Sunday, July 31, 2011

Montana Part 1

Our yearly trip to MT came fast and went fast. We were gone almost exactly 4 weeks (including driving time) and we had a great time. My sister Riki flew into Phoenix on a Wednesday and early Friday morning we were all loaded up and off. I just have to say that my kids were GREAT! The first day of the drive they were PERFECT...seriously...and I dont say that too often. We made it to Pocatello, ID (742mi) and that was with a 2 hr stop at my grandparents house in Layton, UT. The 2nd day was good too but they were tired of being in the car. When we got out to take this picture I thought I was going to die. It was so cold and all I could think was that I only brought 2 pair of pants for each kid.
I can't thank Riki enough for taking the time off work to drive up with me. My kids LOVE her and ALL my babies and always loved cuddling to her.
Our first week was spent with Chads parents in Florence just outside of Missoula. I was lucky enough to see some of my cousins that I don't get to see to often. The 2 girls on either side of me are from Dutch Harbor, Alaska (have you even seen "Deadliest Catch"). The blondie had just moved down a few months before about 10 min. from my in-laws and her sister came down from AK to visit. Next is my sister Riki and the one on the end is another cousin that lives there in Missoula. Even though it was only for a few hrs it was still so good to see them. AND my grandparents from Boise came in too.
Papa has 2 riding lawn mowers a red one and a green one. He asked Justin if he would help him mow the lawn and Justin said "sure, which one do I get the red one or the green one."
Jessa was GLUED to his hip the whole time!
The weather did get warm enough for us to go to Splash Montana. It is a fun (and cheap) water park. Especially for little kids. My kids had a blast! And although Justin was bummed he couldn't go on the big water slides we reassured him that one day he would be tall enough too.




Chads sister lives just 30 min south of his parents and we were able to go and play at there house. She has 5 kids and my kids LOVE hers just as much as hers LOVE mine. Cousins are great!


All the grand kids know its kindof a tradition for Papa and Nana to take them to the Carousel in downtown Missoula. It is a fun place but I get dizzy after one ride. Its a good thing they would rather go with Papa and Nana then me.


Roasting marshmallows...who doesn't love that!

We were also able to spend an afternoon with 2 of my other cousins and their kids. I think this picture caught Jessa in the middle of a sneeze.
Caleb and his petite cousin Jaycee (she is only 6 weeks younger)

Sunday, May 29, 2011

PHOENIX

Chad had a class for work in Phoenix for 3 days and asked if we wanted to tag along. Of course I thought sure lets get out of town for a few days...even though it meant me driving down by myself and only seeing him for dinner.


THE GOOD:
The heat (95-100), Costco, Target, splash pads, swimming pool, free hotel, spending a day with a friend from high school that I haven't seen since Justin was an infant (and she just moved down there! YEA!)and meeting her 3 cute kids, seeing a good friend of mine from Lakeside who moved back to the valley (sure miss her!), Caleb, kids completely crashing every night, my GPS, frozen yogurt!

THE BAD:
The heat for my baby, whining, not wanting to play with friends kids, broken dvd player, hot car seat buckles, babies blow outs (gross I know), the Zoo closing at 5

THE UGLY:
Justin puking his guts out in Costco but some how turning a corner just in time to see a garbage. Did get some in his hat..we promised to buy him a new one if he let us throw it away...WHEW!
Hearing my first " I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I REALLY REALLY HATE YOU!" fits. For those of you with kids this age and older you know what I am talking about. For those of you with out kids or with kids who haven't done this yet be real...its going to happen. And for the rest of you (grandparents in particular) who are thinking my kids never did that. Pick your jaw up off the ground you are not remembering right...it happens. I was not sad or hurt just couldn't believe he was doing it right there in a parking lot in front of my friend and her kids. But its ok. I locked him in the scorching hot car until he could calm down and apologize. Just like all of you would have done right! HA!

At least the Good out weighs the rest. Here are a few pictures.





(couldnt get picture to turn)





Monday, May 16, 2011

Happy Happy Birthday Baby!

Being a big 3 year old I thought Jessa could have some say in what goes on during her special day.

1. Who do you want at your party?
Only family, No friends (makes it easy for me...no complaints)
2. What do you want for your special Birthday dinner?
Cheese Pizza
3. What kind of Birthday Cake do you want?
Watermelon! (this was 3rd to princess and butterfly I was willing to (try) make any)
But this girl does LOVE watermelon and has since she was about 1. If watermelon is a choice she will choose it. Watermelon toothpaste, shampoo, chapstick, slushy.....So I was so happy she thought of a watermelon cake.

The Cake!
'A' for effort I suppose. At least they are little and dont realize the things I make really aren't that cool.


This was pretty cute. Justin is very thoughtful and he REALLY wanted to get Jessa something. So he went and found 2 toys of his that he wanted to give to her wrapped them up and was so happy when she opened them.
She definitely played the Princess card. She got a little chair from her Grandparents (A princess chair). Sat down in it and was more then willing to let Justin BRING her gifts to her one at a time.
How old are you!!!
The special birthday kid ALWAYS seems to have a birthday melt down at some point. Jessa had done pretty good UNTIL......
her very 'thoughtful' brother shoved her face into her birthday cake!

HaPpY BiRtHdAy JeSsA!!!!!

I'm hoping next year I can talk her into that butterfly birthday because I have a really cute idea.

Friday, May 13, 2011

First Hair Cut

See this crazy long hair. It was time to go. He all ready has a comb over....Still cute though!

of course help from big sister Jessa

Not much but at least its all even.

Choir Program









The kids have been practicing these songs since January and Thanks to an AMAZING teacher Miss Angie. They did GREAT! It was so stinking cute and fun! The theme was Disney so they sang "Cruella De Ville" "Winnie the Poo" and with all the other choirs "God help the outcast" They sang all the songs so good and did all the actions.

Choir Program

"Winnie the Poo"

T-Ball



Wrestling was good but T-ball is SO FUN!!! I LOVE watching him and all the other cute little 5 year olds chasing the ball around.