Dave and Kara Fisher

Fisher Family Fun- A Year in Review

Just in case I don't get back to this for a while -highly likely- Consider this picture that we took today our SEASONS GREETINGS to you!

Fisher Family Fun- A Year in Review

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU - BOTH!!!!!

This year was our first year having a Friend Party for Anna. We invited some of her friends to a place called Jumpin Jacks. It is a bif building full of blow up slides and jump houses. It was so fun. Anna turned 3 on the 5th of december and James turned 1 on the 3rd.

Even though it was Anna's party James just scooted all over the place trying to get in on the action. (for those of you who have not seen James scoot, you are missing out. We have a video but I don't know how to put it on here yet- soon. Anyway, he crawls with one leg and then just drags the other one in the sitting poistion in front of him. It is funny and I can't write the description. He looks like a monkey thought and everywhere we go people comment about it. Dave calls him "the missing link")

Anna had so much fun. She ran and jumped and went down the slide. It was paradise for her and it was worth it to see her so happy. Her hair was standing straight up and her face had a smile on it the whole time (for those of you who know our little serious/grumpy girl that was great to see)!

As you can see it was fun for the all of us!

We also had a family party with G.ma and G.pa Fisher, G.ma Janet, Aunt Rosie. Uncle James and Uncle Dylan. G.ma Suzy made the cakes and cup cakes you can see that James started out slow but soon figured out just how to devour a cupcake!

We love all of our family! We wish that everyone could have been here!

Fisher Family Fun- A Year in Review

Dave and I celebrated our 5 year Anniversary this year!!! Yeah us! I really wanted to go and spend some time near the Tetons- they are my favorite! So, we loaded up the kids and spent the weekend camping all together- was not quite the weekend we had planned but it was so great. It was pretty cold but notheing we could't handle (look at James bundled up by the fire- poor kid).
There were several wildfires that we didn't plan on so most of the camp grounds that I knew of were completely full. It turned out to be such a pleasant suprise though because we found a new place that was so beautiful.
We hiked to Inspiration Point by Jenny Lake. This hike has the option of riding a boat across the Lake to cut off a mile or two so we took the boat there but then hiked arounf the lake after we spent some time at Inspiration Point. Anyway, on the boat ride over Anna was delighted to get to ride the boat. She squeeled the whole across and even the grumpy passengers were laughing by the time we got to the other side of the lake. It was so funny.

Fisher Family Fun- A Year in Review

At the end of July or beginning of August my family met up in Island Park for the weekend.
My grandma has a cabin up there that we used to go to all the time when we were kids. It has been too long since we have all been there together. We fished and went boating of course (you can see that James is not happy about his life jacket) but some of my favorite times were when we stayed up playing "Texas Hold 'em" all night long. We always played cards up there when we were young so it brought back fun memories. Aunt Chrisitna came down for part of the trip and played cards with us and went on a hike too. It is always fun to have her around.

This Uncle Nate showing Anna how to fish. She had so much fun trying to catch fish. It is in her blood from both sides of the family and she can't deny the urge to catch those slippery lil suckers.

We love her Uncle Nate and we are so glad that he is patient with her.

I really love this picture..I think it so precious!

This is Anna that same day standing in the water just up stream from the bridge that goes over Henry's Fork right by Mack's Inn.

After she tried to catch a fish on her pole that Uncle Nathan made her out of stick some line and a hook, she just decided to wade out in the water and catch a fish for herself. Really all she did was wade around in very cold water with her dinosaur that Aunt Christina bought her in Montana. She had so much fun with her cousin Stella as they both got soaking wet. James was just sitting on the river bank eating rocks watching the two girls play and splash.

Fisher Family Fun- A Year in Review

Dave had to work a lot this summer and there were a couple of trips that he had to miss. However when he was home he was hanging out with us! The kids love him and enjoy life more when he is around. In this picture we just got home from swimming and are getting ready for bed. Anna knows that she can sweet talk her dad into a bedtime story just by tilting her head and saying "please".

Another fun thing that Anna (and Sorta James- he just supervised this year but next year he will help) loves to do with her daddy is to wash the car. She really loves to help wash the Z car because it is more her hieght and she can reach all the things that need to be cleaned. She scrubs the tires and washes the doors. She is definately her daddy's girl- she will always tell me that my car is dirty and I need to wash it. Thanks that is all I need another thing to clean. Needless to say it is one of their favorite "projects" to do together.

Despite how much hard work Dave did this summer he did get in a good couple of trips. One of the vacations that he got to go on was a fishing trip down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. He went with his cousins and they flew into this little landing strip in some tiny little skinny canyon and then float down the river fishing and playing and getting rained on the whole way down. He had lot of fun and it was a well deserved trip with the guys!

Dave decided to shave his head to go on his fishing trip. So, we then decided that it would be cute to shave buddy boy's head too. Well, as soon as we did it my heart was sad. It really wasn't cute at all. Well, of course it was cute still but not cute like little baby boy cute it was cute like good thing he has such an adorable face because now he looks like a gangster cute. Anyway, here is a picture of lil bald boy. We went on a family hike that day to Stewart Falls up Provo Canyon. (thanks g.ma Suzy for taking the picture and going with us).

We really loved that days that Dave was home. He got Fridays off most of the Summer and we tried to go on a hike or something fun almost every friday.

We love that we get to live by so many fun and beautiful places.

One of the reasons that Dave was able to get Fridays off is because he worked clear out in Dugway Proving Grounds. Huh, don't know where that is..well welcome to the common population- that is because it is in the middle of NOWHERE! He He He. Dave's family thinks that we live in the middle of nowhere but Dygway is another hour west into the desert. Anyway, since he has to travel so far (actually it is not too far from us because we do live quite west already- an hour for us aint no thang) and he works on a federal government base he gets fridays off. We have tried to go out to visit him s couple of times. This is James in his daddy's office. A Fisher boy on a Job-site...hmm that's weird.

Fisher Family Fun- A Year in Review

Goblin Valley:

This Spring we went with some friends, the Saunders, to Goblin Valley. The weather during the day was great but it was a little chilly at night.

So we bundled up by the fire and watched Anna's light form her headlamp bob up and down and she ran around in the dark with her friend. She loves wearing her headlamp and insists on wearing it in the garage when she does projects with her daddy.

James did really well in the tent and even though he was four months old he slept the best when he was in his own sleeping bag.

We spent the most of one day hiking around the Goblins. Anna insisted that the rocks looked more like "Longneck" dinosaurs than Goblins.

After our adventure in Goblin Valley we went on our annual family hike through Little Wild Horse Canyon. I have to say that we are getting batter at carrying our babies through there. Anna walked most of the hike on her own and I carried James, and I did not even bonk his head or anything.

(When we took Anna her first time she was 3 months old and we kept hitting her head on the canyon walls.)

This year there was water a little over half way through so we were not able to do the loop, but the kids really loved throwinf rocks into the muddy water. Anna wanted to swim through it but her mom would not let her.

We had a lot of fun and can't wait to go there again next spring. No matter how many times we go it is always fun!

Fisher Family Fun- A Year in Review

One of Anna's favorite places to visit this year was the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point. She has been with her cousins, both her Grandmas, her mom, and her dad but I think that one of her favorite trips was with her Uncle Dylan...he gets right into the action with her and isn't afraid to get a little wet.

March Madness

Ok- So I am attempting to update our blog!!!! Look outside in the sky....are there any pigs flying around?

So this is my first try at this so please be kind. I had to make my mother in law show me how to do this. She has to help me a lot- pretty much with anything domestic.
Life in the fisher home is going great! Dave got a new job in January and he loves it. It has been great to see him return to his old self again. It is nice what a new challange nd a little appreciation can do.

I have been working on trying to zone again.

Luckily my clients are patient with me as I

try to take care of my kids while I am zoning

them. Actually I usually end up saving James

from his sister, she knows that when I am

zoning she is able to get away with more

stunts- so that is usually when she tries to

see just how tightly those little baby eyes are

set into his head.

Poor Boy. He is really patient with us.

JAMES:

This little boy is my saving grace. He is so gentle and happy. He already seems to be the peace maker. Wheneer I get mad at Anna, he sticks out his bottom lip, clouds up and looks me right in the eye like, "please don't get mad mom". After that I usually end up calming right down and realizing that all is well. He is a happy boy who was smiling right out of the chute!

He loves his sister and spends most of his time watching her with amazement and fear.

Dave can make him laugh. They get along very well - Of course! But for all intents and purposes this boy is a mamma's boy and I LOVE it! He always gives me such special lil smiles that melt my heart. He loves to snuggle and eat! We weighed him at three months and he weighed 17 pounds! My brother swears that he will go pro! Heaven knows that he is built for it and with the help of his sister he will be tough enough.

As of today he has blue eyes. Dave is hoping that they stay blue (to match his own)- I can't say that I blame him- they are quite a pair of beautiful eyes!. I love my handsome boys!!!!

ANNA:

Anna runs the show at our house. Between her

and I there is no lack of cheifs around here!

Dave keeps busy with the two of us bossing

him around. Anna is a determined, brilliant and curious girl . She is beautiful and sassy. We love her and the older she gets the more interesting our conversations are. She does not miss a thing. If I say or do something that I shouldn't you can bet that she repeats it....usually at church!

She loves the garbage truck, snowmobiles, her train set and dinosaurs. She loves to go to the "dinosaurs' house" (the museum)with maura suzy, play with the dinosaurs that aunt Beaner bought her, and to listen to the dinosaur Wee Sing book/cd set that maura janet bought her.

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This month we have enjoyed the fact that the weather is geting nicer it is still chilly but it is getting much warmer. We planted our peas and extended our little garden. we are going to try to grow even more this year! I love it.

I try to go for walks as often as I can and the kids are nice to go with me. Like they have a choice. We love our chariot stroller. Don't they look so cozy in there!

I am trying to walk a lot to loose some of the weight I gained from James. it is not coming off quite as easy as it did with Anna.

Last week for Family Home evening we took the kids swimming. Anna loves to go and is getting so brave. She will float around the lazy river by herself (wearing her life jacket). This was James' first time going and you tell that he took this in stride just like everything else. He is just sitting there chilling with his dad.

We had fun. We have been so happy with the fact that we can take our kids on so many adventures with us. Getting out is definately different and little bit harder but it is still do-able and fun!

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BIRTHDAY FUN

The Yurt-

For my birthday this year dave rented a yurt (a round structure in the mountains that has bunk beds, fireplace and basic amenities). We strapped our kids onto the snowmobiles with us and then attached our stroller to the back of one of the snow machines and filled it with our food and bedding. We got lost getting to the yurt (it was dark when we got there), so when we got there it was really cold- 17 degrees. Anna thought that it was pretty neat that she could see her breath (she kept calling it smoke). We started a fire and all snuggled close together in our sleeping bags and fell asleep. The fire had gone out and by morning it was 20 degrees again. The kids and I all got into the King Soloman (that is Dave's new sleeping bag by Big Agnes- it fits at least two adults and a baby- we love it) while dave rekindled the fire. James and I slept in even longer while Dave and Anna played outside making "frosties". The Yurt got upto 70 degrees and it was a blast.

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Next we celebrated my mom's birthday! We just hung out together and watched the Wizard of Oz. The kids sure love their "maura" Janet. She lives a few blocks from us and it is fun to have her so close. She is always so willing to spend time with the kids. They really enjoy her attention and love.

James Elden Fisher Dec. 3rd, 2008

Here are a few pictures of the newest addition to the Fisher family. James Elden Fisher was born at 7:08am on December 3rd. He weighed 8 pounds 5 ounces and was 20" tall. He is a great little guy and we are very happy to have him in our family.

3rd Anniversary - Sept 24-25, 2007

Kara told me that I was in charge of the anniversary plans last year since she had pretty much taken care of it the last 2 years. I told her that that was no problem and went on my way. Since I had a couple of months I did not give it another thought. Of course, as the day was quickly approaching, Kara kept asking me what we were doing. I just kept telling her that I had it all worked out, which she did not believe. As the day got even closer, Kara told me that we could just go to dinner or something since nothing noteable had been arranged by me. I assured her that we were going to do something fun and not to worry. I told her it would be a surprize. Kara really likes surprizes so she backed off a little. A couple of days before our anniversary, I started to hear things like "you really have not planned anything have you", and "I will figure out something since you have been so busy at work". I continued to assure her that it would be a great surprize which was not working as well as it had before. Honestly, my confession to everyone today, including Kara, is that she was excactly right! I did not have the slightest idea what the big surprize was going to be! There, I said it. Whew! That felt good. Now, as the adrenaline started kicking in and the sweat started to pour out of me, I knew that I had to pull off a miracle. It was Friday afternoon and our anniversary was Saturday. With nothing coming to mind, I had pretty much realized that my life was over. I had to come clean and tell Kara that she was right. Driving slowly toward the freeway to go home from work and receive my beating, I saw such a beautiful sight that I almost cried. The sign read: Harley-Davidson. I was saved! I rushed over and reserved a Street Glide for us to take out and cruise on for 2 days. The end of September is not the high season for motorcycle rentals so it was not problem lining it up. My mind was ablaze with the many possibilities that now lay before me. I decided that we would ride it to Snow Basin where we got married, then cruise through the mountains and end up at Snowbird to spend the night. We would then cruise all day Sunday. I made the arrangements for Janet to watch Anna and the room at Snowbird, then called Kara. I was askec again what we were doing and with almost uncontainable excitement I explained that it would be a surprize but that she should wear warm clothes. I was asked if there would be electricity where we were going, to which I answered, "I assume so". When asked about stuff to take, I just said that we would be carrying it so pack light. I had not actually seen the motorcycle and was too excited to ask if it had saddle bags. I told her that she asked me to plan the activities so that is exactly what I did. After all, it is my anniversary too you know. I kept her in suspense that night and the next morning. She did not have any idea what was going on until we pulled into the parking lot of the Harley-Davidson store. That was all it took for her to put all the pieces together. She was now just as excited as I was. Little did she know that I had hatched this plan only the night before. Sorry about the long story, but I really felt like I had to tell it, for my own sake. Here are some pictures from our awesome anniversary planned by yours truly, just in the nick of time. I am going to add "works well with deadlines and under extreme pressure" on my resume!

Snow Basin, Needles Lodge patio exactly where we were I became the happiest man alive! The weather was better 3 years ago. Good thing we did not wait!

Cruising in the rain! The weather was not ideal for motorcycle rinding but we did not care. We knew there would be hot tubs at Snowbird.

Sunday morning riding down the canyon from Snowbird.

Our little "Harley-Anna". We missed her a lot! This was the first time we both left her overnight. (please note for planning purposes: no matter how far it is to go back and get the "pump", DO IT! If you need further info, ask Kara)

Family Pictures

Sitting in my tent office at work the other day a little bored watching a bunch of Bolivians push dirt around, I started organizing my pictures I have on my computer. It was fun to go through all of them and remember how much fun my little family has had over the last few years. One of the folders I thought was particularly interesting was one labeled "family pictures" where I put all of the pictures that we have taken of all three of us together. As it turns out, we have had quite a bit of fun together. These are not the typical family pictures that everyone has grown to hate. Instead, these are pictures of us doing what we love with those we love. Unfortunately, the following pictures are only the ones I had saved on my work computer. I will try to fill in the gaps when I get home from Bolivia. Enjoy!