The Family of Flakes

Best Landlords Ever

2012-01-05T14:12:00.000-08:00

We were very blessed to be able to sell our home to a wonderful couple. Not only are they really kind, good people, who let us rent our home back while we build a new home, but they constantly bring gifts to us (homemade jams, special honey, winter gloves, etc.). This last visit she brought a quilt that she made for our new baby Caroline. It is the most beautiful quilt Caroline owns!

She had embroidered the name and did all of the decorative stitching with her machine free hand. The flowers are even stitched on with beautiful recycled buttons.

I think Antoinette wins the contest for the best landlord ever!

December activities

2011-12-18T22:04:00.000-08:00

The construction on our new house is going really well (and fast). We will probably be moving in by March!

We had a really fun Christmas party at our house with some Horseshoe Bend friends. The best part was the white elephant gift exchange. Someone brought a deer mount and the Caziers ended up with it. I'm sure they will be putting it up in their living room soon!

Joel got an awesome Chuck Norris weather forecast T-shirt that says, "Cloudy with a 90% chance of pain". He loves it! Then we played a good game of big booty. Some were more skilled at it than others.

Ammon had his 13th Birthday party on Saturday. I can't believe that we have a teenager! He is a wonderful son who helps out a ton. He is an excellent baby tender, great on the piano and drums, and an avid reader. We sure love him and feel blessed that he is part of our family!

Caroline's Blessing

2011-12-18T21:27:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday we finally blessed our darling little Caroline Rae. She was a perfect angel and slept through her blessing. She also got to wear the most darling dress ever made for a baby.

My good friend from high school makes dresses, so I asked her to make Caroline's (she also made one for Savannah). She came up with this idea and spent about 12 hours sewing all of the layers (they are made of five different kinds of fabric). Joel called it her tiny wedding dress.

I love being a mother again. It is one of the best blessings the Lord has given me in my life, seven times!

Sweet New Caroline Rae Flake

2011-10-03T14:08:00.000-07:00

Exactly two weeks early (just like we wanted) our darling little baby #7 joined our family. It was an excellent labor. It all started when my water broke after 11 pm at home when all of the kids were asleep (grandma came over to spend the night). Joel and I headed to the hospital and got all checked in a little after midnight. We waited and talked through the night (with several walks all over the hospital, including a 2 am run to the cafeteria by Joel to get something to eat to keep him going).

By 4 am it was hurting pretty bad, but the break between contractions made it bearable. After 5 am they got pretty intense and I was ready to push by 6 am. Unfortunately, the doctor wasn't there yet (he was the on-call doctor, so I have no idea why it took him to long to walk to my room). The nurse got a little worried that she was going to have to deliver the baby, so she just kept saying, "don't push yet!". I waited 2 contractions, the doctor showed up, and I was ready to go. Ironically, the resident doctor (who had gotten there on time) was the one to catch the baby while the other doctor just stood back and told me what a good job I was doing. Our little girl was born after just three (very painful) pushes, at 6:09 am. She was our heaviest baby (by just 2 oz), at 6# 7.4 oz and 19 inches long. She was a bit tuckered out from all the laboring and proceeded to cry once she was born, until I nursed her. I don't think I ever had a baby hungry from the moment of birth before. She was perfectly pink with a round beautiful head. I felt really good (and very sore from the back labor) and we headed up to the recovery floor.

Once we all got settled we three took a great nap (well as good as can be in a hospital room). We woke up feeling much better and ready to go. Grandma and Grandpa Flake brought all of the kids in to see her around lunch time. Everyone loved her and each took a turn holding her. After everyone left, I told the nursing staff that I was planning on leaving that afternoon (much to their surprise). After trying to talk me out of leaving, they finally consented, and we went home at 6 pm the same day of Caroline's birth.

It took us all nine months to come up with her name, and we finally settled on Caroline Rae, after both her wonderful grandmothers (Carole, my mother, and RaeAnn, Joel's mother). We absolutely adore her and can't imagine our life with out her. She is constantly fought over for the rights to hold her and has already started smiling occasionally. She is a precious gift from Heaven.

Kansas City Royals v. Baltimore Orioles

2011-08-16T11:33:00.000-07:00

You probably can't tell from this picture...but it was about 107 degrees at the game.

Summer Fun

2011-08-15T22:40:00.000-07:00

Emery, Natalie, Savannah, and Joel at Roaring Springs

Joel and his two sisters after his first 10K.

2011-08-15T15:09:00.000-07:00

We like to stop in and visit Grandma Emery at her beauty shop whenever we are near. The kids especially love to try on her old lady wigs. Emery looks great with lots of hair!

This is what Savannah would look like if she grew a whole lot more hair!

2011-06-01T12:06:00.000-07:00

Emery made the small local paper for his participation at the school Easter Egg Hunt. He was having a good time collecting eggs and lots of candy and cheep toys. One more reason we love Horseshoe Bend!

Easter

2011-04-26T20:32:00.000-07:00

Joel was skeptical that we would have much success coloring our own chickens' brown and green eggs... but it worked great! We did end up with a lot of army green ones, but it was fun for all! Even grandma came to help!

Here we are after church in our matching Easter clothes. Emery is especially good at posing for pictures.

three sleeping babies

2011-01-30T20:36:00.000-08:00

One night I couldn't find Emery in his bed, so I went looking and found him in bed with his sisters. The next morining Joel asked him why he got in their bed, and Emery told him that he was scared of monsters. He knew that he was safe in bed with Natalie and Savannah because a monster would be scared of the three of them. So cute.
It doesn't matter how much work kids are, it is worth it. They are what give us little glimpses of heaven and show us what pure Christlike feels like... a genuine hug, a slobbery kiss, a big grin, a sweet child.

A lot of paint

2011-01-24T13:20:00.000-08:00

After waiting over a year to "find the time" to repaint my room (which had previously been a terrible orange/gold/yellow) I finally sacrificed 3 days and did it all. Joel was a great sport about picking the colors, the new bedspread, and this new over sized chair for our bay window, even though we had to sacrifice two date nights to do it.
We love it all!! Emery and Savannah had to make the second greatest sacrifice (only after me) by not having mommy time for three days, and having to sit outside the door and watch. But now they like it soo much they keep telling me to come paint their rooms.

We still need to get good artwork (we are working on it) of wedding photos and such (still trying to locate the negatives.... why didn't we have a real photographer???). Joel has a night stand for the first time in 6 years!

Then I moved right on to the bathroom with a pale blue that goes well off of our bedroom grey/blue color. It makes the bathroom look cleaner, nicer and all around better.

I love new paint... I think I will move on to the basement... then the hallways... then the kids bathrooms... until I have to head outside to work I guess I will just keep painting.

Thanksgiving in California/Idaho

2010-11-28T21:11:00.000-08:00

Joel and Melanie at Pismo Beach.

Joel and Melanie sitting on the bench where they had their first date....13.5 years ago!

The view out our bay window, the day after we came back from California.

12-14 inches of snow...we spent all day digging out.

Thanksgiving in California, Moore Family 5K

2010-11-28T19:47:00.000-08:00

Wesley, off to a blazing start, at the annual Moore Thanksgiving 5K.

Joel, somewhat of an "elite" runner, creaming Debbie...who is off in the distance.

Emery "Rocky" Flake coming across the finish line...after a brutal fall.

Cindy Loo Hoo, wearing her "participant" medal for running about 35 feet.

2010 Santa Barbara Marathon

2010-11-10T07:19:00.000-08:00

Joel soaking up some California sun on the beach outside our hotel.

Melanie, starting to "feel it," at mile 18.

Melanie, just after she crossed the finished line: 3 hours and 26 minutes...4th in her division, good enough to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

Melanie and her father, Russ, reviewing her pace times after the marathon.

After the marathon, ready for a nice dinner.

Canning

2010-11-02T21:43:00.000-07:00

It all began in July with the apricots that I picked off of a wild tree on our road (for yummy jam)...

Followed by blackberries that I picked several different times for more jam, tomatoes from our garden...

and finished off the summer with grape juice, pears (from a tree at Joel's office), peaches, and today I ended with applesauce! I am so grateful to have a pantry full of fresh summer food for the winter and to be done until next summer!

October's wide range of activities

2010-10-29T20:40:00.000-07:00

Now that football season is over for my boys, they can't wait to get outside and play some more as a family (even though crying and or fighting is frequently involved).

The October weather is perfect to be outside, with the cool grass under bare feet and crunchy leaves to pile and toss.

Our ward Halloween Party was a huge success! Joel and I went dressed as "our cool High School selves", Savannah was Dorthy, Emery was the Cowardly Lion, Preston the Tin Man, Natalie was Pinkalishious, Wesley a motorcross racer and Ammon was teen wolf. We did well in the chili cook-off, won several cakes at the cake walk, had several of the kids scared at the haunted barn and baged a lot of candy at the trunk-or -treat. It was freezing by the end, but well worth it!

In contrast, the beginning of October was really hot. Our kids have a four day school week, so we have a lot of fun with our Friday's off. This particular Friday we decided to go to a beach we had never been to, Banks Beach. The kids loved the cool water and of course, the huge sandy beach. It was a gorgeous day!

Emery somehow managed to get sand on every inch of his adorable chubby face.

Natalie with her beautiful toothless smile.

And Joel going after Ammon for throwing him into the water...

Savannah had a great time but she couldn't figure out how to get the sand out of her mouth...

Yuck! (notice Joel throwing yet another kid into the cold waters of the Payette)

We love the Fall!

Trinity Lake, CA

2010-09-04T22:10:00.000-07:00

Joel, Emery and Savannah all enjoying the day out on the lake.

Ammon was a willing flagger for all of the downed wake boarders/tubers/skiers.

Me tubing with a very worried Emery (after watching Natalie flip over in the tube) and a giggling Savannah.

We spent the last week before school stared in August at Trinity Lake, California with my brother and his family. We each had our own cabin to stay in and it was only a five-minute drive from the docks. Everyone had a wonderful time skiing, tubing, swimming in the lake for hours, riding in the boat, hiking around the cabins, riding their razors/scooters, eating together, playing board/card games, picking wild blackberries, fishing, and visiting. We loved it all!

Natalie loved skiing on the ski skimmer. She also could not get enough of swimming. She jumped in almost every time the boat stopped and never wanted to get out of the water!

My brother convinced me to try wake boarding. I still enjoy skiing more, but it was fun learning something new (except for when I "crow-barred", a term for smacking your head on the water when you crash- ouch!).

This was one of the boys crashes...

Wesley and Preston with their cousins having a wonderful time.

Preston getting up on the wake board (a huge feat, it took many tries).

Joel skiing doubles, he also got up on the wake board, but he is a near-professional double skier!

Emery even got up on the ski skimmer. It was very funny to watch this tiny man out there being pulled by the boat, terrified and happy!

Camping at Hawley Mountian

2010-07-22T20:47:00.000-07:00

We decided to go camping at this beautiful lookout about an hour up our road. Joel's brother and sister's families came along too. We had 6 adults, 11 kids, 3 tents and lots of food. Savannah and Miles loved "grazing" at the food table all evening (they ate a lot of chips, some raw hot dogs, watermelon, and lots of juice).

The beautiful view right by our campsite with a beautiful girl (Natalie)

Emery was really excited to go camping and to sleep in a tent. He wore his camping clothes (sweatshirt and pants) all day even though we didn't leave until 4pm.

There was a cool pond right there so the kids immediately went tadpole catching (they caught a lot!) Wesley tried to shoot them with his bebe gun. Luke even ran to get in on the photo. All of the kids had a great time!

Cute Girls and one sick boy

2010-06-04T08:40:00.000-07:00

Savannah always looks so darling in her pink dress with her matching giant pink flower. She even says "wower" when she wants me to put a flower on her head.
We had a terrible time with sickness this winter/spring (including, but not limited to; strep throat, ear infection, colds, the swine and other flues, a ruptured ear drum, fevers of 105-me-, the throw-ups and some random grouchiness). I think Emery had a bad cold/flu during this particular photo when he fell asleep at breakfast. So sad and cute at the same time.

Natalie's big graduation day from Kindergarten with her favorite teacher of all, Mrs. Larson. Look out First Grade, here she comes!

Flake Cattle Company

2010-04-08T09:08:00.000-07:00

Our new temporary pet has several names: Big Red, Laban, Spider Pig, and Sloppy Joe.
Sloppy Joe seems to be the consensus favorite.
For whatever reason, he likes Emery and he'll follow Emery all around the pasture.
We can't wait to eat him!

Washington D.C. pics...

2010-04-06T11:59:00.000-07:00

With the Kramers in front of the Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Preston at the Lincoln Memorial.

Melanie and the kids at the WWII Memorial, with the Washington Monument in the back...

Melanie and Savannah, and the cherry blossoms, in front of the Washington Monument.

Washington D.C. and Wesley's baptism...

2010-04-06T11:51:00.001-07:00

At Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

Two monkeys staring at each other at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.

The family in front of the Washington D.C. Temple.

Wesley's baptism in Horseshoe Bend, Idaho.

Pics from Kirtland, Ohio...Pennsylvania and West Virginia

2010-03-29T16:26:00.000-07:00

With the Kramers at the Newell K. Whitney Store in Kirtland, Ohio.

In front of the Kirtland Temple.

Joel and Melanie at the John Johnson Farm in Hiram, Ohio.

Joel and Melanie at the top of the "Incline" overlooking Johnstown, Pennsylvania at midnight.

The family overlooking Morgantown, West Virginia and the Monongahela River.

Dress Up

2010-01-23T13:07:00.000-08:00

Who ever said that you only wear your wedding dress once was wrong. Natalie has been bugging me all week to put on my wedding dress, so today we played dress up. It was a bit more snug than I remember and my hair is a different color (and I have braces), but aside from all that, it still looks the same. Emery saw the fashion show going on and insisted that he join us with his super hero cape and sword. I love living with these little people!

Cruise to Mexico

2010-01-19T11:04:00.000-08:00

Joel, Brent and Lynette in front our cruise ship the Carnival Elation.
Melanie and Lynette in the San Diego Harbor.
Melanie and Joel in Ensanada, Mexico.
Roberts and Flakes in front of "La Iglesia Mormona" in Ensanada, Mexico on Sunday.
Joel and Melanie in front of "La Bufadora" (blow hole) in Mexico.

Winter Wonderland

2009-12-23T08:42:00.000-08:00

We got 3 inches of snow last night...should last through Christmas.
Ice skating anyone?

The path less traveled.

Decorating Gingerbread Houses

2009-12-22T16:45:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving in California

2009-12-06T20:55:00.000-08:00

The crew at the top of Madonna Mountain, overlooking San Luis Obispo, California.
Preston running through the Pacific Ocean at Madonna Beach. It was 81 degrees.
Joe Cool.
Natalie checking out the seals at the wharf.
"Say what Willis?!"

Thanksgiving in California, cont'd.

2009-12-06T20:41:00.000-08:00

Moore's front yard, complete with zip lines, rope bridges, tree houses, etc.
Joel and Savannah after a Thanksgiving feast.
Preston explaining to Dixie that he does NOT like his face licked.
Melanie and Doug trying out the foam airplanes, that were SUPPOSED to be for the kids.
Carole and Savannah (who is trying to pose for the cameraman!)

Hawley Mountain and Melanie's Half-Marathon

2009-11-08T20:07:00.000-08:00

Preston, Ammon and Madison playing in the snow on Hawley Mountain.
Ammon, Melanie and Savannah overlooking Boise/Nampa/Emmett.
The old firefighter lookout on Hawley Mountain, Elevation 7,300.
Joel and Adam on Hawley Mountain.
Melanie almost to the finish line...followed closely behind by Joel with his shirt off.

The costumes

2009-11-04T20:05:00.000-08:00

Savannah was our little bumblebee. She was super cute and even got her own candy (to share with her mom and dad, of course).
This is everyone...Ammon-white ninja, Preston- black ninja, Wesley- "a motorcycle dude", Natalie- a clown (she was also a zebra for the school party), Emery- a lion (but he wore the froggie costume trick-or-treating), and buzz, buzz Savannah.
Striking a pose. We ended up with our biggest bowl filled to overflowing with every ones loot!

Jack-o-lanterns

2009-10-30T19:30:00.000-07:00

We did a lot of carving and came up with 8 really great pumpkins. I even put teeth in mine (by Emery's feet). None of them are fancy, but we did get them all done in well under an hour!

Seattle Trip

2009-10-27T20:16:00.000-07:00

Wesley at the top of the Space Needle in Seattle.
Potential family picture #1 in Moses Lake, Washington.
Potential family picture #2 in Moses Lake, Washington.
Emery bowling.
Melanie, the bowling queen.

Carving pumpkins in the backyard!

2009-10-27T20:05:00.000-07:00

Savannah LOVES eating cupcakes with her four teeth.
Carving pumpkins in the backyard.
Preston "designing" his giant pumpkin before carving.
Wesley, the "true" jack-o-lantern!
Natalie loves Halloween!

Ooooooh Halloween

2009-10-07T19:33:00.000-07:00

We had a really fun weekend with the Malones. Sarah brought this fun Halloween craft for all of the kids to do. They had a good time picking out the scary shapes and painting them with Mod Podge. Preston opted for his own shape and came up with the neat ghoul (on the top in black and gray). It worked out well since the dads were at the Priesthood session. Good times.

random stuff

2009-09-26T14:20:00.000-07:00

The first day of school; Natalie in Kindergarden, Wesley in 2nd Grade, Preston in 4th Grade and Ammon in 5th Grade (they all wanted to wear their new Yellowston shirts)

Wesley playing flag football (#7), "Catch that flag Wesley!"

Ammon and Preston playing tackle football. They are in the gray shirts in the middle of the mess.

This is a blue heron that we have seen around our place a lot. I saw it the first year we moved into our house (standing on our bridge) and then I didn't see it for a few years. This year we have seen it weekly. I happed to catch it just hanging out on our fence yesterday and caught a picture of it before it flew away.

Yellowstone

2009-08-09T22:43:00.000-07:00

Family portrait in Yellowstone National Park.
Emery, chasing wildlife, in Yellowstone.
Sad about something, Emery crying in wildflowers in Yellowstone.
Natalie surrounded by wildflowers in Yellowstone.
Almost 12 years of marriage, and going strong! (Savannah is asleep in baby backpack).

Yellowstone II: Animals

2009-08-09T22:24:00.000-07:00

Ammon at Yellowstone Lake.
Grizzly bear.
The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, from the Lower Falls vista.
Elk grazing on the Madison River in Yellowstone.
Buffalo.

Yellowstone III: The Geyser Basin

2009-08-09T22:13:00.000-07:00

The crew on the Madison River in Yellowstone (you can see Elk feeding in the background).
Melanie and Savannah at the Painted Pots Hot Springs in Yellowstone.
Melanie and Emery at another hot springs (that blue water is boiling).
Ammon, Melanie, Emery and Natalie in front of Old Faithful as it erupts.
Preston at some more hot springs in Yellowstone.

Yellowstone IV: Fishing on Indian Creek

2009-08-09T21:46:00.000-07:00

Ethan, Wesley, Kyle, Emery, Ammon, Natalie, and Preston in Yellowstone!
Wesley fishing on Indian Creek in Yellowstone, Montana.
Emery fishing on Indian Creek.
Natalie with her big, somewhat squirmy, Brooke Trout.
Emery chomping on a smore...after having commandeered Savannah's stroller.

Preston's 9th Birthday

2009-07-27T23:04:00.000-07:00

Today was Preston's big day. He turned 9. He specifically asked for an American flag cake. He loves strawberries and blueberries. He did insist on having the cake be chocolate though. It was yummie!

Miscellaneous July activities

2009-07-25T22:55:00.000-07:00

I took the 5 oldest kids to Placerville, Idaho, an old gold mine town 20 miles from our home.
In 1863, this town had a population of 5,000 making it the biggest city in the Idaho Territory...today, it has 30 residents.
Melanie and I at the Boise Hawks game for the Fourth of July.
Preston REALLY likes cotton candy.
Natalie and Luke, getting ready to enjoy the fireworks after the game.

A summer day on the Payette River

2009-07-25T22:35:00.000-07:00

Me and the Three Amigos before plummeting off the rock.
Joel "Evil Knevil" Flake diving into the Payette River.
Grandpa Flake in his sweet beach attire (long sleeve shirt, slacks, and Derek's airwalk shoes)
Savannah, our dang-dest cutest baby ever.
Is this gal 12 years old, 22 years old, or 32 years old? Kind of looks like Feivel Mouskewitz.

Emery's third Birthday Party

2009-07-18T15:06:00.000-07:00

Emery had a great third Birthday party, complete with spaghetti and meatballs, two kinds of salad, homemade bread sticks and two different cakes. We had Grandma and grandpa Flake (even with his poor broken shoulder), Cassidy, Dillon, and the Kramers all in attendance.

Every time I asked Emery what kind of cake he wanted (ie. chocolate, strawberry, vanilla), he would say, "I want a Spiderman Cake" (probably because I'm always letting him check out the cakes in the deli department of Walmart while I get my lunch meat). So, I went online and found a good idea for the cake above. I was pretty fun to make and I used a lot of frosting... so it was a hit with the kids.
Emery could not figure out how to blow out the candles. He tried and tried. We all told him how to do it, but he just couldn't get it. He never opened his mouth enough.
At one point he got one of the three candles out, but it took so long that the other candles caught the third one back on fire and he had to start all over. He never did get it, so we gave Luke the opportunity, but he saw how difficult it had been for Emery, so he said 'no way.' We finally had to have all of Emery's older siblings blow out the three candles for him. Poor guy, maybe he'll figure it out next year.Savannah thought that the cake was delicious!
Jensen had a good time with the cake too, until he started rubbing black frosting all over his face.

A day at the Black Canyon beach

2009-07-15T20:48:00.000-07:00

Wesley, always the one to make friends with everyone, borrowed someones wake board and was "surfing" on it.
All of the kids (Grace, Clancy, Tag, Riggin, Hyde, Ammon, Preston, Wesley, Natalie, Emery and Savannah) were busy moving sand, making swimming pools, and castles. No one wanted to leave.
Preston, skinny as ever.
Emery loved the fact that he could eat constantly and play constantly... a great combination.
Savannah just sat and watched us all, until she got tired. Then she took a nap beside Clancy on a blanket in the shade. What a life!

a stop off at the Malad Gorge

2009-07-06T13:32:00.000-07:00

On our way back from visiting Stephen and Britney for their baby blessing we stopped to look at the gorge. It was so amazing, and hot.

Cousin time and one wierd kid

2009-07-06T12:56:00.000-07:00

We had a lot of cousins here in HSB for about a week, so we did a lot of fun stuff together. We had a fun picnic and then visited the animals at the zoo. It was perfect weather and good times.Then Sarah had a great idea for a bunch of crafts (unfortunatly they were all girly), I loved it! We made bracelets and flower clips.
One night when I went to tuck in the kids I found Emery asleep on the floor. I guess he fell out of bed, but was so tired that he went right on sleeping.

T-Ball

2009-06-11T13:45:00.000-07:00

Wesley and Natlalie at first base and shortstop.

Here is a short clip from Natalie's first up-at-bat experience in t-ball. She didn't really understand the rules and accidently ran the wrong way after she hit the ball. Unfortunately Joel had to work, so he missed it, but this video will last in infamy forever. I think Natalie may eventually go pro.

Camping at Silver Creek Plunge, Idaho...cont'd.

2009-05-31T20:10:00.000-07:00

Wesley, Emery, Luke, and Natalie rafting on Silver Creek.
Joel rafting...wondering why he didn't grab some oars.
Austin, falling out of the raft, with his makeshift "oar" in hand.
Natalie at Silver Creek, Idaho.
Melanie and Savannah enjoying being up in the mountains.

Camping at Silver Creek Plunge, Idaho

2009-05-31T19:45:00.000-07:00

Our campsite at Silver Creek Plunge, Idaho, with the Kramers.
Emery trying to "skip rocks" on Silver Creek.
Savannah taking a very hot nap on the air mattress in the tent.
Melanie and kids fishing for rainbow trout on Silver Creek.
Preston, after he threw his fishing pole in the creek having fished for 4 hours with no luck.

Memorial Day Weekend

2009-05-25T18:35:00.000-07:00

After catching their fish, the kids like to "trap" them in a lagoon and basically torture them.
Ammon with one of the five fish we caught at the Horseshoe Bend Mill Pond on Memorial Day.
Two of my girls.
The oldest and the youngest.
Happy Savannah overlooking Horseshoe Bend on a Sunday evening.

2009 Great Potato Marathon

2009-05-17T21:21:00.000-07:00

10 of us ran the Great Potato Marathon/Half Marathon/5K on Saturday
(Back: Melanie, Joel, Cassidy, Austin, Heather, Haley, Dillon);
(Front: Wesley, Preston, Ammon).

5K (427 participants, including walkers)
Joel, Dillon, Cassidy, Ammon, Preston, and Wesley ran the 5K.

Wesley (7 years old):
1st place in the family.
Time: 26:46. (8:55 second/miles)
He was 12/26 in his age group (14 and younger).
He was the first place seven year old.
He was 98/427 overall.

Dillon (16 years old):
2nd place in the family.
Time: 27:09. (9:03 minute/miles)
He was 11/15 in his age group.
He was 106/427 overall.

Preston (8 years old):
3rd place in the family.
Time: 28:38. (9:32 minute/miles)
He was 15/26 in his age group (14 and younger).
He was the second place 8 year old.
He was 122/427 overall.

Ammon (10 years old):
4th place in the family.
Time: 29:48 (9:56 minute/miles)
He was 17/26 in his age group (14 and younger).
He was the third place 10 year old.
He was 145/427 overall.

Joel (33 years old):
5th place in the family.
Time: 31:12. (10:24 minute/miles)
He was 10/16 in his age group.
He was 171/427 overall

Cassidy (14 years old):
6th place in family.
Time: 40:12. (13:24 minute/miles)
She was 15/23 in her age group.
She was 295/427 overall.

Half-Marathon (824 participants)
Austin, Heather, and Haley ran this one.

Haley:
1st place in the family.
Time: 2:09:03 (9:55 minute/miles)
She was 44/104 in her age group.
She was 470/824 overall.

Austin:
2nd place in the family.
Time: 2:25:47 (11:12 minute/miles)
He was 36/41 in his age group.
He was 658/824 overall.

Heather:
3rd place in the family.
Time: 2:35:14 (11:55 minute/miles)
She was 87/112 in her age group.
She was 696/824 overall.

Marathon (115 participants)
Only Melanie (running her 7th marathon)

Melanie:
1st place in the family.
Time: 3:30:10 (8:05 minute/miles)
She was 1/12 in her age group.
She was the 5th woman overall.
She was 21/115 overall.

Breakfast

2009-05-08T11:22:00.000-07:00

This is Joel's new favorite breakfast. He has a grilled sirloin steak, homemade hash browns, fried eggs fresh from our chickens (all smothered in salsa), and (not pictured) apple juice, fresh strawberries and grapes and sometimes I'll even make apliskievers (a Danish type of round pancake with jam) to go along. Needless to say, I don't have to make lunch whenever I make this. And yes, it hurts to run after eating even a few bites of this meal (I have tried on several occasions and it always feels like I have a rock in my stomach).
This is how happy Joel is when he is about to eat.

2009-05-04T15:07:00.000-07:00

Joel got another year older on Saturday. I can't believe that I have to be married to someone soo old, 33!. I won't be that old until November.
I tried a new recipe for Joel's Birthday cake, and it didn't look so good, but at least it tasted good. Thanks Sarah.

new fence and driveway

2009-04-13T17:58:00.000-07:00

Wesley doing some jump roping at the top.

Here is an aerial view (well, sort of, it is from the hillside on the property across the street) of our new front pasture all fenced in.
Here is the view from our front porch.

2009-04-13T14:19:00.000-07:00

Emery reading his book from the Easter Bunny.
Natalie looking for Easter Eggs, you can see the new fence in the background.
Three boys in their new suits looking for Easter Eggs before church.
Emery with all his treasures from the HSB Easter Egg hunt...and no, he didn't want any help carrying it.
Emery, looking for Easter Eggs.

Camping at our island

2009-03-22T21:44:00.000-07:00

Camping at our island.
Emery getting a drink.

Branding cows at the Moses Ranch

2009-03-22T21:12:00.000-07:00

Preston and Wesley, two cow-hands, surveying the day's work.
Joel helping brand a calf...ahh the smell of burning flesh!
The facial expression on this calf, as she gets branded, is priceless.
Ammon injecting a vaccination into a calf, through his nose.
The original Marlboro Man.

Bruneau Dunes State Park

2009-03-22T20:45:00.000-07:00

At the Bruneau Sand Dunes near Mt. Home, Idaho. At 400 feet, the tallest sand dunes in North America.Ammon, Preston and Wesley laboring up the dune.The boys standing victorious a top the dune.Natalie making her way.Swimming down!

Science Fair Update

2009-03-20T20:48:00.000-07:00

Well I guess all of that hard work paid off, Ammon got 2nd place! He was really excited and even called me from the school to tell me about his second place ribbon. The only problem now is, what to do with the big finished project?
Ammon already informed me that he did not want me to throw it away (Joel refuses to throw any of the kids things away, he prefers letting me do it. Then, when the kids ask about their art, homework papers, school projects, ceramic shapes, etc, he can state his innocence and shrug and say, "Mom probably threw it away") ,
I asked him where he thought he could keep that huge billboard and he told me of his plans on keeping it in his closet. I am hopeful that Joel will be successful in encouraging him to watch it burn outside. This time I wouldn't mind if the pyro maniac won out.

The Science Fair

2009-03-11T20:50:00.000-07:00

We have had these beautiful stalactites growing in our laundry room for the past three weeks.
The baking soda climbed all over the counter and even down the wall.
But finally it was finished and all cleaned up. Ammon did a good job. He did all of the typing and writing himself. I had to proof it several times, and Joel absolutely refused to have any part of it (he did look at the finished product). This is what you moms have to look forward to when you have a 4th grader (did I mention that we already built a solar system last fall?). Here's hoping he wins! (I know, it probably won't happen, but it would make Ammon feel good).

March 6th snowstorm

2009-03-08T20:16:00.000-07:00

Snow football
Ralphie
"Once there was a snowman..."

some fun stuff

2009-02-27T11:43:00.000-08:00

One morning when I told Natalie to go get dressed this is how she reappeared, with Emery all "dressed-up" too. And then they danced...
I was inspired by Sarah's decorations in Merrody and Norah's room, so I decided to do some of the same for Natalie and Savannah.
Natalie especially liked the ribbon letters.
I tried to match the colors in the bedspread and the matching pillow (that Grandma Emery made)
Mom Flake made Savannah's matching bedspread identical to Natalie's, just smaller. As you can see, Savannah loves it all.

Hiking to the top of the mountain behind our home.

2009-02-08T19:39:00.000-08:00

Wesley, stedying a massive rock teetering on the edge.

On top of the world. Check out the fashionable suspenders!

Overlooking Horseshoe Bend, Idaho.

On top of the world. To the left is the canyon leading to Placerville. To the right is Bogus Basin Ski Resort.

Preston, Ammon, and Wesley....the backdrop is Bogus Basin Ski Resort.

Quality entertainment

2009-02-02T11:54:00.000-08:00

Everyone keeps asking where the road department is dumping all of their dirt, so I took some more photos for you. They are currently dumping their 8th load for today. They have so much dirt to get rid of in order to widen our road (so that they can eventually pave it) that they said that they will be working on it every day (9am-3pm) until May, and then again in the fall.

Our backyard will have soo much more usable flat land. We are excited about it.

Random pics from the last couple of months...

2009-01-29T18:24:00.000-08:00

Check out Emery belting out his song at Lexie's baptism.
Beachcomber.
Natalie on Grandpa Moore's zipline.
Three girl cousins.
Emery at Montana de Oro.

Random pics...

2009-01-29T18:15:00.000-08:00

Wesley in a snowstorm.

Can you guess what's about to happen?

Wipe out.
The family after cutting down this year's Christmas tree.
The three tenors at their school Christmas program.

More random pics...

2009-01-29T18:04:00.000-08:00

Sledding down our back driveway.
Sledding in the 21st century.
Slave labor.
More slave labor.

More random pics

2009-01-29T17:55:00.000-08:00

Playing in the snow.
Snow angel.
Can you guess what's about to happen?
Too many brothers!

Random Pics From the Last Couple of Months

2009-01-29T17:44:00.000-08:00

Emery on Christmas morning in the toy room.
Our sleigh ride to see the elk, while in McCall.
Three tired boys asleep at the hotel after ice skating.
Preston, ice skating for his first time...and trying to act like a natural.

Joel's boy trips

2009-01-29T11:31:00.000-08:00

Last year Joel took each of the boys individually on a bonding trip. Ammon's was first with a trip to Seattle to see the space needle and a Boston Red Sox game. They even got Ortiz to throw them a ball during warm-ups.

Preston's trip is already posted (see previous blogs)

Wesley went deep sea fishing with Joel when we were in California visiting my family (for Thanksgiving). They caught over 15 fish and Wesley made friends with everyone on the boat.

2009-01-29T11:10:00.000-08:00

Joel decided to get some new yard equipment. Actually, the road department is putting some extra dirt and rock from the road that they are widening on our property.
Natalie and Emery love the table!

We finally got our new Christmas table (in January). We love it. It seats 10! Now all of our kids can eat at the table with us.

2009-01-29T10:57:00.000-08:00

Savannah is wearing a beautiful knit dress that came from Joel's mom. She found a great box of dresses from all of her baby girls. Savannah was a super star at church in this.

Natalie wasn"t at all afraid of all of the elk eatting her hay seat out from under her.

stuff we did in January

2009-01-29T10:51:00.000-08:00

This is from our trip up to Donnelly to feed the elk. It was really cool. The elk got soo close that you could touch them (but you weren't allowed to). Everyone loved it.

2008-11-11T22:13:00.000-08:00

November 08

Savannah. So cute!

I'm Natalie's favorite aunt, hands down!

Adorable.

Mom with her new baby.

Sweet hair, Ammon!

Melanie with some of her favorites

2008-11-11T19:51:00.000-08:00

Joel recently took Preston on thier one-on-one trip. They flew down to Salt Lake on Friday, went to the BYU Football game on Saturday (Preston's favorite thing in the world) and were home by Saturday night. They both had a great time at the game, at the BYU bookstore (buying all kinds of stuff), visiting family, going to the BYU football players fireside and meeting some of the players and the coach.

2008-11-11T18:28:00.000-08:00

I decided it was finally time to change my hair (I have had it long for a LONG time).

Joel and I like it, but my boys keep asking me how long until it grows long again. Oh well, you can't please everyone. My mother-in-law said that it makes me look older. I guess I'm ok with that since I just turned 32 and I am the mother of six kids.

Our little Savannah is sure cute. She loves to smile and make faces at all of us.

I have never had any of my babies smile at such an young age. She has been smiling since she was 2 weeks old. We sure love our newest little girl. Only one month old.

Savannah was a bunny for Halloween

2008-11-02T21:15:00.000-08:00

Family Fotos

2008-11-02T20:35:00.000-08:00

We took Joel and Mel's family pictures while they were here. Here are a few samples.

Matching!

2008-10-19T21:35:00.000-07:00

Natalie got a dress and it came with a doll's dress, so Melanie decided that she had a baby just out the size of a doll.

Natalie looks like a real person!

Check out Savannah's bling on her wrist!

Savannah

2008-10-15T20:21:00.000-07:00

It should be said here that her little feet didn't even fill out this premie (up to 8 lbs.) outfit

Introducing Savannah Helen Flake

2008-10-13T13:29:00.000-07:00

Baby Savannah Helen Flake was born about 8pm on October 12, 2008. She weighed 5 lbs. 7 oz. (the smallest of Joel and Melanie's babies) and was 19.5 inches long (the longest of all of their babies). She was born 13 days before her due date.

Joel held the baby a record 3 times in the hospital!

Jensen Joel Kramer (Heather's son) was born 22 days before Savannah - of course he was 2 lbs. 6 oz. bigger when he was born. This is how big he is now compared to her. What a beast!

The blankets she was in weigh more than she does!

Melanie's 20th birthday

2007-11-19T19:14:00.000-08:00

A Beary good time!

2007-11-05T18:23:00.000-08:00

Joel's family went down to P-town and had quite a fun time at the Bean Museum (stuffed dead animals - President Packer would love it). Joel's boys loved hanging out with their cousin Grace (although she could probably take any one of them out - she's a "healthy" little baby). They also visited their Aunt Haley's class. They were the best students there. Next, we all went to Bridal Veil Falls - so pretty. You have to look closely for Ammon - it's sort of a "Where's Waldo" picture but not on purpose. He's on the right. Anyway, fun memories! - Heather

Halloween Cookie Fun at Grandma's

2007-10-27T18:44:00.000-07:00

Even though mom is out of town, she hosted a fabulous Halloween cookie party! Everyone had a fun time!

Hot springs - pros and cons

2007-10-27T18:40:00.000-07:00

Since Joel and Melanie have dial-up and it's painful for them to put anything online - I will put a few pics from them this weekend. Austin, Luke and I hiked to the hot springs with Joel on Friday morning at 9am. It was cold weather and hot water and very fun. The only bad thing was we had to see Joel with his shirt off!

2007-09-18T09:56:00.000-07:00

Dear Family, as promised, here are the notes from our family meeting: 1. Family Reunion. It was agreed that we would begin holding family reunions once a year. We agreed to hold the 2008 reunion in the Boise, Idaho area during the last week or two of June.We agreed to put Heather and Austin in charge of the 2008 reunion. They accepted.We agreed to try to keep the cost down to a minimal level.We agreed to hold a family meeting each year at the reunion to determine the time, place, and who is in charge for the following year. 2. Gifts for Mom/Dad.We agreed to put Justin in charge of the gifts for mom and dad for the next 12 months.There are five gifts: two birthdays, Xmas, and a mother and father's day. 3. Family YearbookWe agreed that a family yearbook was a good idea and we all agreed to support it.We agreed to put Sarah in charge of the 2007 yearbook. She agreed.We all agreed to do whatever Sarah asks to facilitate the yearbook. 4. Family DVD.We agreed that a yearly family DVD was a good idea and we all agreed to support it.We agreed to put Whitney in charge of the 2008 DVD. She agreed. 5. Miscellaneousa. We decided against a family president.b. We decided against a couples' retreat.c. We decided to maintain the status quo as per Xmas gifts.d. We decided to do nothing about wedding gifts.e. We decided to do nothing about missionary gifts/funds.f. We decided to do nothing regarding baby gifts/showers. Your devoted family scribe,Joel

The long weekend without Joel

2007-09-14T21:35:00.000-07:00

Well since Joel left on Wednesday, the kids have been keeping me pretty busy. I spent Wednesday (before Joel left) picking raspberries with Heather. As soon as I got home, I made my shoe box full of berries into the best jam ever. I can already tell that my 13 jars arn't going to last long. Emery loves it!
Thursday I cleaned the house and spent the evening doing homework and discovering a "secret meeting place" down by the creek. No one is suppossed to know about it, so don't mention that I told you, to my boys. It is pretty cool, except that you have to push your way through the thick brush to get to it. It is so enjoyable to watch my boys explore and pretend together. I never feel like they need to have friends over because they have eachother. I guess that is one of the joys of having lots of kids.
Today I went over to Lynette Robert's house to "do corn". We decided it would be easier to buy, shuck, cook, cut and bag our 50# bags of corn together. It was a big mess, but I think it will be worth it when we are eatting fresh corn in the cold of February. So far I have canned; tomatoes (from my garden), peaches, pears, 3 jams, salsa, corn, and tomato sauce. I still have applesauce and grape juice to go. It is a busy month and my fingernails and totally gone. At least I can say that I am trying to get my years supply of produce.
Well we only have a day and a half until we pick up Joel. I'm sure I will keep busy (I desperately need to mow our lawn and pull weeds). I can't wait to have him home, I hope he loved his Birthday present (of course that will mostly depend on wether or not BYU wins).
Until next time
Melanie

There, Justin, I hope you're happy now

2007-09-12T21:24:00.000-07:00

Joel is out of town, so I have some time to myself, and that is why I am joining the blog. I have to say, the only blogs that impress me so far are; Sarah's, Justin's and Heathers.