The Cook Book

Spring? break at the beach!

2009-05-04T20:56:00.000-07:00

We went to the coast for the week and stayed in a cabin. Dan worked the whole week and Kaley took a friend with us. The only thing Spring like was it was called spring break. It rained basically the entire week. We had fun in spite of the weather!

Volleyball Weekend!

2009-05-04T20:51:00.000-07:00

We had so much fun at our tournament! Kaley forgot her kneepad and her jersey!

Carter looses his first tooth

2009-01-26T11:06:00.000-08:00

Carter was so excited to loose his first tooth. He cried but not because it hurt, but because he dropped his breakfast. Then a week later lost his second. He has discovered an easy way to make money.

Parents play and kids relax on New Years!

2009-01-26T10:59:00.000-08:00

The kids hung out upstairs and watched a movie while the adults played Rock Band. Happy New Year!

Kaley's Post Christmas Party

2009-01-26T10:53:00.000-08:00

Kaley was suposed to have a Christmas party the week before Christmas. The weather of course did not cooperate, so we had it the week after Christmas. We did a white elephant candy gift exchange, played dodgeball and watched a movie projected on the wall of the gym. (We used the school gym again). Dan hooked into the gym sound system and rented some "disco" lights. He used a fog machine and the disco lights to make dodgeball a little more interesting. It was freezing cold but we had a good time. Heather & Dwight even helped out with the chaperoning duties.

Christmas

2009-01-26T10:46:00.001-08:00

We started a tradition a few years ago, that we draw names between siblings to buy a gift for. The kids LOVE it and bug us to death until the day we do it. Nate got Ryan and Ryan got Nate. Kaley got Carter and Carter got Kaley. I love that they try SO hard to find something that they would love, of course in the $20 price limit.

Ice, Ice Baby!

2008-12-21T14:06:00.000-08:00

We have had tons of ice over the last two days. Dan was out in the backyard putting our prime rib on the trager to smoke and he heard some cracking. He came in and got us in time to see two huges branches come down. Everything seems to be ok. The one that dan is dragging off is a small one that fell off the side. We are not going near the big ones on the other side.

Let it SNOW!!

2008-12-15T14:56:00.001-08:00

We are apparently going to be snowed in for the whole week?!?! What the heck. The kids, and by kids I mean Dan, was so excited that we went sledding last night at 9:00pm on back hill to Sprague. He was not happy that we couldn't just go sled booya hill.

Thanksgiving Dodgeball!!!

2008-12-15T14:41:00.001-08:00

We broke the bowling on Thanksgiving, tradition and decided to play dodgeball instead. We rented Schirle school gym and had 30-40 family and friends show up for the game. The Hemmert clan decided it would be fun to dress up in true dodgeball form. It was a ton of fun with only a few minor injuries. I guess that is all you can ask for.

Kaley, Ashley and Ryan got into dressing up.

Carter decided it was getting a bit scary out there.

Twilight Premier

2008-12-15T10:22:00.000-08:00

Neysa, Kaley and I went to the premier. We got in line about 6:00pm and had hot chocolate and Baja Fresh. We brought an outdoor heater so we stayed nice and warm. They let us in the theatre about 10:30pm and the movie started at about 12:20am. We sat in a group of about 20, including Laura Peterson, Tiffany & Marge'. It was a blast.

Halloween Trunk or Treat

2008-12-15T10:19:00.000-08:00

Halloween Party

2008-12-14T18:58:00.000-08:00

These are some of my favorite costumes from our party. Dan, Jared, Neysa and I are Gilligan's Island. Dwight and Heather are Richard Simmons and his workout buddy. Do you like his spray on tan? The disco guy is Jed Thomas and Marc & Lori are Ratatouille and the Naughty Nurse .

Nathan's Baptism

2008-12-14T18:20:00.000-08:00

Nathan was baptised with his Friend Rustin on November 2nd. They were born on the same day, so it is fitting for them to be baptised on the same day. It was fun to have Dan's family here for the baptism. Even Dan's sister Lisa was able to come. We found out on October 30th that Dan was being put into the bishopric, so we have a very full weekend. It was great to have Dan's dad here to ordain him a high priest.

I knew Kaley was weird

2008-12-13T10:21:00.000-08:00

We have this 6 foot animated butler that we set up every halloween. I was taking him apart to put him away and I come out to find Kaley snuggling his head while she studied. I'm not sure what to think about that.

Where is Carter?

2008-12-13T10:09:00.000-08:00

So I go in to check on Carter, and his bed has a huge pile covered in a blanket. Then I see his little head sticking out the back. So I pull back the blanket to find that he had covered himself in every stuffed animal he owns and covered that with his blanket. How did he do that?

Carters field trip to the Pumkin Patch

2008-12-12T19:09:00.000-08:00

Carter and I holding hands on the bus ride to the pumkin patch. I love those moments.

Neysa inspired me to try to take some artsy pictures. I liked this one.
Carter and his buddy, Daed on the hayride.

Kaley playing Sprague Volleyball

2008-12-11T19:30:00.000-08:00

Kaley had a fun season playing Highschool volleyball. She is excited to start playing club volleyball in January. She is the blur in the middle of the last picture. She just hit a ball. I think it was a kill!!

Ryan loves to read!

2008-09-26T21:21:00.001-07:00

Ryan was lights out when Kaley came upstairs to bed. She got me to come up and take a look. I took off his glasses, took away his book, and laid him down and he did not wake up. He definately loves to read.

Carter cleans the kitchen!

2008-09-26T21:09:00.000-07:00

I cleaned the kitchen and went upstairs to fold laundry. I kept hearing dishes hitting together in the kitchen. I wondered what Dan was doing...since he is never in the kitchen unless he is eating. So I went downstairs and found Carter unloading the dirty dishes out of the dishwasher and washing them. On his own he had filled up one side of the sink with soapy water and the other side with clean water. He had almost every dish out of the dishwasher and washed. He said he just wanted to help out. He had washed the whole pile of dishes behind him.

Jog-a-thon!

2008-09-26T20:12:00.001-07:00

Nathan is Mr. Social. Ryan had fun hanging out with his buddy Ian.

Carter had lots of fun at his first official jog-a-thon. He looks a little taller than the rest of his class.

Carter's long story!

2008-09-26T20:03:00.001-07:00

Carter walked Nathan to school the day after his nose injury and the school counselor asked him what happened to him. He said, "It's a long story" and walked away shaking his head. So here it is. I asked the kids to throw down their laundry from upstairs. Carter likes to run through the laundry while it is falling. Nathan dumped his basket out and Carter took off running. Neither one of them knew that the old cast from Nathan's leg was in the basket. It hit Carter right on the nose. He had a huge knot on the side of his nose and a pretty deep gash. Like he said...long story. He had to explain it about 10 times.

Back to School

2008-09-26T19:28:00.000-07:00

The kids first day of school. Kaley is a freshman at Sprague, Ryan is in 5th grade (and wearing contacts...whoo hoo), Nathan is in 2nd grade and Carter is in Kindergarten, all at Schirle Elementary. Both schools are within 4 blocks of my house! Life is good.

Bugs falling from the Sky!!

2008-09-25T23:00:00.001-07:00

Anyone who knows me, or has been to girls camp with me, knows I am a bit of a bug phob. Dan and I are standing on the driveway talking and I heard this THUD. I jump and look down, RIGHT NEXT TO ME and there is this HUGE bug. I almost had to change my britches!

Sprinkler fun!

2008-09-25T22:46:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the most fun happens in your own yard. We turned on the sprinklers and the kids had a great time.

Bentley, Sydney, Hailey & Macey were all there. I just loved this picture of Hailey. What a little cutie!

Ryan at Scout Day Camp

2008-09-25T22:42:00.001-07:00

Ryan had a great time at day camp. He even got a bulls eye in Archery. He got to shoot BB Guns and build a treasure box. This is his last year to go to day camp. Only 9 months until he is in 11 year old scouts with Nana. Neither one can hardly wait.

The Fourth of July!

2008-09-25T22:37:00.001-07:00

We had a relaxing time at home for the Fourth this year. We did our own little fireworks show with our friends, Jared, Neysa, Daed and Nya.

At the Beach with Nana & Grandpa

2008-09-25T22:21:00.001-07:00

Kaley told Grandpa to "strike a pose". Nice pose Grandpa!

Whenever we go to the beach, Nathan finds a creature that he wants to keep. Actually, whenever we go anywhere, including that backyard, Nate finds a creature. He was DEVISTATED that he could not take it home. We finally convinced him we could take a picture of it and take that home. It didn't help much but at least he put the dead, stinky creature back where he found it.

We had a blast camping with Nana and Grandpa for a few days. Dan was a work.

Youth Conference....WE SURVIVED!

2008-09-25T22:01:00.001-07:00

This is an example of the hills we went up. We were either going up or going down the whole time.

The view on the way up. Amazing!

Ok, so I said I wouldn't have any more kids but I get to Youth Conference and find out I'm Pregnant?!?! Whatever.

Ryan Got his Bear!!

2008-09-25T21:47:00.000-07:00

Ryan worked really hard to earn his Bear. Nana was a big help! Thanks Nana. That night he also ran in the box car race. He took first place!! Whoo hoo! Notice Dan's lovely beard...getting ready for Youth Conference.

Jaycee Relays

2008-09-25T21:42:00.000-07:00

Ryan ran in the co-ed race of Jaycee's. He had a great time!

Ryan's Birthday party

2008-09-25T21:33:00.000-07:00

The easiest birthday party ever...Salem Tennis and Swim! It was so much fun and no work. Ryan had a great time swimming with all his friends.

Happy Birthday Kaley!

2008-09-25T21:11:00.000-07:00

For Kaley's party this year, she decided to have her friends come as their version of a super hero. Then they made a movie and took fun pictures. All the girls decorated their own frame and took home the frames with the goofy pictures in them. It was fun!

You Blinded me with SCIENCE!!!

2008-09-25T20:48:00.000-07:00

Carter found this little science set and decided to play. He insisted on wearing the goggles while he looked through the microscope.

We kicked butt in San Francisco!

2008-04-30T21:13:00.000-07:00

His name is John Johnson but people there call him Vicki!

A very long bus ride (12 hours with 7th & 8th Graders) AHHHHHH!

Here is a list of the awards they received!

Jazz Choir: Gold Rating
Concert Choir: Gold Rating
Concert Choir: Invitation to a "Festival of Gold" - these are the best-of-the-best festivals held throughout the nation Concert Choir and Jazz Choir: Choral Sweepstakes Award - given to the school that accumulates the highest number of points for two groups toward a perfect score of 200.
Concert Choir: Adjudicator's Award - chosen by adjudicators from groups with an average score of 95 or higher Concert Choir: Outstanding Choral Group - given to the highest scoring group at the festival!

Kaley is in both Jazz and Concert Choir.

Southside Volleyball!

2008-04-30T21:08:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of the Southside Volleyball program. If you can't find Kaley she is second one in on the right side back row. This is both teams and all of our coaches.

INTO THE WOODS

2008-04-16T22:09:00.001-07:00

Kaley played the witch in her middle school production of "Into the Woods". She did a great job! I wish you all could have seen it. Her character was a fun part to play. For most of the play she has on a mask, then she "transforms" into a "beauty".

Carter's first T-ball Game!

2008-04-16T21:58:00.000-07:00

Carter had his first T-ball game and played great! One of the first hits of the game came to him and he picked it up and threw it right to first base. After a couple bounces it made it there. It was fun to watch. Only 500 more games.

The Reptile Man!

2008-04-16T21:46:00.000-07:00

The reptile man came to Carter's school and of course Nathan and Ryan had to come. They each got to have a chance to hold a creature. They were pretty excited. The tortoise that Ryan is holding weighs 18 pounds. The alligator that Nathan is holding was found in a vacant apartment in Salem. Carter is holding a python. COOL!

Ryan's team takes First place!

2008-04-16T21:42:00.000-07:00

Ryan's team took first place in their league and was in the newspaper (we heard later).

Carter's "super" fieldtrip!

2008-02-24T15:38:00.000-08:00

Carter and two of his friends on a fieldtrip to the library. It was a superhero theme...can you tell? Yeah, Carter's kind of tall.

Ryan & Nathan playing basketball

2008-02-24T15:26:00.000-08:00

Ryan getting open for the pass and Nathan celebrating after making a basket!

Fun at the Globetrotters!

2008-02-24T15:09:00.000-08:00

Aunt Heidi & Uncle Shane got us tickets to go with them to the Globetrotters! It was a ton of fun and the kids were able to get autographs after.

It snowed it Oregon

2008-01-28T11:39:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it? We have snow. 2 inches and the city is shut down. Isn't Oregon great?

That's Ryan on the front with his legs flying and Carter along for the ride. Nate thinks he is in the rodeo. Kaley's got her ski helmet on for safety.Even Cooper joined in the fun.

Kaley plays volleyball

2008-01-21T19:36:00.000-08:00

Kaley played 8th grade volleyball at Crossler. Now she is playing in Southside Volleyball (a club program ran by her mom). Kaley is improving a ton and trying to decide between playing a middle hitter or a setter. We will see