Preston, ID Rodeo

I loved, loved, loved the opening ceremonies for the Preston, ID rodeo! After introducing all the princesses, skydivers landed in the arena. There were 3 parachuters and the final parachuter had the American Flag swaying behind him. It took a little while to see that it was the American flag and by the time you could, "I'm proud to be an American"(my favorite patriotic song of all times!) played in the background. Goosebumps covered my arms, the moment was beautiful!

We've never been to an actual rodeo, only bull riding championships. We're used to a couple hour show, this lasted 3 and didn't end until 11:30pm. The kids did amazingly well, considering there were no naps. Kaitlyn did fall asleep thru about 45 minutes of it, waking up just in time to see the bucking broncs herd with their ponies come out for the ending finalee. It too was amazing and sent chills...knowing how much my girls LOVE horses!


We experienced a good storm through the show. LOTS of lightening which gave Ally a scare. Kaitlyn had nothing but excitement though each strike, since she kept trying to spot them earlier in the afternoon and had much frustration over it. We all stayed dry during the couple downpours which lasted about 5 minutes each.

Another experience we won't forget is the calf roping. I could do nothing but laugh, for it seemed funny to watch the calf go down so quickily. I laughed until one of the calves broke its neck and had to be hulled off. This is an event Ally could have done without, but got over it quickily as we helped her shrug it off.

The Trip to ID

This year, for our family trip, we decided to head to Preston to see our friends Porter and Jen (who came to see us last year). We're having a great trip and enjoying the time away from the hussle and bustle.


The Drive to Preston, ID went better than expected. Jeremy took the first leg until 5am (left at 11:30pm), I drove until 11am (our time) and couldn't take anymore. We arrived in Preston at 12:30 (their time). Leaving in the middle of the night made things much more peaceful and much quicker for all of us. We all were happy to arrive.


The first night, we headed for Porter's brother, Jordon's home. All the boys headed for the hills after dinner to try to spot a few deer, they saw more than just deer, elk too. Jordon's wife Suzanne, just got her certificate to do nails. She was kind to provide manicures for Jen and I. The kids were fasinated with the long pretty nails Jen was getting.

The second day, we relaxed and helped Jen prepare for Miss Riley's 7th birthday. It was a twilight themed party and I was impressed with Jen's cake idea, the cover of Eclipse. She did a great job and it was fun to help her.


For the party we headed down the family's pond and recreation area. Lots of fun stuff to do; bomb fire, basketball, playhouse, riding 4-wheelers and the rhino (4 person ATV vehicle). We had a great BBQ with all the trimmings and the opportunity to visit with Porter and Jen's families (only Porters family is in the picture). Ally enjoyed catching grasshoppers. Kaitlyn enjoyed riding the mini 4 wheeler and getting it too close to the pond....having to push it back up the little hill.


More to come soon....all from our third night: 3 hour rodeo with lots of entertainment; thunder storm, sky divers, calf roping (with calf neck-break), barrel racing, bare-back broncs, bull riding and did I say lots of lighting really close by?

Visit from Becky's Family

We had a great time visiting with Becky and her family last night. This is their week of birthdays: Stevens on Wednesday, Steve's on Thursday and Becky's on Friday. We had fun giving Steven his little gift early. The attention span of a 5 year olds isn't long....but I was amazed he and Kaitlyn got through over half of putting his lego helicopter together. I lured them back when it was time to put the propellers on :) It was a lot of fun!! The kiddos had a blast and were sad to leave their cousins.


Here's a cute one of Aunt Lairen with Tori.

Fun on the river!

Fawn and Henry (friends from church), took us out on their boat this afternoon. Our families had so much fun together! We were surprised when we saw the boat...it's one of those pontoon party boats that holds upto about 18 people....super fun! It goes about 30 mph and pulls a tube at the perfect speed. The girls were really nervous, but ended up having a blast. Both didn't think they would want to go tubing, but found that they loved it! The top left picture is of some ducks (ducklings were there too). They were at the dock when we first arrived.

These next pictures, only Jeremy and I (and Fawn and Henry) will find humor in. I couldn't choose just one for they all give me a laugh. Jeremy was in a zillion different positions for this ride, which made it difficult for me to hang on. I look like I'm freaked out the whole time, but really I'm laughing histarically the entire time and ready to pee my pants....I continued to laugh even though my head kept colliding with the tube, almost got a nose bleed, had a scraped up ankle from getting out of the boat and scraped up elbows from hanging on so tight (and Jeremy slamming into me with each wave). It was a fun and crazy ride...I'm hoping this will bring some good laughs for the 4 of us and our "crazy rides". I really wish I would have got picture of Fawn and Henry...their ride was just as crazy...especially with Jeremy's driving!

Pioneer Day Fun!

First of all, we've been to 2 pioneer day celebrations over the past two weeks. A couple regrets: 1. I forgot the camera when we went with Tom and Jeannie last Saturday. 2. I forgot to take pictures of mom with the girls today. Both events were great and it was a fun time seeing the way two stakes in our area, put the festivities together. Lots of time and dedication for lots of people to have fun together :)


It's like a reunion when we have these events! So many people throughout the years, going in so many directions. Last week, I saw families I babysat for 20 years ago and others that I attended church with 10 years ago. Today, I saw a friend from 25 years ago (a family that went to the temple with our family almost 30 years ago) and a gal I served in Young Women's with 7 years ago (with her 1 year old triplets)...this was also Ally's nursery teacher. And the girls were more than thrilled to see Megan (a friend/babysitter that moved a while back), who painted the girls faces.


After we had hamburgers and hot dogs, the girls couldn't wait to do some of the other activities like the bouncer obstacle course, hula hoops, face painting, eating snow cones and watching kids get dunked into the tank!

Some of these items were done at East Stake's activity too...Ally loved the 5K walk around the track with Aunt Lairen and dessert before lunch (because of the long lines). Kaitlyn loved the chicken and time on the bouncers and the fishing booth. I loved the creativity of coverings over the serving tables....each table had the "covered wagon look". They used white sheets attached to 3 long curved PVC pipes stuck into the ground....great idea.


We had a great time at both pioneer events! (Thanks for the picture mom....wish I had the one of you and the girls though!) Oh and did I mention I ran the 5K with 15 others from my ward???!!! The necklace I'm wearing in the pic is my metal for finishing :) (thanks Natasha)

Natalie and Charlie

Okay...so I realized I did not post pictures from the first time I met baby Charlie! It was clear back in April. Natalie (friend from high school and my maid of honor) had Charlie back in June of 2009. I didn't even meet him until he was 9 months old :( Isn't he adorable??!! Thursday, we had a short visit. It was great to see, what feels like, my long lost friend from Seattle. Who I'll hopefully get to see one more time before summer is gone.

Ally told a FUNNY!

Yesterday, we had blueberry muffins for breakfast. As we sat at the table, Kaitlyn kept imagining all the different things we could put in our muffins. "What if we had strawberries in our muffins? What if we had...." this and that, getting sillier as she carried on. I've learned that evenually you just have to tune her out. Ally on the other hand, decided to join in and say "Kaitlyn...what if we had a little 'shush it' in our muffins" I couldn't help but laugh as I scolded Ally and asked her to appologize. She has so much patience for Kaitlyn most of the time.

Ride in the Hills

We had a nice truck ride last night on a beautiful night. Five mountains were in view with just a turn of the head, a herd of elk with their young were in view and I got to spend some time alone with Jer. Many memories from our earlier years came traveling back....the porcupine waddling down the road, the first camping spot, the many rides in the truck and 4-wheeler, the love of bugling with elk and spotting wildlife and of course the companionship. This is something we used to do several times a week (before children). It was fun and I hope I get my ride on the 4-wheeler, in this area, soon :-)

Water Awareness Program - AWESOME!!!

I'm so fortunate that I was able to get my girls into an AWESOME water awareness program. My girls have never had swimming lessons. The one time Ally did, she was kicked out because of her fear and pulling attention away from the others. We did do a couple private lessons and work with them last summer (thanks for Aunt Rachel's help), but it didn't get us that far.

Boy, are we feeling good as parents after the first session! You have to understand that Ally and Kaitlyn DID NOT like putting their face under water, getting ears or noses wet. Fear doesn't even describe the emotions at the beginning of session 1. Ally saw the "big kids" on the other end of the pool jumping off the diving board and thought she would have to too. She panicked and cryed to the instructor the first day and was dreading going back. The next day, nothing but pure excitment formed and each day they can't wait to go back for more.


Session two has just begun and Ally jumped off the diving board, TWICE! No floatation devices!!! and swam under water all the way to the ladder.


Kaitlyn's huge advancement is the fact that she'll lay in the water on her back. She wouldn't even do this in the bath tub, for she's always been afraid of getting her ears wet. She is swimming on her back and will fetch toys under water (with a little help getting down).


I'm so proud of my little fishes in the water!!!!

Miss Kaitlyn's 2nd Tooth

Little Missy lost her second tooth! Can you see the red in her face and tears that fell on her shirt?? This experience doesn't compare to the first. This was complete devistation and fear. She was determined to pull it herself, since that didn't work too well...I finally brought out the dental floss and the two of us did a tug. She was happy she pulled it out herself (no need to correct her) and it didn't hurt. She was even happier when the toothfairy came the next morning.

Lucia and Moulton Falls

It was fun to spend the afternoon together. Jillian, Ally's friend spent the night and they enjoyed the surprise outting to the falls and sitting by the Lewis River. We watched the "crazy" people jump off the bridge and attempted to find critters under the rocks. We had fun getting our feet wet and skipping rocks. We were the happy being together on a sunny saturday afternoon.

Independance Day 2010

After church, we spent some time at Katie's house, munched on a few goodies and gave the kiddos the opportunity to play. We then took off for my parents house and watched fireworks from my bosses house (my parents bishop). We didn't stay long, but enjoyed the fireworks we saw and the company from family throughout the day.

Kitty Fix

The girls and I got our "kitty fix". Some friends at church were willing to share. I was the one wanting to bring the orange tabby home. It reminded me too much of our cat named sassifras when I was little. I quickily came to the realization that it wouldn't be too smart with 4 puppies in training. Thanks for sharing Sheryl! the kids enjoyed themselves.

Mom has a friend who got us great tickets the the Broadway production of "The Lion King". It was a great experience and fantastic show! Ally's eyes were glued to the stage...she enjoyed every moment. Luckily, Kaitlyn got over her fear of the hyenas quickly and loved taking turns on mom and dads lap. Jeremy enjoyed being with us, viewing the show, but wishes there was less singing (crazy I know). I on the otherhand, LOVED the music and was in ahh over the way the production came together through this such wonderful art.

I loved watching the girls the next morning playing their favorite parts of the movie over and over. It was an experience we won't forget.

A chance for photos

We had to take this opportunity to get a few pics. It's very rare for the girls to agree to dress alike AND do hair the same. Ally can't stand to have Kaitlyn copy her. Another abnormalty these days are braids and piggy tails. Kaitlyn can't stand being called cute....everytime she has piggy tails and braids, this comment is made. Therefore she doesn't usually go for them....thank goodness the word cute was no where to be found today :) Enjoy!!!...these next two are BEAUTIFUL...

Jason and Leslie's Wedding

We had fun attending a wedding reception today. Jeremy's friend Jason, from college, married Leslie, whom he met at the apartment complex he manages. We are happy he has found someone who seems really sweet....it'll be nice to get to know her. Congratulations you two and best wishes for all the happiest moments together.

Dance Festival

First two pics, compliments of Kolleens blog....thank you!


WOW! What a neat opportunity to attend conference! I can't even describe the feeling of 2000 youth running out onto the field. The spirit was so strong. Tears were running down my cheeks, goose bumps covered my body! It was SO amazing! My girls enjoyed themselves and were so sad daddy didn't join us....much to do at home and miss out on so much! Sorry babe! Kaitlyn's comments throughout the whole conference: "Boy....daddy's missing out!...this is so cool!"


The above flags in the picture represent the 133 temples that dot the earth today. They were brought out with "I Love to See the Temple" playing in the background.


The youth and missionaries in our district closed by singing "How Firm a Foundation" Thank you to everyone involved...this is an experience me and my children will never forget!

Festival of Balloons

This has been on a to do list for over 10 years....I'm so glad it's finally accomplished. It was worth getting up at 4:15 in the morning. We packed up our picnic breakfast and arrived just in time to see the first balloon lift off the ground. It was a relaxing morning watching all these balloons take flight. It was just as fasinating to view the process of set-up. One of the funniest moments was the girls and their excitement over the 'pop bottle'. I had to let out a large chuckle, that of course they didn't understand. We finished by 7:15 and headed to see great-grandma after her walk at the mall....we taught her how to play 'rock, scissors, paper'....must have looked funny in the publics eyes. It was a pleasant morning.

Meeting Baby Reese

We met our neice Reese for the first time....boy are her and her siblings so darn cute! I was happy to get a little baby fix and was thrilled for the opportunity to have a few moments with the other kiddos. I loved the fact that Tori warmed up to me as she did the last time she was here. She remembered playing "little piggies" on her toes....the cookies seemed to help as well....we had a lot of fun together. Many of the grandkids reunited for a pic....we have 3 neices and nephews yet to meet, so 4 kids are missing from the picture. Jeremy's folks now have a total of 15 grandkids...crazy, but fun!

Fathers Day

I loved the opportunity to designate some extra time for the sweet father of my children. It's been a while since I put alot of time and thought into a gift...it made me so happy to do something extra special....an extra bonus is the time the girls and I had while doing it :-)


The girls did the planning and I helped with the tweeking and pulling it all together. We had the morning together...treasure hunt, breakfast and time for Jeremy to catch up on rest....had church and left early for a BBQ (ribs, yum) at Jeremy's uncles....where we also got to see his Grandpa. I think he enjoyed his day and hope he knows how much he is appreciated and adored! Love you Sweet Daddy!


Extra bonuses: Kaitlyn's connection with Kaylee (her second cousin, once removed I think), seeing Great Aunt Carrie (from Seattle area), Aunt Lairen making the trip with us to Randy's, and getting to bring Ruby (our dog) in the car for the ride home....can you tell Jeremy's in love with her???!!! It was a good day for us all.