Angie

I was going through some old things the other day and found this note from my sister Angie. It did not scan very well so here is what it says :

"Dear Emilie, We had a blast at the river until we ran into the tree. I just wrote to tell you how much I love you. Thanks for helping me. Love, Angie"

So here is the story behind the note. Our family and some friends were floating down the Boise River. I don't know exactly how old we were but I do know that we were young. There were four of us little girls in the raft. One of those girls was my little sister Angie. We had a ton of fun until we ran our raft into a fallen tree in the river. The raft got sucked under the tree and caught. So all four of us little girls were hanging onto the fallen tree for dear life trying not to get sucked under. It was a pretty scary experience. I managed to climb out and get some help. Everyone made it out safely.

Anyone who really knows me is aware that my sisters mean the world to me. I absolutely KNOW that they were placed in my life for a reason. I am so lucky to be among some of the greatest women I know. Each one of them has special talents and strengths that inspire me.

You've heard about Jess and Jenn so here is a little bit about Angie. Angie is the third child and spent her entire growing up years catering to her big sisters. When playing barbies together she was always the one who got the one that had a leg missing. Not to worry though, being quick thinkers Beckie and I convinced her that it was really cool to have the one with the missing leg because she could say a shark bit it off. She bought it!!!! :) She was a peace maker and any sign of contention would upset her greatly. She is now the mother of three beautiful babies and I adore them. She has the will power of an Ox (I'm very jealous of that trait.) I miss her terribly and love her soooo much.

Next week you may hear a bit about my other two sisters Beckie and Sherry. Sherry is my sister I adopted for myself!!!

I'm such a lucky girl!!!!

Jessica

I am the luckiest girl ever. All within a months time I was able to spend a week with two of my favorite people ever!!! Right after Jenna left, my sister Jessica came to visit. It really was so much fun. I am soooo blessed to have wonderful sisters who are also my best friends. I absolutely love just being with them. It is hard to say goodbye but I'm so grateful to have been able to spend time together. Here is a little recap of our week together.

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My funnest story involved our attempt at a haunted midnight hike. Those of you who know me know that I love an adventure. Jessica had not had the opportunity to experience some of the wondrous animals we have here in the south. We were on a mission to find some. Most things around here are nocturnal so we figured we would hike around in the dark and find some. We made it all of about 10 feet down the path before we heard something and had to turn around for fear we may run into something like this...............

Perhaps a possum may drop on our head....................

What about running across one of these little cuties.....................Better yet how bout this big guy??? This is not pretend!! This is an actual pig killed in

in Alabama. He'd be a big surprise.

So our hike ended pretty abruptly when the reality of actually running into one of these things became a little scary. Maybe next time.............

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Another adventure was visiting Mikes Zoo Critters. Only in Alabama would you find someone who had a life long dream to start a random zoo and actually do it. It was a little bit back woods but it was really so much fun!!!!! I highly recommend it. You may never get a chance like this again!!!

This little monkey loves Diet Coke and Lays potato chips.

Feeding this little guy some chicken

He actually was not very little at all

Feeding a marshmallow to his grizzly mouth to mouth - YIKES

The boys loved loved loved holding these snakes


I succumbed to the peer pressure and held some little critters. I had to show my boys how cool I was. They were impressed and quite frankly I was impressed that I did not pass out.

This is probably my favorite picture of all time. Jessica was freaking out!!!! She looks like she may burst into tears at any moment. Take a look at her hand and tell me she isn't scared! This is a girl who jumps out of planes. Hard core....... nope.

Jess made a new BFF while staying at our house. Indy was attached to her like glue. It was pretty cute.
Like I said previously I am very blessed. I am a lucky big sister to have these amazing girls in my life. I'm not quite sure what I'd do without them!!!!!

A Visit From Jenna

My sister Jenna came to visit us for a week. We had so much fun!!! I love all my sisters so much and having her here was sooooooooo wonderful!!!!! No trip to Alabama would be complete without stopping at Cupcakes Y'all.

Jenna got to experience a hunting trip with Dave and I in the woods of Alabama. It was soooooooo much fun. I would call it more of a hiking trip - but with the bonus of the orange beanie!

scanning...............scanning

The mighty hunters

Just some fun pictures

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A slide that is meant for maybe an elf??? A little bit on the thin side.

This picture was actually supposed to be a joke - but it turned out to be cute!!!

While Jenna was here someone asked her "why she was so close to her sisters." She answered by saying simply "spending time together." I am so glad we got to spend some time together and grateful for all the time I get to spend with those I love so much!!!

Montgomery Day Trip

One great thing about Alabama is that it is rich in historical sights. Jenna and I decided to take a day trip to Montgomery.

The Civil Rights Memorial Center

Honoring the memory and achievements of those who lost their lives during the Civil Rights Movement.

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The Wall Of Tolerance

This is hard to see but this was a dark room with a floor to ceiling screen featuring names of those people who have pledged to take a stand against hate, injustice and intolerance. Those who place their names on the wall make a commitment to work in their daily lives for justice, equality and human rights.

Jenna adding her name to the Wall Of Tolerance

Adding my name

Civil Rights Memorial : A black granite table serves as a fountain as water flows over the names of 40 Civil Rights activists who died in the struggle for Civil Rights. Behind the fountain, more water flows over a black granite wall inscribed with excerpts from the book of Amos quoted by Dr. King.

Names and Faces of those who have lost their lives because of intolerance. These included all different races, religions, gender and age. It amazed me that some of the plaques were dated only a few years ago.


These are some of the many many plaques honoring lives lost in the Civil Rights movement.


I was touched by the story of this mother of five : Liuzzo was horrified by the images of the aborted march on March 7, 1965 at the Edmund Pettus Bridge which became known as "Bloody Sunday". Nine days later, she took part in a protest at Wayne State, then called her husband to tell him she would be traveling to Selma, saying that the struggle, "was everybody's fight."
After the march concluded on March 25, Liuzzo, assisted by Leroy Moton, a 19-year-old African American, helped drive local marchers home in her 1963 Oldsmobile. As they were driving along Route 80, a car tried to force them off the road. A car with four Klan members then pulled up alongside Liuzzo's car and shot directly at her, hitting her twice in the head, killing her instantly. Her car veered into a ditch and crashed into a fence.

Quote from Elie Wiesel :

Elie Wiesel was born in 1928 in Sighet, Transylvania, which is now part of Romania. He was fifteen years old when he and his family were deported by the Nazis to Auschwitz. His mother and younger sister perished, his two older sisters survived. Elie and his father were later transported to Buchenwald, where his father died shortly before the camp was liberated in April 1945.

Outside the capital standing by Idaho flag. (The only one that was completely curled around the flag pole) :)

The Utah flag :)
The home of Martin Luther King

Sooooo cute!!!!

CHRISTMAS 2009

I wanted to give a really quick recap of Christmas for our family this year. My favorite story involves Porter and Dave. Porter spent a few days of the season trying his best to be eligible for the "naughty list." Of course don't we all sometimes deserve to be on the "naughty list?" :) Anyway, on one of these days Dave told Porter that he better stop or he would have to call Santa. Porter who did not even pause to think ran over got a pencil and a piece of paper and sat down at the table. He proceeded to recite as he wrote on his paper, "Dear Santa, my dad is being so mean! Can you please call him and tell him to be nice............"

Tracking Santa on Christmas Eve

Porter spent a great deal of time under the tree just like this

We took this picture for my Grandparents who gave us these matching shirts. Everyone including extended family on the Porter side received one. They say Forever Together. I love them.Surprise!!!!!!! Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for the Wii........... I think they like it!!!!

I love this picture of Porter with his new bike - his helmet is a little tight :)

Kaden and his new bike

Colton and his new bike

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!!!!