Amber "Montana"

I have no idea how to do this so it may not be oriented correctly, but its too cute not to share. Nana (Kim's mom) bought some Hannah Montana singing pens for the girls. Amber decided hers was a microphone... just watch.

The last Hurrah!

We decided to spend this past weekend in Camarillo (southern California) for a last minute getaway before school starts. This also counts as my (Kim's) birthday present to myself. : ) We had the best time! This was one of the first trips we've taken by ourselves without extended family. Although, that wasn't the reason we had such a great time. But it was exciting to get away just the four of us. I'll let the pictures do the talking while I try to get my foot out of my mouth.

First outing: a bike ride to the park for a picnic. Or as Amber says it "a pickynick".



















Later, while Amber and Daddy had a nap, Caitlin and I did some marathon shopping for school clothes at the Camarillo outlets.























After dinner we drove out to Ventura pier for another bike ride and found a park on the beach to play on.









For our next adventure we took the day Saturday to drive down the coast and stopped at a beach in Malibu for another "pickynick" and some fun. There were ducks to feed and plenty of sand and waves to play in. And yes, we are fair skinned folk who need lots of shade, hence the beach fort.











We went back to the house in Camarillo to de-sand and then headed out for my birthday dinner. Then we all decided to go back out to the pier, this time on scooters, for our last hurrah.










Such a great trip!!! A wonderful way to end our summer vacation. The girls' favorite part was:
"everything!"

Where have I been?

I have recently been informed by friends that 'blogging' is the new thing and I am out of the loop. So, after spending WAY more time than I should have looking through all of your wonderful blog spots, I have decided to follow you all off the side of the bridge. So, here goes, welcome to the Krinke family blog. Since I don't know where to begin, I'll just let my kid's cute faces break the ice.

Oh, that means I have to figure out how to post pictures, HA! And you all said it was easy.


This is six year old Caitlin demonstrating what will happen with your camera if she is given the chance to 'hold' it for a while.



"But I didn't mean to point it at my face and push the button." Or did she....

Caitlin will be entering the 1st grade in just a few short weeks. She is not the only one excited about her going to school all day... bwoohahaha! Actually, Caitlin is our ray of sunshine and has had a blast being home with Mommy all summer long. This is the first year we've really been able to enjoy our pool since she can swim independently now. I'm sure after the first few weeks I'll be lonely and missing my little "Moe" all day.

Our second little ray of sunshine, Amber, is 2 1/2 this summer. Her days seem to be clouded with thunderstorms lately as she seems to be living up to the two-year-old reputation. She'll melt your heart in an instant and then make you pay for it the next! Sweet "Little Bee" is often the one to break the tense moments with laughter and really does bring her own little element of love into our family. Is it too soon to be looking forward to her first day of first grade?

Amber also enjoys her fair share of pool time. But most of her time is spent snuggling with one of the many pets in our home. I am quite pleased to see she has my same love and interest in animals. Above is one of the last photos of Amber with our kitty, Kenai. He passed away just two weeks ago on Brad's birthday. Below is Amber with our newest family member, Beau, a Great Dane puppy. He was 4 months old in this photo. He is now 7 months old and towers over Amber. She has recently decided if he is in her way it makes much more sense to crawl under him rather than trying to push him out of her way.
While on the subject of pets I will clarify the current numbers of the Krinke zoo. Both kitties have passed so we are down a bit. We still maintain our 45 gallon tank of fish. The record holder for size is still our 11 inch black tip shark. Ricky and Benjamin are our two rabbits. And we have two dogs, Beau and Terra. The dogs remain our fur children (I don't think the cats or rabbits will ever attain such status) so they too deserve a picture on the blog.
And now on to the adults in charge of this crazy zoo. Brad and I are both enjoying new callings. At the beginning of the year I was called to be the Primary President and just last month Brad was called as the Ward Mission Leader. We are both enjoying our new, busy, callings.

Work is much of the same for Brad. He still works for Weatherite and is currently the "Operations Manager". The only recent change has been the implementation of a dress code for all the office staff which includes Brad. Of course, Brad was the one to put it in place. But I finally have a husband who has to dress up for work! Hello, iron, I don't believe we have met before.

And as for me, life continues to pass by at an incredible rate. Where do the days go? And why is it they seem so slow in one moment and then rush by me the next? These children just keep on growing and the precious moments are slipping away already. I am so greatful to my husband and my Heavenly Father for providing a way for me to be here, in the home, soaking in each day with these sweet spirits that can drive me nuts some days. What a blessing to be pulling my hair out! I love every moment, even the ones where I have stepped outside for some deep breathing.


Well, this is the Krinke family in a nutshell today.