Happy Birthday BRIAN

This is where you'll find this HARD WORKING Birthday boy lately - working hard on the families new home - virtually by himself. He has transformed that place like you can't believe.

Happy Day, Bri - you're an awesome guy-husband-daddy-provider and generally a neat human-being!

We'll have the latest 'scoop' on his party a little later in the day.

Sunday, Sunday

Coming Soon

Updates on Griffin

Coming Soon!

Happy Birthday, CARTER!

Who is this boy - can't recognize him . . .hummmm, I've seen him somewhere before!

_

Ohhhhh, it's CARTER . . .sorry bud, did recornize you without your tongue!

_

Neat cake - mommy, you did a 'artistic Ninja' number on that cake! You've got the
Michaelangelo touch in those fingers - pretty amazing and it tasted so good too.

_

Carter got some pretty 'sweet' presents too -
Healies
Outdoor camping & science outfit (pretty cool)
Puzzle
Money, money, money
Soccer ball and knee pads
Rubber kick ball - nice and bouncey
Hummmm, that's all I can remember - but I think
there was more?

My First "Hold"!

After what seemed to be an eternity, I finally got to hold my new

Grandson, Cooper! He's almost a month old and because of his

extended stay in the hospital and my "10-Day cold & flu" this is the FIRST time

we actually met and the PLEASURE WAS ALL MINE!

Journal Entry - "Where Is that Battery Charger?"

I received an awesome camera for Christmas and I can tell you I've taken lots of pics since that day. Several weeks ago, the battery was running low so I decided to get the charger to recharge the battery. Welp, guess what? The charger was NOT there. Now, my "Type-AAAAAAA" personality rebelled 'big time' because I try and 'always' put things back so I can find them. I looked everywhere and not only once but five or six times - but each time I came up with nothing! It was driving me crazy and this went on for several weeks, even to the point of putting my camera away because the battery was dead. I had absolutely NO clue where it could be.

I started pricing new battery chargers on the Internet and through local shops and they were 'spendy' - over $60! That amazed me because the chargers were no bigger than a small match box or cell phone. My brain rebelled! I could NOT spend that much money on another charger. Over time, I resigned myself to the notion that I would eventually have to purchase another one.

Finally, I did what I've done so many times before, I presented my problem to Heavenly Father in prayer and told Him of my dilemma. Nothing happened right away but I stayed optimisic that if 'anyone' could find this battery charger, He would!

Several days later, I was walking down the long hall in my simple home and without much thought, I looked at a black purse laying on the floor that I seldom use but walked passed hundreds of times. Immediately a thought came into my head, "The battery charger is in THAT purse!" I picked the purse up, opened the front zipper pouch and sure enough, there it was! I had zero recollection of how it got there but with time figured I threw it in when I went to Heather's house the night she delivered Cooper. Since she called in the middle of the night, my brain did not register what I had done.

Prayer is POWERFUL and good. I know!
Love,
MomBerta, GrandmaBerta

Let Children Know of Your Trust in the Lord

"Be there for your children. Sit on the bed and enjoy the late-night talks - try to stay awake! Pray for the Lord to inspire you. Forgive often. Choose your battles. Testify frequently of Jesus Christ and His goodness and of the Restoration. And most of all, let them know of your trust in the Lord."

(Bonnie D. Parkin, "Sweet Moments," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 109)

New Member of the Family

Family, Meet Sadie! New member of our family and the 'softest' . . .well, almost as soft as Cooper. She definitely has a colder nose! Mom and Dad? Shawn & Kandee Boice. My guess is that Morgie will be carrying her around on her hip like a good little mommy. This is 'one cute pup' and she's "Grandma approved"!

Note: Click here for PUPPY TRAINING advice - from the pros!

Robert Owen Boice

Dated: March 15, 2007












(Note: This account was taken from Ashley's blog. Since it reflects an important part of Robbie's history, I have included it in "My Family Chronicles".)
So last night Rob got his hands on a couple of marbles. I didn't want him to have them but he was SOOOO tired and sad I let him keep them. As we got ready to start eating dinner my dad sat him up on the couch and gave him a bite of pear. He was kinda laying down when he was eating the pear. I looked over and his face was getting red and his eyes were watering. I picked him up whacked him on the back and swept his mouth with my finger to clear his passage way. Some pear came out but I screamed "he is not breathing!" My mother, father and sister were all right there and I handed him to Cali, and pleaded with her to help him. My father cleared his mouth once again while Cali continued to hit him on the back. I ran to the laundry room and said a prayer...I didn't want to see him die. I ran back out to the kitchen and asked if I needed to get an ambulance coming. They continued to try and get him breathing but at this point my poor little baby was turning bright blue. I have never seen anyone like that before. Cali gave him the Heimlich maneuver while my dad kept trying to hit him on the back. Out came a marble and then another...and then another...three marbles. Immediately his color returned and he coughed in air. He looked SOOO relieved. He didn't even cry for a while he was just so happy to be breathing again. I ran to him and of course I lost it. He lost it. We rocked with each other for a couple of minutes. I have never seen real chocking. I have seen chocking were the person is gasping or coughing but never where there is nothing from them. We all just kept waiting for him to gasp...or cry...or anything. It was the scariest thing ever. After he was fine we all just sat there in silence. We offered up a family prayer of gratitude and we just sat there...horrified...greatful and speechless which is really saying something in the Earl family. WOW. Having lost a brother at a really young age...I understand death. I know that it happens and that it is Heavenly Father's plan. I know that when my brother died it was because he was done here on Earth and that he is in Heaven and that we will see him again. I have always had a strong testimony of that. I just didn't want him to die in my arms. Even if it was my sister's arms I knew she would do everything she had to do to try and save him. I couldn't do it. So today...as I listened to his sweet little voice waking up over the monitor...saying so quietly and politely mom...mom...Ollie...Mom? I was so grateful for him and the time I have been able to spend with him so far. Grateful that I will be able to see him grow. He is a good boy.

Cortney, Ashley, Ollie & Robbie

2007 so far for us has been a great year. Cortney is back going strong at work and loving it. He started the year off with a raise - yeah, and of course that always helps. The owner of the course has been so impressed by Brian the super and Cortney. He was out of town for a couple of weeks and had a long list for them to do when he returned. But, to his surprise everything on the list had already been taken care of. They make a great team and Golden can't believe he can ask them to do something and they will. We are so lucky and greatful for his great job. Cortney is also the Webelos scout master or whatever you call it. The boys in our group come from pretty broken homes and Cortney really has to work hard to get the boys there. They are loving him and I think they are pretty lucky to have someone like Cortney to look over them. Cortney also now has two scouts and a new suzuki samari (Well not new it hasn't run in 7 years). He rebuilt the carbarator all by himself, and now it runs. He loves working on cars! I have tried for seven years to get the car lover that he inherited from his father out of him. It didn't work so now I am trying to embrace it. He has a friend that is a mechanic and they fixed our main car the 5th cylinder wasn't firing and they fixed it. I was so impressed. We are also working on getting our back yard seeded. Cameron and Cort put in a sprinkler system last year and now all we need is grass. I CAN'T WAIT. I love our house and can't wait for the kids to play out side. Our neighborhood is part of an area in Orem where they think they have found the Japaneese Beetle. It is a nasty little bug that ruins everything. So they are spraying a big 3 mile square of orem and everyone that lives there can't harvest a garden for 3 WHOLE YEARS. BUMMER!!!! The spray is too toxic to eat garden yield. They will be supplying community plots but who wants to travel to garden. I will most likely have one at my sisters since she has such a huge lot anyways.

I have been doing the same old same old. Being a mom. I love it. I love my house and my ward. We live in a very needy ward...needy for people who will accept a calling. I am the miamaids advisor and also the R.S enrichment publisist. I am loving being in Young Womens and was quite a shock that Oliver is closer to them in age than I am. They seem to think I am pretty "cool" for a leader though and I have made friends with almost everyone. I also will be going to girls camp June 5-9th so that will be interesting...and fun. I am in the best health of my life and it has been almost 6 months since I have been on all my medications. My life is awesome. Everyday I think to myself how greatful I am for everything and how blessed we are. Because of the study I am in I can't get pregnant for two more years...It has really been a blessing in disquise to not have to worry about being pregnant and having a new born again for a while. I love the opportunity to take a guilt free break. My kids are awesome great ages and Rob has 6 more Sundays untill nursery. YES! Right now I am visiting my parents in Washington, while Cortney goes to Vegas for March Madness. I am one lucky lady.

Oliver has unfortunatly this month discovered video games. He is obsessed with Lego Star Wars and everything associated with it. All he talks about is Princess Leia and General Grevas (I have no idea how you spell it). He loves it. He is about to turn four in June and is such a grown boy. We are really working on him being nice...having chores...obeying...being nice to brother...and talking in a nice tone. It is hard for both of us. He is so smart and his vocabulary is so advanced (thanks to a mom that never stops talking) So he has the best arguements. He knows what to say and ofcourse always says it. He will be starting T-ball and soccer this year so that is new uncharted territory for us. He is a good boy though and loves us.

Rob is awesome. His best talents are eating and sleeping. He loves both with a passion. I have never seen someone love food so much. He adores it. He is so good and so cute. He and Ollie love to fight but we are working on that. He still is only saying MOMMY....Me..Ollie...NOOOOOO and ball. He refuses to say Dada and will only call Cort MOM.


That is all family. I love you all so much. Sorry I am so late. I will send pictures when I get back from Washington.

LOVE YOUAshley...Cortney...Oliver...R.O.B.

Happy Birthday, CAMERON BRADY ! ! !

Have a GREAT day Cameron!

Try this one .. betcha can't do it.

How Smart is Your Right Foot? This is so funny that it will boggle your mind. And if you are anywhere near as stubborn as I am, you will keep trying at least a few more times to see if you can outsmart your foot, but you can't.

• 1. While sitting at your desk, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.
• 2. Now, while doing this, draw the number "6" in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direction. I told you so. And, there's nothing you can do about it!

Go ahead KEEP TRYING ALL YOU WANT! Have a great day! Now get back to work!! or play

Grif & Granny

Griffle - AKA Gub

Ca-man & Leo

Hello All! Hope everyone is doing well. Things have been going really well for Leah and I. Leah is actually off-track right now so she doesn’t go to for the next 3 weeks. Obviously, she is very excited because she doesn’t have to go to school. I have this week off work so we can hang out and do some things together.

Work has been keeping me pretty busy. In Jan-Feb, I was traveling every week to a new location. It was fun being out of the office, but it meant that much more work when I got back. Things continue to go well with work, but I have to make sure and balance life with work. Otherwise, they will continue to take as much as I will give.

I have been in my current house for over a year now. This means only one thing, time to move again. I am not sure if I will move again, but based on my previous track record, it looks very probable.


LEAH
Right now I am in Idaho. I have been in Idaho the last couple days. I’ve been playing with my cousins and partying with them too. I am off track right now that’s why I am in Idaho. When I’m off track I usually go to Arizona or Idaho I went to both. I go to violin lessons. And I go to Gymnastics. I am doing well in school.

A Birthday Party!

We had a GUEST ARTIST drop by the house - she left a sketch for us:

Click here to see what happened at the party!

Daddy-Bobby Boice

I need to get this written so I can eat again and not be grounded. Things in my life will be slowing down now that winter sports are over.

There are weeks with 4-6 contests and it just keeps me running. Of course a week ago I was watching the Basketball State Championships. We are in the largest school division 5A and we are the smallest school in that division. We played all of the favored teams. One of them had a player that was 7 feet tall and one that was 6 feet 9 inches. That was a battle but we won. Madison won the State Championship. It really brings a lot of recognition to the community, student body, and the team. We really had a bunch of unselfish players that are good boys. Of course I am the cheer leader advisor. We have really had a great bunch of girls and very few problems.

Well now with the sun coming out it smells like golf in the air. Our local course just opened yesterday. We did get in a round when we had a couple of minutes of free time. It has been great to have family visiting.

Well stay in touch and God bless you all.

Yummy Recipe

Chocolate Chip Meringue Kisses
Makes 30

Prep Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

4 egg whites, warmed in the shell (submerge whole eggs in warm water)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup sugar

12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 225°. In a medium bowl, beat egg whites, salt, cream of tartar, and vanilla until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar (1 tablespoon every five seconds), and continue to beat until meringue is stiff and glossy, about 1 1/2 minutes more. Gently fold in the chocolate chips.

2. Drop meringue by scant 1/4 cups onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake until dry and just golden brown, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Let cool on baking sheets.

They don't do too much damage . . .
Per serving: 83 calories; 3.4 grams fat; .9 grams protein; 13.9 grams carbohydrates; grams fiber

Schuy & Whitter

Hi Y'all . . . The past few months have been quite eventful. As most of you know by now Schuy and I are breeding.. JK... we are having (to our surprise) a baby in August. I am now 4 months along, done with the first trimester THANK GOODNESS! It has been quite the experience this pregnancy thing . . . Schuyler can tell you all about it, he loves being stuck with a hormonally charged crazy woman 24/7! Living on the ranch actually has really been such a blessing for me while pregnant, I can't think of a better place to be. The air so pure and clean, the bright high elevation sun each day, no city day to day stress etc. What a perfect place to be.



Ranch life is good. Schuyler is truly the happiest man. He is passionate about living here and what really makes him smile is to know that he had a full hard day of work. He has a few projects going at this time. Hes been busy putting in a very expensive well and sprinkler system for the 80 acre pasture (because of the lack of moisture each year) for a greener pasture for the horsies. He also is organizing a wider,safer landing strip for the docs airplane. And we are putting in a new greenhouse. We are so excited to have fresh herbs and real tomatoes out our back door again, considering the produce we do get up here in Wyomin' is all very old, fake(genetically modified) vegetables . . . yuck! This will be my hobby and will keep me busy through this spring and summer months, I feel so lucky! I also have been keeping busy remodeling 2 cabins right now, which has been pretty dreamy. Spending gobbs of money has never been so much fun! I feel very flattered to have this job, the doc seems to put a lot of trust in us.


The ranch is the most harsh and wonderful place I have ever experienced. Enduring the winter months has surely been the crux, with the unforgiving wind and cold, not much snow this year unfortunately, and the sheer desolation of it. But I am growing as a person because of it. The vistas are never ending, the purest I have experienced. The quietness and reverence each day is addicting. And now just starting to understand the spirit of the place. A week or two ago Schuy, the dogs and I went for a four wheeler rendezvous deeper into the mountain drainage and checked out some very old pictographs on the sandstone cliffs very close to the ranch. They were beautiful. I had seen pictographs before, but these were unique and special being so close to where I lived, and not many other people but the tribe knowing about them. Last summer schuyler had found a very old bracelet in this area that must have belonged to one of the Indian women back in the day, in which he gave to me as an engagement ring ( kind of an unusual engagement ring, but very sentimental).When I adventured in the area I found a sky blue bead possibly belonged to the same Indian women as the bracelet. Very cool! I was so psyched about my little treasure. This place has been very special to us, though it has taken me awhile to become acquired to it, coming from a city with over one million people.


Right now Ive had the opportunity to come home for a few days to visit my new little nephew Cooper. He is quite the looker, the Italian genes really show through with dark hair and a darker complection. Hes real perfect. Heather and Brian are so blessed with yet another healthy baby boy. Heather rocked and was tougher than nails pushing this guy out . . . go Heather! It is surreal to think that I will be having a little munchkin in a few months time! Well I hope you all are doing wonderful, healthy and happy. You all have a invitation to visit us at the ranch anytime....Get your 'rears' up here.......we need the company!!!


Love yous, Whitney, Schuyler, Tayo, Kaina, Yuzu and Nalu, and Ronnin

Shawn, Kandee & Family

Note: This article was dated 2/7/07 - so the info is slightly outdated

Hey Everyone,

It’s been great hearing how everyone’s lives are going. I just love this Family Web Site Deal. Just thought since I have been slacking on my contribution I would update you on our family going ons. Shawn is in Mexico fishing right at this minute. While the kids and I are here in Rexburg FREEZING! It did get up to 40 degrees, Shade thought we were having a heat wave and wore shorts to school. Shawn is supposed to get home tonight, however, I haven’t heard from him since he left so hopefully as Nicole put it he isn’t in some Mexican Jail. Our house is coming along after many set backs with windows, 90 year old house problems and such. They are just finishing up the sheet rock so the kids are getting excited because they can see their spaces now. We are hoping to get in the first part of March as Shawn has a couple big jobs that will start then, weather pending.

The kids are doing great. Shade is getting ready for baseball. He will be playing on a traveling team this year, which really means it just starts earlier. He has a girl he likes, which he is not keeping secret as in the past. I don’t know if I should take this as a good or bad thing. I keep trying to tell him girls are lots funner when they are just friends, hopefully it’s getting thru. He has been snow boarding as much as possible, we are hoping with this warm weather all the snow doesn’t melt on the mountain. Morgan has been knitting on her knitting wheel. She has made a couple hats and now is trying to learn to crochet. She loves to sew, and does it any chance she can get me to help her. I’m not quite ready to set her free on my sewing machine yet. She has been coming to team penning and sorting (a thing you do with horses & cows), and has been loving being able to herd to cows. Carter is still Carter. He lost both of his front teeth the last couple of weeks and his bottom two haven’t quite come in all the way, so he likes to make faces showing it off. He is doing great in school, although if I read thru the lines when talking to his teacher, quite a handful. I’m afraid he is a bit spoiled as he is our baby even though he will be six next month.

Shawn & I are doing great. I just got released from Young Womens, I thought I was ready until it actually happened. The girls came over last night with a little something after mutual last night, I sure am going to miss being involved with them. I have been taking my new horse, Doc, to team penning every other Saturday, it has been a great day off for me. I’m playing City League volleyball again. Each year I play I feel older & older with more aches and pains. Shawn has been working, working, working. As always he has 20 different projects going at once, so I guess he deserves a little break to Mexico. We are in the process of selling the lawncare business, so we will only be doing landscape from now on. Hopefully, that will give him a little breathing room in the summer.
So as you can see life goes on. We are so blessed and think of all of you. Be Well and Happy.
Kandee, Shawn, Shade, Morgan, Carter

____________________________________

A New Home

Hi Arensberg, Boice & Williams Families . . .

This is a NEW START for our family history to be written. I hope you will come back often and read what our family is up to and contribute to its pages.

WHY THIS NEW BLOG?
There has been little interest with our extended family to keep "My Family Chronicles" website going and thriving. I think it's SO important to have a family history going so we can "Stay Connected". Hence, this new blog where we can store the 'doings' of our family on a monthly basis.

WHAT DO I DO?
I'll be bugging you guys for your MONTHLY ARTICLES - that won't change so keep your computer skills up-to-date and be prepared to write and send in current pictures of your family. There are (5) family members currently blogging on a regular basis and I'll have links to their blogs (personal histories). This BLOG will be our family history page.

WHO CAN SEND IN ARTICLES?

Any and everyone in our family can write articles. Now that the kids are getting older, and have GREAT computer skills, they can write too - not only adults.

DON'T WORRY
If the Internet goes 'down' our history will not be lost. I plan on making a HARD COPY of each months entries and it will be kept in a journal in my home office.

SEND IN ARTICLES NOW!
Don't wait a week, start writing TODAY and get your articles in for MARCH 2007.
Note: Kandee & Shawn, thanks for sending your article in. You're 'safe' for this month!