Carson turns 12!

I will be the first to admit that I really hate throwing birthday parties for my kids, so when Carson asked for one I wasn't the least bit excited for it.  But with it being a milestone birthday I said ok.  Tony then told me that throwing a party for 12 year old boys is easy.  Just provide food, cake and video games and you don't have to worry about anything else.  He was right and I was relieved!  Carson loved having friends over and I loved not having to entertain them!  

 Carson wanted a cake with an Atom on it.

 Carson with his buddies.

Carson asked for some fishing gear for his birthday.  Now Tony will have to take him fishing which as many of you know will be quite the sacrifice for them.

We are so proud of Carson and the young man he is becoming!  We love you buddy and I will enjoy this last year before you're a teenager.

A Busy Fall Day

This particular Saturday in October was a busy but fun day.  The day started out with a soccer game for Alaina.  Then we went to a family day at Tony's work.  This was the first time the kids were able to go inside the building and really see what Dad does at work all day.  Lincoln especially loved exploring. Charlie and Alaina loved eating lunch in the cafeteria. Carson loved seeing all the big machines and had to see the robot.  Then we went out to our local corn maze.  The kids enjoyed the petting zoo, the hey mountain, the big slide, and the train.  Tony and I enjoyed the warm fresh donuts.  We all had fun in the maze and picking out pumpkins from the pumpkin patch.  We love this family tradition.

Faith in God Award

One of the perks of being the Primary President is that I was able to make sure the kids get something more than candy and a certificate when they completed their Faith in God.  Carson had actually finished his awhile ago.  Another perk of being the Primary President is that I got to give him this award.  It was pretty awesome and we're super proud of our boy!

Alaina's 9th Birthday

Alaina turned 9 in September.  She planned (and I really mean that she did the planning) a yellow and pink family party.  Papa John's Pizza for dinner and a lemon cake with buttercream frosting for desert.  She got sewing supplies as a gift from Tony and I, an awesome coloring book from my parents, and an easel from Tony's parents.  She loved all of it!

 I didn't really let Alaina choose how her cake was decorated because I needed to practice for an upcoming wedding cake.  But I let her pick the flavors and colors.

Alaina with her presents.  Notice the hairband she made out of the left over flowers from her cake.  Love this girl of ours!

School Days

Our kids have hit some major milestones this year.  Carson started 6th grade and is in middle school now!  He has adjusted very well and is part of the band.  He decided to follow his dad's footsteps and play percussion.  Tony has said many times what great timing Carson has and if he sticks with it he'll be better than Tony ever was.  Alaina started 3rd grade this year and is enjoying not being one of the little kids on the playground.  Charlie started kindergarten and in Moses Lake kindergarten is all day, everyday.  He loves school and has adjusted very well.  He's had to learn to use his words instead of his hands to solve his problems.  He is learning so much and I have to admit I enjoy the weekdays of just Lincoln and me and home.

 First Day of School; Carson 6th grade, Alaina 3rd grade

Charlie Kindergarten 

Vacation 2016

 Day 1 of Vacation we spent in Meridian, Idaho.  We had dinner with my brothers' families and my parents.  The kids got to play with their cousins and the adults got to catch up.

Day 2 my dad took us out to Black Canyon Reservoir near Emmett, Idaho for some boating.  I was super excited because it had probably been at least 8 years since I got to out on a boat!  Growing up we had a boat and almost every weekend each summer our family went and played on the lake.  The three older kids all went out on the tube.  The boys loved it, Alaina liked it fine but she enjoyed riding in the boat more than a behind it.  Tony got a nice battle scar across his nose when he wiped out while tubing.  I did some water skiing and showed the kids that their mom still had it!  We had so much fun!

 Day 3 the kids all had their haircut at Vidal Sass-grandma while I cuddled Lincoln.  He had thrown up the night before after we got back from boating and ran a fever for the next two days.  That evening Tony and the kids went a visited with the Fosters while I quarantined Lincoln so no one else would get sick. 

 Day 4 we visited Tony's sister Jana's ward for her baby's blessing.  After lunch we hit the road and traveled to Rexburg, Idaho.  We spent the night at Tony's cousin's house and enjoyed seeing how much Rexburg had changed since we had moved away.

Day 5 We had lunch with Tony's old boss and some old coworkers from Premier Powder Coating.  The kids requested eating at Pizza Pie Cafe which we all really enjoyed the food and the company.  That afternoon we traveled to Pocatello, Idaho and visited with Tony's grandma.  We went out to dinner and enjoyed spending some time with her.  After dinner we hit the road again and traveled to Syracuse, Ut and stayed with Grandma Deb and Grandpa Berry.

Day 6 we visited Hill Air Force Museum.  I had no idea it was so big!  There were so many planes to look at!  The kids even got to make their own gliders out of Styrofoam plates.  I always knew that planes were big but I was amazed at how huge some of the helicopters were.  

 Family Picture

We had to get a picture by this plane because it's a lot like the ones that Uncle Brian works with!

Day 7 we spent the entire day at Lagoon with Tony's brother's family.  I didn't get a lot of pictures because we were busy playing all day.  I even got to ride the new Cannibal ride which was awesome!

Day 8 we traveled to Logan, Ut to spend some time with my Sister and her family.  They live on the outskirts. It was so nice to visit with them for a short while and as always loved the artery clogging food they cooked for dinner!

Day 9 we traveled to Bear Lake for the Foster Family Reunion.  We were able to stay in some cabins and the kids loved spending time playing with their cousins.

Day 10 we spent the good part of the day at the lake.  Tony's brother Davin rented a water trampoline for the day and it was a lot of fun!

Lincoln taking a nap with his little cousin Jocelyn

Day 11 we traveled all the way home!  We spent twelve and a half hours in the car that day.  We watched 4 movies and had two meals on the road that day.  But surprisingly enough to kids did pretty well and we made it home!  We really enjoyed all the time we were able spend with our families and making memories together! 

Summer 2016

Yesterday I was asked what we had done this summer.  Well...

 Alaina's been sewing her little heart out making outfits for her doll, an apron for herself, baby blankets, and headbands.  Really anything that strikes her.  She has little to no direction from me and has learned to use the sewing machine quite well.  We've done sporadic organized sewing lessons.  But mostly she's done it on her own.  

 Carson had a skin lesion removed from the side of his head.  The dermatologist used a laser to remove it, which made Carson a bit nervous.  When all was said and done Carson did great and I think he was relieved to have it gone.  I took him to the store to pick out a treat later that day and he pick out cream puffs.  Which proved to be quite messy. 

 Charlie turned 5 years old!  We celebrated with pizza and a rainbow cake.

 The kids did the summer reading program through our local library.

 We visited the farmer's market where Lincoln enjoyed a cucumber.

 We played outside.

Lincoln is growing, though he's still our shorty and measuring in the first percentile.  His little personality it showing more and more.  Lately he enjoys wresting in the beanbag with his siblings, eating cheese straight from the block (unknown to mom) and putting whatever hits his fancy into the garbage can.  He also went to his first week of Nursery!

We also went on a Vacation...but that deserves a post all on it's own!