Pocatello Trip

On March 27th, my friend Mandy and I made a road trip to see our families. She is from Melba, Idaho and since it was our kids spring break that next week we felt it was a great time to go. So, we loaded up all 5 kids (her 3 and my 2) and away we went. We were able to get out of town by 8am--which is GREAT for me! Our drive seemed to go SO fast! The kids were SOOO good. We brought TONS of munchies that way we wouldn't have to stop except for potty breaks. We managed to get to Nampa (Mandy's in-laws place) in a little over 6 hours. Mandy and I couldn't believe how quickly that drive seemed to go. After unloading them and a quick potty break, I was back on the road for another 3.5 hours to Poky.

When we arrived at my mom's, we quickly unloaded most of our stuff, packed a bag with our swimsuits and towels and headed to Lava Hot Springs to see Ri, Jim, Krysten & the gang. The kids had such a great time playing! It was fun being able to share that experience with them. Especially, now that Jake is getting older he will remember it the next time we go. We were able to go twice while visiting with my mom.

While staying at my mom's, Jake sleeps out in the living room with Krysten and Aleigha and I sleep in Krysten's room. It's interesting seeing how my kids adapt to changes in their routines. At home, we have a set bed time...at Grandma's...that goes RIGHT out the window! LOL Isn't that the way it's supposed to be though? Thankfully, Jake and Aleigha were troopers and didn't push the limits TOO much.

On sunday, we were able to go to Mom and Krysten's ward. It was such a wonderful experience to hear my Mom's Testimony and to sit in on her Primary class. She is such an amazing person! I am SOO proud of her and all that she has gone through to get to where she is at today.

After church, we went up to Ri and Jim's new place, up Mink Creek. The area they are living used to be an Egg Farm called Frazier's. The people who bought the land and buildings have been renovating and cleaning things up. It was beautiful there. The deer are right there and mountains, creeks, ect. Perfect place for Ri and Jim! Anyway, we ended up having a BBQ while it SNOWED!! Poor Jim was the lucky one to do the cooking! lol

Aleigha LOVED getting into Krysten's things in her room. As shown in the picture below, she found Krysten's makeup. Another time she was playing with her jewelry and everything that was located in this one shelf. She even managed to get into some paint and managed to get it all over her clothes and even some on the floor! Poor Grandma! Needless-to-say, Aleigha was a handful on that trip! Thank goodness she's soo darn cute!! :)
On Saturday April 4th, we went to Buddy's! This place has the BEST salad!! Even Aleigha enjoyed the famous salad! Jake, on the other hand, didn't want anything to do with that green stuff. He stuck with his pizza. Every time I go to Poky I try, try, try to go eat there at least once. Thankfully, we were able to go this time.
After we went to Buddy's, I took the kids and Krysten to Ross Park. Thankfully, they were able to play for a bit before it started snowing (or was it hail?). However, that didn't stop us from playing! By the time we were done, ALL of us were wet! It was so much fun though! I don't know if Krysten agrees fully, but Ri and I had fun! Right, Ri? ;) We still love you Krysten!!!

We had such a great trip! I'm so glad we were able to go visit everyone. Even though I felt like I could stay another week, the kids and Daddy were ready to come home. Thanks Mom for everything! Can't wait to see you guys again! Love you, bunches!!

March update

March was such a crazy month! For most of it we were getting ready for Jon's parents 50th Wedding Anniversary Reception. Jon's brother, Steve and family, and his sister Terri and her daughter Jessica flew up from Arizona for the shin-dig. It was such a wonderful time (hectic, too) to have them all here to help celebrate this wonderful occasion. Many more family members were able to be here, as well as loads of friends! It was so awesome to see how many people love and care for Barbara and Phil.

These first 4 pics were taken by Christina Harris with her fantastic camera! These are just some shots she took while we were at the park one day with their family.

I took this picture of Jessica modeling Barbara's Wedding dress. She looked SO pretty!

Just a snapshot of Aleigha and her cousin Joshua playing together. These two got along SO well! It was amazing to see that...especially with their ages.

Joshy eating some chocolate chip pancakes! Look at those cheeks!!!!

Aleigha and Joshy sharing some cake. Josh just came right over and sat right next to her and started feeding her his cake. It was SOO stinkin' cute!

Barb & Phil sampling their cake at their anniversary reception.

Terri and Aunt Ronni

Jakey with one of his many pieces of cake! Oiy! My kids were LOVIN' that cake!

Just running around outside the reception...cooling off.

Barb and her Maid of honor. (another of Christina's work)

Barb and Phil (I think Jon took this)

Love this shot! Isn't it great? Kuddos to Christina for this one!

The anniversary cake. Thanks Shana for making such a GEORGIOUS cake!

Caught in the act of sneeking some more goodies!

Steve and Joshy.

Miss Aleigha

More updates coming soon! Yeah, yeah....I say that alot! LOL

5 years old!

Holy cow! I can't believe it has been five years ago since Jacob came to our little family. He has sure grown up a lot! We have been so blessed to have him in our lives. He makes us laugh. He drives us crazy. He constantly amazes us with how much he knows. He is so very sweet. He loves his little sister (most of the time). He is still as big as ever! He started out at a whopping 10 lbs 12 oz,19 inches long and is still HUGE! People are always mistaking him for a 6 or 7 year old. I love my lil' man so very much! And I am SO blessed that he is my son. He has such a tender heart and sweet spirit. I hope and pray that he stays that way!

5 years ago:
Today:
Cutest boy ever!!

P.S. I will be posting more pictures soon.

Do you wanna win it?

OK, I saw this on Shana's blog and decided it would be fun to play too! I love a good challenge! Oh, and thanks to Shana for the wonderful way of wording everything! hehehe :)

So, here's the deal...do you want to win something homemade by me???? Something fun, creative, and downright cute? Well here's your chance!

I will make something just for you, I hope (but can't guarantee) you'll like what you get! I promise you'll have it by the end of the year (see how I give myself plenty of time, you might not get it until 11:59 on December 31st :) The first five people to comment to this post will win.

But wait! There's a catch...YOU have to make a post on YOUR blog with the same offer! I know, this is the part that made me hesitate...but don't you think it would be fun?!!

Now.....GO! ;)

Flu

So, the flu bug has made another stop at our house. This is the second time this year!! Ugh!! I was up with Aleigha for most of the night last night. It is SO not fun when they are this little. It's not fun no matter how old they are...but this age they just don't understand what's going on and why. I'm just praying that nobody else gets it!! Thankfully, Jake was good and Aleigha and I were able to sleep this afternoon and now Jon is home and is helping. It is SO nice that he is so willing to help!
That's about it for now. I will post something later about what's been going on besides this fun stuff!

Cereal

So, I was in the computer this morning and heard some crinkling out in the living room. I realized that Aleigha must have gotten in to something, so I go out there and this is what I find:
Apparently, she was hungry...lol! Thankfully, she didn't dump the ENTIRE bag out onto the floor! I gave her a little baggie with some in it...hopefully that will be it...for now. That girl is ALWAYS into something! lol

January Happenin's

Not much has been going on here...just the same ol' crap. lol Kids are growing like weeds; Jake is trying to stretch his boundaries (why do kids always do that?); Aleigha is the typical two year old--into E V E R Y T H I N G!; Jon is really liking his job and is learning a lot of new things; and I am striving to get back in control of my life. I am striving to be more organized and be the wife/mother/daughter that my Heavenly Father knows I can be. I am so grateful for my family and their unfailing faith in me...if not for you guys, I would be in the looney bin! haha

Anywho, I have been wanting to share some random pictures that I have taken throughout this month...just of the kids and some birthday pics of Lori and Denise.

This is Jake's Cowboy he made one day out of playdough. He was VERY proud of himself! Very creative boy!

Jake & Aleigha were being silly one day and wanted me to take pictures. Aleigha put all of her "accessories" on all by herself! Such a silly girl!

I was able to go over to Moses Lake and have lunch with Lori and Deni at Inca's. I hadn't seen Den in FOREVER, so it was nice to see her and be able to celebrate Lor's Birthday. Lori even took me to see her house which is awesome! Can't wait for her to move in! Hopefully within a week!! YAH!! This is at Momma Yum Yum's with the girls to celebrate Denise's birthday. It was a good night. Good food and great conversation! And this is what Shana & I made for her. Shana found the quote and we both agreed that it was SOOO Denise! LOL We love ya, girl!

Ok, so, I'm a bit late in posting these...but I decided I had better get them posted! These are just a few pics I took while down at my Mom's for Thanksgiving.

Aleigha fell asleep just hangin' out with Jake and Krysten...I thought this was so cute I had to take a picture!

AhRian & I at the movies. We went and saw "Twilight" for the second time with our hubbies. It was a fun night. We even went out to dinner afterwards. It was nice to double date with those two. I swear we are such polar opposites!! It is rather hilarious. Ri & I even commented on how different we probably look to people. Ri & Jim are almost dressed biker style, and then there's Jon & I...dressy casual...you know, our usual. hahaha it was fun!!

This is a picture of the day my Mom went through the Temple for the first time. She went through the Idaho Falls Temple. I was able to be her escort and Lori, Pat, Jon, & Grandma Colleen (mom's Mom) were all there to celebrate this wonderful moment. We are so proud of her and the steps that she has taken to get here! We know it was NOT easy, but SO worth it! We love you!!!