Just a post...

Oh, I just want to kiss him! I would right now, but he is sleeping!

Christmas program for Lakeview Little Ones


Brenden was a wiseman, Makenna was Mary, and Hallie was a sheep

Advent-part 1

I absolutely love the advent season! This is our second year doing an advent calendar. Our family has really enjoyed all of our activities, but most of them go without photo memories. Here is a list of the things we have done so far...
Decorated our home and tree
Homeschool service project
Out to lunch with friends and BOOK IT coupons!
Blessed friends on their birthdays (2 friends, different days :) )
Baked cookies
Live nativity
Celebrated Hallie's birthday
Reading at the Refuge
Christmas craft (invited neighbor over to join us)
Christmas movies
Baked goodies and delivered them to a college student during finals week (as an encouragement...and a thank you because she babysits for our children)
Made goodies to give as gifts
Out to lunch with friends...picture below
Winter Garden A Glow at the Botanical Gardens

Our family shared this massive burger and tray of fries and tots...so good! We had tons of leftovers...even though Hallie ate her entire "slice" of burger!

Yep, just checked...no other pictures! Bummer. I guess I need to be better about that.

8 months old...already!

8 months sounds so much older than 7 months...I do not know why? Oh, Garrett, I love you so much! You are the most laid back, easy going little boy I have ever known...except maybe your daddy!
I thought that all my kids were easy babies, but Garrett has topped them all. He NEVER cries...and if he does it is for about 5 seconds. He is just so happy and content! Praise God!
8 month stats:
Crawling EVERYWHERE!
Sleeps all night
Eats about every 3 hours
Sits on his own
Smiles and giggles a lot!
Not sure of his weight...probably close to 18 pounds!
My camera is charging right now so I will add pictures later!

Happy 2nd Birthday Hallie!

I cannot believe that two years has gone by! Oh, I remember her birth like it was yesterday...but, I am oh so glad that it was not yesterday! Let's just say that it was bad enough to be remembered after 2 years!
Hallie is such a fun little girl. She is so full of spunk and energy...and determination! She is my climber, which can be nerve-racking for this mother, since she is such a petite little thing. She weighs about 4 pounds more than her 8 month old brother! She has been one of my most difficult children, but she is so sweet and loving. She is starting to get better now that she can communicate better. I love you so much Hallie!



Her brother and sisters wrapped up their toys to give to her...she loved them all over again. I wonder if this would work for Christmas?


She even cleaned up after her own party!

On the Move!

Boy, I am sure falling behind on this blogging thing! This is going to be a catch up post.
First, I will start with Garrett...he is seven months old already and he is on the move!
7 month stats:
Sleeps all night
Eats about every 3 hours
Naps throughout the day
Rolls and moves all around
Sits alone, but sometimes falls over
Wears size 6-9 month clothes
Weighs 17.6 lbs (with clothes on)


Looking back...

Field trip to Botanical Gardens



Day at Jabbers

Broken Window...5 year old boy and a baseball!

Field trip to Deer Flat Refuge


My cute little boy!

A day at the pumpkin patch!

All my little animals...I was the zookeeper!

Half way

I cannot believe that our little baby is 6 months old. He is such a joy and blessing to our lives. He is the happiest and content baby ever! he is just like his daddy...laid back!
6 month stats:
Smiles, giggles and babbles
Sleeps usually from 9pm - 7am
Eats every 2-3 hours during the day
Loves the Johnny Jumpup
Rolls all over and turns around on his tummy
Weighs in at 16lbs
Wearing 6-9 month clothes (some 3-6 month stuff)
Size 3 diapers or medium cloth diapers

August trip to CDA

Our vacation up north was wonderful! We are very blessed to have such wonderful family. I even was given many opportunities to relax, as my nieces loved to play and help take care of my "littles"! Thanks Emelia and Maddie!

Josh's parents built this amazing playset!




Christmas in August! Christmas tree included!














We spent part of the trip with my family. We went to VBS for part of the week and I helped my mom in the nursery while my children went to their classes. We also went to the fair while we were there...elephant ears and Kettle corn, yummy!

It was so worth it!

So, I pulled my kiddos out of bed at the crack of dawn and headed to Boise to the Hot Air Balloon Classic Event, where about 40 balloons took off. It was amazing! The kids had so much fun watching all the different balloons take off and fly through the air. Their favorite was Mickey Mouse. They got to see them blow it up and then take off. It was a chilly early morning, but absolutely gorgeous! We topped it off with breakfast with friends afterwards.
(sidenote: I left my lights on during the event and ended up with a dead battery. Kristen and I tried to figure out how to jump start the van, but we ended up having to flag down a man to help us.)