Cleaning the Garage...

My inability to keep a clean garage is embarrassing. I love it when it is clean, but can't seem to keep up. Anyway...I tackled it on Monday. Good news it is still clean. I bundled the babies up tight and put them in the stroller. Jake was happy to push them around (oh dear) while I attacked the filth. It didn't take long before Meg was sound asleep.

As I was putting all the bikes back in the garage. I grabbed Emma's old bike which happens to be the same size as Jake's new bike. The difference is that Emma's bike doesn't have training wheels. I put him on the bike and he took off! I didn't have to trick him into thinking I was holding on when I really wasn't, I didn't have to bribe him, I didn't even have to run along with him ! He just took off. Poor little guy has been telling us for over a month that he needed the training wheels off his bike.

Trunk or Treat

The babies didn't care much for the wig...

Our Halloween candy collecting adventures each year include: a ward trunk or treat party, school parties, and then trick or treating to the businesses in Homedale. They are all spaced our enough that by the time one event is complete and it is time for the next we are out of candy! Candy limiting is not something I think is healthy for children...besides there is no possible way for me to set an example--if there is candy around it needs to be eaten!

At the last minute Jake switched from his original plan of dressing as a magician and decided to be a cowboy. Emma dressed up as a clown. Annie created a design she calls Tarantula Lady. Megan and Justin are Mickey and Minnie. Everyone looks so cute!

Darn Four Wheeler

Travis will be having surgery to repair his nose November 4th. The doctor says it is an impressive break. New bruises seem to show up everyday. Here is the latest (they don't show up very well in the pictures).

Travis Today

Travis continues to improve and his appointment with the ENT is Tuesday. He went to work today despite my threats to either drive him myself or sit on him so he couldn't go anywhere. I knew this would be a problem because in his delirium in the ER he was talking about what a busy week he has. I took some pictures today and thought I would share.

Man Down

*Grandma Amy please don't look at the pictures...you'll find yourself with your head between your knees

It started as any other Saturday...Travis and the older kids were outside playing and I was inside with the babies getting a few things done. Just before noon Travis came in to tell me he was taking the kids with Kasey and they were going to hunt for pheasants. I asked him to please be careful...famous last words. They were in the middle of one of Garrett's orchards where there is a good size canal. Travis was on the four wheeler and was attempting to climb out of the canal. What happened next is a little unclear since Travis cannot remember and no one saw, but it appears that the wheels came up and the four wheeler flipped on top of Travis and then landed quite a distance from him. Emma was the first one to see and repeatedly asked Travis (who was gushing bloodfrom his nose) if he was ok. He asked her to go get Kasey and when Kasey and his brother got to Travis they decided they better call 911. Travis took an ambulance ride to West Valley where it was determined he has a concussion, a puncture wound to the right forearm, muscle damage to that same arm, and his nose is broken in four places. They did what they could for him at the hospital and then sent us home. He was so out of it--both from the medicine and also from the blow to the head. We will be seeing the ENT specialist when the nasal swelling goes down to address the broken nose.

The hospital staff told me that today would be the more difficult day, but really Travis is doing very well. He is sore and with each passing hour it seems a new part of his body aches. He has some pretty potent medication and fortunately is able to breathe through his nose so he can rest relatively comfortably.

I am SO grateful none of the kids were on the four wheeler with him as they often are. I know it is no coincidence that this accident which could have been devastating was relatively minor. In conference a year ago Elder Holland talked about guardian angels, and we know they are real.

The response from all those who love us has been wonderful and overwhelming. Thank you everyone for your love and support and for your continued prayers.

Anything You Can Do...

Megan and Justin may just have a theme song. It comes from Annie Oakley, "Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better"

Megan saw Justin walking and couldn't wait to get around on her two feet. She has less inhibition than he so her walk is more free spirited and less thought out. She just takes off with wild abandon and sees where it takes her.

Happy Birthday Jake!!

JT Kraupper is 4! This is the first year he has really looked forward to his birthday and his excitement has been contagious. I asked him a couple of weeks ago who he wanted to come to his birthday party. His answer: Corey Edwards (the YM president in our ward), Nina (who is away at school), Amber, and Grandma and Grandpa. Well, we ended up with a more age appropriate Corey--Corey Romriell, Amber, Grandma and Grandpa, and our Kraupp clan. Jake has an adorable love of McDonalds so we started there. After letting the kids play and eat, we went to Monkey Business. I had seen an advertisement for it and we were all glad I did. It was so fun. The favorite was the HUGE air slide. Travis ended up at the chiropractor this morning to fix the damage. After Monkey Business we went to Grandma and Grandpa's for presents. Jake was genuinely thrilled as he opened each present.--even the boxes of pajamas or new shoes and ties. After opening the much needed clothes he opened a scooter, and got a bike and a stop sign. What fun!

We are so blessed to have Jake in our family. He is such a loving, smart, fun, outgoing, curious, hilarious, free spirit. There is never a dull moment when he is around and everyone loves to hear Jake stories.


Jake loves working with his dad, riding his bike, popcorn, the four wheeler, sprinklers, making people laugh, vacuuming, Kasey Garrett, giving hugs and expressing his love, eggs and chocolate milk, meeting new people, going anywhere, and being a big brother.

Watch out World!

Justin is on the move!

A Long 10 Days...

Morning and Night:

Annie takes her medicine like a trooper.

Emma likes the medicine well enough that she does it all by herself.

Megan opens wide.

Justin sucks the syringe and cries when it is gone.

Jake ....is why this is going to be a long ten days.

Oh, and this was only the first dose he gets two twice a day.

Heavily Medicated

Apparently this bug was quite contagious. Any volunteers to come tackle Jake and give him his dose? I have morning and evening slots available.

MILEY

Months ago, Annie suckered me into looking up Miley Cryus. 2009 tour schedule. She wasn't coming to Boise, but she was coming to Salt Lake. So, wihtout the girls knowing I planned a little trip just for them. Mom, Dad, Annie and Emma. Grandma came to stay with the little ones on the first day and Keri and Amber split the second (THANK YOU!!!). The morning of the concert the girls got ready like it was a regular day and as they were getting ready to go, I informed them that their outfit choice was not good. I said why don't you wear Hannah Montana shirts instead because WE ARE GOING TO HER CONCERT TONIGHT!!! These two have been very patient this year. Life has been quite chaotic and they have been great big sisters and help to me. They deserved a little time just for them.

Once there, there was only one place for dinner...the California Pizza Kitchen! Wow I love it.

Miley's tour buses and semis closed down entire block of downtown Salt Lake City!

As for the concert, well....Miley was sick. She got into her second song and went running of the stage right in the middle to puke!! She managed to come back out, but took plenty of breaks and shortened the songs. We were done before 9:30. The girls loved every minute of it. Travis and I were completely caught of guard by Miley's choice of clothing. Wow.

Oh, I should mention there is a great big screen to which you can text message while you wait for the concert. Travis got us on there twice! First by saying we were the Kraupps all the way from Russia (ha! two generations ago!) and the second by informing the whole arena that I had a big green booger hanging out my nose. Never a dull moment with that guy.

We got up early Wednesday morning and went to see the Joseph Smith movie in the Legacy theatre on temple square. We saw it when it came out in 2005, but the girls were able to understand so much more this time. It was a powerful experience. We also took the tour of the conference center and it was really neat to see it all set and ready for general conference this weekend. How fun for the girls to be able to turn conference on Saturday and realize they were just there.