Im back..... but its not me
its Johnny!! My mom said that she never caught up with her blog so I asked how to get to it and she said I should take over, so I am!! My mom will still probably blog every once in a while, but for most of the time it will be me blogging!! Happy twenty-three days after New Year!!
My sister Jessica ran the St. George Marathon in October. I was able to drive down with just my dad, mom, and sister. It was the first time I'd been with them without the rest of my family. We had such a fun, funny time together and I was so grateful for the experience! I am always inspired by the marathon runners. I think knowing its something that I physically cannot do makes it that much more amazing to see those who can.
We had such a good time together and I'll always remember that fun little trip we got to take together!
This picture really made me laugh!
Lately whenever Annie wants something and you tell her yes she says, "yessssssssss". Totally under her breath that it reminds me of Napoleon!
In October we were able to go up to Island Park, ID with my parents and sister where we have a cabin. I was having a really bad attitude about going when it came to packing and getting ready to go, but I have to say that it was one of the most enjoyable trips up there we've ever taken!
It is on a private island and it was so quiet and peaceful! During the summer there are always so many people there enjoying the lake and vacationing that it was nice to enjoy the quietness of the forest.
We ate really well, took MANY 4-wheeler rides (Annie's favorite), sat on the porch, watched movies, played games, and enjoyed being together.
The weather was gorgeous and at night it was nice to have hot chocolate and put on coats and warm clothes. We are so grateful for the hard work my parents put in to getting everything ready for us to be able to go up and enjoy the weekend, it was a trip we'll always remember!
So I know I've missed a lot of posts and important holidays, where does the time go?
I've noticed that blogging is falling behind in the world of social media.
Most everything I do and take pictures of is posted on my Facebook account or Instagram account. It is really hard keeping up with everything.
I recently printed my blog into a few books by year; 2006, 2007, & 2008. I'm planning on doing the rest soon and catching up 2012 so that I can make sure when this year is printed I have what I want included.
What I want to know is who still reads blogs? Who still blogs? Who still reads MY blog?
I wish I could pull in my Facebook posts and Instagram pictures into my blog, if anyone knows how ... Please fill me in!
For now ill keep it up to date, but I don't know for how long.
I recently got an email from my Grandma that said she loved looking at my blog and seeing us document our lives this way, so for her I will keep it going for awhile longer!
Just wanted to know who else out there is still into blogging and if there is an easier way to keep up with it!
And here are a few family picture sneak peeks!
I know I would feel bad if I didn't update for Halloween. Johnny was a character from his favorite computer game, called a Creeper. Don't ask, I have no idea what that means ... Maggie was a ladybug, Josie was a butterfly, and Annie was a bee. She walked around all day saying, "bzzzzzzz". It was so funny!
Auntie Jess came to spend a couple days with us and we were so glad she did. Kids always love to play games with her, have stories read, and someone else to give them attention.
We had a great day!
The most memorable thing about this year will be the weather. It was 70+ degrees and absolutely beautiful! We went around in short sleeves all day, it was so great not to have to squish sweatshirts and coats underneath and still try to make it look good!
I stumbled across this blog a couple of months ago and have REALLY enjoyed reading it every day. I don't have any idea who the girl is that writes it, but she is so great at focusing on all aspects of life from parenting, clothes, marriage, and today is "handbag etiquette". She shares good tips that I love thinking about and wanted to share with you!
http://theclassywoman.blogspot.com/
Happy Birthday to my favorite 3 year old!!
We had such a fun day! We met her (and my) friends at a big park and shared some cupcakes and played, we went to the Farm at Thanksgiving Point, and to IHop because she wanted pancakes and ice cream. She got a big dollhouse with some fun accessories and lots of fun little things from her friends who know she loves Minnie Mouse!
We're so happy to have made it 3 years! She is my little buddy now that the kids are gone all day and I've loved playing with her and spending time together.
These pictures may be a little deceiving because it was actually only Johnny & Josie's First Day. Maggie stayed home so sick! She really wanted to go and was so devastated that she got all dressed and ready to go about 15 min. before we had to catch the bus. After the pictures were taken she got back in her pj's and crawled back into bed and stayed there the rest the day. Josie is having a really hard time adjusting to 1st grade. She cries in the morning and it breaks my heart to make her go, but so far this week has been better.
Johnny started 6th, it's his last year til jr. high!!!!! Where does the time go???
And of course I had to include sweet Annie. She looks forward to walking to the bus every day!!
At the beginning of August the girls in our family got to spend some time up in Ashton, ID at one of my favorite places in Earth!
We stayed at my favorite log cabin motel and spent time with my mom's family at my Grandpa's farm. It was so wonderful to catch up with relatives we don't see very often and strengthen family ties.
Before we left on our week-long cabin trip I was browsing aisles at Target (my favorite pastime) and found this Fisher Price IXL on clearance for $24.99. I debated about buying it at Christmas time for Annie when it was $60, so I snatched it right up. I was able to get some games from Amazon for a decent price-- Disney Princess & Mickey Mouse (her favorite). They are CD's that load directly onto the device, or SD card, so no cartridges to fuss with. I also loaded our own pictures onto it and downloaded some songs she learned in nursery from Amazon and added them on it. It has been one of the best things I've ever boughten! She has been able to figure it all out and calls it her "game" and I throw it in my purse and she's entertained when I need her to be. I know I sound like a commercial, and trust me-- I'm not getting paid!!! Just want to throw that out there for anyone interested.
We partied hard on the 4th! It was a party all week with sleepovers, BBQ's, and non-stop fun!
The kids did slip 'n slide at Grandma's down their great big hill, we ate good food, I made all the desserts, we all wore red, white, and blue, and we had an amazing firework show at home provided by our neighbors.
Annie lOvEs fireworks, she is still talking about them!
We SWIM! The weather has been unbelievably warm and the kids spend a lot of time outside in sprinklers, with the slip n slide, and in the baby pool. We've gone through more boxes of Otter Pops than I can count, but that is what summer is all about!
My Dad was so nice to come down for a few days in June and help John build his dream shed. This shed has been in the works of his brain for a very long time and I'm so happy to see it finished! John's dad and Johnny helped finish it up and it was a great 'manly' job for me to stay out of the way of. I provided food and drinks, which worked for me. I'll post the finished picture soon.
