I needed this reminder today...

I often focus too much on the day-to-day tasks and get caught up in my own agenda, and don't take the time to just listen.

Idaho Trip

July 29 - Aug. 8
We had a great time visiting cousins and family in Idaho-- first in Mackay, then in Preston.

Arriving in Idaho and riding 3-wheelers

Shearing sheep and going for a ride on one!

Fishing

Tractors from the John Deere store / No shortage of dirt for digging

Found a park that the boys loved...


We spent a day in Salt Lake at Temple Square and I even got to see my sister Janni and her husband Caleb, and my good friend, Tahlea...


A little irreverant splashing in the Reflection Pool and a mischevious grin

Cole turns 5!

I can't believe my oldest son is now 5! He has been such a wonderful blessing in our lives. Cole is a great big brother to Mason and Hunter. He has a very kind heart and loves to snuggle with me, and work with Rusty. Cole is obsessed with Zorro and "saving the day" (it's nice having a super hero around!). He also loves racecars, trucks, tractors, and tools. He is such a joy to our family. Here is a look back to the August 11th(s) of the past 5 years.

Aug. 11, 2005 (Day he was born)

Aug. 11, 2006 (1st b-day)

Aug. 11, 2007 (spent his 2nd b-day at the zoo)

Aug. 11, 2008 (3rd b-day at the zoo, too)

Aug. 11, 2009 (4th b-day hunt with Daddy)

Aug. 11, 2010 (turning 5, blowing out candles in his waffles, and showing his new zorro boots and a racecar toy from Grandma Cherie Ann)

And just so you know, "Zorro" is really the one who blew out the candles on the b-day brownies...

Adventures in Climbing

I'm still deciding if I feel more sorry for the child about to fall or the dishwasher he's about to break?

And here's another-- climbing onto the table to spill some cups of water to splash around in = a lot of dangerous sliding, wet floor, wet table, wet baby.

Air Show 2010

We went to the Air Show 2 years ago...

My brother Toby serves in the Air Force, and even though he is now away on deployment, we still were all excited to be a part of the Fort Lewis/McChord Airshow this year. We had fun there (despite the hours it took to get there with crazy traffic and the 1 mile run I made back to the car with our diaper bag of snacks cuz I was told they'd throw out our food, and dang it-- I'd rather bring the goldfish crackers 1 mile back to the car than have them throw 'em into the trash. I mean who knows, I guess they could have been wired with explosives?? Oh, and the little part where I didn't have my ID to show at security so 'someone' (um, my dad) had the bright idea of trying to use my mom's instead. Do I look like I was born in 1949 and have short, curly hair?? Oh, let's not mention the shame I felt when the officer looked at me and said "Do you think I'm crazy?" And then continued with phrases like "falsely impersonating" and "lying to a federal officer". Yeah, I felt mortified! Fortunately, I wasn't punished and the guy let me through to "enjoy the day with [my] kids" and to recover from my shame. He must have felt sorry for me. In my defense-- Rusty drove that day and when Rusty drives, I try not to bring my purse (which has my ID). Having a diaper bag is enough baggage for me, and there was never any information around that said ID was required for admittance to the event.

Anyways, moving on..... we did have a great time. See for yourself:

When stuck in traffic-- powdered donuts are wonderful for ansy kids! / Toby's plane-- C-17

Tank sitting with cousins / My dad got to be the Hunter-holder for much of the day

We enjoyed the stealth bomber the best (probably cuz it was the quietest)/ Boys and Toys

Family Fun

My sister Koriane and her family drove up mid-July from Arizona for a visit. It was nice to have them come, and have an excuse for a few photos during out get-togethers:

With my sisters-- Koriane, Alissa, and our Mom

Rusty and I

Cole and Mason, and Hunter's sad-faced contribution (Rusty imitates him well)