Zach goes to Hong Kong

We have a great family tradition of taking our kids on a fun trip when they turn 12. So last week we took Zach to Hong Kong. It was such a fun time to spend with Zach. He was a trooper. We spent hours walking each day and he mostly did not complain. Hong Kong is a big city with thousands and thousands of people. It was great to see Zach navigate his way through this beautiful city! Here are our photos of this great adventure. I wish a camera could capture moments like our mind. I did my best to try with our Cannon!
Here we are setting out on our 16 hour flight!

Hong Kong has one of the most beautiful skylines in the world. It was quite hazy the entire time we were there. The weather was perfect. It was a little humid, but we could not have asked for better weather the entire trip.

Our first day we thought it would be good to just jump right in and start seeing the sights. We took the ferry over to Kowloon. Zach was amazed by all the small fishing boats that families actually lived on.

In Kowloon there is a board walk with all the Chinese movie stars hand prints. Zach was excited to see Bruce Lee, Jet Li and Jackie Chan.

The sights & sounds on the streets of Hong Kong was entertainment for us the first day.

We took Zach t0 the famous food market. They have fish (alive), beef hearts, livers and kidneys, live chicken just waiting in their cages, frogs, turtles and everything else you could imagine.

This net was filled with live frogs. Sad :(

These sure are (were) cute little turtles.

We ate at Jason's favorite noodle shop for our 1st Chinese meal. It was awesome!

We let Zach have one meal at Mc Donald's!

We took the train to Lantau Island to see the worlds largest Buddha. We took a cable car up the side of the mountain to get to this beautiful sight. At the top of the mountain next to the Buddha is a monastery that you can eat a vegetarian meal with the monks. After climbing the many many stairs to see the Buddha we were hungry for our meal.

They have a little "tourist" town set up as you walk from the cable car to the monastery.

The next day we took a break and went to a local amusement park. We gave Zach the choice to go to Hong Kong Disneyland or Ocean City. He chose Ocean City. It was a really cool park. It had pandas, and aquarium and lots of roller coasters. The park is situated on two different side of this mountain. You have to take a cable car from one side to the other. The views were incredible.

They had these really long escalators to get you from one area of the park to the other.

We visited the Man Mo Chinese Temple. It was beautifully situated right in the middle of town. They had a English speaking fortune teller. Zach was willing to get his fortune told. He was a little nervous answering the question, but then he was excited to get his fortune. He did not tell us much that we did not already know. He said that Zach did not yet have a future set up. He said that he was a good student and was in good with all his teachers. That his teachers were proud of him. He said to NOT go into Law or History, but to study computers and inventions.

We found a snake shop that sells snake gallbladders. When we came upon this shop we say this older Chinese man opening up these wooden boxes and taking out these huge snakes. It was so freaky. Jason has a major fear of snakes. He could hardly look into the shop. The wall was floor to ceiling with these wooden boxes. There must have been a hundred snakes in each little box.

We walk by the Hong Kong LDS church building.

One day we ventured out to Victoria Peak. It is the largest Peak on Hong Kong Island. We took this trolley straight up the side of the mountain. When we got to the top we made a stop at Madame Tussious Wax Museum. We had never done anything like that before so we bought our tkts and made our way through the wax mesuem. We laughed so hard as we took our photos with all these famous people. It was really quite something. Some of them looked so real. It was really weird to just stare into their eyes. Zach was sure a few times while he stood next to some of them that they grabbed his had.

At the top of the peak it was an amazing view. This old man wanted Zach to ride on his antique rickshaw.

You cannot go to Hong Kong and not enjoy the many street markets. It was fun to see what Zach picked out. He really got into the haggling. We sent him to this woman and told him to see what price he could get for his item. It was so funny to see him nervous and rocking back and forth as he kept strong and paid 1/2 what she was asking for it!

China is so beautiful and colorful. On every street there is something new and excited.

We walked through the most amazing flower market it smelled amazing. I wanted to buy a huge bouquet.

At the end of the flower amrket street is the bird market. They had cages and cages of beautiful birds. They Chinese love birds and take very good care of them. They have these beautiful wooden cages, porcelan water bowls, and live crickets. I love bird cages it was frustrating to know that I could not get home one of these amazing cages. I did buy a smaller one for my "bird" room.

We ate at this street resturant. It was the most incrediable dinner that we had. it was fun to sit on the street, people watch and eat amazing food.

On our last day we splirged and went to the Shangrala Hotel for there famous buffet. It was really fun but the photos do not do it justice. We ate more food than we needed too. It was great.

There were so many fun and exciting things that we did together. I loved getting to know Zach's personality more. We laughed hard. We saw a part of the world that we love. I think Zach will have memories of this trip forever.

Halloween 2009

Happy Halloween! We had such a great Halloween this year. Our new neighborhood is so great for trick or treating. I went through all my candy and had to start using the kids candy after they got home. I have never seen so many trick or treaters ever. It was really fun to see all the costumes. Everyone gets dressed up! With so many festivities and kids going in every direction I had a hard time capturing the kids in their costumes!

I was in charge of Clara's class party! Here I am reading a story to her kindergarten class!

It was so fun that the school lets the kids wear their costumes and have parties all day and a huge Elementary school parade with the entire school walking around with their class. We have never done that before with our kids school. They were sure excited to have such a fun day.

When we got home from trick or treating the kids love to "sort" all their candy! Then then have to pay "taxes" to the parents. I usually charge 100 grand, a take 5, and a few recess peanut butter cups. The kids love to look and sort all the candy and see what they get! They love this tradition!

The great Pumpkin

We cut into the Pumpkins tonight. The kids get so excited about carving pumpkins. They each choose a pumpkin to carve and went at it. Jason sat in the cold garage for over an hour scooping out the innards of each pumpkin.

Then it was inside to the design center.

We even stopped for a treat. We pealed, cored and sliced apples with our fun new old fashion apple slicer. Of course we had homemade caramel to dip them in too!

It does not take much to have a wrestling match break out in our house. I think Dylan and Zach just love each other so much that they cannot keep their hands off each other. Aww brotherly love.

Till next year!

Principle for a day!

Camilla was Principal for the day at school. She was soo excited. She got to do the morning announcements, eat pizza with the Principal for lunch and conduct very important "school" business for the entire day. It was so much fun to see her so happy! She won this great honor by being the top bidder in the silent auction at the Harvest Festival.

West Yellowstone Camping Trip

We had a few days off form school so we decided to take the trailer out for our last trip this season. It is hard to believe that we have finished our first season of camping with the best purchase we have ever made. When Jason came to me and said that he thought that we should buy a trailer I thought he was joking. !st of all I had only been camping a few times and second in this economy it seemed like a frivolous purchase. Well after we have talked to many families and experienced a season together as a family, we now know what all these great families were talking about. It really is magical to see what happens to us when we are out camping together as a family in the trailer. Dylan's quotable for this trip was: "Why do we have to have so much flippin fun on these stupid camping trips, it just makes you guys want to go out again!"



This camping trip was our 1st official trip camping in the Wild West. Pulling into West Yellowstone sure felt like it too. We had to stop at Henry's Fork to see Grandpa Buehner's new fishing cabin. It was so cold that just stopping to take this photo was about all the kids could handle. Lucky Gramps had the heat on so we could get warm inside. We are really looking forward to going up and camping along the river this summer with Gramps. West Yellowstone was a very fun town. Of course it had all the little trinket stores that you would expect. We had fun looking around. Isaac even spotted a buffalo!

I have to say that I think Jason could not be happier than when we are altogether camping. At night getting our jammies on turning on the heater and cuddling and watching a movie with me and his dog.

We started off this camping season early (March) and finished late (Oct). That is the joy of having a trailer. Our last morning we woke up to a little bit of snow!

I have only been to Yellowstone one other time that I can remember. It sure is a magical place. It was awesome to see this amazing part of our country. The geysers, animals, and landscape were all breath taking. Here are some photos that documented this awesome trip!

What would 32 degree air temperature and a river have to offer? Well a Slatter dare of course. We dared the older boys to strip down to their undies and swim down this river. It was cold really cold, but Dylan took the $100.00 challenge. He jumped in and for sure earned his cash. Zach tried really hard to psych himself up to do it, but just could not. I'm sure there will be another Slatter dare in the future. Dyaln was cold for hours after this little swim in the river.

These HOT geysers were smoking sulfur steam into the air. At first it made me nervous to be able to walk right up to these boiling Hot Pots. Some of them were so deep you could not see the bottem, but looking down into them was beautiful.

The kids loved the bubbling mud pots too. They were really stinky.

5 log posts for 5 cute kids!

We brought the bikes and rode a great bike trail through the hot pots. That was really awesome.

Till next season......

Camilla turns 10!

Dear Camilla,
We are so excited to celebrate the double digits with you. I don't know how we could ever have a happier, more creative and friendly kid all wrapped up into one. Camilla you are one of the greatest additions to our family. You keep us excited about life. You always want to go on a family bike ride, make treats, play a game or do a craft. Every time I turn around you are doing something fun and creative. It is hard to believe that you were once this little (well 9lb little) girl. We were head over hills with you from the moment they told us... "its a girl!" Daddy cried and said after having two boys, "we got a girl!" We painted your room pink and pretty much dressed you in head to toe pink from day one.

Your beautiful blue eyes have always melted our hearts. By this age you were swishing your hands in the toilet, eating cat food and wanting to always be "dressed up" in pretty clothes. You walked at 9 months and have not stopped since.

At 10 you are the tallest in your class, playing the violin, doing gymnastics, making scrapbooks and cards, singing in the 5th grade honor choir, wearing the same size shoe as me, horseback riding, snow skiing, playing softball & swimming. You still melt our hearts.

We love you so much, Camilla.

Hugs and Kisses...Mom and Dad

Seattle Girls Trip

I took my annual girls trip with my favorite girl friends from Virginia. It has gone from Virginia Girls to now just a fun friends tradition. Sierra lives in Seattle now and we have moved to Boise, so getting together is that much more important. Cute Whitney from Denver and Emily could not make it this year.
We LOVE to spend time together. We make each other laugh until we cry. It has become a very necessary trip for all of us to stay connected!

We got very silly this trip. One of our favorite things to do was to ask some nice stranger to take our picture. It was hard to fish through the hundreds and hundreds of photos. You would have thought that we were gone a month with as many pictures we took! I will keep most of our really funny parts of the trip to myself. Mostly because it is never as funny to someone else and also because re hashing it would only make me laugh so hard again I would cry, and Jason already thinks I am crazy for doing just half the thing I have told him about.

We started off this great trip being picked up from the airport by Sierra in her new 15 passenger van. I got in a few hours early so, we made a sign to let them know what white van would be picking them up! We are ready to hit the road and begin this great trip!

I had never been to Seattle before and it was beautiful. I just loved the water. Hilly streets, great restaurants, shopping and people watching! Pikes Place was very cool. We wandered around the market all morning.
This is a night shot of Pikes Place with Mt. Rushmore in the back ground!

We ate the famous donuts....

got our picture taken on the famous pig...

saw the famous fish market where they throw the fish through the air...

The last 2 years we have gone to New York on our girl trip, it was funny to see that we had all brought a China Town Coach purse to Seattle!

We ate some very good food. Sierra took us to her favorite Ethiopian restaurant called Pan Africa. It was delish!

We went downtown to see the Space Needle. It was very crowded and I was amazed at all the people coming to look at it. We did not go up, but had fun walking around and of course...taking pictures!

We took a water tour called the Duck Boat Tour. It was really cool, land and water tour. They took us all around Seattle on the roads, and then we went in the water. I loved being on the water and seeing all the amazing floating houses. We saw the Sleepless in Seattle House....which is on sale for 2 million!

One of the main attractions for our trip was to go see where the book Twilight was created. We all had read the book (and loved it). It was so worth the 3 hour ride to the coast to see this beautiful part of Washington. How could we possible go to Forks without the main character of the book: EDWARD! So I bought a poster of Edward and he made the journey with us!

Edward had to ride in the trunk, but he was glad that he could come.

On the way to Forks, La Push and Port Angles we saw some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever scene. This is Crescent Lake.

We rode the ferry to Port Angles.

Arriving in Port Angelas was great. Edward was glad to be out of the trunk and ready Party!

I think for a few days I actually returned to being about 14 years old. It was SOOOO much fun, to just not care and laugh so hard. Yes this IS me walking down the street holding a poster of Edward.

We had to eat and took Edward with us.

We went to the dress shop and tried on prom dresses

This is Bella's red truck from the book!

This is the Famous Forks High School.

This is the Cullan's home.

We drove from Forks to the coast and went to La Push beach. It was breath taking. The amazing landscape was so beautiful. The beach was covered with these smooth beautiful black rocks.

All this drift wood had washed up onto the beach. Really amazing.

The water was freezing, but since I just love the beach I had to get my feet in the water.

We went to the local hardware store and bought matching baseball shirts. We then headed into some incredibly dense forest. The trees were covered with moss. It was awesome.

On our way back we thought Edward might need some air so we put him out the sun roof to cool off. You should have seen the look on this guys face when we asked him to take this photo. You would have thought he was going to call the mental hospital.

THat night we went to the famous Bella Itilia resturant. It was a little crowded in this resturant for such a small town. We had to wait a minute for them to find us a table for 5. Yes we needed a seat for Edward too. As we were waiting for our table. The hostess could tell that we were laughing. She said "is it really a table for 5?" I said yes. "She said "did you bring a poster?" I was shocked. I guess we were not the first (or last) to bering in a poster of Edward and ask to be seated with him. When our table was ready the nice girl said "party of 4...and a poster" We laughed very very hard that night. I had the mushroom ravoili, same as Bella in the book. It was very good. We got a lot of "looks" from the other diners at the resturant. It was fun.

We spent the night in Port Angelas at the Olympic Hotel. Our faces hurt by now, with all the laughing we had done. Cute Sierra surprized us all with matching PJ's and a new purse.

It really was a fun trip. We finished off the weekend with a friend of Sierra's who came and cut and colored our hair. Shauna and I got a great cut and color. I sure wish I would have had this great hair for the begining of our trip. It was great to come home refreshed, relaxed and looking great.

I love these girls.

I am so looking forward to our next trip.

Seattle was an amazing city, I am lucky to have such great friends that want to spend a fantastic weekend together. We were crazy, and the girls put up with my many silly moments.

But I can never replace great friends like these.....cheers to another girls trip and heres to many more to come! Love ya Penny, Shauna and Sierra.

The best part of MY day

What is the best part of my day?

Is it waking up and feeling Jason's arm draped over my waist. That is a great feeling.

Maybe a morning house full of noise. Commotion, Arguing, Laughter.

Have a great day kisses as they run out the door.

Is it riding bikes to school with Clara. Giggling and having "our" special time.

Is it walking into the house with all the dishes done. 

Drinking that perfect diet coke with great ice.

When the house is empty and it is just me and my thoughts of what to do.... or not do.

I love the part of the day when I can just feel that the kids are almost home. That last few moments of quiet before they burst into the house.

Is it watching one child get to play in the game that they have been working so hard at, and do really well.

The moment of the day when 5 kids need 5 different things. 

Sitting around the dinner table.

Or is it when I pour warm water over the little ones heads watching the shampoo bubbles fall down their backs.

Is it reading one of those books, that I probably have memorized by now. Knowing that I read that book as a child and loved it as much as they do.  Or waiting patiently as a child struggles over a word to sound it out as they read to me. 

Is it walking past a bedroom door ay bedtime and seeing Jason on his knees having a tender moment with one of the kids.

Every night being hugged goodnight by that wiry teenager that would never let his friends know that he loves the hug from me right back.

Or the moment when it is quiet again, all the kids in bed, with Jason's arm around my waist knowing that I get to have the best part of my day again tomorrow!