Trip to Oregon and Reinhold Family Update!

Ok, so Bridgette said that Vonda never updates her blog so I am going to give you the run down on the Reinhold Family. I went to Oregon at the end of April for business and I had the opportunity to stay with Vonda and David the whole week. They moved up to the Portland area to help his dad with his farm.

Oregon is so green, could be because it rains....all the time!, but is was beautiful countryside. As I drove out to the Reinhold place I was surprised to see the city melt away into rural farm country. Then I arrive at the Reinhold home and like most days...the usual happened. We had family home evening...the Reinhold's are each choosing a skill to learn...this week it was Braydon's turn and he wanted to learn how to make a cake.


So Vonda got the cake mix and we proceeded to figure how to bake a cake and Braydon did most of the reading of the box and fulfilling the instructions.
But Braydon is a good brother and he let Gabriel stir the mixture with David looking on to supervise spills.
Braydon even let Kendra take a turn at mixing the cake.
Gabie's always hungry...here he is sneaking into the fridge for a little treat before bed.
Here is Gabe riding my legs like a horse, talk about a thigh work out. I was exhausted after about 10 minutes of bucking bronco.
Saturday morning the Reinhold family woke me up at the unheavenly hour of 7 am...this was a Saturday remember...to take me to breakfast at a Meninite store. The food was finger licking good, so hearty that we did not want to eat again until later that night.
Here's me with the kids right before we head off the falls.
Gabe the goober....
Before bed Gabriel and Braydon could always be found playing on the computer at PBS.com. They engage in learning exercises that are interacting with games. It is a great way for them to learn and to have fun playing on the computer.
Also, Kendra works every day on her piano and violin lessons. She sounds wonderful and is preparing to play the music at her brother, Braydon's baptism.

I also spent time with my lovely sister, Vonda, as she worked in the kitchen, swept the floor, and folded the laundry...isn't she beautiful!

Now Update on the Reinhold Farm:

Check out these two. I think they are the coolest chickens ever...I totally want two for my coop when I get one.


They look like they are wearing Indian headdresses.

Here's the Reinholds trying to make their own headdress...sillies!

Check out the Aflac duck...the Reinholds are wanted in the state of California for stealing the Aflac duck on their move to Oregon...investigators do not yet know were to find the Reinholds so keep this information on the down low.


Aflac, aka Sunshine

So there you go the Reinhold family update...hopefully Vonda will update her own blog and tell you more details about the family adventures in Oregon.

Desert is in Bloom!

The Desert is in bloom again. The colors are beautiful. Purple, yellow, pinks, and lush greens blanket the desert in varying sizes.

Cactus are blooming beside wild flowers.

This peak is normally desert brow, with little or no greenery. The colors are splashed across the desert like a Rembrandt painting.

It was a very nice drive down from the mountains on Sunday.

Mountain Fun

Mountain Fun April 19, 2010

The last week has been wonderful. I flew into Phoenix on Monday to attend meetings with potential clients and host the open house at Paradise Valley Community College.

Mom came and spent the whole week with me in my hotel in Tempe. She really enjoyed the opportunity to sit and read while I was at business meetings.

Thursday afternoon we headed up to Lakeside because I had a business meeting the next day with Northland Pioneer College. Mom and I went to Holbrook with Kaely and Brynna to Rudger’s new home. It is coming along wonderfully.

Saturday Mom and I took, Kaely, Brindy, and Dana to the Show Low park where we met up with Cynthia, Justin, Alexsis, and Lance. We ate picnic style Arby’s and then we got down to playing.

Brindy, Kaely, and Lexie had a great time on the swings.






Mom and Dana had fun playing teather ball together


and even I got into the teather ball mood...look out Michael Jordon!



Then there was crawling all over the jungle gym.

Kaely's chilling slide down the poles.

Lexie was helping Brindy get up ... she could only reach that high.

Crash... Brindy did not get out of the way in time...Lexie crashed right into her bottom!


Oops..are those your shoes? Geronimo...watch out below.

Cheese...for the camera.


We had a wonderful time at the park.

After the park I went over to William and Tenna's home.

This is Dana dressed for her first stake dance...she is growing up so fast...and what a looker!

I helped Kelsie with her hair for prom. We had a lot of fun with the curling iron and bobby pins. She is going to look amazing for promo night.

Then I headed with Grandma and Grandpa over to Bridgette's house. Here is Grandma and Brynna.

Can you see her missing tooth? Her mom is calling her the hill-billy baby. She is so cute though when she smiles!
Traditional fingernail painting taking place. Kaely was getting tired!

Grandma and Grandpa we having a great time chatting with Bridgette and Cody.

First time!

Well, this is my first, ever, personal blog, so I will start with where I am in life right now. I currently live in Orem, UT where I work for an online curriculum provider. I travel around to different areas of the country speaking with potential clients at colleges and university.

Recently I was in Columbia, SC, Martin, TN, and Atlanta, GA. The weather was wonderful in all three areas. In South Carolina purple wild flowers cover the fields like royal carpet and the cherry trees burst with pink blossoms down old southern lanes.

I was gazing out the window on my flight into Tennessee and in the dark of the night the city lights look like river of amber stones trickling down the hillside. Flashes of rubies and emeralds can be seen along side brilliant diamond lights. From the air it looks like a treasure trove of gems just awaiting the eager adventurer.

One city can seem much like the last or the next, but what really make each unique are those things you can only see, eat, or do there. Travel can loose it’s romance when business is to be done, but finding the time a little each day to experience where I am helps me to enjoy the true beauty of the diverse land we call America. There is so much to be seen, whether it is the pueblos of the southwest, the rocky bluffs of the Dakotas, the haunted fields of battle of eras gone by, or the never sleeping movement of metropolis. Each new and old place I go increases my appreciation for this beautiful country.