Sneak Peak!

Five weeks ago this is what I saw.....

Now I am going to have this........

Coming March 2010

I am an AUNT!

And I must say I am a very proud one at that! I have the most beautiful niece ever. Beth had Brayli Ann on Saturday, August 15 at 8:42 pm. (Chris's birthday!) She had a relatively quick labor for a first baby and went home the next day. I was camping at Jardine's lot so I didn't get to see her 'til the next day, but it was worth the wait. I have seen her almost daily since and she gets cuter and cuter every time. I can't believe she is here. When Beth told us in December, it felt like August was so far away and now it's here. I have yet to get a picture with me, but enjoy the rest.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Camping 2009

So, Chris and I have been on so many camping trips this summer, I can't begin to tell about each one. But, I will try....

One of the first trips we went on after Yellowstone was to our friend John Jardine's lot with Joy and Mitch. Braden went with us too. We had yummy dutch oven dinners, steak and potato dinners, dutch oven desserets, and lots of 4-wheeling. I have never been the best 4-wheeler, but I was riding with pros. I had to buck up. We went on a 5 hour ride around the back of Tamarack. There were rocky hills, crazy curves, and wild animals. (Just kidding on the wild animals, unless you count us!) When we got to the very top of the hill, at the Tamarack ski lift, my 4-wheeler decided to die. It has a very dead battery. Luckily we were able to trade it out with Chris's and his charged it the rest of the way home. We all made it home in one piece. (I didn't say we made it home clean! Check out the pics below!) I ended up sick with allergies, sunburned and covered with mosquito bites. Everyone went on the ride again the next day while I laid on the couch and played on the computer. Overall, the trip was really great! One of the best things about this trip, was that our big dogs became friends with Suzy. The actually laid on the carpet together without any problems.

The next trip we went on, Chris and I went all by ourselves. That doesn't happen much with us, we really like to have friends and family. We wanted to go to Silver Creek Plunge, but not drive the crazy road to get there. We stayed at a campground at the bottom of the hill. We went on a couple hour ride just from the campground the back way around to the hot springs. Mostly road driving, nothing too crazy! We had a small beach down below our campground. Suzy like it only enough to get a couple sips of water. We also left our watermelon in it to keep cool! After we left that campground, we stayed the night at Starlight Mountain Theater and watched another show. We have been there three times this year and love it every time!

Our most recent trip was back to Jardine's lot. Chris helped John a lot with projects he had around the lot. They cut logs, brought in new sand, built benches, and rode 4-wheelers. I think Chris did a lot of work, but he found enough time to have fun. Mom, Quinn, and Jenna came up for a day and a half. Joy, Mitch, and Heidi also came up for a couple days! We had lots of fun again. Overall, it has been a busy summer!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

4th of July

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Family Fun

Over the 4th of July, my dad's sisters and brother came to town. At any given time, there were at least 10 children running around. I took all 10 of them one day. We went to Celebration Park, ran through the sprinklers, ate pizza, and had fireworks. I had a system when I hollered out 0 and the kids numbered off 1 through 10. That way I would always know I had them all! One night, my family went to the drive-in. We saw Night at the Museum 2 and the new X-Men. I fell asleep during parts of both of them! I had a nice comfy spot in the back of the Jeep! Enjoy the slideshow. (No one was harmed in the balancing act while reading!)

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Beth's Baby Shower

Check out the slideshow of Beth's baby shower. We had so much fun and it was full of pink!

Make a Smilebox photobook

The Discovery Center

We have had some friends here from Germany and have been trying to show them around Idaho a bit. They have never been here before and want to see as much as they can. Yes, we know our area isn't big, but there is amazingly lots to see. We have gone to Silver City, Celebration Park, The Discovery Center, etc. I think they have seen quite a variety. Here are some photos from the Discovery Center. Sophia was with us and you can tell she was really enjoying herself. Our friends from Germany also had a lot of fun!

The Finished Product!

Kitchen Makeover

While on our vacation, we had our kitchen redone. I have always hated the green countertops (and there are a lot of them!) The backsplash was also very boring. We had wanted to do concrete countertops, but after a reality check of the price, we went with less expensive laminate. It wasn't my first choice, but it turned out absolutely gorgeous. It made the rest of my house look really dated. Needless to say, the rest of our house will follow shortly. I already have big plans for the tile in the entryway and fireplace. I can't get my memory card to download the "after" pictures, so for now you get to see the "before."

There are pictures of the "before" and after Chris busted out the old tile. That even looked better than that ugly white tile!! Hopefully, I will get the memory card to work tomorrow and get the finished kitchen. All I can say, it's worth the wait (and all the money it took!)

The Rest of the Trip

After we left Yellowstone, we headed to Red Fish Lake. Chris has never been there before and wanted to check it out. The lake was beautiful, but it was really rainy there. We want to go back and try out the activities on the lake.

Next, was just a short drive to Grand Jean. Chris used to go there as a kid and wanted to see if it was still the same. Many things had changed, especially the shorter drive back to the camp. The best thing there was the empty pool, we were the only ones at the campground that night. It was nice and warm.

After our one day visit at Grand Jean we headed to HorseThief Resovoir. We stayed there for two nights and had fun fishing and riding 4-wheelers. It was still a little rainy, but it kept the trails nice and dry. Chris caught the biggest one of the day, but I was already back at the trailer and didn't even get a picture. The picture is of the one Zach reeled in. The first day we were there, Christian decided to wreck his bike. Beware of the pictures, they are pretty graphic. We had planned on staying another day, but the rain got the better of us.

On to Silver Creek Plunge. We figured that if it was going to rain, we may as well have a warm pool to swim in. Chris, Zach, and me spent many hours in the pool while Christian sat on the sidelines playing the GameBoy. I felt so bad for him, but he asured us he was fine. The pool was great, the 4-wheeler trails were muddy. It wasn't the best place to be that day.

Our last visit was Crouch, Idaho. I really wanted to go to Starlight Mountain Theater, so we drove in to stay closer. I was so excited until it started to rain and rain and rain. I was so sure we were going to be there and not even get to see the play. I waited until the last minute to buy the tickets and it was well worth it. It drizzled on us a little throughout the whole play, but not enough to really bother us. We saw Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I would highly recommend it and Chris and I plan to go see the other plays. Enjoy the slideshow!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Yellowstone

For our second anniversary, Chris and I planned a 10 day camping trip. We started in Island Park and went in one big loop around, finishing in Crouch. This slideshow has just pictures up until we left Yellowstone. We didn't see many animals, unless you count buffalo. When we went for our honeymoon, there were elk too, but only one this year and I didn't even get a picture. The weather was a little rainy, but nice. It didn't stop us from doing what we wanted to do. We took Zach and his friend, Christian. They enjoyed the bike trails around Yellowstone, no 4-wheelers there!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Thunder Mountain Line

The weekend of Memorial Day, Chris's family went camping. Since, we were leaving the next week, we stayed home, but we headed up there for a day. They were going to ride the Thunder Mountain Line to Banks and back. It was the same one we went on at Christmas. This time was even more fun though, because we were able to ride on the outside car. That was my favorite part. It was also fun to talk with and hang out with Chris's family.

The outside car

Idaho potato, Jazmin, Aleeah, Nicole

Aleeah and me

Aleeah waiting for the train

Quinn's Graduation

The Tuesday following Braden's graduation, Quinn graduated from Kindergarten. He saw what a big deal it was for Braden's graduation and expected nothing less. He made sure we knew that money came in all those graduation cards. (He is too smart for his own good!) He sent out numerous invitations and had quite the turn out at his graduation. We also had a party for him afterwards. I forgot to get pictures of the cake, but there are a few of his gifts!

Make a Smilebox photobook

Braden's Graduation

Braden graduated from Melba High School on Friday, May 22. It was a great day, but boy do I feel old. I guess that is how every mother feels when her kids graduate! I was always like a second mother to him growing up and it is great to see what a great kid he has turned into. He has always been so willing to help me with anything and is the best dog sitter I have (except, of course, maybe Zach! It's a toss up!) Anyway, Melba graduations are always a lot of fun and it was fun to see Braden with all of his friends. They have a slide show of all the graduates as babies and now, it's crazy to see how some look just the same and others look so very different! After graduation, we had a party to celebrate Braden and his accomplishments. By the way, he received 3 scholarships and has most of his first year of school paid for. WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU, BRADEN!

Mother's Day

I know, I know, it's way over due! The week before Mother's Day, grandma Black had a brunch at her place. She was a part of the fashion show. Grandma was the fashionista that she always is... and struted her stuff. The food was good and it was great to be with everyone to celebrate a wonderful woman.

Jeanne and Natalie

Jeanne, Grandma, Mom

Me, Mom, Grandma, Jenna, Beth

Jeanne, Grandma, NatalieGrandma struting her stuff

Stay Tuned....

I know it has been far too long since I blogged. I have so many pictures to post, please be patient. Over the next couple days keep checking back, hopefully there will be many new posts!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Anniversary Inn

Just an FYI for all those who were wondering. You can go to the Anniversary Inn website and send different texts about different rooms to get a deal. Click on the room you want and it will tell you what to text and you will receive a text about special promotions for that room. Also, there is one general text you can send for an exclusive deal. The deal I got was in December, they do it every year and offer any room, any night for $159.00 (I think). If you want me to let you know when I hear about it, leave me a comment! I just looked at the website and there are also monthly specials and rooms of the month. Be sure to check them out!

Romantic Getaway

In December, I bought a night at the Anniversary Inn (I got a killer deal!) I have wanted to take Chris there since we got married, but "it just isn't his thing." Finally, I convinced him that he would enjoy a getaway as much as I would. I think he really didn't want to spend the money, but I guess that is why I still work! I decided to stay in Hollywood Romance. There was a really comfy chaise lounge that Chris loved, I think he wants one for our house! This room also had a soda machine in the room with unlimited drinks. We ate dinner at the Blue Canoe early, so we were hungry soon after we got to the Inn. We ordered chips and dip to be brought to our room. We also enjoyed the complimentary cheesecake. Good thing we had soda because the bottled water in the fridge was $1.5o each. Needless to say, we drank soda. When we left the next day Chris realized it wasn't such an awful idea after all.

Easter cont.

The Friday before Easter I wanted to decorate eggs and sugar cookies. It is always a bigger undertaking than we plan on. Mom and I each made a batch of sugar cookies, so there were lots to go around. We made a big batch of frosting too!

You can see the finished products turned out pretty good! We had a lot of fun.

The next day was Melba's Easter Egg Hunt, or Mad House. There are so many people. They line the kids up in age groups and have the eggs just scattered in the playground. There is no hiding these eggs! When the whistle blows, the kids just run. It was funny to watch the different age groups. The oldest kids were finished before the youngest ones were halfway through.

Jenna and Quinn with big smiles and all their loot!

Easter 2009

The first thing we did for Easter this year was the Sunday before Easter. Grandma Black's retirement center had a big Easter egg hunt for residents and their families. The had a great brunch, songs, and games. They kind of did things at a slow pace, I think they are used to dealing with older people, they aren't used to being in a hurry for kids. Overall, I think the kids had a lot of fun. They definitely got a good amount of candy!