Looking back!

8 months pregnant.

Does it seem like everyone is either pregnant, just had a baby, or wants to have a baby? I have got a few good friends that are adding to their families and I was going threw some pictures and thought it would be fun to post me when I was expecting Lacey. Wow, what a belly!

These are the pictures you dread taking but look back and wonder how your body could have possibly done that?! Then you realize it is a total miracle straight from our Heavenly Father that you get to experience this gift.. I am truly grateful for such an awesome experience and love each one of my little miracles!!!

P.S. Gina, You still have some growing to do to poke out like I did!!! Enjoy that belly it will be gone and in your arms before you know it.. :)

Carnival

Rusty and Bryce on the slide.

This is the only ride I rode, is that a sign I am getting old?

Rusty ran out of steam on the way up to his bed. He even made the stairs look cozy! :)

We couldn't resist going to the carnival on Thursday night. It's pretty fun to see the boys excitement before the ride starts. It is always like a reunion the 3 nights of the rodeo. Most people you are happy to run into but their is always the one that you could have went without seeing! (I mean that in the nicest way possible!)

Anyway we had a great time and headed back to our car and to our surprise someone had parked directly behind us so their was no way of getting out! Who would do that? So with 3 crying tired kids we finally called the cops to see if their was anything they could do. Just as the cops came so did the driver. So, the cop let him know he was very inconsiderate in a blunt sort of way. Thankfully we were able to get out and headed for home. I don't think we will be parking in that parking lot next year!!!

I Needa' Pea!!!

It was a family event shelling peas.

Mmmm, Mmmm Good!

Here's my flower bed.

And flower pots.

Can I just say I have a green thumb! This year we planted a garden and everything is going crazy. My flowers aren't looking to shabby either. I love to spend time in the dirt. Our peas are on, So this last week we have ate peas for a treat, in salads, and my favorite, peas and potatoes.

I didn't realize how much fun it would be to have your own garden and especially to enjoy the vegetables. It has been some good family time out picking weeds and playing in the dirt.

A week ago I made peas and potatoes for my first time and they were good but they weren't quite like grandmas. So it never hurts to try another recipe, right? Well This recipe is a keeper, not to mention easy. I was so proud I even had to take my grandpa some to try. He seemed to enjoy them too.

I guess I can't take all the credit for my green thumb, my dad gives me little tips like:

How to tell when you need to water.

When to fertilize.

How far apart to plant things.

How to grow good flower pots.

So I have followed his direction and just between you and me, my flowers are out doing his this year!!! So I guess I better give him some coaching next year!! :)

If your interested in the recipe for Creamed Peas and Potatoes here it is.

Ingredients:

1 lb. small new potatoes

1 1/2 cups fresh shelled peas

1 tablespoon butter or margarine

1tablespoon flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1cup milk

Directions:

Peel potatoes and cut larger potatoes in half. Skins can be left on if desired. Place in a saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Boil until tender. Do not over over cook. When the potatoes are done, drain the water off and set them aside.

Boil the peas and drain them when finished cooking. Set aside with the potatoes.

In a saucepan, add the butter until melted. Add flour, salt, and pepper. Stir until mixed and then add in all the milk and stir into flour mixture until all ingredients are well blended.

Continue to stir and cook until the mixture has thickened and begins to bubble. Cook for 1 more minute.

Add the potatoes and peas to the cream sauce. Stir until well distributed and thoroughly heated.

Season to taste and serve while hot. Enjoy...

Family + Fun = Good times!

Family pics at Mesa Falls.

Here's another try!

Grandma and Grandpa with all the grand kids! (Their pride and joy!)

The boys in a cave at the the Bear and Wolf Wildlife.

Up close and personal with a bear!

Look at that Polar bear!

Sittin' in the tee pee.

Lacey posing at Big Springs.

Bryce feeding the fish.

Rusty feeding the birds.

Another family picture.

The crazy ones that swam in the freezing reservoir! Did I mention Kirby and Natalie?!

Luke, Rusty, Bryce. The 3 musketeers!

Leaving for Island Park.

We recently got back from our annual Foster family vacation. It was Kirby and my turn to pick were we went so we picked Island Park. We had such a great time. We stayed in a "sweet" cabin at the Pines. It was clean and new enough that I could even go bare foot! (that doesn't happen a lot, I'm kinda a germ freak!) We visited some cool sights. Big Springs is one of the kids favorites. You get to take bread and feed the fish, birds, and muskrat! It is so beautiful. Mesa Falls was also gorgeous. We even drove into west Yellowstone to eat and enjoy the Wolf and Bear Wildlife. The weather was so nice and toasty.

When I asked the boys what they enjoyed the most about our vacation they quickly said the cabin and hot tub. We had a hot tub on our deck at the cabin were the kids got in and out as they pleased and they loved it. I am not sure why I didn't get a picture of them swimming. We also went to a reservoir not far from where we were staying but the water was a bit to cold for most of us. We still had a great time on the dock watching the crazy ones swim!! :)

It was so nice to have a break from the demanding life we live in and just kick back and relax. Their is truly nothing better than spending a little more time with your family. Can't wait until next year for another fun adventure and great memories..

Parades, Parties, Pinata's

We are at the Lewiston parade.

Rusty and Bryce doing the Limbo! (how low can you go?)

Rusty trying to break the strong pinata' , Papa Lynn had to finally have a turn to get the job done.

Here is Madison, Skylee, and Lacey. They are all just a few weeks apart. This is the best picture of them out of about 15, Lacey kept getting off the step and running away! What a turkey!

I can't believe I am posting this picture! Everyone had to get their "Hawaiian Picture."

So I guess this is our most current family picture!!! Gotta love those coconuts!!!

What more do you need to have fun! We were able to have the famous 4th of July cookout at my moms house with the Checketts family. We decided to do a Hawaiian theme which was a hoot. We played games and had great food. Lacey found some new friends just her size! Bryce loved the limbo and Rusty was into whacking the pinata'.

It is tradition to have this get together every 4th and I think we all look forward to it! The older and more kids we get the more lively it is.

Idaho Days

Bryce attempting to climb the rock.

Mom and Lacey waiting for the parade.

Here's Bryce and Rusty in the famous Idaho days parade. Great times..

Summer is going by so fast like always. You wait and wait for summer and then wonder where it goes. We were able to enjoy Idaho days a little more this year because Kirby was not quite as involved. (Almost, but not quite!)

Bryce and Rusty were able to walk in the parade with the primary children. It was so exciting for them. Their were a lot of fun things to do, from face painting to dinner and fire works, and can't forget rock climbing. What a great day.

Happy Fathers day

Never a dull minute when daddy's around! He found grandpa's famous Budweiser hat and had to make a statement!

I love this guy!

Yummy, Yummy!

What a grilling man!

Yesterday was that special day for our Fathers and it was a great day at our house. We had family over and had a cook-out with shishkabobs, dutch oven potatoes, salad, rolls, and can't forget desert! It was yummy. We decided we needed a grill so that was Kirby's big Fathers day present. The kids had a great time telling dad they loved him all day. Rusty had his own saying that went like this- Your the best dad in the whole wide city!:) (too cute)

I am so glad my children have such an amazing daddy that loves them. Not to mention the best husband too. I hope you know how special you are to your family.

We love you daddy!!! :)

Guess Who's Walking?

My baby Lacey is walking! She is 13 months old! It seems like she could have walked a month ago but she wasen't so sure about herself. Yesterday we were getting ready to go see our cousins and Lacey stands up in the middle of the floor and walks to me! And since then she has been going around. We are all so proud of her even her brothers were excited!

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

Here is Kirb starting to mow.

Moments later he was drenched!

Saturday is always kind of our catch up day around the house. Since it had been raining for the week the grass was more like a jungle! (thanks Ty!) So Kirby was determined that the grass might be wet but it wasn't raining. So he started mowing.

It was pretty hilarious, it started to sprinkle and then their was no holding back the rain came down! and I mean DOWN!

Kirby didn't give up. He was soaking wet and still mowing strong! What a guy!!!

Funny Things Kids Say!

I guess I should call this: The Funny Things Rusty Says!

1# The other day I was out in the garden weeding. Kirby was using a jack hammer that was breaking off concrete from our fence posts so it was pretty noisy. Rust asked if he could help me in the garden and I told him no, because it was muddy and he didn't have a weeder.
Rusty replied, Yes I do, do you want to see it!
It took me a minute to catch on to what he had thought I had said. I started laughing and had to reassure him that he did have a weeder!!! What a silly boy.

2# Today I was getting lunch and Rusty was up on the kitchen table. The rule is: Stay on your chair! When I reminded him three different times and he was still on the table. I walked around and spanked his bum. (Just to get his attention) He them jumped down and ran into the living room. I let him be alone for a minute and then went in to find him laying on the couch. I said, What's wrong? And he said in a very sad tone of voice. You hurt my life!!! I busted out laughing and said you mean your feelings? He then joined in laughing and realized he said something pretty funny.

My kids always give me a lot of laughs, I love it!!