Fall fever...

It's only Oct 10 and I'm already tired of Halloween. Who's great idea was it to celebrate "evil" and "scary" for a night?! The guys have both determined that they really aren't that into it because they are so incredibly bothered by the "creepy decorations" at Fred Meyer. Cool guys, Ryan and Will.

Other than that, I love Fall, it's perhaps my favorite of the seasons. Leaves, sunshine, cool air, FOOTBALL, and it really fun to golf in the fall around here if the wind isn't blowing. If you haven't noticed, I am really coming to enjoy golf. It has great potential for being an easy activity for all of us to enjoy. Recently we have been going to the park, which is near our home, and hitting whiffle balls. I purchased a cheep set of 5-9 clubs (3 irons, a driver, and putter) for the boys to share. Their equipment is so munch better than mine. They have enjoyed honing their swings and smacking those whiffle balls around. The other day Ryan said, "when you hit the ball right, it feels soooo good inside!"

Our friend Kelli Kinny, spouse of Josh Kinny, recently ran a half- marathon through Boise. We went with our friends, Ed and Missy Veeck (pictured), to see her tear up the asphalt. We had a ton of fun being downtown and enjoying beautiful fall weather.

Will learned to ride w/o training wheels.

School is busy, but good. I showed the scene from the Office to my psych students today; the altoids scene where Jim conditions Dwight with the windows re-start. The students got it. By the way, if you would like to see a sample of what kinds of stuff I do, I have a website for my work - which is pretty stinky (the website, not my work). I also have a website for my Psych class. I'll add the links at the bottom of the page.

Lisa's job is awesome! She feels like she's getting a handle on things despite knowing that the work will never end for her. Job security, I suppose.

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa

It's been a while since I have posted. I just got off the phone with my Grandparents in Hillsboro. I told them about the Blog. I was just thinking that it was time to check in with the blog and to thank all of my grandparents of the legacy they have laid down for me and my family. We take for granted how heavily we have been able to lean on their stability and positive influence. Nothing wrong with offering a "shout out" to grandma's and grandpas for some fluffy blogfodder. I love you all and can't begin to articulate how much you mean to me.

Robbynation...

I'm showing my mother-in-law, Robbyn, how easy it is to post on the blog. It's labor day and the kids are back in school...oh joy! Lisa is becoming more comfortable in her new job...and loves it! I am back to school, now as a teacher once again. It will be good for us to return to a routine. The kids all go to school together M,W,F. Will and Abby get to spend Tues., Thurs. with E-ma. The three other days all three go to a preschool called near Ry's elementary school. Ry walks with teacher to and from the preschool so that we have an easy drop-off/pick-up. It is nice that they each get ready together and spend a great deal of their days in the same routine. Ryan's school workload seems really advanced and he is picking up on math, reading, and spelling quite quickly.

Tent Pitch Weekend

I have officially reported back to school and the students return Monday. I'm not ready. We have tried to squeeze what little we can out of summer, while we can despite both Lisa and I returning to work.

We tried something new this year and went camping with a group from church. Chris Graham has instituted "Tent Pitch," an annual event where families with small children camp together for a summer weekend at a location withing a short driving distance (less than 2 hours) from the Valley. This year's location was North of Idaho City on Crooked River. The kids had a blast and it was great to catch up with other couples from the church, as well as get acquainted with a number of families we didn't know. Three families from our church home group attended and the Kinnaman kids were able to spend time with a number of friends. You see the fruitfulness of the river in Ryan's hand. All of the kids spent the day in the shallow river and the adults spent time just hangin' out. Saturday afternoon found the men competing in, "The Man-Sized Challenge"; a battery of tasks which included riding a miniature sized bike, hauling water and rocks from the river, carrying a large stone around the campground - overhead, running up a mountain side, and shooting a target with a BB gun while standing on said large stone. Needless to say, I was not the Man-Sized champion, but I finished with a respectable time of 3:51. We finished our weekend in tru "Kinnaman" fashion. Our Durango wouldn't start and we had to have it towed back to Meridian. Classic! We sure know how to make memories.

Summer is coming to a close...

It seems as though we are simply waiting for the summer to end. I have started my internship and continue to train at the gym while Lisa has been getting her feet wet in her new job. We have a camping trip coming up and family camp in Cascade, but other than that, it feels like summer is winding down.
Tiffany, Brendan, and the Big D recently came for a visit and lodged at Casa Kinnaman. They found a house in Meridian, sort of over by the waterpark, on the way to Kuna. They will move at the end of August.
Brendan and I golfed Monday, with Rick. The only reason I mention this is because until recently I loathed golf; too expensive to get so irritated and take that time away from hanging out with the family. What little game I have has begun to allow me to enjoy being on the course. Banbury golf club is just down the hill about 1 mile from our house. Fantastic course and inexpensive. Monday I shot under 100 for the first time and birdied hole 18. I screamed like a girl, I was so excited!

Will is anxious for football to start. A day doesn't go by that he doesn't ask to see the Beavers, Broncos, or Seahawks on TV. Ahhhh, the joy of parenthood.

We are Bronco Nation

Lisa has changed employers. While she enjoyed her time at NNU, she got an amazing opportunity that she just couldn't pass up. She now works for the Center for School Improvement at BSU in cooperation with Idaho State Department of Education. A great move for her and our family. We have spent the weekend moving her professor stuff out of her office at NNU and into her new office at BSU. Her job as the School Improvement Coordinator will involve helping Title I schools to develop school improvement plans that will help increase achievement, based on the No Child Left Behind Act. She is working with a great group of people, and her dissertation studies will fold right into her work. More changes around here, but right now, this looks to be a great one! GO BRONCOS!

Interior Decorating

For those of you who may question the truth and validity of the Abby's Mischief column...here's proof. Purple markers are now contraband. Like I have said before, "we're never bored."

Dog days of summer

Seriously, the most exciting events since the closing ceremonies of cousin camp have involved turning in papers and writing still-more papers. I pledged to myself that I would try to post twice a week...so here I am, posting. It's been HOT here for the past three weeks, like 100 degrees-plus with little or no relief. I attend class in the morning, cruise over to the Library at NNU to do my homework until 12:30or 1:00. Then I b-line it to the gym to train fitness clients. Meanwhile, Lisa has been writing her "proposal" for her doc program, which is really just a fancy phrase for "the beginning of her disertation." Things will let up following next week and we'll rest easy and have some more fun at the beginning of August; then (I can't believe I'm already saying this) it's back-to-school.

Last weekend the "Mishler-ettes" dropped by for a quick visit. I mention this simply as an excuse to gratuitously drop in a pic for Kev. They lodged at casa-Kinnaman and, of course entertained the kids with gusto. In the event that you, the reader are unaware; Holly, on the right side of the car-seat texts Kevin daily. I'm not sure if we can technically call it "dating," or not. The girl on the left side is Abby's new best-friend Becca, who also happens to be Holly's identical twin sister.

The kids remain busy; we're never bored. Abby continues to find mischief, Will is concentrating on sports, and Ryan is reading everything in sight; he sure is growing...lost a top tooth just in time to really complicate his corn-on-the-cob consumption. Summer is fun because we have access to that beautiful pool ans the kids have so much fun playing outside when it's bearable.

By the way, readers. I have an idea of who you may be...but what I hear are only rumors. If you check out the blog, don't be afraid to leave a comment like Sam and Kev have. All you have to do is click the link that says "comments" that makes the blog more fun for everyone.

Hooray for Cousin Camp

Cousin Camp has come and gone, thanks to much effort from E-ma. Thank you Robbyn, the kids had a blast and are still trying to recover from all of the organized fun and excitement! They have cool shirts and great memories from sharing the better part of 9 days building volcanoes, hunting bugs, digging for dinos, playing at the park, fishing, going to Chuck-E-Cheese, special gym night, and sleeping over at E-ma's. Did I mention swimming?....lots of swimming! Good times, good times.

School Rules!

NOT! Blogging a little bit less now that my class has started. It never really sank in that once I started this admin. program, I would be committed to actually attending class, completing homework, and fulfilling a year-long internship -- sheesh!
So, fun stuff. There is a pool in our sub division that really sweetens our living situation in the summertime. No kidding, the kids are there every single day. It's great for wearing them out so they'll sleep well at night and great for us to have a little low-level-everyone-is-happy-together family time. And... the kids are becoming sooooo comfortable in the water. It's such a blessing now that the temperatures have crested 100 degrees for the last week.

July 4th in Crouch

That's Crouch...rhymes with "couch," not "watch"...
We camped with E-ma and E-pa up in the mountains about 50 min. from home (See map). That's the benefit of living in Idaho, outdoors paradise. Our location was perfect for little kids. Only ten minutes from town, we had a site right on the water, complete with a little wading pool at the beach, and the campground pretty much all to ourselves. The family fished a bit and we all spent much time in the river. This water way is far from the mighty Willamette. It was no deeper than 3 feet in the deepest hole and it moved swiftly...a cool mountain stream of water. It was a good thing the water was so cool, the temperature broke 100 degrees. The boys caught fish with their E-pa, the great outdoorsman, caught bugs, and saw deer. Abby played in the water and kept us all on our toes. We ventured into town on the 4th to see the parade; it was soooo hot the water from the Firemen and rafters toolin' by was welcome. The kids scored a ton of candy -- everyone was pleased. It was a nice break for our summertime before things get hoppin' again. I'll begin classes for my admin. credential Mon. the 9th and Lisa will dive into writing her doctoral thesis...gee, it's nice being teachers and having the summers off.

Go Blazers!!!

I can't resist commenting on how excited I am on the news that my beloved Trailblazers really shook things up last night. Not only did they acquire Greg Oden and Channing Frye, they found a way to dump Zach Randolph. Not only will they be good and win games, they will be good and win over the community again. Kiss the "Jailblazers" goodbye. They will be fun to watch again...needless to say, I'm very excited.