Life with the Knollmillers

Rafting down the Salt River

2009-04-28T17:30:00.000-07:00

In March, my mother-in-law invited us to go on an all day river rafting trip down the Salt River. It was really cold and overcast but still alot of fun! We were joined by her good friend Nancy Hawkes and her two sons. Big Jay, came along too. This was his second river rafting trip.

Jay, Jake, Nancy, Andy, Laura, and Carol

2009-04-28T17:00:00.000-07:00

Here's our river guide Jen at the back of the boat. I only could take pictures when the water was tame.

2009-04-27T17:45:00.000-07:00

Jay Knollmiller relaxing between the rapids.

Laura enjoying the gorgeous canyons.

Andy and Jake getting ready for the ride.

2009-03-15T20:50:00.000-07:00

Here we are at the top of Camelback Mountain last Friday. Irene and Samantha from work went with me. Unfortunately only two of us made it!

Samantha and Irene sitting at the edge of Echo Canyon.

This is where we are headed

Irene had a heart monitor and calorie counter on that day. She said we burned up about 490 calories in about 45 minutes! Whew! That was SOOO worth it! Its gorgeous up there. This overlooks Scottdale and Phoenix.

2009-02-26T15:15:00.000-08:00

My nephew Luke is in a basketball league and he is an awsome player so we attended one of his basket ball games on Saturday. Wow those little guys can move!!

Julia's Allowance

2009-02-26T14:34:00.000-08:00

This year Julia really wanted a dog named Biscuit. This is a special robotic dog that moves and responds to specific commands. It was quite pricey, but after Christmas we saw it go on sale for $99.00, so she bought it. She thought it was cool for about a week and hasn't really played with it much more.

Julia and best friend Maddison snuggle with the very fury robot.

Cristmas Eve 2008

2008-12-31T15:26:00.000-08:00

Julia fianally fell asleep at about 9:30pm with thoughts of sugarplums dancing in her head.

Molly stayed up a little later. We finally had to prod her into bed at 10:00pm. She said she tried to stay awake all night. We checked on her at 10:30pm and she was fast asleep.

At 3:45am both girls were up and asked if they could open the gifts. Of course we made them wait until 6:30. Molly was upset and crying just waiting for that time to come. We finally got up at 6:20am

2008-12-31T15:24:00.000-08:00

Christmas was so exciting this year, Molly had trouble containing her emotions.

Julia checking out her stocking. There was lots of candy

and a giant pen.

Both girls got lots of jewlry in their stockings

2008-12-31T15:20:00.000-08:00

I got an Ipod which the girls tried to keep a secret but I figured it out and acted surprised.

Julia got Hannah Montana dolls, a giant dog alarm clock, clothes and money to spend.

Our whole family got a Nintendo Wii from Santa. The girls have wanted one and were really excited.

Molly got clothes, American Girl doll clothes, stuff for her room and money to spend.

2008-12-31T15:18:00.000-08:00

Julia and Molly played for hours with thier Wii while Tim and I went back to bed.

Bowling is fun but tennis was their favorite.

2008-12-31T15:16:00.000-08:00

Finally we woke up, got dressed and had a family photo.

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Grandma and Grandpa came over to see how our Christmas was.

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Later in the evening Tim's sisters and their kids came to hang out and play games.

We had Nachos which is a tradition on Christmas for the Nicolds and Scows

Then the games began for the rest of the night!

2008-12-31T13:40:00.000-08:00

Everyone had fun playing the Wii, even the adults!

Julia and Luke hangin' out

Family Is The Best!

2008-12-16T08:56:00.000-08:00

The older I get, the fonder my memories are of my childhood and some of the traditions we had. It's been 11 years since my mother, Jane Lea VanNortwick passed away, but I keep with me those precious things that she passed on to us. One of those gems are her great recipes that she so passionately created. This year we decided to visit her side of the family and we shared many of those great recipes and memories of her. I have always loved going to see my Aunts, Uncles and Grandparents at Christmas time. They're a little nutty and fun to be around, but mostly I love them because they remind me of Mom and my childhood.

Van Nortwick Christmas Party!

2008-12-15T20:40:00.000-08:00

Molly and Julia with Great Grandpa John VanNortwick We drove to Sanger, California to go to the Van Nortwick annual Christmas party this year. It was a long drive for us all but well worth it. Most of my Aunts, Uncles, Cousins were there this year. I especially was grateful to visit with my Grandparents. Grandpa John has been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. He just started chemotherapy to help shrink it and is doing well so far.

Grandma Regina and I saying our goodbyes.

Grandpa and me. I haven't seen him in about three years! He's 75 and still my good ol' grandpa!

2008-12-15T20:30:00.000-08:00

My brother Mike and I saying our goodbyes.

Me and some of my Cousins. From left is Carina, Jason, Maribel, Grandpa, Me(Laura), Brian and Kelly

Aunt Joyce and I

2008-12-15T20:27:00.000-08:00

Aunt Joan and Uncle Duane Matsunaga

Uncle Sheldon and Aunt Jennifer preparing to feed the hungry crowd that came. I'm guessing 40 or so family members came to reminisce and enjoy the company and food.

Aunt Jacque and Uncle Tom working hard in the crowded kitchen.

Molly on her 3rd helping of appetizers!

All the kids gathered outside to play in the bounce house.

Birthday Party!

2008-11-12T19:05:00.000-08:00

Happy 7th Birthday Julia! Julia had 14 friends show up to her Halloween birthday party which was a little more than we could handle! Not to mention a lack of birthday cupcakes!

The kids had a blast running and screaming around the house. Here's Molly taking a swing at the pinata. We also bobbed for apples and played "Which Part Of The Witch Is Which". The kids had to guess which body parts were under a covered tray by feeling some pretty gnarly, slimy things. For example, they felt a couple of peeled grapes that represented the witches eyeballs. They felt a bowl full of short, cooked spaghetti noodles and gummy bears in chocolate pudding that were her gutts. A wet, carved up piece of fruit roll-up was her tongue, and 4 pieces of chicklet-like gum were the teeth. Some kids had a hard time figuring out the parts.

2008-11-12T18:52:00.000-08:00

Shamrock Farms Ward Trunk or Treat. Here are Judy and Roger Ethington displaying their creative trunk! The funny thing is, Harrolds plumbing is a real business owned by brother Harrold in our ward!

Addison Palmer and Julia stayed together most of the night.

Samuel Scott is Julia's friend from kindergarten.

Here is Jade Marvin with Molly. She is Mollys friend and study buddy in 4th grade.

Molly this year was a Werecat. This is similar to a Werewolf and come from the R.L. Stine books.

Julia is a Snow Princess.

Our family vacation to California and Mexico

2008-11-01T22:17:00.000-07:00

Our trip started with a drive to California's Knotts Berry Farm. We spent Saturday and Sunday there. The kids loved Camp Snoopy the best.

Then we boarded onto a Royal Carribean cruise ship to Mexico!

There we are out at sea! Can you see us?

2008-11-01T21:50:00.000-07:00

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Formal night was great! We adults had our own table without any interuptions from kids. The food was alright but the service made up for it.

2008-11-01T20:56:00.000-07:00

All the kids had their own table in the dining room. Our wait staff was incredible. We never once got up to help the kids. I think this was one of their favorite nights because they were dressed up and treated like royalty. And the best part was NO ADULTS!

2008-11-01T20:54:00.000-07:00

This picture of us would be better if I could edit the blob off of Tim's face. There was'nt anything there that night.

2008-11-01T20:52:00.000-07:00

Natalie and Jay Knollmiller

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Robin and Shawn Scow

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Pete and Dana Nicolds

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Grandma and Grandpa Knollmiller

2008-11-01T20:49:00.000-07:00

Cousins Luke Nicolds and Julia

2008-11-01T20:48:00.000-07:00

Cousins Devin Scow and Molly

2008-11-01T20:47:00.000-07:00

Catalina Island California

2008-11-01T20:45:00.000-07:00

Julia and Mason took a little stroll down the pier together. The weather was warm, about 85 degrees that day.

2008-11-01T20:38:00.000-07:00

Inside the Submersable boat we could see alot of sea kelp and about three kinds of fish. The captain lures them to the windows by feeding them. Masses of fish swarm right up to the window making you feel like your under seige!

2008-11-01T20:30:00.001-07:00

On deck of the submersable boat cruise Julia and Mason are very excited.

2008-11-01T20:30:00.000-07:00

2008-11-01T20:23:00.001-07:00

The Midnight Chocolate Buffet looked oh so delicious. But looks can be deceiving!! The only thing that tasted wonderfully was the egg salad & tuna salad appetizers on chocolate toast. Go figure!!

2008-11-01T20:23:00.000-07:00

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2008-11-01T20:05:00.000-07:00

Our last day we visited Ensenada Mexico. We just about filled the whole bus there were so many of us.

2008-11-01T20:02:00.000-07:00

Jay sporting some Georgio Armani knock off sun wear.

2008-11-01T20:00:00.000-07:00

21 people waiting to cross the street can be hard without traffic lights.

2008-11-01T19:58:00.000-07:00

Shopping on the streets of Ensenada. About the only thing we all wanted to bring back was some cheap vanilla extract.

2008-11-01T19:57:00.000-07:00

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Eventually we found vanilla extact and cool refreshing Mexican soda. The Coca-Cola there tastes a little different.

2008-11-01T19:52:00.000-07:00

Pirate Show with the Adventure Club kids on the last night

2008-11-01T19:47:00.001-07:00

On the last night of the cruise, the kids club prepared a 10 minute performance that was very clever. They were pirates ready to commandeer the ship.

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the stars after the show

2008-11-01T19:36:00.000-07:00

Camping Trip!

2008-09-30T19:15:00.000-07:00

This last weekend we took a trip up to the Arizona Mountains. We love to camp up on the Mogillion Rim just east of Payson. The days were perfect 75 degrees and the nights not too cold for a tent. We still love the old fashion tent camping. Or should I say 3 out of the four of us do! I won't name names.

2008-09-30T19:13:00.001-07:00

2008-09-30T19:12:00.000-07:00

2008-09-30T19:01:00.000-07:00

Molly is getting the pole ready to go crawdadding. All my girls ever want to do when we arrive here is go and catch these minature lobsters. Even nicer is the fact that you don't even need a real fishing pole. Long sticks with a little weight and a hook work the best. Set 'em up with a can of corn from the Woods Canyon Lake store and they can go for hours.

2008-09-30T18:53:00.000-07:00

2008-09-23T20:10:00.000-07:00

This year Molly tried really hard to grow out her hair long enough to donate it to the Locks of Love foundation. We gave up after too many tangles and too much whining. She wanted dramatic and short and she got it!

2008-09-23T20:08:00.000-07:00

2008-09-13T16:29:00.000-07:00

Today was Nicholas Scow baptism. Congradulations Nicky! He is our nephew.

2008-09-13T16:27:00.000-07:00

Almost all the cousins are here together. Molly had to wrangle with little Brock to hold still.

2008-09-13T16:24:00.000-07:00

Here are some cousins being irreverent in the church after Nicky's service. Josh is tickling Brock who is three. Boys can be cruel!

2008-09-13T16:23:00.000-07:00

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2008-09-11T20:15:00.000-07:00

Love birds still after 17 years!

2008-09-11T20:12:00.000-07:00

The cutest boy on the block!

2008-09-11T19:54:00.000-07:00

This is Molly's best friend Erin Arbuckle and her brother Liam. They have been hanging out since they were almost 2 years old

2008-09-05T08:53:00.000-07:00

Posing for the camera, these girls are all kindergarten buddies.

2008-09-05T08:46:00.000-07:00

Julia had some Kindergarten friends over for a late night party during the summer. From left they are Maddison, Ansley, Victoria, Maddison, Ashton, Julia, and Haley.

2008-09-03T19:46:00.000-07:00

This year Molly and Julia have been collecting some of the American Girl dolls. This is Kit next to Julia and Ruthie next to Molly. Both of them saved up allowance for about 7 months to buy them . They AREN'T cheap!

My sister Linda and I just relaxing on the sofa

2008-09-03T19:44:00.000-07:00

Jake doing the worm in our family room

2008-09-01T21:09:00.002-07:00

Brooke playing Fur Elise

2008-09-01T21:09:00.001-07:00

Cool me down! Don't drown me, Dad.

2008-09-01T20:58:00.000-07:00

Brooke, Maddy and Gabby

2008-09-01T00:03:00.000-07:00

Ahhh! The sunshine makes me giddy!

2008-09-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

Mr. Misty under a shady umbrella

2008-08-31T23:59:00.000-07:00

I think everyone enjoyed a hot summer day at the park. Even Brooke seemed to have a sweaty glow!

2008-08-31T23:54:00.000-07:00

Snacks are essential when you arrive at midnight.

2008-08-31T23:51:00.000-07:00

Linda and family drove 10 hours just to see us! Looks like it was cushy rid'n in that Escalade.

2008-08-31T23:42:00.000-07:00