He's in Love With the Boys!!

For Christmas my husband, along with his brothers, got tickets to the last game in Texas Stadium before it is torn down. Lynn is the biggest fan you will ever meet, I'm talking, my house looks like it barfed a cowboy. Everything he owns is blue and white including a lot of things in our home.

Lynn left for the game last night and our house is quiet. I'm so excited he got to go do that, but we are missing him. I hope he has a great time!

Santa Claus is comin' to town!

Each night when we get home from school and work we go to our advent calender and Nathan gets to eat a piece of chocolate. It has been a great way for him to see that there are still a few days until Christmas. For us it has been a break from hearing "is it tomorrow yet" which means is it Christmas.

We have had a nice time preparing for the holidays, but I wish it would snow. Some of the things we plan on doing for the holidays:
1. drive around and look at lights

2. go sledding

3. go ice skating (that one may hurt)

4. watch the old fashioned kids Christmas movies

5. get hot cocoa and deliver goodies to the neighbors

6. sing Christmas songs as much as we can

7. go shopping

8. eat lots of good food

I hope everyone has been enjoying the holidays and has a lovely Christmas!

Thankful!!

Just like others I grew up singing "Count Your Many Blessings", and I really thought I was a thankful person. How hard is it really? I'm thankful for my husband and family, our health, our home and food, but lately I have started to really see all the many blessings I really have. I have been able to see that even in the hardest times there were huge blessings. So for all the many wonderful things I have I am thankful, and for the blessings that I haven't yet realized I am very thankful!!

Dancing, Dancing, Dancing!!

Heather and I have been taking a hip hop class at the Apple and it is so fun!! I can really shake it, but I'm sure I will break it or someone else! We have a good time and look forward to putting on a recital once we really have our groove thing on!! Just Kidding, I think I did my last recital when I was 14!! It is too bad really, everyone would be so entertained!!

Have you ever seen so much candy?

We had a great weekend, and Nathan made a huge haul. I think all 4 of us kids growing up had not even got this much candy. It is crazy. We had 3 parties a trunk or treat, a school party, and a family party at Heather and Trevor's. It was a lot of fun. We got together and had yummy chili and lots of treats, then we went on a marathon trick or treat night. You can see the spoils of our labor.

For the first 2 parties Nathan was the black spider man, and on Halloween he was a crocodile. This is the last year I can make him be something cute, I think next year it will be all boy stuff, so I had to make him wear the crocodile. It was fun.

Idaho Falls

10 great Republican and Democratic communities
Republican: Idaho Falls, Idaho

This college town located along the Snake River is overlooked by the Teton mountain range and only a two-hour drive from Yellowstone National Park. A reasonable cost of living, property-tax reductions for retirees and tax-free Social Security benefits in Idaho make this waterfall-laden town affordable, even on a fixed income.

My sister e-mailed this to me, it is from U.S. News about the 10 great Republican and democratic communities...I wonder what we are! :)
When I saw this picture it made me remember why I love Idaho and yes, even the winters. I remember playing outside as if it wasn't cold at all. I remember gathering in the gym at school and learning Christmas songs and making all kinds of Christmas and winter art projects. It was the best time of the year. And now I get grumpy trying to drive in it and paying outrageous utility bills (even though I freeze my poor family out-I am the heat patrol) and having to dress Nathan in layers and layers and layers...
So...I have made a vow with myself to enjoy everything about this weather. I will be thankful that I have a utility bill because it means that I have heat and modern conveniences. I will bundle up with Nathan and play out in the yard until we have (well, I will spare you the nice things that happen in the cold). I will not yell when I am in the car with my wheels spinning. I will focus more on the meaning of Christmas than the gifts. I will try to make this a winter like I used to enjoy, so that Nathan can enjoy an old fashioned Christmas season.
I am excited now, I hope everyone else gets in the Christmas spirit!!!

Frightmares

Nathan and Lynn at the beginning of our Frightmares adventure!!

Last Saturday we packed up early and headed to UT with Trevor and Heather and their kids. On the way down we hit Smith and Edwards, which has a great supply of kitchen ware, and candy. It also has a lot of preparedness items, but we went for the candy. After that we headed to Lagoon for Frightmares. It was so busy!! Nathan and Tannon were riding every ride we would let them on. They even went to a haunted house. It was so fun to watch them enjoy the rides. Lynn and I broke away, thanks Trevor and Heather, and rode the Spider. I realized that I was getting old because I got scared on the ride. I am usually such a daredevil, but I saw the first signs of what is known as fuddyduddyism. It happens to everyone, but I guess I just got it a little early. Next year I am going on every ride, if it kills me!!!

I love this picture because Nathan and Tannon look like they are having a conversation!! They are such big boys!

This was a favorite for the boys!!

1930's Wife?

60 As a 1930s wife, I am Superior Take the test!

I found this on Heather's blog. I am maybe a 1950's wife!! I would love to go back to a simpler time, even if I may not be great at it!! This is a fun quiz, give it a try!

An even quicker trip!!

We went to Denver for the weekend, I should say for a whirlwind spiritual weekend. My nephew was baptised and my new niece was blessed. My grandparents and parents and Lynn, Nathan and I all went. It is so amazing that those kids were able to have their great grandparents there and their great grandpa stand in on the blessing and confirmation. I think I would have gone through a whole box of Kleenex the spirit was so strong. But I didn't have any so I just looked like a dog who stood out in the rain all day. It was a great weekend though. I am very thankful for my family and for the blessings that come from our membership in our church.Ashtyn in her blessing gown. My sister Kelly (who we missed this weekend) made this beautiful gown- she is talented.

Our family the day of the blessing. Caden is the little guy in the suit. You can tell he's been baptised!! I'm very proud of him.

Yikes...Handy Manny to the rescue!!

I don't think I have ever been so happy in my whole life as I was last night to start working on our kitchen. This project has been like having your favorite place close for remodel and on the sign it says it will be open soon....many months later still not done, that has been my life!!

I will say in our (Lynn's) defense that re-doing our floors in the kitchen is really hard work. Even though I am totally embarrassed to post our kitchen I am going to post pictures as we remodel. When you see the groovy pictures you will see why I am embarrassed and why we have waited so long!!



BEFORE- White carpet (not kid or Michelle friendly-try not to see the stains)

Under the white carpet-it's like going back in time

This carpet is (cool I know) glued down and will take major scraping. Every stitch of carpet and glue has to be removed before we can put the new floors down. And this is why we have been "closed for remodel so long", but one day I know we will look back and think "that was such a fun project" Yeah right!!!

Our Girl Lucy!!

I caught Nathan feeding our dog Lucy (Lucy thinks she is the size of a chihuahua) one piece of dog food after another. I was able to watch them for quite a while without them noticing. It was so funny! He said that Lucy liked her food softened before she ate it, so he would dip it in the water and then set it on the floor or her paw for her to eat. She sat there and let him do that for a while. Of course a dog that big needs soft food, I should have known that!!

Soccer Mom, I am not!!

On September 6th, Nathan started his first season of soccer (flower picking and jungle gyming). For some reason I thought it would be a good idea to help coach. I definitely was wrong about it being a good idea. Not only do I have to try and teach the other kids how to play soccer, and be good sports, I have to try to collect my son from the toys that he would rather play on than learn soccer. It is quite a challenge I am sure I won't take on again!

However, it is fun to watch the kids run all over the place with the ball! I really wanted Nathan to love soccer (as opposed to football, which is what his dad hopes for), but it looks like this year he is all about the jungle gym!! Oh well, maybe soccer is just not his thing.

Back to School!!

I know I am a month behind on posting, but I still thought these pictures were so cute that I couldn't go without posting them. Nathan went back to pre-school on September 3rd. He is doing well and making friends. I have lately had those moments were all of the sudden I realize my baby is growing up. He says smart, funny things, his clothes aren't fitting, and he can do so much! I am proud of Nathan and hope he has a great year at school!

A little sleepy, we get Nathan ready for his first day!!

A quick trip!!

Last Wednesday Lynn, Nathan, and I went to go see my sisters new baby in Denver. What a little sweetheart. She is a good, happy baby. It was so fun to see her and be with the rest of the kids. We always have a good time with them.
One day while we were there we went to the Butterfly Pavilion. You wouldn't believe the bugs...it was gross, but cool too.
It was such a great trip!! It was nice to unwind, hold a new baby and spend some time with my family.











Nathan with cute baby Ashtyn, his first time with a new baby, he thought she was pretty cool! He did get a little jealous when I held her though.






This is a bird eating Tarantula. It really was as big as a bird!!







Daddy and Nathan with the yucky spiders!!!

Nathan in the butterfly jungle!!

I'm not sure about heights!!

We went to the river on Saturday for the duck races, and they had all kinds of fun things. It was really fun. Nathan tried the climbing, and did great. I could tell he was scared, but he did it!! Next time he wants to ring the bell at the top!!

Kamryn is home!!

After 5 weeks in the hospital Kamryn got to come home!! She started at 4 pounds 1 ounce and now she is at 6 pounds and I think 4 ounces. She must be a good eater. We were able to go visit that little cutie, and she is doing pretty good. We are glad she is home and Kevin and Amber are able to start to adjust to the life of craziness and chaos!!

We keep the Doctors HAPPY!!!

As if I don't already worry enough, this last week was a toughie!! Last Saturday Nathan was complaining of a side ache and we also felt a bump. So Monday we made an appointment and took him to the doctor. The doctor was suspicious of the bump and decided that we should get an ultrasound. Thursday was the day of the ultrasound and by then of course he felt a little better, but we still felt the bump. We took him in and it is a case of swollen lymph nodes. This is quite common and if it didn't get better we were supposed to take him back in. We have not seen high fever and his pain is gone so we are in good shape with that! (Knock on wood!!) :)

On Tuesday night we had a baseball game. Now I will admit that I am not always full of grace, but what happened was not just me laying down on the job!! I was at 2nd base and the 3rd baseman threw a ball to me, I went up to catch it and I tripped over the base and the runner. I caught myself with my right arm, which I think hyper extended. I finished the game in a little pain and went home. It still hurt in the morning (it hurt bad, I don't go to the Dr. for just a muscle ache) so we went into the Dr. I had a radial head fracture, I think is what he called it. I am too old to be breaking things. It is really hard to do much without your right arm. So be thankful for all your limbs!! I know I am!

1st Annual Camp Trip!!

This weekend our family went camping in Montana with our good friends from my old work. We ate (a lot & well) and played games and did minimal hiking...which to me is the only way to go hiking. We got bitten by bugs, roasted marshmellows, and just relaxed and visited. The weekend went by so fast! We had so much fun we decided to do it every year! We will be so good at this camping thing. I look forward to many years of meeting together for camping! Thanks Gina, Michael, Kim, Kyle, and families for such a great weekend!! Can't wait to do it again!

Here is Nathan guarding our watermelon near our beautiful campsite!!

What a Week!!

65th Anniversary

Washing the dog!!

Hailey's Birthday!

We had our visitors and now our houses are quiet, but we had so much fun!! We went to Rigby Lake, went rafting, had an anniversary party, washed the dog, and a baby shower. It was a full week.

Babies...Babies!!!

We are so glad to welcome Kamryn McKinna Franck (my brother and sister-in-law's new little one) into our family. Kevin and Amber have had a lot of heartache before receiving this special little one. They had 2 little angels before Kamryn, but they could not stay. So Kamryn is so special to our whole family. She was born at 4 pounds 1 ounce and is now up to 4 pounds 10 ounces. She is doing really well, and will get to come home from the hospital after she can take all 8 feedings either by bottle or nursing. She is at 5 right now.

We can't wait to get that baby home and watch her grow!!!!

We girls got together and had a baby shower for my sister Jaimee. She is expecting her 4th baby. It was fun to get together and honor her and the baby!! She is a great mom, and has always been a good example of motherhood.



At this shower we attempted to make headbands for the baby. Some where really good and some not so good, but it was great fun. We also were able to enjoy the nice weather by having a picnic! We look forward to the baby coming early in August!!!

Fourth of July Fun

We had a fun day on the 4th. We got up...to late for the parade, and went to my aunt's house for a picnic with the whole family. It was fun to be with everyone, and go swimming. Nathan was brave enough to slide down the slide by himself and even jump into the deep end with my cousin catching him. I love to see him try new things, not too many though.

After that we went to Lynn's parents to celebrate with them. We got to do a lot of visiting and catching up with brothers and sisters. Later we sat with them at the fireworks. Nathan had so much fun playing with his cousins, he didn't even watch the fireworks. I guess he isn't scared of them.

The whole day was a blast. There is nothing better than watching your kids play and enjoying the warm weather!!

We are excited to be having visitors!!!!

Nathan is counting down the days until his cousins come. Jaimee and family are coming to stay with us next week and Justin may be coming as early as this Thursday. It has been forever since we have been all together so we really look forward to this visit! Nathan loves his cousins, and needs to get to know his Uncle Justin, who he is just like!! Yes, we have Justin genes to thank for our little climbing, swinging, jumping, Nathan!!

It will be so much fun, and to tell the truth it isn't just Nathan counting down the days either!!