text: The Austin Family: June 2008
  BIG MEADOW!!
  Hey every one!! Chris and his family are going to big meadow this year!!! I can't wait! I hope to see most or all of the family there! Happy Camping!!!!!!
  Your favorite Austin, Sage
  Posted by Sage at 11:30 AM 0 comments
  I just put a new post up on mine and Keith's blog, so you can check it out if you want! I'll try in the future to double post-put the post on this blog and on mine and Keith's individual blog- so you don't have to jump all around. =) Enjoy.
  Also, here's a fun picture of Tyler and Kyle in Jackson Hole, from January. Tyler and Kyle are so funny together, they are always playing and (usually) getting along and laughing a LOT. They came up with the "cheers" thing all on their own, and I had to snag a pic:
  Posted by LeslieK at 4:06 PM 1 comments
  Erik Lars turns 4!
  Erik had a very fun & wet 4th birthday pirate party last saturday! The kids enjoyed a slip & slide and a little pool with a slide we bought. Then, Erik and his friends ate pirate cake & ice cream. He had so much fun he didn't even think of opening presents until later that night after all his friends had left.
  Posted by Shannon Landheim at 12:23 PM 0 comments
  For my dad's b-day we went hiking at Suncrest. Above are pictures of our secret "grove "and the trail.
  Posted by Sage at 11:18 AM 1 comments
  Labels: Hike.
  Look Grandpa,
  My mouth is empty....it has run out of candy. Unless you want to shatter my uncompromising faith and trust in your magnificence, you need to rectify this situation. And no cheap stuff either. Mommy says I am a chocolate snob, so stay away from the cheap stuff. See's truffles will do nicely, Ghirardelli chocolate is acceptable, and anything they sell at Ikea will get by.
  Your buddy (for now),
  Here are the Bluemels swimming at Grandma and Grandpa's house.
  Posted by Sharol at 10:29 AM 1 comments
  Future Neatfreak
  Andrew loves to clean, so we bought him a play vacuum. Here he is trying to take it to bed with him. When he is done playing with it, he puts it in the hall closet with our big vacuum, and announces "I'm done!".
  Posted by Sharol at 10:23 AM 1 comments
  Shannon, thanks for the cool greeting!
  Posted by SteveSr at 9:04 PM 0 comments
  Posted by Shannon Landheim at 2:27 PM 1 comments
  Because I like their ice cream.
  Posted by SteveSr at 11:19 AM 1 comments
  But if you do need fake names, mine is "Stone Cold," and Judy's is "Lightning Slayer."
  Posted by SteveSr at 11:18 AM 0 comments
  Who is Lebbie?
  Who is "Lebbie?" This isn't like email. You don't need fake names.
  Posted by SteveSr at 11:01 AM 1 comments
  Keith and Leslie This Sunday!
  For those fortunate enough to live in Bakersfield, you will have the opportunity to hear Keith and Leslie give talks in church this coming Sunday, the 22nd.
  We'll be speaking in good old 5th ward about the Restoration and the Book of Mormon. If anyone wants copies of our talk to read to their kids let my publicist (Steve Austin) know, and we'll try and see if we can get you some, as they are in high demand.
  Look for the review in the Church Newspaper too, I'm SURE they'll send someone to report on our inspirational talks!
  Posted by LeslieK at 1:45 PM 2 comments
  School is out and summer is here!!!! I can't wait to really get into summer especially July. We have tons of things planned in July And August. I hope to see the whole family together some time.
  Posted by Sage at 10:34 PM 0 comments
  This summer, the Chris Austin family, will be going to lagoon, Sun Valley, and Bear Lake. We will have a great time, (i hope) and are looking forward to seeing everyone else, because only three thenths of the austin family lives in Utah! That's not very much! Well i'm looking forward to big meadow, (although i'm not sure i can go!).
  Posted by Amby at 2:06 PM 1 comments
  As you may know, I visit Spencer almost every week. Judy usually goes with me. He is always upbeat, has a great sense of humor, and looks great. He works out a lot, but since theydon't have weights, they have to use other methods, like putting catalogs inside of pillowcases, etc. He runs a lot, listens to Rush Limbaugh on his radio, and has a TV which I sent (prisoners can order TV's, radios, clothes, and a wide assortment of food, through "quarterly" packages, as long as someone pays for it). His running area is not large, and is basically around the yard. You can see the Corcoran facility on Google Earth or Microsoft's version if you want to see where he lives. Getting through each day is difficlut, mainly due to the demeaning way in which all prisoners are treated, but he deals with it. The substance abuse education is a joke, and is taught by high school graduates who earn $11 per hour. So Spence spends his time studying his college courses (he is earning college credits through courses given online by two junior colleges), reading, working out, and running when they are not in "lock down." The system is one which breaks down the spirit of anyone there, and then releases them without any new skills, and a great feeling of low self worth. Plus it is very hard for most ex cons to get a job. Not surprising that 85% return. And the taxpayers pay a huge price for this. Spencer is determined not to return. But part of the problem is that once you get out, your mind blocks out the whole experience because it was so negative. So many return immediately to their old friends and old ways. Hopefully Spence will be able to stay out this time.
  Posted by SteveSr at 11:29 AM 0 comments
  This is the BEST FAMILY EVER! WE ROCK!!!!!!!!! We go skiing every year, and have a great time!!!! Were great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  Posted by Amby at 12:35 PM 0 comments
  Andrew Being Cute
  Remember when Mom used to make chore charts, and Debbie's only assigned chore until she was 17 or 18 was "be cute" ? Well, as we all know, even after all those years, she never really got it right. Andrew, however, has perfected the art of being cute at only 2 years of age. I think I have a prodigy on my hands.
  A couple of weeks ago, Andrew was running a fever of 105, so he got the rare treat of juice in his sippy cup. I also bribed him with a Dum Dum to get him to let me take his temperature(rectal). He was so attached to both treats, that he tried to drink the juice while eating the sucker.
  While I was doing laundry, Andrew decided the laundry hamper was a fun place to do his coloring. He was in there for about 15 minutes,and didn't want to get out, so I let him stay in there another 20 minutes while I was trying to get Ryan to sleep for his nap. This is what I found when I went to get him out...
  There was also crayon all over the outside of the hamper, on 2 doors, our kitchen floor, the kitchen cabinets, the walls, the tile in the entry, the refrigerator, and the dishwasher. I am very grateful for the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
  Andrew loves to "hold" Ryan, and always insists on having the burp clother over his shoulder.
  Posted by Sharol at 8:17 PM 1 comments
  Thanks for sending all the Dewar's and See's candy. As you can see, it is contributing to my girlish figure.
  Posted by Steve at 6:23 PM 4 comments
  Debbie Got Promoted!!
  To celebrate, we went to Famous Dave's BBQ... it was delicious!!
  Keith & Leslie... He looks so happy.
  Debbie and Lauren (Matt's Girlfirend)
  Matt and Lauren, she is gazing adoringly at him, and he is just enjoying it.
  Dinner was awesome!! And because I knew the floor manager, it was half off! Sweet.
  Looking forward to seeing everyone at Big Meadow!!
  Posted by ohmygahitsdeb at 9:11 PM 0 comments
  From one chocolate lover to another...Happy Father's Day Grandpa Austin Love, Sofia & Erik
  Posted by Shannon Landheim at 7:11 AM 2 comments
  I have to give credit to Debbie for doing the background/template for our blog...not only did she find a template online, she also was able to put a picture of Big Meadow in there. Thanks Deb!
  Posted by LeslieK at 10:51 AM 0 comments
  One of Ryan's biggest talents is his ability to spit up all over the place at any moment of the day. He is especially good at spitting up all over me when we are just about to leave the house, or in the middle of church all over my good clothes. So, yesterday I was vacuuming, and Ryan was playing. I turn off the vacuum, and go to pick him up, an this is what I found.
  I can't decide if I'm a bad mom because my child was lying is spit-up, or because I stopped to take a picture of it before wiping him up.
  P.S. click on picture to get the full efffect.
  Posted by Sharol at 7:32 AM 1 comments
  Free to a Good Home Until Age Three
  One very cute 2 year-old who spends half the day in time-out.
  Posted by Sharol at 6:44 AM 5 comments
  Since Cade is the baby of the family, I am only going to post about him. He is the youngest and the cutest, so his is the only one that matters now....He has superseded the other children. In fact, they are all for sale on e-Bay if anyone is interested. Here's a recent picture of Cade. One of Jennifer's friends told her that he looks like Matthew McConaughey with those golden curls, so there is no way Jennifer will let me cut them now. Matthew McConaughey is her eye candy, after all.
  Mom and Dad are planning on going to Big Meadow June 30th-July 5th.
  Who is planning on going? Just leave a note in the comments.
  Posted by LeslieK at 4:18 PM 4 comments
  The Landheim's Latest
  Erik Lars just completed his first year of preschool! He loved it so much mommy has graciously allowed him to continue preschool this summer. His teacher commented "he always has a story to tell us about something.." Wonder where he got that gift for the gab?? We also took Sofia on her first camping trip this past weekend up to Mantua (just east of Brigham City). She had a great time wandering everywhere, but was not a huge fan of sleeping in the tent. Hopefully, she will do better when we take her up to Big Meadow. N otice from the pic how her hair is finally growing in.
  Posted by Shannon Landheim at 1:37 PM 3 comments
  Bathtime at the Bluemel's House
  Just a few pictures of Ryan and Andrew in the bath together. They both LOVE bathtime!
  Posted by Sharol at 11:57 AM 2 comments
  Ryan at 4 Months
  Ryan had his four month well-baby visit last week. He weighed in at 17lbs. 12 oz., and is 26 1/2 inches long. He is in the 97th percentile for height and weight. He is rolling over and is a pretty mellow baby. Pretty much the opposite of Andrew as a baby. His reflux is completely under control (we LOVE Prevacid Solutabs!!!), and he has no noticable pain or discomfort. Now if he would only sleep more...
  Posted by Sharol at 11:47 AM 0 comments
  Dad won't come camping with us in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains. Something about a "trial date" seems to be getting in the way. We'll be at the beach (for those of you in Utah, that is where the "ocean" meets the "shore" creating "waves") and he'll be slaving away in the office. Heck, it's only a PI trial; he should be ready by now. Talk about a lack of proper priorities. Just out of spite, I think we'll skip Big Meadow this year.
  Pacific celebrated her birthday (May 20) last Sunday at Build-A-Bear. I would have rather walked on hot coals and broken glass barefoot than spend an hour and a half there with a bunch of fifth-grade girls, but duty calls.
  That's all that is going on out here in NoCal.
  Well, things are really tough this summer. We have a new couple staying with us. He is ok, but SHE-she is up at all hours, singing, quaffing root beer, partying, etc. Lies around the pool all day tanning-you know the type. Then about 7 pm starts the partying again. Oh well, just noting it for the records. I can't use any names. She is right here, perhaps reading over my shoulder. Got to go.
  Posted by SteveSr at 7:31 AM 1 comments
  Leslie smells
  Not really news, just a fact I guess....
  Posted by Dr. Squid at 4:06 PM 1 comments
  I started up a family blog for us, and everyone can contribute!
  You can write a post, put up pictures, and even videos. I hope everyone joins in, especially all you computer-savvy kids, namely, Sage, Rainier, and Madison.
  You should have gotten an e-mail from me, inviting you to write on the blog. You also probably have to start an account. If you don't want to, for some weird reason, like, you're weird, you can e-mail whatever you want to contribute. That way is more like the Austin Gazette, and we know that can be more of a hassle, so I thought this method might work out better, and allow everyone to know what's going on with everyone else.
  We can also add links on our blog to other people's blogs, so feel free to do that as well. Just e-mail me all your questions: lellyann@gmail.com