A Naked Mole Rat verses A Hippo

After our trip to the zoo the boys were required to write an essay comparing and contrasting two animals they saw at the zoo. Cooper decided that he could find similarities and difference with the hippo and the naked mole rat. I just thought that was hilarious considering the naked mole rat is about 5 inches long and weights about 8-10 oz. I love how the kids are thinking on their own and forming their own ideas.

Everybody likes a good game of ball!!

We all love a good game of ball!! Whether it be baseball, basketball, football, soccer, volleyball, tennis, golf, ping-pong. Playing ball is human .... at least I thought.. Check out our Hippo friends, we observed them playing for about 20 minutes at the zoo the other day. It was one of those rare moments.

Talking at church

I'm not sure how many of you have given a talk, where you have not used any notes. Last Sunday was that opportunity for me. I was encouraged by my Bishop to allow the spirit to speak through me and prepare myself, through prayer, study, and fasting. It was a special missionary week, where we invite our neighbors and friends to church so they can understand and know more about who we are. I have never been nervous about talking... but I sure was this week. It was a leap of faith, and I feel like it strenghtened my testimony. So if you haven't tried talking without a written format, try it, you might like it!! As for me, I think I will stick to the written word. I just got too nervous.

My Birthday Party - Today!!

Today we went to Ceder Crest Girst Mill. It was to see a mill house ran by the water power. The setting was absolutely beautiful, with the bright hues of green moss on the rocks and trees. Spencer brought his friend Vincent. Russ had to work, so we still celebrated. We ate a Boston Creme Cake.

1st Day of School - September 2nd, 2008

While the rest of the parents were fighting traffic in front of schools, dealing with kids that do not want to get out of bed, we were upstairs in our loft area, hanging out - talking about the new school year. Yes, I am attempting Homeschooling again. We are off to a great start so far. Spencer has a pretty intense schedule. He has goals of completing all of 8th grade and working into the summer so he can complete 9th grade and be a grade ahead. Here is our schedule.

Wake up, eat breakfast, make bed, clean room: 7:00 - 7:45 am

Chores(that nasty 5 letter word): 7:45 - 8:45

Scripture Study: 8:45 - 9:15

Exercise: 9:15-9:45

School begins with English: 9:45 - 10:45 - Spencer's English Curriculum has him writing a novel, you get all the Grammar, word-usage, Vocab. while you write. By the end of the year, he will publish a novel.

Math: 10:45-11:45 - Saxon Algebra is wonderful

History: 11:45 - 12:15 - Dan Hunters LDS version of U.S. History and Constitution

Science: 12:15 - 1:00 - Apologia Science

Lunch: 1:00 - 1:30

Reading - 1:30 - 2:00 - He reads on his own at night another 1-2 hours

Spanish - 2:00 - 2:30

Football - 3:00 - 6:15 - as of yesterday, he has decided he doesn't want to play anymore..

Cooper actually has more subjects than Spencer

Writing - journaling plus handwriting

Math

Spelling

Word Wise

Geography

Reading

Science

History

Cooking

Typing - Computers - his favorite subject. He has been typing a log of the moons orbit around the earth - all of it's phases in the 28 days - with the waxing and waning. Last week he had to calculate how much he weighed on all the planets and how old he was on each of the plants. Because Pluto is so many light years away, and really, we don't know if it is a planet or not? Scientist believe it is not, so we won't call it a planet. Anyway Cooper would be 2000 years old on Pluto. And on Jupiter he would weight 238 lbs. Isn't that amazing.

On Fridays, we are going to explore the world around us - it is our field trip day. So be looking forward to some amazing posting on the places and things we find in this state.

Ape Caves at Mt. Saint Helens - Labor Day 2008

The Ape caves consist of a 13, 042 foot long lava tube, the third longest in North America. No this isn't a habitat for Monkeys, Apes, or Gorilla's. Although Parker was constantly wanting to know where they were. It was named by a Scout troop in the 1950's. Although it was 80 degrees outside, inside the cave it is about 40 degress or below. So we bundled up, took our flashlights and lantern and began our long journey inside an active volcano. Doesn't that sound so brave and adventure-some.

A Day At Horseshoe Lake With Friends

My Good Friend Stephanie, made the 40 mile trek from Portland to come and visit me for the 1st time. It was so nice to have them here and the kids had a blast at the lake. Picture#1 is of the boys in the lake. Cooper is in the blue life vest. Picture#2 is lunch time at the lake, Austin, Trinity and Cooper. Notice Cooper's very short haircut. Russ said he messed up on the haircut, but I think he wanted one of his kids to look like him. Woops! Picture#3 is Paker in the red vest with Phoenix. Picture#4 is everyone on our trampoline in the back yard.

Why a Cat?? Pavlo joins our family August 2008

I'm not sure why I got a cat, I am very allergic, I can't breathe, and I've never liked them. Well, Parker has been bugging me for over a year to get a cat. The first reason he gave was that his Grandpa Sherman has one. The next reason is his friend Asher has one. Well, one afternoon we were going to Damascus area to drop off some stuff for girls camp, get Spencer's scouting blue cards, and return Isaac's blanky he left at our house from the Baptism. We arrived at Asher's and Issac's home. Parker played with their kitten Ranger almost the whole time we were there. I even enjoyed the cats antics and personality. Well, Nicole said she was going to Utah next week, and she could pick up one of Ranger's brothers for us. She called from Utah asking what one I wanted. So here we are - with a cat from Utah. Parker made me tell the family it was only his cat, so he is very possessive of the little animal. Splash, our Saint Bernard, tolerates him. As far as she is concerned, he is just another pesty kid. Pavlo is adjusting to our family, he runs from Parker, and Cooper loves him. Cooper has always been our kid that hates animals. When we had the goats, chickens, and rabbits - he would rarely touch them or play with them. Well, who would have known he is a cat man. Russ and I are scared that he might grow up and have a house full of cats and be that really weird man down the road. We wont' give up hope. So without any further adeu - presenting Pavlo - the white tiger kitten.

Spencers 13th Birthday - July 23, 2008

It's official, I have a teenager in the house. Wow, time sure does fly. Spencer celebrated his birthday with his friends from Damascus, Oregon. They went and played laser tag. It was fun and right up his alley.

Pictures by my friend Tricia Hornbeck - July 2008

I had this good friend in Troutdale that had moved to Kelso, Washington. We had lost touch and didn't communicate any more. As I was trying to figure out what to do about the Baptism, I looked through my new Stake Directory and there she was, so I called her. And we have been reunited and it is so wonderful. She offered to take pictures of Cooper for me and as an added bonus, she took some of all the boys. Thanks Tricia, you are so talented.

Baptism Day for Cooper July 5, 2008

I had about 1 weeks notice for Cooper's Baptism. It turned out so wonderful and so spiritual. Russ is always over come with the spirit when he Baptizes the kids. He is all tears. Cooper needed to be Baptized twice. His foot slipped up out of the water. That is funny, Spencer had to be Dunked twice as well. We are a two for two family. Confirmation prayer was amazing as well. Russell's ability to articulate and growth in the gospel really was evident.

Program:

Chorister - Tricia Hornbeck( Good friend from Troutdale)
Pianist - Nicole Smith (Watched her two boys for 1.5 yrs)
Opening Song - "Families Can Be Together Forever"
Opening Prayer - Spencer Mohlman (brother)
Speaker on Baptism - Jolene McCarthy(adopted Grandma)
Musical Number - "When I am Baptized"**Caleb, Kyra, and Izek Hornbeck
Baptism performed by Russell Mohlman
Movie Presentation - "Come, Follow Me"
Speaker on Holy Ghost - Leslie Mohlman*
Confirmation performed by Russell Mohlman
Primary Congratulation - Nelean Warndahl
Bishop Comments - Bishop Willam Diver
Closing Song - "We'll Bring the World His Truth"
Closing Prayer - Parker Mohlman (brother) - he didn't end up saying the prayer. He was too excited to see his friends, Asher and Isaac. So Bob McCarthy stepped in. He

gave one of the most inspiring and beautiful prayers I have heard in a long time. Great-Grandma Wall came all the way from Utah. She was planning to visit anyway, it was a bonus she came and could witness this special occation. She gave Cooper a set of scriptures. They are so nice and he is so proud to carry them to church every week.

Planters Day Celebration

The week we moved into our house, Woodland was having a Planter's Day Celebration. It was so much fun, with the typical carnival, frog hop races, bed races, dog show, parade, carriage rides. It was like the town was celebrating our arrival.

Cooper's 8th Birthday - June 27th

Cooper turned the very important #8 this year. He has had so much fun celebrating his birthday this year. He celebrated with his friends in Damascus, Oregon and he celebrated with his new friends in Woodland, WA.

New House!!

A move was needed for my sanity. I feel spoiled having hardwood floors, central vacuum, a fireplace, and more room. We have been in such tight living spaces, since Russ has been in school it is so nice to have a little more room and to live in a neighborhood. It's amazing how many people I have got to know and how friendly my neighbors are. It's almost as if this place was made for me. I feel like Heavenly Father blessed me and guided me to this very spot in the vast world. Our house has become kid central. Every boy in the neighborhood hangs out, here. We love Woodland because we have a lake in downtown, called Horse shoe, becasue it is in that shape. The Lewis river runs to the south side of our neighborhood. Then we go up the road about 10 miles and more lakes. We are at the mouth of Mt. Saint Helens. I'm not sure what we will do if she blows again??? Here are some pictures...