Check these out!

Check out the NEW pictures I posted of my Kiddos!!

Go to my PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG by clicking here!!
I got lots of beautiful shots ! I wish I could show you all of them!! I am so excited and already ordered posters and a canvas print!! I can't wait to see how they turn out blown up huge!!

Funny "All Boy" kid

This kid is all boy. He has been making me laugh so much lately. He says and does the funniest things. Savanah found this leaf grasshopper and gave it to him. He was inseparable from it for the rest of the day. As you can see from the pictures he isn't afraid of insects at all! In fact he got a little upset when I told him it was time to let it go!


I have also been meaning to blog a funny thing he said for awhile now. I have heard him, twice, say this to our neighbor and then to his buddy Carvin.

Caleb: "Carvin do you know what Max's middle and last name are?" (Max is our dog, for those who don't know)

Carvin: "No, what?"

Caleb: "His first name is Max or Max-i, his middle name is boo-boo, and his last name is Come here boy. So, Max-i boo boo come here boy, is his full name!"

What a FUNNY child! We do tell Max to "come here" a lot, so I guess naturally it all flowed together making him think it was Max's last name! HA!

1st day of Kindergarten

So, I had all my essentials, once again, ready to go. Chocolates galore, tissues, hand sanitizer, magazines, etc. I was prepared for a "rematch of tears", like when Savanah went to Kindergarten and just recently first grade. But surprisingly I did GREAT!! (It is sad when you are the mom and are more nervous than your child!)

Caleb was so excited! He asked Beau last night to make him German Pancakes for his first day of school. Beau, of course, did, and Caleb was so excited the whole morning. He picked his clothes out last night and went right to bed at bedtime!

The kids asked if they could ride their bikes to school today, so I loaded Kennedy up in the stroller, and we walked! (It was great exercise trying to keep up with Savanah and Caleb on their bikes...we may have to do that more often!:) And of course Kenny had to wear her "batpack" as well!)

Caleb kept grinning from ear to ear. Beau met us at the school and we walked Caleb in together. We are so excited for his teacher this year. She is new to North Elementary and we already love her! She exudes happiness and is so FULL of LIFE! I know the Lord answered our prayers and put Caleb with the best teacher that will meet his needs!!

I only got nervous walking out of the classroom. But as soon as I was in the car I was good. I think I might actually enjoy a little break after all!:) When I picked him up, he went on and on about his teacher and the field trip they get to go on soon!

I am so glad that he loves school already. I know he is going to be a great student and really learn a lot this year!!

HARVEST TIME

The amounts of veggies we have been getting everyday is AWESOME! Seriously, my husband planted over twenty crock neck plants and I think he is realizing now that is WAY to many! We had over three grocery bags stuffed in just five days. I keep walking out thinking there can't possibly be more veggies a day later, but there is!

~Here is my little garden turkey making a "feather hair" with the onions~

~Savanah was in charge of picking beans and more tomatoes~

~The path ways have been taken over by all of the squash plants~

~The sunflowers that line the garden are over ten feet tall! Savanah planted them herself and I must admit they look so beautiful!~ I am so excited to start freezing and making fresh salsa!! I can't wait to get some fruit bushes in the fall and really add more variety to our selections!

If anyone has any good recipes for anything to can let me know!! I love trying new ideas and recipes!

Preview

~Check out these new nature photos~

~And also

Check out my new session by clicking here!!!

Finley, Fall creek, and Bear Lake

On our way home we got to stay in Salt Lake to see our niece Finley, Hanna,and Chris. My heart aches for my sister and her husband at this time. I hate seeing them in this trial. Finley is such a sweet little baby who is doing much better but still has to be on oxygen. She is improving and I am so grateful to all those who have prayed on her and her families behave!

I was so touched by the outpouring of love and concern for them. One of my friends, while I was in Idaho, who doesn't know Hanna or her family, brought me a card to give to her. It amazes me to see the selfless hearts of others. It is good to know there are so many who are willing to help out and show love and concern, regardless of if they know them or not! I know they were touched to hear how many reached out and asked what they could do!
I wish I could take this trial from my sister and her family. I do know that through our trials we grow and learn. That good can always come from times that are trying! We love ALL of our family so much and pray for all of them through their times of trials. We hope sweet baby Fin has a fast recovery!! We love you guys!

We also got to go to Fall Creek Falls, the Friday before we left. My dad, Beau and I took Kennedy, Chandler and Savanah with us. The drive was beautiful and needed. We hiked down t o the base of the falls and let the kids wade in the water. Then we took them to Swan Valley for a delicious and famous square ice cream cone!

We also got to stay the night in Montpelier with my Sister Becca and her family. We first stopped in soda springs to show our kids the fun "soda" water and park that my dad use to take our family to all the time. We were also able to go to bear lake with Bec and her family. We had a lot of fun! I am so glad to have them live closer to all of us for a change! After the lake we went to the truck stop for some giant pancakes!

We had so much fun in Idaho. I loved every minute of spending time with our family and nieces and nephews! We look forward to visit again....and hopefully visits from our family to come here!

(Keep reading for another new post)

Beau's Fun

The whole reason for the Idaho trip was for the fifty miler! The white cloud adventure!! Beau lives and thinks of nothing else all year round. Due to circumstances with our little niece everyone wanted to be close by the phone in case anything digressed so he was only able to go one night. He wanted to be with all of us so he choose to come back early! He still had a lot of fun and enjoyed the one night trip. He took Savanah and Caleb and they had so much fun!! His dad and sister Katie also went with him for the night.

Beau is already talking about next years trip. Look at these fish! These are just a few of the MANY they caught!
Beau was also able to go biking several times. Once with his friend Malen and twice with my dad and a few of the bro-in-laws. (Chris you were missed! ) Here is an awesome picture he got of all of them!

Here is a small video clip from their ride. I laughed when I watched this 'cause it looks like Beau got "NO AIR" (sorry babe), but my bro-in-law Allen, and Beau both informed me it is the angle of the camera!



Also check out some new nature pictures on my PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG~

Family in Idaho

We had the chance to get together with almost all of Beau's family while we were in Idaho. Luckily for us, Holli was down with two of her kids for a reunion so we got to see her too! The only ones missing were Wes and Nikki. It was nice to see all of them. And oh that sweet little new niece of ours, Bella....she is so beautiful!! And so perfect!

We also got to visit "grandma and grandpa cows" as my children call Beau's grandparents. (because they have cattle) It is cute to hear them talk about grandpa cows and his tractors and four wheelers. We got to see Beau's cousin Ash and also Dustin too!

It was fun visiting family. We wish we could have stayed a little longer. But we look forward to more times with them and hopefully visits from some of them soon!

Surviving the first day of First Grade

(Pause the music until the slide show if you don't want to listen while you read)

Call me crazy but I have to mentally prep for this day! (Large quantities of Diet coke, several boxes of Kleenex, mounds and hordes of antibacterial hand sanitizer...oh the germs, don't get me started. And some sort of yummy fattening treat to indulge myself with) I know I am strange! Many mothers are overjoyed with the fact that they have freedom from their children. And although I enjoy time to myself too, I am also one of those mom's who dread school. The what if's in my mind are endless. What if their teacher doesn't like them? What if they hate school? What if they gets embarrassed? What if she can't unbuckle her pants before she makes it to the bathroom? (Ha...don't laugh ..... that happened to me in first grade....and it is a memory I try to suppress)

I mean come on people, can't they just make a magic pill for mothers like me that make us float around on "cloud nine" instead of going into sheer panic mode! Don't get me wrong, once I fall into the routine of things and know that my daughter is happy and loving school....I can enjoy it too! But until then, watch out!

I am sure many feel nostalgic walking back into a classroom. But looking at those kids faces with their awkward expressions of scared, happy, excited, and nervous emotions mixed together, made my face start twitching and I could slowly feel that same paralyzed look wash over me!(breath breath breath breath breath.....is what I had to repeat to myself several times)

I was doing good all things considered. My tear ducks seemed to be dry ...which was an added bonus, so I wouldn't embarrass my poor daughter.

I probably hovered a little longer than I should have. I probably scared children with that frightened look on my face. I probably laughed to hard at something a parent said that probably wasn't even funny.

With one last glance and a few more over explanatory comments to the teacher....I strolled away. There. I could feel my face soften slightly as I walked down the hall to the outside doors. I made it. No tears. No hyperventilating. I think I even smiled as I started down the sidewalk, Caleb at my side, and Kennedy in the stroller. I did it! I wanted to shout for joy!

It only took that ONE second to pull me back to reality and quickly feel my face paralyze back up when Caleb said "Mommy, I can't wait to start kindergarten next week!"

Tears ducks...not so dry!!!


(here are a few picture of Savanah's first day of First Grade, along with her Kindergarten and some age 4 pictures...man has she grown. I loved this song from Mama Mia/once by Abba.....I hated the show but fell in love with this song! I know it is only First Grade but I do feel my little girl slipping though my fingers and growing up! )

Idaho Part 3 Climbing trees, swimming, swimming, and more swimming

The best thing about my mom and dad's house is all of the fruit trees. Apple trees of all kinds, apricot trees, pear trees, black walnut trees, plum trees, and I am sure I am missing several others! Seriously, it is any child's dream. (In fact, when I was younger my sisters and I played many fun imaginative games that the trees came in handy for...my person favorites..."Island girl"...hahah..remember girls...and secret garden) Our children love the trees just as much and over many years of growth they have so many more branches to climb then we ever did.

(this is Chandler, at the bottom, and Savanah way up at the top)

Savanah fell out of the tree the last week we were there. She was trying to slide down the branches with a jump rope (note to self...never allow jump ropes in trees for so many other reasons!) and fell. She couldn't hardly move or bend for a good day or two. But the second she could she was back up in the trees, just a little more cautious!

The kids also got to swim so much! Grandma has the perfect size pool and hooks up her hose to her wash room to fill it with warm water for the kids. (something she did for us when we were younger too.)

Handsome Emmit
Pretty Savanah
Pretty Chandler climbing
Cutie pie Gabe
We also got to go to the Rexburg Splash Park. One thing I miss about Idaho is all the FREE activities that are available for children. This park is awesome.
~Grandma w/ Caleb
~Caleb under the dumping bucket

~Truman on the slide
~Savanah head first

Plus here is one more preview of more photography I did while in Idaho. Check the rest out by clicking here!

Idaho Part 2...Tennis and Crawdads

The first week we were in Idaho we were able to go and play tennis almost every night. I let the kids run around the opposite side of the court, while Chris and Hanna taught me and my mom how to play. I love it! I wanted to play every night and day a few times a day! I am not very good...but like any sport...a little practice makes for getting better, right?! So hopefully next time we can practice some more!

Although tennis is a one on one or two on two sport, some nights we played three on three just to include everyone! HA!:) Hanna and Chris are so good!!


Another fun thing the first week was my brother Everett caught Crawdad's with his friends and brought them home. My dad cooked them up and then they were nice enough to share. Oh yummy....they were so good! We cracked the shells and dipped them into butter! DELICIOUS!!! The kids thought they were so cool!


(Keep on reading the next post for more on our first week in Idaho)