18 miles, my legs were killing me and about 250 people had passed me.

I was determined to make up a little time on the 3.2 mile run to finish the race. My legs did not want to cooperate and I hobbled the 3 miles and finished 274 overall. I guess that's not bad for my first race but I didn't win the $100 for 3rd place in my age division. Oh well.

Here you can see the snow that was falling during parts of the race.










Here is the race to the finish line, Alisa commented on the difficulty of getting a picture where I am not behind the girl, next to the old guy, and barely in front of the big guy. Luckily she got the next picture which is a little better, and my confidence is unshaken despite what you may think.






It was a lot of fun and certainly won't be the last time.

Beijing?

Thought we would give a little update on our not so little family (that is compared to all of you-the third child has made all the difference). I guess I wanted to do it today because we went to James kindergarten class today to have him ‘assessed.’ They get to spend 20 minutes alone with the teacher before next week when they get on the bus and drive away only to leave their moms completely devastated in their absence. James tries to comfort me when I’m feeling blue about the big event by saying, “its only 20 years mom!” Well anyway, Mrs. Cullimore took us into the room and started to explain the cubbyhole/coats and backpack business. As she explained she kept stopping to ask James to please pay attention! “Now James—right here—James! This is important!” She ended her 5 minute speech with a sigh as if to say “Here is another ADD child, they just put too many in class this year.” Now the whole room just took James by surprise (he hasn’t been to any preschools or anywhere really decorated for a child like this) and he just had to read every sign, and name and bulletin board he could get his eyes on. If you didn’t know this is what he was doing, I suppose you would think him a little, well, slow. So she gets to the ‘test’ part where she asks him questions about colors, and shapes, and finally letters. As he gave her the letters and sounds (and in some cases, like G, both sounds). She started to change her opinion about him. So she asked if he could read some words. “Oh, easy. I read a level 2.” Now she was starting to chuckle. She gave him a simple book and pointed to every word so he read slow and choppy. Then she asked him about what happened in the book. She went to a harder book and again pointed out every word. He comprehended again. She got a longer book and this time asked if he could read it himself, which he did quickly. “So, where did they look for the hat?” “In the closet, the drawer, under the stove, and by the couch, I think those four.” (it was in fact these places) “So James, where did they find the hat?” “Didn’t I already say under the stove?” She took a deep breath and said “Well James! Very good. Now I guess do you have any questions for me? “ James thought, “hmm….yes! What is the capitol of China?” It was said so earnestly his teacher and I just busted up laughing. “Okay,” I thought, “now she’s really met James”. To James disappointment neither Mrs. Cullimore nor his mom knows the capitol of China. She sent him to check out the classroom stations and told me she tested him as reading on a level 8 which means little to me except I’m glad James didn’t hear her say it or he would have to correct himself for all the people he told he reads on level 2 (which is bad enough!). I’m just going to miss him. The other day I asked if he wanted to go on a bike ride with us. “Cant. I have a flat tire.” “Oh, you could ride your scooter or something!” He brightened up immediately, “Oh! You mean a mixed traffic ride? Sure!”

Sam is a whole different story. We often refer to him (lovingly) as our dumb jock. His questions go something more along the lines of “Mommy? Where is the TOY in TOILET?” Luke doesn’t have a hard time answering that one. Sam has a recent obsession with (I’m sorry to say) Satan. The good side of it is, he is always trying to find ways of killing him. Whether it be by chasing him down with a gun and blasting him, or not telling Satan (although he swears he would tell all his friends) not to touch the furnace in the basement so he would get electrocuted-there is a way to kill him. Last week as I was baking pizza he told us “when Satan comes I just going push him in the oven and let him BURN UP!” James snickers, “Yea right Sam, except Satan doesn’t even have a body.” “Yea, he doesn’t have a body, only feet and a head!” Generally at the end of the night Sam will say, “Mommy, I love you. I love everyone in the whole world…except Satan. I HATE him.” That’s the other thing about Sam now, he moved into a brief time period around the age of 4 when he is head over heals for his mommy. This is my favorite, naturally, who wouldn’t want to be constantly showered with love? James was a bit more poetic at this stage, but Sam is so sweet when we have the “I love you wars” at Walmart the other night, after loving each other to as high as he can count, maybe 6, I said “I love you infinity” He says “I love you all over! Everywhere!” He will often express his love with songs. After serenading me with a primary song something like “l like to look for rainbows” and granted, he misses a few lines and a lot of notes, I will say “Oh Sam that was so cute!” Sam grins widely and James says under his breath “It may be cute, but not necessarily RIGHT!”

Luke is walking this week and also taking only one short nap. For this reason I don’t want to dwell on him as I don’t have the kindest things to say. I will say that if you haven’t been around him all day he looks, and acts, adorable.

I am at present getting used to being in Young Womens, hanging out with beehives once a week. I have had just the right amount of photography business this month and am quickly getting booked for the fall. I garden when the boys are outside now, and I now have a hollyhock in bloom, and some forget-me-nots and bells of Ireland just bloomed from seed in my garden. These are the things that keep me happy. Since I can’t keep a house clean, I can always go outside where things look in order.

Josh has been training for a triathlon he’s competing in September. I keep telling him if he would train as much as he reads on the internet about training he would for sure have a chance at the win. James asked him the other day if he shaves the sides of his head. No. Oh, has it always been like that? No. “Well dad, I think it looks very….professional. You look like a triathlete.” At least Josh will have one fan.

Sorry this was so long, and I know I can’t spell or punctuate correctly. Have a great day! Alisa

Virginia Beach May 2006 was beautiful. The weather cooperated and so did all the family. The view from the motel was wonderful. The ocean is great and the kids loved it.
Daija and Jonathan make skimboarding look easy, although Daija is still feeling the effects of taking a fall.





Grandma and James are trying to touch a stingray. They are very soft when you finally get to touch it. This was at the Norfolk Aquarium.

The Cousins

It was fun having Trevor and Savannah come visit us. Thanksgiving point's children garden has alot of fun things for the kids to do.
























Savannah truly loves the water.

The Garden Reception

A view from the front yard.




May 13, 2006 was Matt Johnson's wedding reception. Getting the yard ready was a group effort. We bought arches, lots and lots of compost, and put in many man hours to get it ready. With Alisa's gifted eye, Rich's resources, and Vicki's love of gardening we were able to transform our yard into a reception center. I didn't get lots of pictures, Alisa should have some better ones.

Before the bark came in.









Some must work and some must watch

And some must play




Some must drive

Update from VA

Well it has been awhile since anyone has posted anything on the blog so I decided on this beautiful Easter Sunday we would post a few pictures from the last 4 months since we moved to Virginia Beach VA. In January we unpacked lots of boxes and despite all the chaos the kids came out smiling.





In February we spent most of the month painting and making modifications to our new home. During the Olympics Savannah and Trevor attempted all the events. This is Savannah doing her best ice skating maneuver. At the end of Feb we made our first family trip to Washington DC to visit the temple and see the monuments. It was so cold that we spent most of the time seeing things from the car.












In March things started falling out – Trevor lost his first tooth. Not bad for a four year old. Camille came to visit us over spring break so we went to the beach. Things got a little fishy. We decided that we needed to spoil our daughter early so we took advantage of our visiting hair stylist and Camille gave Savannah her first haircut – she loved being pampered (unlike Trevor who usually has to be restrained for haircuts). We celebrated Savannah’s second birthday and enjoyed pink cupcakes at her request.




















April has been the month of family visits. Granny and Granddaddy Goldy came to visit from Kentucky so we headed to the Navy base and the beach. It was a little cold but still beautiful. Next Grandma Goldy came from UT for Easter the kids have loved having her here and it has been great to see her again. We visited the botanical gardens, the base and the beach including a ride on a six man bike. We colored Easter eggs and had a great time getting dressed in our Sunday best. Grandma Linton was responsible for the new Easter threads and the kids loved it. Everyone thought Savannah looked like Dorothy from the Wizard of OZ minus the red shoes. Trevor lost his second tooth yesterday so it was a busy night for the tooth fairy and the Easter Bunny.

Hope all is well. Enjoy

Thanksgiving 2005

This was not the picture that I had originally choosen to depict Thanksgiving 2005 -- but it does show who is having fun and who really is a kid at heart. I had spent hours this morning getting pictures and recording about Thanksgiving. I thought it posted, but it didn't. So I will try again another day.

Thanksgiving 2005

Thanksgiving 2005
Many of the Lintons were not feeling well this trip and sleep was at a premium









Dance Dance was a favorite of young and old alike. Josh seems to be the champion and there seems to be a little controversy about who is next in line. There is no doubt that Dad and I are the worst--and practice won't make us much better -- but it is fun.

Grandpa Lattin was kind enough to let the kids experience real tractors and backhoes. LauraLee and Alan's horse was just right for little kids. The maze was great fun.

It was a great weekend for me to see all my family together. It was nice to be able to eat with Jill and Betty's family also. Rich and Mike were the only ones that felt well enough to go "Christmas Tree Hunting" Josh was very effecient in setting up Grandma's new computer. Grandma is now on Charter.net and we can call and talk to her while she is on the computer. We love being able to talk to Grandma on chat.