We went to the zoo again this month. We did things this time that we missed out on last time. Here is Jack and Ashlynn in the tunnel.






Here are the arachnid lovers.








In an egg. This pic was actually really hard to take because they couldn't keep themselves from sliding into each other due to the curved and slippery sides. It was pretty funny.







We rode the train this time. It is a very short ride and a little disappointing but a train nonetheless. Doesn't Nate look thrilled to be there.






We also were able to see the bird show. Which was amazing. We had so much fun. The birds are so well trained and fly so close to your head. Nate got touched in the cheek by one of the hawks. It was crazy. The kids loved it. Here we are posed next to a huge bald eagle.

Grandma Dianne,
You better miss this one. You might not live through it.

I wanted Jack and Grace to close their eyes and pretend they were asleep. This is Grace's hilarious attempt at doing so. HEE HEE!

This is Jack's first year of preschool. He is a little nervous but ready to go. He is shy in class but the teacher says that he is starting to talk a little bit more. Love Ya Bud!

As you can tell we have a camera again. Yeah. Thanks to our friends the Buckinghams and family. We were able to capture a few moments this summer. Enjoy!

Summer activites aka boredom busters

We finally got ourselves a porch swing which we love to sit on together as you can see. Grace thinks we are all a bunch of wackos. I'd have to agree.






We refinished our kitchen table. It was a bad finish to begin with so we took it upon ourselves to strip it and stain it again. It looks pretty good now. We have yet to take a picture of the finished product.






Making our kids do silly things is one of our greatest joys in life. They are usually very willing to comply. This is them all lined up looking cute and weird. That's the Faurschou Family for ya.











We were able to go camping once this summer so far. We had a good time until we had a bear scare in the middle of the night. No it wasn't Jack. He looks like he is pulling the bear face in the picture. We were dead asleep when a man from somewhere near our camp woke us up saying, "Sir, just want to let you know that we just had a bear come through our camp and he is on his way to you." Okay, so how were we to take that news. "Thanks sir, we're sure to sleep great now! Thanks for the heads up." NOOO. I couldn't sleep the rest of the night. But after listening for an hour or so for any sounds we eventually fell asleep. But about 2:30 I was woken up by chomping and sniffing sounds down at our campfire pit where we had spilled some popcorn and didn't clean it up very well. I hit Nate and told him to listen and as we did this a "thought to be a huge man hungry bear" came closer and closer to our tent sniffing all the while. I look down at the bottom of our door and find that we didn't zip it. A shadow of some nose poked and sniffed itself through our zipper and made me pretty much give myself away with my body shaking so much. Nate decided to the most manly thing, he snapped his fingers. Ooohhh! but it made the animal pull it's head out of our tent just to encourage it to sweep the perimeter of our tent, again sniffing all the while. After about a 20 minute jaunt around our tent it finally disappeared. We sat there shaking from cold and fear for another 45 minutes. Nate then proceeded to tell me that he needed to use nature's restroom and I told him he would have to hold it forever cause he wasn't going out there. But in time he did and nothing ate him. After not sleeping for the rest of the night, we waited until the sun was up and cars could be heared on the highway. We opened up the tent and looked at the footprints and discovered that it was a RACOOON! You wouldn't believe how mad I was. If I was going to be that scared it had better be a dang bear! But in the end all is well and you'll see us all in a camper.


And here is Morgan, holding a tin foil ball in between her toes, stuffed in our couch, in some position I don't know how she got in. It is our new Olympic sport. "Tin Foil ball positioning act" I give her a 9.3. Her toes are not pointed.

Hey everyone. Our pictures are not going to be current or updated for awhile because we have lost our camera. We don't know where it could have gone and we can't afford to get another. So if and when we post it probably will be old pics or none at all. Bummer huh? It's amazing how one little piece of technology can be so meaningful and missed so much.

Snakes, it always has to be snakes

We went to the library to see a show about reptiles and bugs. The girls were really brave and decided they wanted to hold the snake around their necks. Now they are asking to have one as a pet. I'm not raising typical girls that's for sure.

Summertime...

Finally...summer is here. At least you would think it should be here. It was 42 degrees a couple mornings ago, but I hope summer is actually here now. Dana and I are excited about continuing our improvements in our yard. We planted some things in our backyard and have loved the greenery and flowers. This late spring and early summer is my favorite time of year. It is not too hot and not too cold...I thnik it is pretty close to perfect weather. It is so close to perfect, and makes me want to sit and relax. That what this song you should be hearing right now brings to mind for me...Summertime by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. Or for those of you born after 1990--this is Will Smith. Mmmm...Summertime. I love it!

Graduation Day....Yeah!!

So it finally happened. After multiple major changes, doubts, frustration, and over 8 years time, Nate graduated from the University of Utah yesterday (A lot of people go to school for 8 years--they're called doctors). It was a long road, a big hill for me, but a great sense of accomplishment and achievement.
My wife and kids haven't seen me much over the last few semesters. Work is a full time committment, and I took at least 9 credit hours the last 6 semesters. I have been in school for the last 10 semesters, taking anywhere from 6-15 credit hours. As well as 3-6 credit hours the previous couple of years on a hit and miss schedule This path does not come highly recommended. There is no regret about the path I chose, however, I would take a different path if in the same scenario again.
My plan now is for some extra sleep, more time with my wife and kids, maybe I will actually do something with my church calling, and I promise my yard will look better.
My amazing wife has been supportive from the beginning. Without her encouragement, I would still be making deliveries for $12 an hour. She is the best thing to ever happen to me.

Am I Blessed or What?

So I just got back from Erin's wedding last night very late and my husband tells me that he created a blog spot for our family while I was away. I didn't read it last night and he calls me this morning to see if I've looked at it already. So here I am just now reading it and oh my gosh! Nathan, you are the most wonderful man, husband, father, lover and writer. Thank you so much for your sweet words. I have been trying to describe our children in a way that would make their bad sides and good sound wonderful and you hit the nail on the head. I know how much you love me and I agree that there is no earthly words to express the ever present swelling up in my heart. You cannot possibly love me as much as I do you. To have you take care of our kids and schedule my flight for as late as possible to give me more time with my family has made me love you even more. Thank you babe for this weekend. It meant the world to me.

Now that the boobing is over I have to tell about my weekend. It was so much fun, so spiritual, so revitalizing, and just perfect. The night at the temple with Kelli is one I will never forget. Mari and I did a few initiories at the same time that Kelli was getting hers and to be able to hear the same things she was hearing was so precious. Then to see that sweet girl in her temple clothes and to be with all of the family in the celestial room was well, heavenly. The best was when we were done and were outside the temple and us five girls took a picture holding our recommends, mom yelled out, "Signed, sealed and delivered, I'm done!" It was great.

Kami and I got up at 4 am to do Erin's hair. It was fun and turned out beautiful. Erin and Kyle's wedding was the shortest one I have witnessed but the spirit in the room was almost too much to bear. The Lord knew that all they needed was to be sealed and get on with their lives. The reception was incredible. Mom went overboard, but it was so beautiful.

Sunday was great because we had nothing to do but sit and talk and relax our sore muscles from the day before. Sunday night the girls got together, Mari, me, Kami, Kelli and Talia and we kind of regressed back to being 14 but we had the best night ever. The details may scare loved ones away so girls we will keep them to ourselves. We are forever sisters and yes Talia you are one of the sisters. And forever goofballs.

Monday was a little crazy trying to get it all packed up and say goodbye but it was not sad because our baby sister is giving us the greatest gift of getting back together again in 6 weeks. Thank you Kelli and Patrick. I can't wait to see everyone again and wish with all my heart that we could get together this often.

My Family

OK--So here goes....It is after midnight, technically Sunday morning, and I cannot sleep. I desperately miss my wife. She is in Arizona for Erin's wedding, and I have been at home with the kids and finishing up my homework and finals for the semester. I REALLY miss her!

I know I tell her how much I love her, but I don't know that I can truly express how much that is. Dana is my center--everything revolves around her. I think of her when I have nothing to think about. I think of her when I should be thinking about something else. She has no clue how much I think of her...

Our children are the greatest. Aside from the few and very standard issues, our kids are angels. They listen, they obey, and they have fun. I have realized how special they are and how lucky I am over the last few days...What a blessing my children are in my life.

Morgan is almost 9, and she acts 19. She wants to be a grown up so badly. She is a wonderful helper with baby Grace. Always willing to pick her up and change a diaper or feed her some cereal. She's incredible.

Ashlynn is almost 7, and cannot wait to go back to Lagoon. She wants to go on Colossus again. I think I was 13 before I was brave enough to go on that ride. Ashaboo has a stubborn streak, and she can defy anyone she wishes...but we do love her. She is a strong spirit with the mind of a champion.

Jack is 3 and 1/2 and loves to play soccer. He loves the running and kicking and even makes goals--for both teams!! We would spend all day playing the Wii if we would let him. He is a joker and a tease. But what would you expect with 3 sisters?

Gracie is an angel. I will tell you she has her moments--and what moments they are! But she melts my heart when she screams for me as I come through the door from work. Her slobbery kisses and wet hugs make my day.

These enormous blessings are made possible by my loving wife. Without her I would be alone and empty. But with her, I am whole.