Baylee's Party in Neverland

For Baylee's 5th birthday we decided it was time to let her have a party with all her little friends. Well most of you know that Baylee is a social butterfly so the list of party guests kept getting longer and longer. She's 5, how many really good friends could this girl have right? Way more than you think! The list ended up with 14 of her really good friends. Wow! What's it going to be like when she is in school? Originally I was going to have the party at Pump It Up so that I didn't have to do it at my house, but for some reason the Boise location is "not operational at this time". WHAT?!? Baylee has been talking about having a "bouncy party" for almost a year and now it's not open! I tried to come up with other places, but nothing was working out. So I had to give in and do it at the house.

Since there were just as many boys as girls invited to this party we needed to do something other than a princess theme. So we chose Neverland and had the kids dress up as their favorite character from Peter Pan (or any other character they wanted). The kids played games, decorated treasure chests and just had a great time. It really turned out great and Baylee told me later that she just loved her party. Whew, she is happy! Yea me! I have to thank my wonderful niece Lindsey for helping me out! Thank you, thank you, thank you! It was chaotic, but worth it to see Baylee and all the kids have such a great time.

Happy Birthday Baylee! We love you!

Halloween

I know this is a bit late, but here are a few pictures of the girls in the halloween costumes. Baylee was the Little Mermaid and Tenlee was 50's Barbie. As always they ended up with way too much candy that Josh and I end up eating most of. Ugh, I'm so tired of candy!

What a day!

I seriously had one of those days that I just couldn't wait for it to come to an end. I'm exhausted! It started with Tenlee not feeling very well so she woke up at 4:00am. I got her back to sleep, but she woke up again at 5:30. Josh's turn. Well Baylee decided to get up too. So we turned on cartoons for them and went back to bed for awhile. But it didn't last long as today was Baylee's birthday party. Her first real party with all her friends. Just trying to find a time and place to have the party was exhausting but that's another story all together! So I started getting everything ready for the party at 10:30. Since I was having a hard time finding a place to have the party I decided to suck it up and do it at my house! 10 kids ranging from 2 years to 7 years old! What was I thinking!?! There is a reason that I only have 2 kids and never wanted to teach school and I was reminded of that today! No, it really wasn't that bad. The kids had a great time and I (and my house) did survive. I'll post pictures tomorrow. So after the party we had another party (kind of). We had a few family members over for pizza and to watch the BSU game. Game ends, time to take Baylee to Primary Program practice. Then off to the craft fair with Crystal for a few minutes (really wasn't worth going to). Back to the church to pick up Baylee. Come home and started to clean up after 2 parties, but then decided to go to dinner with Ryan's family and Lindsey's family. Spent an hour in Cabela's with 5 tired kids. Home by 8:00. Kids in bed by 8:30. Whew, I'm tired all over again just writing it all out! Oh did I mention that I'm sick? Yeah, I feel like somebody is stepping on my chest and making sure I don't get any air in my lungs at all! So you would think I would just go to bed after all this right? No here I sit reliving it by writing this blog as I watch Josh sleeping peacefully on the couch. Must have been a rough day for him, poor guy!

It's the Great Pumpkin!

Ok, so they aren't so Great, but the girls liked them and they were pretty much the best we could find! We went to Linder Farms Pumpkin Patch tonight and it was pretty picked over. Not much left. But it was still fun for the girls. Tenlee didn't want to let anybody else carry her pumpkin. We met Crystal, David and the girls and Grammy there so it was a good time. A little chilly, but not terrible. But by the end of the night I was ready to come home to a blanket!

Sleeping Beauty

What could be sweeter than a sleeping child? They always look so peaceful and happy no matter what position that are sleeping in! This is how I found Tenlee after lunch the other day. I thought she was in watching T.V., but she was being awefully quiet. So I went in to check on her and she was zonked out. I'm not sure how kids are able to sleep like this and be able to move

when they wake up!

Once upon a time, 7 years ago...

Today is our 7th wedding anniversary. It is so hard to believe that 7 years have gone by. I still remember the months leading to our wedding day like they were yesterday. Totally cliche I know, but it's true. Those months were some of the hardest, most stressful months of our lives. But in the end, everything worked out how it should have and our wedding day was truly amazing and wonderful. Funny how things just fall into place when you trust in the Lord. As wonderful as that day was, things just get better and better. We have two beautiful girls that are the joys of our lives. I've loved each and every year I've spent with Josh and I can't wait to continue on this journey on earth and then onto forever!

Great Day for the Girls - Hard Day for Mom!

Well, I suppose it had to happen, but this is a day I have fought off for a long time. After almost 5 years of having an "in home daycare" Josh and I made the decision to send the girls to a Daycare Center. This was such a hard thing for me to do. I have loved having the girls in a home with only a few other kids. It has always been such an ideal situation. But this last year has brought about a lot of changes and struggles to find somebody to take the girls full-time. After finding out that my work would not allow me to go part-time, Josh and I were forced to make the decision to send the girls to a center. So sad for me, but I knew it was time. Baylee really needs to be in a structured pre-school program and Tenlee is ready to have some structure as well. After researching the centers close to our house, we decided on one that I believe we are going to be very happy with. Today was the first day of "school" for the girls. I worried all day about how they would adjust to being in a center with so many other children. But apparently my worrying was unnecessary. The girls didn't even look back or cry when Josh and I walked out! When I picked them up tonight, I could barely drag them away! So the first day went well. Their teachers were impressed with how well the girls did on their first day. So I'm feeling a little better about things now. I just hope they continue to like their new school.

Happy Birthday Josh!

His birthday was actually yesterday, I'm a day late (sorry honey!). But I couldn't let this day go by without at least telling him how much I love and appreciate him! He truly is wonderful. He is a great dad and so good to me (amazing that he is able to put up with me sometimes!). As every year on his birthday he is on his annual hunting trip in Mackay. Usually mom is there to make him a birthday cake, but even she ditched him this week :). Sorry honey, you'll have to wait until next year I guess. I hope you had a great trip with the guys. We love you very much and hope you had a great birthday! You truly are the best and I fall more in love with you with every year!

Love ya babe!

Trip to Seattle

Last weekend we traveled to Seattle to spend the weekend with Josh's sister Sierra and her family. It's so nice to have them closer to home! Here are a few pictures from the trip. It was a quick trip and I wish we could have spent a little more time up there, but I'm sure there will be more trips!

Tramoline fun!

Baylee made this (with a little help from Cassi!)

Me and my honey! Doesn't he look so happy!

Take me out to the ballgame

Baylee and Aunt Cassi

The boys

Last Camping Trip of Summer

We made one last trip to Redfish Lake last weekend. Yes, it was a little colder than I would like, but still a lot of fun. Me, Josh and the girls, along with Ryan, Kinzie and Kambree headed up there Friday night. We were a little late to get a camp site on the lake so we camped by the river. The next morning we got up early and found a couple of sites on the lake. My sister and her family came that morning. As always we had a lot of fun and Baylee and Jaten were inseparable the whole weekend. They truly are "best friends".

Even with dirty faces, they don't get much cuter than these 3 kids!

Except for Kambree!

And Braxten!We left Sunday night because 1. I just wanted to be home for a day to get caught up, and 2. we heard it was supposed to rain Sunday night (which it did and it even snowed! Glad we came home!). It's always sad to leave the most beautiful place on earth, but I think I'm ready for summer to be over. Bring on fall!