Kids Camp!

My brother Cameron and my sister Emily worked this summer at the Blackrock Kids Camp. Its an awesome facility with everything you could possible dream of to keep kids entertained. They were generous enough to allow employees to bring their families one night so we got to go check it out. The Zip line was by far the biggest hit.

Jory got up to the top and decided he didn't want to go. (it is kinda high up and goes down into the water) We were soo disappointed because we really wanted him to try it and we knew if he did he would like it. We tried every kind of bribery, but it didn't work. So, using a very UNrecommended parenting technique, we hooked him up and sent him down. He cried the entire time. And for about 5 minutes after. I sat at the top cursing myself for being a horrible parent and scarring him for life when all the sudden he jumped up and said he wanted to do it again. Phew! I guess it was a success. He did it a few more times after that too.

I did it too..

Cameron is a show off.

Little Rylee Miller was the most impressive though. 3 years old and it didn't take one second of convincing for her to go down. And I think she did it about 7 more times. She was an animal.

Chilling at the Dock:

There was also fishing and they stock the pond with trout. There were tons of them.

There was also an insanely cool (and VERY dangerous) playground where everything you step on moves and spins. I wish I would have taken a picture of it. It was fun. We also went in the pool that has two waterslides and the big boys had a cannonball splashing contest. The whole place was awesome and beautiful and we had a blast.

MILLERS!!!

So our favorite miller family came to visit last month!! It was sooo fun!!! I didn't take hardly any pictures, I did get a few on the lake...

The Future couple:

BFFS Keith and Der

Glamorous Shot of me and Katie (ok Katie looks good but I look revolting)

Some of the other things we did were play downtown, eat Gooey's, go to Silverwood, play at the park, take the millers to their first musical (hairspray!) and eat way too much. We had so much fun and are glad that they made the really un-fun drive up here to see us! We tried talking them into moving here, but I don't think it worked. We're not giving up though....

Our Photo Shoot :)

My sister in law Jenny is an AMAZING photographer, and she was nice enough to take some family pictures for us! we just went down to my parents dock and I had no idea it was so beautiful until she pointed out where we were supposed to sit. They turned out really great. Here are some of my favorites:

As soon as we can afford it, I want to get this one printed on canvas (killer cute eh?):

They really turned out so great, I am so grateful to have such a talented sister in law. Thanks Jen!!!

A perfect afternoon...

So we haven't done any traveling or anything too exciting lately, but we have had some great weather and wonderful family time. One afternoon was what I deem perfect. We took a LONG bike/scooter ride (the boys new favorite thing ever)

Then we had some ice cream (and when I say "we" I mean the kids, my metabolism won't allow anything more than licking the scoop when I'm done dishing them up):

Then we played out back with the new buzz lightyear sprinkler (the boys new 2nd favorite thing)

It was summer perfection. The boys were so happy and I just love watching them play and explore and have fun. I'm so grateful for them everyday.

Let's see, what exactly have we done the last month or so??

Ya, so I haven't blogged in forever. Don't worry, I have plenty of excuses (we moved for one, then we didn't have internet because roadrunner said our address didn't exsist, and then keith wiped the computer so I had no pictures, etc, etc.) However I won't bore you with that, I'll just fill you in on the last month. We took a fun trip to Canada! It was a graduation from my parents and it was so fun! We drove up to Ainsworth Hot Springs and stayed a couple days. Unfortunately, our camera died so we didn't get very many pictures. The drive was beautiful, the boys loved the ferry, and the hot springs were fun (particuarly the caves...so cool!) Here's some pictures:

Jory is growing up way too fast. Here he is dressed like the black spiderman. My boys love dress up, and yes their dad is ok with that...

Ryder is obsessed with his train track. And this kid falls asleep anywhere and everywhere. I love it.

I took the kids to Toy Story 3 all dressed up. And here's a peek at our house and you can see Keith Fathers day present there in the back. I'll post more house pictures when we actually get all the picures hung and everything finished. We haven't quite finished...it's taking FOR-EV-ER (said in the voice of Squints from Sandlot)

And of course I have to brag a minute (isn't that what a blog is for??) This is the cake I made for our Crandall Family 4th of July Reunion. I was pretty proud, its the first real tiered cake I've ever made. The reunion was a blast, in fact, it was so much fun that i forgot to take pictures :( But as soon as relatives start posting theirs, I'm gonna have to snag some.

So there you go. Its been a great month, and we've had lots of very good changes. We are really enjoying our little house and we've been trying to make the most of the sunshine we do get.

MOTORCYCLE BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

Ryder is 2!!!! I can't believe my baby is so big. He specially requested a motorcycle theme. I asked him "Do you want an Elmo party? Or a baseball party? Or a tractor party??" and He said "MOTORCYCLE BIRTHDAY!!!!" It was the cutest thing. I've never seen a two year old so adamant about a party theme. He is motorcycle obsessed (thanks to his uncle Cameron). He was so excited for this party that he went around screaming MOTORCYCLE BIRTHDAY (at the top of his lungs) for about 2 weeks straight. There weren't any motorcycle party supplies so I improvised. Here's the cake:

And the decor:

Here is Ryder opening his presents. He got no less than 8 new motorcycle toys :)

Here's one of the 8

And the weather was nice so we did cake and ice cream outside. He was the best behaved 2 year old I've ever seen at a party by the way ( I can't resist bragging, sorry) He sat through dinner, opened his presents patiently, responded excitedly, and said thank you to everyone. He sang his own birthday song and blew out the candles by himself. He is too big. (I couldn't help but compare this to Jory's second birthday where we sang to him and he cried hysterically....we didn't even finish the song. And then he wouldn't touch the cake. haha...they are such different kids)

I LOVE my Ryder. I don't know what I'd do without him. He is so smart, and so funny, and so tough. He is the biggest flirt I've ever seen. He is mischievous, he is fiercely independent, and he is definitely a ham. Everywhere we go he is waving and talking to strangers. He loves everyone and they love him...and how could you not? He's got that sneaky grin and that bubbly personality.... Love you Ryder!!

Let me tell you about my week...

It's been a busy few weeks. It seems like spring is always our busiest time of year, but this year it was particularly crazy! In the last week and a half, we've had some major milestones. On April 30th, Keith and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary! I can't believe it's been 5 years already. It seems like just yesterday. I'm so grateful for our marriage and the strength that it gives me. Keith has been really busy lately, and every day that he studies late, I feel it. The kids need us both and I need him. I'm so grateful for a loving husband that works so hard to make us happy. I'm so proud of you Keith. I love our little family and can't wait for the years that are still to come.

Next up, Keith GRADUATED!!! It was such a satisfying day. He has worked so hard for this and I am so proud. I have to admit, there were days when I thought we'd NEVER get there. But we did it. And we couldn't have done it without the help of my parents! Thanks you guys! After the commencement, we came home and had a southern meal in honor of Keith's heritage ;) We had BBQ ribs and cheesy garlic mashed potatoes, and we even attempted fried cream corn nuggets (they didn't turn out quite as expected, but were still good) It was a great day!

After that we had a little Cinco de Mayo party (we love any excuse to celebrate), with enchiladas by me and stuffed peppers by Emma. And we finished off the night with a bonfire and a pinata!
And then, on Sunday, I celebrated my 4th mother's day as a mother. I love my job and its fun to celebrate it. Being a mom is by far the most stressful, frustrating, time-consuming adventure I've ever undertaken, but I wouldn't trade it for anything because it is also the most satisfying and fulfilling job in the world. I'm so grateful for the two kids I've been blessed with so far. They are by far the cutest kids on the planet, and I'm lucky to get to be their momma.
On top of all these fun moments from the last week, we also got to celebrate the fact that Keith got promoted to a real job! ( you know, the kind with a salary and benefits and sick days and stuff) AND we signed a lease to move into an adorable duplex in Hayden. Its under construction right now so we don't get to move in till after June 1st. We are so grateful for all the opportunities we've had in our life, and this last week was quite the culmination of it all. We're so grateful for all the support we've had and the blessings we've seen- an eternal marriage, two beautiful kids, a degree!, a job, a home, and loving friends and family. Thanks everybody.