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!!