One Busy Week!

Here is the latest update on the shed. Jason and I were able to finish the sheeting around the outside of the shed during the week. Which allowed us to get a crew together for Saturday, and we hung trusses. Yeahhhhh!! Thank you to everyone who helped. It was one rainy day and we had a great crew.

Saturday was Sierra's 9th birthday. We still are greatful for each birthday we are allowed to celebrate with her.

Lindsey had her first week of preschool. I think that she was the only child crying Friday morning because there was no school. So, to say the least, she loves school. She doesn't go to school until 12:30pm, so, all morning it is, "What time is it Mom?" She's just too funny.

No baby yet. We have two more weeks until this little bundle of joy joins our family. I don't know who is more excited, the girls or the parents. We are all getting pretty excited for it's arrival.

Part of the crew helping with the trusses. You can see 4 legs up in the raftors. It is Jason and Nick who stayed in the middle nailing that part of the trusses together. I was glad it was him and not me. My center of gravity is a little off kilter.

The lovely rain that was a continuous down pour all day. Notice the man made fork lift with the nifty tractor. Who needs a crane?

The night before we started hanging trusses, but the wind started blowing. So, we got three up and fininshed the rest on Saturday.

An updated picture of the belly. It has grown a little since then. Notice the trusty bale of hay that we used to sit the sheeting on. It worked beautifully.

Lindsey and her first day of preschool. I couldn't get her to stand normal. There always has to be some pose.

Sierra's #9 birthday and cake.

These are the days! Right?

Well it has been a little crazy around here. I have been working Wayyy too much night and day shifts. So, Jason has kept the blog going. Thank you Jason. We have gotten all four walls on the shed put up and started putting the sheeting on the outside. It is getting very exciting watching it take shape and realizing how huge it is going to be. We have been doing a ton of canning, which is always fun to see the shelves of empty bottles be replaced with full ones.

A few days ago, Lindsey and her cousin, Dallee Jo, decided to give each other hair cuts. Lindsey has cut her hair before and got in huge trouble over it. I think that she was thinking if she did someone elses and they did hers she wouldn't get in as much trouble. Dalee Jo's did come out looking a little better. Lindsey on the other hand, well I just don't know what to do with it. She starts preschool on Tuesday and there will be pictures taken by the teacher. I will look back at this and laugh some day I am sure.

Thank you Lynn, Cindy and Becca for all you help on the shed Saturday. It was so fun working on it with you guys. Good Luck Dale, Leslie and Garrity in Germany. We wish we were going. Justin and Emily we will catch up with you guys next year when I am more flight worthy.

Jason's Uncle Lynn, cousin Becca and Jason hanging our large header.
Becca and Jason finishing the framing of the header.
Dallee Jo and Lindsey with their hair and new hair cuts. Don't you love Lindsey's bangs.

Our crew that helped put our walls up on Monday night. Thank you everyone.

Lindsey helping Mom peel apples for pie filling. She has a little of her mother in her, where things just turn out better if you stick your tongue out.

Labor Day

Had an eventful Labor Day weekend. We went Camping with Jake and Wendy, worked (framed) on our shop, first day of school for Roper (1st grade), Megan (2nd) and Sierra (3rd), and picked up Aunt Garrity from the airport. Thought I would put up a few pictures Getting on the bus.

The kids ready for bed on our campout with Jake and Wendy
Hunter and I workin hard.
Nick and I framing.
Waiting for Sister Bingham, Garrity to come thru the doors.
Sister Bingham home from her mission.

How's this Justin?

From left, Eli Kerns, Quin Stephens, Jason, Josh Anderson, Jake, Eddie Bedollia, Tyler Tidwell, Logan Allen, Broc and Blake Jones. Camp at Tombstone
The Eagle Cap
Awww, pretty Floors, ooooh
The Canyon we were all sitting over looking at

'on the count of 3 run' one - two - Th-th-th-(gasp)rreee' (Traverse Lake) Daily rashions
Jake scooping up his 'rashion' which happened to be BBQ Beef packed in for that night.
Jake had told the scouts to be very careful cause food was short and there were no seconds.

Notice the empty pots on the camp stove.
More Traverse Lake.
I will have more pictures, one I get them from Nick.

Jason's 50 Miler

Hi guys, Jason here. thought I would post a few pictures from the 50 miler in the Eagle Mountains. Jake and I had 7 scouts ages 12-14. Saw some the most beautiful country, all in our back yard.

Stacy and the kids had a busy week, getting ready for school which starts 9/2/08. Sierra had a Dr appointment in Boise and every thing went well. In fact her heart is getting stronger.

Our prayers are with Shawn Stockwell and his family. He is on the ventalator for the 3rd time. His blood has rejected his heart so they are working through some big issues.

These 2 picutes are at Tombstone Lake, our 1st night.

This was at Tombstone Pass looking back at Tombstone lake and China Cap

These are the falls up West Eagle.

These 3 pictures are at Traverse Lake with the 'Horn' above. Very beautiful and COLD lake.

From Left on Wonker Pass, Tyler Tidwell, Quin Stephens, Colton Anderson, Eddie Bedollia, Jason, Logan Allen, Eli Kerns, Jacob Bingham, and Broc Jones. Blake also went, but not in this picture.

More 'Wonker Pass'

This is in Trail Creek looking up at Wonker Pass.

This is the crowd we kept on the trail. This is Quin Stephens at his best.

This is from Wonker Pass looking east. You can see the Minum River, the Eagle Cap and Glacier Peak. We climbed the Eagle Cap on Friday. It was a great trip. More pictures as they are available. JB

SHAWN GOT HIS HEART!!!!

July 31st at 8:30 AM, our dearest friend Shawn Stockwell, from Alaska, went into the OR to receive his new heart. He has been waiting for 2 1/2 years for a heart and one finally came. He is doing well with a few complications that follow new transplants. Today is Sierra and Ben Thornton's 2 year anniversary. Happy Anniversary Ben!! We are so glad you are out of the hospital to enjoy your anniversary. We miss you guys sooo much and hope to see you soon! This weekend was a crazy fun weekend on the Oregon coast. We had a Merrill Reunion (which is my siblings), we had a blast. Here are a few pictures. Ryan, Michelle, Holly and Ervin and children, we really missed you! It just didn't feel "complete" without all of you. Hang in there Shawn, we are praying constantly for your quick recovery. Ben STAY HEALTHY, so you can enjoy what's left of your summer.

We celebrated Megan's birthday on the 30th so we wouldn't have to drag her gifts to the coast with us.


Megan got a cello for her birthday. She has been begging for one since I received mine. This was her face when she opened it. I thought it was pretty priceless.

Some of the gang at Multnomah Falls. A beautiful waterfall just outside of Portland, OR.

Our family on the bridge at Multnomah Falls.

Everyone's first step out onto the beach. For most it was their first time to the ocean.

Friday the 1st we went crabbing. After about 3 hours of crabbing we came home with nothing. They were all to small and we had to throw them back. We were a little bummed.

The kids' first up close look at a crab. I love Megan's face.


After a long day of crabbing it is back to fun in the sand.


For big kids as well as little kids.

Can you say "BayWatch Here we Come".


The whole gang except for my Mom and step-Dad in front of the rooms we stayed in.



Sierra, Megan, Broadee, and Stetson in front of a light house at Cape Meares on the coast. We stopped at Seaside and went to the Aquarium there. Then it was on to home.