Thursday, June 5, 2008
Vol. 1 Issue 2
Because this is a newsletter, rather than your typical blog, it will be quite a bit of information once a week, instead of snippets daily. Please leave your comments on any of the individual entries as we will be sure to read them all before posting the next addition of The Koru Weekly. To be sure you've read the entire new issue, keep going until it says end of Vol. 1 Issue 2.
Letter from the Editor by Noreen
Thank you so much for your positive feedback on our new family blog. We appreciate everyone who visited, and especially the comments you made to the kids (we are still waiting for Grandparents and some Aunts and Uncles to weigh in!) I heard from a friend that she tried to leave a comment and couldn’t, so please let us know if you are having technical difficulties and we’ll see what we can do. Have a great week!
Texting too much?
I think the sign on this former mailbox in our neighborhood is classic. (Click image to view larger.)
Hot Tub Party by Noreen
Our new home came with a great deck and a hot tub out back. We had no idea what to do with the hot tub and thought at first we might just have to rip it out. Steve researched how to care for the tub, and now we love it! It’s our Saturday tradition to celebrate getting our chores done and getting all ready for Sunday, with a “Sundae” party. Ice Cream and a swim in the hot tub reward us for our hard work, and no one says “I Hate Saturday” anymore!
Our cousins Weston, Brooke and Jackson joined us in the festivities last week. It was so fun to have them. Who wants to be next?
Our cousins Weston, Brooke and Jackson joined us in the festivities last week. It was so fun to have them. Who wants to be next?
Cougar in the Neighborhood by Whitney
On Tuesday, when mom and dad were on vacation, we were trying to find the library with Grandma. It was 5 minutes away from our house, but we looked up the wrong address of one 45 minutes away. Then we finally found the right one. Grandma was chatting with a librarian when the librarian remarked, “How about that cougar?”
Grandma, “Cougar?!?”
Turns out, wile we were looking for our library, a cougar had been spotted a few blocks from our house! The police had done a reverse 911, (or for you New Zealanders 111,) were a machine called about 600 phones, (probably including our house) and leaving a message, cautioning people to keep children and pets inside. Three elementary schools and one middle school had to keep all the kids indoors!
Later it was tranquilized and caught. It will be decided were it will be released later.
Sigh, I always miss out on the exciting stuff.
At least I didn’t let Cooper run around in the back yard while we were gone!
Grandma, “Cougar?!?”
Turns out, wile we were looking for our library, a cougar had been spotted a few blocks from our house! The police had done a reverse 911, (or for you New Zealanders 111,) were a machine called about 600 phones, (probably including our house) and leaving a message, cautioning people to keep children and pets inside. Three elementary schools and one middle school had to keep all the kids indoors!
Later it was tranquilized and caught. It will be decided were it will be released later.
Sigh, I always miss out on the exciting stuff.
At least I didn’t let Cooper run around in the back yard while we were gone!
San Diego by Noreen
Steve and I got to work and play in San Diego for three days this week! Steve had a conference for work and invited me along. Grandma N and Grandma M and Aunt Bree each took a day and a night with the kids. (THANK YOU SO MUCH!) We hadn’t been away just the two of us in almost two years, and we enjoyed every minute. While Steve was in Conference I had the chance to work on my school plans for two straight days in a beautiful hotel room with no interruptions. One morning I had a lovely room service breakfast, and typed away while the made cleaned our room in the mornings. It made me laugh how NOT my real life this was, but what a treat. I reached a major goal of mine by completing our Family Master Education Plan. I have worked on it for two and a half years, and the focused time was just what I needed to finish it. What a gift! (Thanks for all your help Diann.) 
As for the playing, we attended a Padre’s game Monday night, had a lovely sea food dinner at Sea Port Village (my favorite place in San Diego, besides my Grandma’s house) and took a rickshaw to Horton Plaza to see the new Indian Jones movie on Tuesday. The third day I got to join Steve at the conference and the best part was all we had to pay for was my food and the movie tickets!
As for the playing, we attended a Padre’s game Monday night, had a lovely sea food dinner at Sea Port Village (my favorite place in San Diego, besides my Grandma’s house) and took a rickshaw to Horton Plaza to see the new Indian Jones movie on Tuesday. The third day I got to join Steve at the conference and the best part was all we had to pay for was my food and the movie tickets!
Book Review by Whitney
Title: God’s dog
Author: Hope Ryden
Type: Non-fiction
Subject: Coyotes (Say Ky-oat) (Not, ky-o-tee)
Summery: As an animal lover, always thirsty for more details, this book was right down my ally. Miss Ryden has written numerous books about animals. From first hand experience, of observing animals in their own habitat, disturbing them as little as possible. She has also appeared on talk shows and has written extensive articles for The National Geographic, magazine.
She is extremely good at what she does, and I personally did not find any part of her book boring. In her book, “God’s Dog”, she was the first person, to date, to study a coyote litter being raised in its natural environment, and so discovered many surprising behaviors. She has also visited people that have kept them as pets, (not for the faint of heart!) and investigated the Coy-dog. (A wild mix of wolf and coyote)
She trapezes through sagebrush and faces a migrating herd of thousands of elk, surviving blizzards in a haystack, and making her way through dangeres snow drifts, that if sunk into, will sap your strength, and life energy. Witnessing fascinating behaviors, and capturing photos of them, it seems she is not afraid of anything that means she can study her subjects in a more efficient, and safe, (for the subjects!) way. (Except ladders, she is afraid of those.)
She also lists a history of canis latrans. In one chapter it has the long list of what man has done to get rid of this “nuisance”. Dispelling numerous myths as she goes, she is at the top of my must read list and I can’t wait to read more!
Rating:********** Ten stars! Very good content, lots of things to learn, and neat photos taken by her, while in the field.
Recommended for: Ages 12- up. Has some graphic photos of coyotes that have been killed by humans, and describes some of the horrific way humans “exterminate” them in one of the later chapters. Also has some sad stories.
Some other books written by this author: Lily Pond, Bobcat Year, America’s Last Wild Horses.
Author: Hope Ryden
Type: Non-fiction
Subject: Coyotes (Say Ky-oat) (Not, ky-o-tee)
Summery: As an animal lover, always thirsty for more details, this book was right down my ally. Miss Ryden has written numerous books about animals. From first hand experience, of observing animals in their own habitat, disturbing them as little as possible. She has also appeared on talk shows and has written extensive articles for The National Geographic, magazine.
She is extremely good at what she does, and I personally did not find any part of her book boring. In her book, “God’s Dog”, she was the first person, to date, to study a coyote litter being raised in its natural environment, and so discovered many surprising behaviors. She has also visited people that have kept them as pets, (not for the faint of heart!) and investigated the Coy-dog. (A wild mix of wolf and coyote)
She trapezes through sagebrush and faces a migrating herd of thousands of elk, surviving blizzards in a haystack, and making her way through dangeres snow drifts, that if sunk into, will sap your strength, and life energy. Witnessing fascinating behaviors, and capturing photos of them, it seems she is not afraid of anything that means she can study her subjects in a more efficient, and safe, (for the subjects!) way. (Except ladders, she is afraid of those.)
She also lists a history of canis latrans. In one chapter it has the long list of what man has done to get rid of this “nuisance”. Dispelling numerous myths as she goes, she is at the top of my must read list and I can’t wait to read more!
Rating:********** Ten stars! Very good content, lots of things to learn, and neat photos taken by her, while in the field.
Recommended for: Ages 12- up. Has some graphic photos of coyotes that have been killed by humans, and describes some of the horrific way humans “exterminate” them in one of the later chapters. Also has some sad stories.
Some other books written by this author: Lily Pond, Bobcat Year, America’s Last Wild Horses.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Volume 1 Issue 1
Because this is a newsletter, rather than your typical blog, it will be quite a bit of information once a week, instead of snippets daily. Please leave your comments on any of the individual entries as we will be sure to read them all before posting the next addition of The Koru Weekly.
Letter from the Editor by Noreen
Thanks to all of you who clicked on the blog link! We are grateful to have you. In this, our inaugural edition of our family newsletter, you will find a sampling of what we have been up to. In this and future additions you can expect to see book reviews, our own news articles, artwork, journal entries, and photos. We’d love to hear your comments, feedback and ideas! We will update the blog with a new issue weekly, so check us out every Friday. If you want email notifying you every time a new addition is avaiable, just send us an email and we'll add you to the list. Happy Reading!
The Whip-Poor-Will by Whitney
Today I was out side playing with Cooper, when I saw what looked like a rock sitting on top of our fence. But on closer inspection I discovered it was a Whip-Poor-Will! I ran inside to get dad’s camera and got some pics. (I think it was a female)
Note by Dad: Dad has never seen one as it is not native to Utah, the Western United States, or the day-time. It sleeps during the day and feeds at night. Hense the large eye. Definitely a lifer for Whitney who spotted and identified it! Great job!
Note by Dad: Dad has never seen one as it is not native to Utah, the Western United States, or the day-time. It sleeps during the day and feeds at night. Hense the large eye. Definitely a lifer for Whitney who spotted and identified it! Great job!
Cub Scouts by Noreen
Daniel looked so handsome in his scout uniform today, I just had to grab a picture. He is a Wolf Scout and especially had fun using Dad's hammer at scouts today. 
First Scout Camp by Steve L.
Two weeks ago, I went on my first overnight Boy Scout Camp with my Dad. The first thing we did when we arrived was choose a spot and set up our tents. Then we played a little demolition Frisbee (it's called demolition Frisbee because it hit the picnic table, three people, a camp leader, a tree and a tent. And the Bishop's car. Oops.)
At about 6:30 we went down to the end of camp for dinner. The Stake provided it. Dinner consisted of : watermelon, carrots, pork sandwiches, soda, bags of chips, and for dessert there were big brownies, LARGE rice krispy treats, and HUGE rice krispy treats mixed with choc chips.(ugh) I ate myself SICK.
The next morning Jared #1 cooked the eggs, Jared #2 cooked the bacon (yum) and I cooked the blueberry chocolate chip pancakes. I let one of the camp leaders taste some and we won the prize for best breakfast in the camp.
At about 6:30 we went down to the end of camp for dinner. The Stake provided it. Dinner consisted of : watermelon, carrots, pork sandwiches, soda, bags of chips, and for dessert there were big brownies, LARGE rice krispy treats, and HUGE rice krispy treats mixed with choc chips.(ugh) I ate myself SICK.
The next morning Jared #1 cooked the eggs, Jared #2 cooked the bacon (yum) and I cooked the blueberry chocolate chip pancakes. I let one of the camp leaders taste some and we won the prize for best breakfast in the camp.
That morning we were in charge of the flag ceremony down at the amphitheater. Jared #1 was the announcer, Jared #2 held the flag, and I was color guard. As I stood back, saluted, and watched them raise the flag I loved the way the flag looked against the trees and came back a few minutes later and took a picture of it.
That afternoon I went on a compass trek. We would take a compass, hold it at certain degrees and look for a landmark so many paces away. Then we would march over to the landmark and do it over again. And over, And over, And over, And over, And over, And over, And over, And over, And over, And over, And over, And over, And over, And over, And over, And over, And over, And over, And over, And over, And over, And over, And over, And over, And over, And over, And over, And over, And over, And over, And over, And over, And over, And over, And over, And over, And over!
After the award ceremony we packed up and left. I love camping!!!!!!!!!
Memorial Day by Noreen
It was Steve’s first day off since starting his new job 3 months ago. We were determined to bust out of the house for the day (as much as we could with a new puppy anyway) and shake off some of the dust that had collected on our adventurous spirits since we landed in the States. We planned to visit the Salt Flats and Antelope Island, or maybe a hike and a family bike ride before joining Steve’s family for the traditional holiday B-B-Q. Whitney and I woke up early and left quietly for a mother/daughter date at our local IHOP (International House of Pancakes.) To our surprise the garage door opened to reveal a blustery, rainy day. I thought there was a law that Memorial Day had to be the beautiful opening of summer!
Home from breakfast and still determined to get away, the kids and I decided to show Steve and Whitney the Aquarium in Sandy. (They had missed our fieldtrip there on Friday, and the kids were anxious to show them the jellyfish and stingrays.) By noon, half of Utah realized their outdoor plans for the day were not going to happen and they joined us at the aquarium. Although crowded (we lost Ellie once, while trying to help another lost toddler find his parents) we had a wonderful time. Dad read the kids every description of every animal and the kids were determined to touch the starfish, horseshoe crabs and stingrays. It made me laugh to hold my 6 and 3 year old daughters over the stingray tank as they begged to touch the elusive animals. Steve and I had taken a Western Caribbean cruse to the Cayman Islands several years ago and paid big bucks to take a speed boat to a colony of stingrays you could feed and touch in the wild. Well, once there, I was petrified. Every time one of the massive creatures would swim towards me I would climb on my husband’s shoulders and scream my guts out. When the emanate danger had passed, I’d climb down and we’d start laughing our heads off, until the next creature made its way towards us. Then the process of climbing, screaming and laughing hysterically started all over again. Eventually we made it back to the boat, without touching any stingrays! Well, I wasn’t about to touch one at the Aquarium, but Ellie, Janey, Daniel and Whitney sure enjoyed it. (Steve L. feels about the same as his mom when it comes to touching the freaky creatures.)
Home from breakfast and still determined to get away, the kids and I decided to show Steve and Whitney the Aquarium in Sandy. (They had missed our fieldtrip there on Friday, and the kids were anxious to show them the jellyfish and stingrays.) By noon, half of Utah realized their outdoor plans for the day were not going to happen and they joined us at the aquarium. Although crowded (we lost Ellie once, while trying to help another lost toddler find his parents) we had a wonderful time. Dad read the kids every description of every animal and the kids were determined to touch the starfish, horseshoe crabs and stingrays. It made me laugh to hold my 6 and 3 year old daughters over the stingray tank as they begged to touch the elusive animals. Steve and I had taken a Western Caribbean cruse to the Cayman Islands several years ago and paid big bucks to take a speed boat to a colony of stingrays you could feed and touch in the wild. Well, once there, I was petrified. Every time one of the massive creatures would swim towards me I would climb on my husband’s shoulders and scream my guts out. When the emanate danger had passed, I’d climb down and we’d start laughing our heads off, until the next creature made its way towards us. Then the process of climbing, screaming and laughing hysterically started all over again. Eventually we made it back to the boat, without touching any stingrays! Well, I wasn’t about to touch one at the Aquarium, but Ellie, Janey, Daniel and Whitney sure enjoyed it. (Steve L. feels about the same as his mom when it comes to touching the freaky creatures.)
Ellie loves the starfish and the horseshoe crabs.
Whitney
Daniel
Janey
Steve L.
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