Still Livin' Yes, we all still have our feet on the right side of the grass, and we didn't really drop off the face of the earth! We are all still here, which I guess means we are not all there!

Brian is still stationed here in Valdez. We asked for another 4 year tour, but were given a 1 year extension which puts us here until 2009. After that, who knows? We may end up staying even longer. He can retire any time after October 16, so if a really good job comes along he may put in his letter. Meanwhile, he has decided (I think) to take some college classes and try to get a degree so he can go into teaching Middle or High School science classes. Otherwise, he is kept quite busy with work and trying to train his junior personnel. It's hard to remember that we were ever that young and foolish!! He is also the secretary in the Priesthood quorum now, so between work, family, and church, he stays quite busy.

I am still the Enrichment Counselor in Relief Society. I am also still home-schooling Kasi and Kenny and will be starting with Chip and Katrina this fall (preschool). In addition, I have been working with Wanda Clark to get a Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) chapter started here in Valdez. It is slow going, but we are growing in numbers and getting the word out that we are here. I have recently taken on a new endeavor as I am working toward my bachelors degree in Psychology. I am taking my first online college course, which is so far going pretty well. I start another course the first part of June, so will have some overlap in my courses, but don't plan to try more than 2 courses at a time, since I really don't have a lot of time for more than that. In my spare time, when I can find any, I am working on making some fabric baskets to sell at the craft shows. I will be making some purses and different sized bowls as well.
Here are a couple of pictures of what they look like:
Kasi is growing up way too fast for my comfort. She has her learners permit and is driving now. She's actually a really good driver, and will probably be getting her license in January. She is quite busy with church activities, friends, school work, and the like. I never know whether she is coming or going and have a hard time keeping track of her. Here is a picture of her and some of her friends on the way to Prom. (No, she did not go with a date... she went with her girlfriends and they all had a blast! She also designed, drew the pattern for, and made her own dress, and rebuilt a dress for her friend Mandy. Here is a picture of the girls. Left to Right is Carlie, Kasi, Melissa, and Mandy.

This is Kasi with Brandon, the boyfriend I am not supposed to know about. ;)


Siamese Twins joined at the hair??? I do like this picture of Kasi.



Kenny is becoming quite the young man as well. He is taller than I am now, and may catch up with Kasi if he keeps going. He wears bigger shoes than his dad, so I told him if he's like a puppy and grows into his feet he definitely will be taller than Kasi! He is a good kid, and is really getting a good sense of humor. He is involved in Scouts, which he is really enjoying. He just finished his qualifications for Tenderfoot and passed his board of review. He only has a couple of things to pass off for 2nd class. I took a math placement test to see which math class I need to sign up for. I won't even begin to describe how poorly I did! I wrote down one of the problems and Brian tried to work it out too... I didn't feel so bad when he didn't get the right answer either. So just for kicks I gave the same problem to Kenny. It took him 2 tries, but he got it right!! So much for me helping him with Math!! I think I'll be asking for HIS help!!

Chip is getting to be quite the little character. He has a wonderful sense of humor, and is finally getting into the imaginative stage. He is really smart like his older siblings, and has more personality than he knows what to do with! He is learning to ride his tricycle, which he still has a hard time pedaling. He gets tired and convinces Katrina to trade him, since hers is easier to pedal. She goes for it every time, and then gets mad when he won't give her tricycle back to her!
He is a good big brother though, and watches out for her too. Here's a picture of the two of them on Easter.



Katrina just turned 3 the other day. She is quite the little character as well. She definitely holds her own with 3 older siblings, and most of the time wins out over them to get HER way! She was wandering around singing the ABC song the other day, and gets most of the letters, and even in the right order! I don't think she's going to lag behind the other 3 at all!! Here is a picture of the correct way to use the Tonka Dump Truck!

Well, this is getting long, and I have to get moving and get dinner done. Enjoy the pictures of the kids and the wildlife.

Here are some pictures of the local attractions we have been seeing as of late...

This little guy and a bunch of his friends have been visiting our back yard lately drinking from our feeder.
- posted by Rosanna @ 5:59 PM