Iron Bog Hike

I thought that I would post a few photos from one of our trips to our family cabin this past summer. We hiked to Iron Bog. It was a great hike and the lake was beautiful. We can't wait for summer and the chance to do some more hiking.

Aiden takes a turn

There is a tree near our cabin in Mackay, Idaho with a long chain attached to it. You give a running start, and swing way out over the ground. It's really quite exhilarating. Aiden was willing to be one of the first to try it out. The only part that was truly scary was the landing, at least for Karen and Julie.

Brennan's Turn

Brennan was his usual cautious self. He watched and learned before he was willing to give it a try.

Karen on the Swinging Tree

Julie and Karen weren't so coordinated, and wiped out a couple of times. It was worth the bumps and bruises.

Lance on the Swinging Tree

Lance ran a little too fast, and swung out a little to far perhaps.

Brennan with glasses

I forgot to post the photo of Brennan with glasses. He's a rather handsome fellow.

Christmas letter and summer vacation

I thought that I would put our very late Christmas letter on our blog. Dear Friends and Family, December 29, 2007

Due to the fact that Karen is an expert in procrastination, and that she recently chose to work retail, this Christmas news letter is late. So what was last year’s excuse? There wasn’t one. Suffice it to say that in this instance, late news is better than no news. Her New Year’s Resolution is to get the Christmas letter done early. Consider this it. Wow, so far she is really on the ball.
2007 has been a good year for us. One highlight was our trip to Northern California. We spent a week visiting Karen’s sister Lisa. She was an excellent hostess and tour guide. We spent time hiking through the Redwoods, picnicking, and swimming in the bitterly cold ocean. We’d love to make the trip again.

2007 has been a good year for us. One highlight was our trip to Northern California. We spent a week visiting Karen’s sister Lisa. She was an excellent hostess and tour guide. We spent time hiking through the Redwoods, picnicking, and swimming in the bitterly cold ocean. We’d love to make the trip again.

Our biggest event of the year was our relocation from Twin Falls, Idaho to Austin, Texas. Karen’s favorite part of the move was the three day drive with three kids and two cats. Her mother was kind (or crazy) enough to volunteer to go with her. Fortunately, the trip was rather uneventful with the exception of the downpour in New Mexico that soaked everything in the trailer, and the overflowing toilet in the hotel.
Lance, of course, really enjoyed loading/unloading and driving the moving van. His friend Eric Myrup made the trip with him, and loved every tedious mile of it. We’re thinking that we’d all like to do it again next year. (HA!)
Everyone seems to have acclimated quite well. The kids like their school and their teachers. We’re in a nice area that is located on the outskirts of town. We really like it, but are having a hard time getting used to living 15-20 minutes away from the church. We’ve always lived within a few blocks of the church building, so it’s not bad, just different.
Aiden spent the first part of the year as a member of the YMCA swim team. He loves to swim, and had a great time on the team even though he’ll never admit to it. He recently discovered a love of reading, which pleases his parents greatly. His current favorite past time is playing with the Wii that we got for Christmas. He is sure to make time to torment the cats, and tease his siblings.
Brennan played spring soccer in Twin Falls, but missed the deadline to play here in Austin. He was disappointed, but is still practicing in preparation for the next season. He recently discovered that Jesus wants him for a Sunbeam and not a sunbean. Beam, bean, whatever. He acquired glasses a couple of weeks ago. His vision isn’t bad, but the glasses sharpened things enough that it’s been fun to watch him rediscover a few things that he was missing.
Sophie, not long ago, determined that her eyebrows make her look evil. As her parents, we don’t believe that any type of eyebrows could make Sophie look evil, or anything else for that matter. She is quickly learning to read, and is loving the new world that has been opened up to her with this recently aquired ability.
Karen is working at Old Navy a few days a week. Her first day on the job, she was asked to clean the bathrooms. Not exactly what she envisioned herself doing, but at least she got paid for it. She is also working with the Cub Scouts. Her particular group is a far cry from calm, but she considers it a weekly exercise in patience.
Lance likes his job, but has difficulty, at times, filling the hours. He’s working at a walk-in clinic where they only treat minor illnesses and provide immunizations etc. When there are no patients to see, there isn’t much to do. He’s considering working one day a week at a more traditional clinic in order to break up the monotony, and to keep his skills.
We appreciate the cards and letters that we’ve received, and are grateful that so many of our friends and family members are happy and well. We are filled with gratitude at this Christmas season as we reflect upon the blessings that we have received this year. We hope that this coming year will be filled with happiness for all of you.
Love, The Buxton Family

Rachel and Aubrey gave Brennan and Sophie Webkinz Pets for Christmas. They were having so much fun playing online with their pets, that Aiden decided that he needed one as well. The pets names are Ralf, Violet, and Leopardstar.