Gillette Family Fun

Tori and her basketball

2011-11-22T09:20:00.001-08:00

Tori has been so excited to play basketball since last years season ended. She and Kennedy are on the same team this year. Kristy Bradshaw is the coach again this year, and we are so happy. She is a great coach.
Tori has improved so much since last year. I am just so amazed at how much better she has gotten. Her dribbling skills are much better and she has WAY miore confidence. Tori and Camry are the team leaders, and are great with the younger girls on the team. I am excited to see how much Tori will improve by the end of this year.

Kennedy's 1st yr in BBall

2011-11-22T09:20:00.000-08:00

Kennedy has been looking forward to playing basketball since Tori started last year. Then when Tori brought home the flier for basketball signups 1st graders were not invited. She was so disappointed. I decided that since she is old for her grade I would call and see if we could ign her up anyway. They agreed and Kennedy was exstactic! Thankfully she and Tori were able to be on the same team.
Kennedy is doing good for her first year. She is still a little confused by the rules, and exactly what defence means, and how to get open. But she is a quick learner and does well listening to her Dad and her coach.
She is loving playing ball, and wears her jersey around all the time. I think so she can tell people she plays basketball!

Trains

2011-11-11T07:18:00.001-08:00

Layton is very much into trains right now. He has a Lego train set, which he sets up every single day, and an electric train set. The electric set takes up a lot of space and we have to be much more careful with it, so it is a treat. Last week I decided that I would set up the electric set for him. He was so excited! I kept it on the kitchen table for him for a week. Layton played with that thing all day long. It was great. I would say, "Hurry and eat your breakfast so you can play with your train." He would be done 2 minutes later (which is AMAZING for him). "Go and get dressed so you can play with your train" he would race to his room. I love this train!!! Layton loves it too, just for different reasons. He would play with it for at least an hour at a time. Making it go fast and so slow it hardly moves. Each train car had a different purpose, and he would tell me all about them as he watched it go around and around. We can't wait until we set it up again.

HALLOWEEN

2011-11-05T11:04:00.000-07:00

We had a fun Halloween this year. I started out with a Witches party on Thursday night, then Friday night we carved our pumpkins. And Austin and I both agree that this years pumpkins beat all the other years, hands down. They were just great choices for the carvings. I did a scary face (that Layton will not look at when it is lit), Tori did a devilish flying cat/bat (we are not sure), Kennedy chose a witch stirring a brew, and Layton chose the Grim Reaper, but he thinks it is a dog!

on Saturday night our ward had our trunk or treat, which is a HUGE event here. Everyone in our Plano community shows up, brings all their extended family, and then we have a party. First the kids trick or treat, then we have a big dinner, then there is a little carnival for the kids. We invited John and his family. The kids had a lot of fun!

Tori's stitches

2011-10-31T06:47:00.000-07:00

So a couple of months ago I noticed Tori had this little bump above her lip, almost like a pimple, but not exactly. I kept an eye on it and it just kept getting bigger. It seemed to have a clear liquid in it, but didn't hurt. After a month it was the size of a pencil eraser and Austin decided she needed to see a dermatologist. He was pretty sure it was a sist (I don't even know how to spell that!) and he didn't want to take one off of the face (would have been a heck of a lot cheaper!!)

The Dr. determined it was most likely a sist with a fancy name and we scheduled a day to have it removed. Tori was great with it until she realized she would have to have a shot to start the whole process.

Backtrack just a little.... Tori has had a few trips to the dentist this year to have teeth removed, and when I say teeth, I mean multiple teeth at a time, like 4-5. And each time it has started with one shot (which hurts like CRAZY!) and continued until she had 7 shots in her mouth ... EACH TIME. Needless to say, she is not fond of things starting with a shot.

Tori was so scared to get that shot, she did not care that he was going to be cutting her and stitching her. After the shot, which was a bit dramatic, she did great. She just listened to the Ipod and held mom's hand. She even wanted to go to school afterwards. That did not last too long because she started bleeding.

Austin decided that he would take her stitches out, so Wednesday night (6 days later) he took her stitches out. She was a bit nervous, but we held hands again and she did great. So did Austin. ;)

A couple of Moose made a visit...

2011-10-26T11:50:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon I look out the window to see where the tractor is so I can tell Layton (because this is very important to him), and what do you know, I see these two BIG bull moose watching the tractor too. They both have huge antlers and one is missing a side.

I have been so sad this year because we have not been seeing very many moose, yes, I still get excited seeing moose. I think I only saw 5 this whole summer/fall. So to have these two sitting just on the other side of our property, I was pretty excited. Think I took about 30 pictures, and all they did was sit there and stare. A bit overboard, I know!

A new addition to our family

2011-10-21T08:45:00.000-07:00

He made his grand appearance last night...

No silly, not a Tractor. Why would you think that?!?

A NEW HOT TUB!!!

Christmas came early this year. And thank goodness! It is much easier to move this thing in before the snow starts a flyin'!! We are so excited! The kids could care less about the hot tub. They just thought it ROCKED that there was a TRACTOR in our yard. They stood on the deck forever just watching the backhoe.

We had a friend from our ward come and lower the hot tub into the "PIT" for us. That sure made the work easier for everyone.

Austin has literally wanted to get a hot tub for our "PIT" since we made an offer on this home. He has very patiently been watching craigslist and KLS to find just the perfect one. Who knew that we would find it just around the corner from us. Hopefully we will have nice hot water in the tub this weekend! I can't wait!!

He LOVED this tractor! I had to climb up and carry him out, or he would have stayed in that seat ALL day long!

Back in the blogging world...

2011-10-18T06:54:00.000-07:00

I know! I know! It has been like 10 months! But I am back, at least for today. ;)
Life has been so busy, and sometimes I think that blogging needs to be at the bottom of my list, and so it is. Sorry.
Let me catch up for just a minute...

Tori. Tori is now in 3rd grade, and loves every minute of it. She loves reading and Math. We usually (everyday) have to tell her to put her book down and go and play. She bugged me all of 2nd grade to let her read Harry Potter. So this summer I said fine, but if it gets too scary you have to stop and wait a year or two. Well, four books later (in two months) I told her she needed to start reading other material. She gets to pick up book 5 in fourth grade. Tori looks very cute in her glasses, but has a hard time keeping them on her face. She loves to play sports, basketball and soccer, chase boys at recess, and has just started gymnastics. Tori wanted to start playing the piano, so I have been teaching her lessons. She is an easy student. She really wants to learn and practices a ton. Now if I could be consistant in her lessons. She is a great kid!!!

Kennedy. Kennedy is still my spunky, fun loving little girl, who is only one year from being BAPTISED!!!! Yikes! I am old! Kennedy is in 1st grade and informs me quite often that it is too easy for her and why can't they do harder math. She is also reading like crazy, but it is not a punishment to her when she can't read. Kennedy is very athletic and loves to play soccer. She uses her spunky-ness to her advantage in soccer. She is also in gymnastics and is very good. The very first day the instructor had the girls do a bridge. Kennedy was able to go right into one and hold the position for a very long time. She is very flexible. She is always practicing the things she learns at gymnastics. Kennedy has had a hard time with Tori growing up a bit. She just wants Tori to play with her constantly like she used to. Tori would prefer reading or playing the piano. So Kennedy has moved onto Layton. She is alwaysplaying cars and trucks, or animals with Layton. She also likes to annoy him a bit, and thinks it is funny, he does not, and neither does Mom. She is a great kid with a great personality.

Layton. Layton is just growing up so fast. He gets to hang out with me at home all day, just the two of us. I thought for sure he would have a hard time, but he seems to really enjoy the one on one time. We get along great. Layton loves to do anything that Dad is doing. Fishing, hunting, playing basketball, or playing with Howie. His true loves (lately) are tractors and big trucks, like dump trucks and potato trucks. He loved grain harvest because he got to watch a tractor at work right behind the house. It was good motivation to eat. :) Layton loves his Uncle David too. David lived in Rexburg while he was at school this last year and it was great! Layton would light up when Dave would come to visit, or hunt in our fields. Uncle David left on his mission a month ago and Layton really misses him. The other night while he was saying the prayer, Austin prompted him with, "Please bless Uncle David..." and Layton said, "Please bless Uncle David to shoot a dove." So cute. I had a hard time not laughing during the prayer. Yesterday Layton and I were running errands, and in the last store (of many) he needed to use the restroom. We hurried into the bathroom and Layton said, "Mom this bathroom stinks real good." And it did. He is a joy.

Austin. Austin is getting more busy at his clinic all the time. He is delivering about one baby a week, which is what he wants. He really enjoys where he works and the people he gets to serve. Plus, his clinic is like 2 blocks from the river, so he goes fishing almost everyday during his lunch. He has gotten to do lots of hunting and fishing very close to home, which is good for all of us. Austin still loves basketball and plays at least once a week, usually twice. He was called as the Elders Quorum President not too long ago and has spent a lot of time doing that. He loves the area that we live and hopes we never have to leave.

Rachel. Well I keep myself way too busy. I have been making quilts like mad craziness, for everyone it seems. And I have been filling more and more of my time with photography, which I am loving. And besides that I do the usual, running kids to activity days, gymnastics, library, cleaning the house, doing laundry, cleaning the house, you understand. I do what every mom has to do. But I do love naptime. That is MY time. I do not work. I spend that hour and a half doing something that I want, reading, sewing, or napping. It is wonderful.

Well, I hope that you are satisfied with my catch-up. I will try to do better, I swear!

THANKSGIVING in PAUL

2010-12-27T13:15:00.000-08:00

We were so grateful that we were able to make it home for Thanksgiving. The weather was not exactly cooperating, but we still gave it a go. When we left Rexburg we were pretty sure that with the wind chill it was between -25 and -30. It was so cold that if you were out in an area that had no wind block it was so biting you could only stay there for about 15 seconds before running back to shelter.

SO COLD!!
We were able to spend Thanksgiving with Austin's family. His brother's and sister's family were not able to come because of the weather, so we had a nice quiet Thanksgiving.
Austin serenaded his mom and I while we were preparing dinner. Kennedy and Tori helped with the rolls. Kennedy loves to help bake anytime there is baking to be done. She is a great helper, and will someday make a great baker/cook.

Uncle Damon did a great job of entertaining Layton. I think it was pretty easy though, Layton just wanted to play basketball.

Grammy had made all the granddaughters butterfly wings. My girls love them, and are already planning a dance to do together with the cousins this summer when they are all together.

Gail did such a wonderful job with our Thanksgiving dinner. She had been planning and preparing for weeks! It was so good, and I think that we ate almost everything that day... so much for leftovers! Yummy!

Playing in the snow

2010-12-27T13:01:00.000-08:00

Right before we left for Thanksgiving in Paul we got dumped on with snow. And then the winds started... and didn't stop. So we ended up with some AWESOME snow drifts and no school. The kids were in Heaven. Austin's clinic even closed on the Monday because the drifts were so big and bad. We all had so much fun out in the snow that day. As you can see, the drifts are taller than Layton.

The girls acted like they were penguins sliding down the drift. They would laugh and laugh at the bottom, then climb back up and do it again. I love that they have such fun imaginations.

I just thought these drifts were pretty cool. This is down in our walkout basement that is all enclosed. I think the wind just kept circling the snow around and around. The highest drift down there was 3 feet.

Austin worked really hard to make a path up to the door, just in case we got any visitors. I was obviously working very hard at making sure I captured the moment. It was hard work!

And this is what the front looked like before Austin got started. The drift was a good foot above the top stair.

After we worked so hard we moved on to bigger and better things... HOT CHOCOLATE!

First Snow

2010-11-17T08:09:00.000-08:00

Our first snow occurred on Monday. Quite a shock to me actually. I mean, we live in Iceberg now, so I assumed it would happen early in the fall, rather than late. It started snowing right after I got Tori on the bus, assuring her that it was not going to snow today, so she did not need to bring her snow boots. Then when it did start, I thought, "it will never stick." So much for me and my thinking! It didn't stop snowing the entire day. Kennedy was ecstatic! She wanted to play in the snow so bad.

By the time the girls got off the bus at 3:30 there was about 4" of snow on the ground. And me, being the nice Mom, of course, let the girls go out and play in the snow without doing homework first. Dang Daylight Savings! If it wasn't for that we would have light until 6 and the girls could have had longer to play. They did have so much fun. Layton was a little nervous about playing in the snow the first day. But he has loved it everyday since.

HALLOWEEN

2010-11-12T12:13:00.000-08:00

Funny Faces

Spidey- Man

The Red Devil

Our Leopard

Kaylee came to visit after trick or treating. She is a cute Fairy.

We got to celebrate Halloween two days in a row. The girls got to dress up for school on Friday, and then we went to their school carnival that evening. Saturday our ward had a "trunk or treat" at one of our farmer's shop. After the trunk or treat we went inside for more games and food. The kids really enjoyed it. I was glad that they were a little more creative in their costumes this year, and Austin was just glad that the girls didn't want to be Princesses.

Thank You...

2010-10-24T21:27:00.000-07:00

Michelle and I would like to thank everyone who came and supported us at our craft fair. There was such a good turnout. It was so much fun, and we did really good.

It is always fun to go home and see people you know. This weekend I felt as though I saw practically everyone that I have ever know in Rupert, not quite, I know, but it felt like it.

And it was fun to be able to spend an entire day with my sis, and just be able to chat.

We will see you there again next fall!

My Boy...

2010-10-24T21:14:00.000-07:00

LAYTON

You are such a joy in our life. You are always so happy, which in turn, makes us happy.

I love your kisses. At nap time and bed time you always kiss each cheek, my head, and the tip of my nose. Then tell me to go to my room (to nap). I LOVE IT!

You always want to be by Dad or I, throwing a ball, or just sitting on our laps.

I love how first thing in the morning you come out and give me a hug, and then return to your room to get your hat. You love your hat.

You love Kennedy, and you love to say Kennedy. I think that because it is a challenging name, and you know it was hard to learn, you want to say it all the time... just because you can.

You love that Tori gets to ride the bus everyday. One day I think you will love being able to ride the bus.

You are a little silly in that you don't like sweets, especially ones that make your hands messy.

You are the smartest little guy that I know. You pick up on things that we say and remember them. You understand everything that I tell you, and you respond. You are so SMART!!

And seriously, who said potty training a boy was hard. You were so easy. If I told you not to pee in your underwear, you didn't. Seriously easy.

Layton, you are such a blessing in our lives. We all love you so much!

Cutest little guy ever.

Enjoying the Fall

2010-10-24T20:55:00.000-07:00

We have been trying to take advantage of the nice fall evenings lately. The kids really like to go in the back yard and have a game of soccer. We set up goals, using camp chairs and tiki lamps. The girls like to play GIRLS vs. BOYS. Mainly, I think, because they know we will win. Layton is not much of a help to Austin. One day that will change, but for now, the girls dominate. We are trying to teach Layton not to pick up the ball, and that other people get a turn to kick it. It does not always work. Sometimes Austin has to be a "one man team" because Layton is laying in the grass crying because one of the girls kicked the ball away from him.

Kennedy really enjoys playing soccer, she says she even plays with the boys at recess, when she can find them.
We also try to play a little catch with the football. Layton just thinks it is a blast to tackle the girls. I guess he kinda gets the game.

Tackling must be so much fun! This is what it looks like for 90% of a football evening.

At least we are having a BALL!

Crazy Dancing

2010-10-24T20:37:00.000-07:00

Our cute little girls love to dress up and LOVE to dance. So for a few nights this week we play the music loud and the girls dance. Layton likes to participate sometimes in the dancing, he gets all his moves from my exercise videos, so they ROCK! They really do have a fun time together. Tori will teach Kennedy some moves and then they will choreograph a dance together. They have awesome moves that they choreographed with their cousin Hailey this summer, and they use a few of those in their songs now too. It sure wears them down before bed.

Family Stitchin's

2010-10-12T13:05:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to give a little shout out to a craft fair that my sister and I are doing in less than

2 weeks!

It is in Rupert, ID

(my hometown!! Wah-who!)

OCTOBER 23, 2010

10 am - 5 pm

At Minico High School

We will be selling all kinds of fun stitichin's!

drop by our booth,

or our blog

(for those of you poor souls who live no where near Rupert)

Can't wait to see you there!

Tori's Baptism

2010-10-10T20:22:00.000-07:00

I am not old enough to be a Mom of an EIGHT year old! I am not! But I guess since Tori was baptised yesterday I must be.
It was such a wonderful weekend. We had lots of family come to support Tori on her big day. I thought that it was pretty neat that she was baptised on 10-09-10 at 09:00. (that is for you Stacy).

Austin was able to baptise and confirm Tori.

Kennedy is SIX!

2010-09-29T07:32:00.000-07:00

Kennedy celebrated her sixth birthday on Friday! She had a fun day. Aunt Mel and Uncle David were here visiting so that alone made the whole day wonderful. Aunt Mel gave Kennedy a manicure and pedicure and fixed her hair all cute and curly.

She got to invite two friends over after school to have a playday/birthday party. The girls all had fun playing. We also made braclets and ate pizza and homemade twinkies. Grammy Gillette came that evening and we opened presents and played dominoes. All in all she had a very fun day.

Layton liked her new bike helmet.

Deer Hunting 2010

2010-09-29T07:26:00.000-07:00

Austin had a good Deer Hunting season this year, now lets pray that Elk season is the same. He hunted in the Pocatello area. He spent the first week in September hunting and then went back the next weekend. Austin was able to shoot this nice buck on saturday afternoon. Damon drove up and helped him pack it out.

This is a beautiful picture Austin took in on of the areas that he hunts. I love this picture!

Harvest time...

2010-09-29T07:14:00.000-07:00

Layton's favorite thing right now is TRACTORS. As we drive Kennedy to school everyday he points out every tractor he sees, and if he hasn't seen a tractor in the last 30 seconds he asks me, "See 'nother Dactor Mom?" At first I thought he was saying Doctor, and I thought that was really cute. But no, he was talking about tractors. Still cute.

When the farmer's started combining the grain in the field behind our house Layton was SO EXCITED!!! He sat at the window and watched all morning until it was warm enough outside.

Fun Run

2010-08-30T08:47:00.000-07:00

On Saturday we went to Idaho Falls so the kids could participate in a Fun Run. Ty and Kaly's kids were also running in it. Tori and Kennedy were pretty excited to run in the race.

Tori, Kennedy, and Shay

Layton did not want to stand next to his sisters to get a picture.

Kennedy started off a little rocky, not wanting to run by herself, but she finished strong. At the end of the race she told me that she never stopped running, she was really proud of that. She ran 1/2 a mile.

Tori and Raliegh at the start of their race.

Tori ran a mile, and was pretty tired at the end. Austin jumped in and ran with her for a 100 yards or so until she saw Kennedy and I and kicked it in full gear for the last 100 yards. She did great!
I was so proud of both of the girls. They ran hard and had a fun time doing it. They were both a little sore on Sunday, but want to do it again next year.

First Day of School

2010-08-25T07:23:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of school. We have a few new things this year.

#1 Kennedy starts Kindergarten! A bit of mixed emotions with that one, for both Mom and Kennedy.
#2 Tori has to get up at 6:45 so we can make it to the bus at 7:30.

#3 Tori and Kennedy will ride the bus home.

The girls are both excited, but it is odd that they can't ride bikes or walk to or from school anymore.
Tori's teacher is Mrs. Hammond, and Kennedy's teacher is Mrs. Swainston.

And yes, the girls are wearing matching outfits. :) Sometimes you would think that I have twins and try to dress them matchy/matchy, but I don't. They just really like to match. I try not to have them do that. Oh well! When I buy them clothes sometimes I will buy matching, not the same, but matching. Then they will always wear those clothes on the same day, on purpose. It is kinda cute. I am just glad that they get along.

Celebrate Youth Party

2010-08-25T07:05:00.000-07:00

Every year, the day before school starts, Rexburg has a big party for the kids. So we went to Porter Park with Heather and the kids. The kids all had a blast! The fun part is that it was Kyler's birthday! So we got to have a fun and different kind of celebration with him.
Everything was free, and they had tons of give-aways, including food! It was so fun.

Tori's SMILE...

2010-08-23T12:56:00.000-07:00

Just got a bit more holey! She is getting pretty good at going to see the Dentist. In the last two weeks she has gone to the Dentist 3 times and the Orthodontist once.
The first time at the Dentist we found out that all of Tori's permanant teeth coming in were too big for her little mouth. The dentist gave her 3 days to make one tooth out or he would have to pull it. He pulled it!!
During our trip to the Orthodontist we learned that Tori is going to have a total of 10 teeth pulled, just to make room for the new ones growing in.

This is Tori's beautiful smile before the first pulling today.

Dr. Davies and Summer numbing Tori's mouth before her FIVE teeth were pulled.

Her NEW, toothless grin!

Layton is TWO!!

2010-08-18T06:29:00.000-07:00

Layton got to celebrate his birthday for about four days straight. by the 4th day he was singing Happy Birthday to himself. It started with Grandpa and Grandma coming to visit a few days early, then Birthday cake and cousins, then his sisters and presents, and ended with Grandpa and Grammy. He loved every minute of it.

Wind Storms...

2010-08-18T06:11:00.000-07:00

I am doing a little catch-up, but when we had been in the house for three weeks we had experienced a total of FIVE, yes I said FIVE, major big wind storms. There would be gusts up to 60 MPH, and not just one gust, but one after another. The first one occured the very first night. These wind storms were strong enough to pick up our grill and drop it in another spot, breaking it twice!! I was beginning to wonder if I was going to like living out in the country. It obviously didn't like me.

One day, while driving home from Rexburg after running a few errands, I looked toward our home and the sky was BROWN. Literally BROWN! It had been blowing so hard for so long that the clouds in the sky picked up all the dust and made it brown. It was kind of cool, just because I had never seen anything like that before, but really weird.

As the clouds came over our house, it cast a brown hue over everything.

This is a beautiful sunset that we get the opportunity to see from our kitchen window every night. There are some spectacular sunsets in the Plano area. We really do love living here.

Tee Ball/ Tiger Ball

2010-07-09T21:47:00.000-07:00

It was a short, cold baseball season this year, but the girls still had a BLAST!
Kennedy was pretty scared her first game, but after that she was great. They both improved over the year, and were two of the best players on their teams.

Kennedy at bat.

This is Kennedy getting reading to make a great play on third.

Tori at bat. I think she is getting ready to hit one of her grand slams.

And this is how Layton felt during the games.
He actually loved going to the games. We tried to always bring a mitt and ball for him so that he thought he was playing too.

2010-07-09T21:21:00.000-07:00

I was so proud of Austin, he won the two awards that were given out that night, the teaching award, which was voted on by all his fellow residents, and the quality project award, which he put a lot of time into. I was so impressed.

The Senior Residents get together and decide which Attending Physicians and Nurses have helped them the most in the the last three years and them award them with a plaque. Austin was able to give this award to the Doctor who has been his greatest mentor during his residency. Austin was so honored to give this to Dr. Dyer. He has been such a great influence in Austin's career.

This is Austin and his certificate of completion.

Austin was so wonderful. At the end of the graduation he presented me with a dozen red roses and told everyone that he would not have been able to get through medical school and residency without me. He said lots of other beautiful things and that made the seven LONG years worth it! And I loved the roses.

These were some of Austin's fellow residents, and some of his best friends these last three years. L-R : Austin, Rachel, Amy Brizzee, Dave Brizzee (resident), Ryan Zimmerman (resident), Rena Nordeng-Zimmerman (resident- married to Ryan)

Austin's mom, Gail, was able to come and see the graduation.

Us with my parents, John and Terry Fennell. They delayed their vacation by a couple of days just so they could be there to support Austin. I am always so grateful they are always so supportive.

Not the greatest picture, but here are the Graduating Residents:
L-R: Ryan Zimmerman, Rena Nordeng, Charles Clair, David Brizzee, Marty Mangum, Austin.

Ross Park

2010-07-09T21:07:00.000-07:00

My sister Stacy came to visit from Alabama, which sadly only happens once a year. The kids and I went to my parents home for the first weekend. The kids all had so much fun. It was a bit crazy with all the kids and two dogs, who were not used to being in the house. The next week we were all going to meet in Pocatello as Heather was driving through, but the weather was terrible! So we tried it again the next week, and the weather was perfect! We had so much fun we decided that next year we are going to make it a family reunion kind of thing.

All the kids and their moms.

Evan

Everyone in the Lazy River. Oh so nice! We loved that.

These beauties are my sistas. Aren't they gorgeous?!?

Richland, WA

2010-07-09T20:38:00.000-07:00

Austin's sister Tallan moved to Richland two years ago and we finally got out there to visit them in their new place. It is a beautiful area and they have a beautiful home. The girls were so excited. We usually only get to see these cousins at Thanksgiving or Christmas each year. Hailey is Tori's age and Addison is just a little younger than Kennedy. They literally played and played all day and late into the night for 4 days. They loved it!!
Layton and Ella are the same age, and they got along remarkably well. All the other kids that we know his age he just fights with the whole time. We were so happy that they played so well.

We were suprised to see that Richland had a temple. It was only a couple of minutes away from Tallan's house. On Sunday we made a little trip over there and took a couple of pictures.

On Saturday we went to this really fun park that has a kiddy pool. The kids had a blast, but I think that their favorite thing was chasing the seagulls. There were a ton of them and the kids didn't seem to get tired of it. Layton had to be dragged away from the birds.

Chad thought it would be fun for the kids to race so he could see who was fastest. Hailey suprised us by beating everyone, even her big brother, Brenner.

4th of July

2010-07-09T20:26:00.000-07:00

We got to spend the 4th of July weekend in Richland WA with our cousins the Schows. The girls had so much fun doing the sparklers and the little popper things. Uncle Chad also lit a couple of the rockets, and these fireworks that screach really loud. All the girls loved it!

Moved in!!!

2010-06-27T17:07:00.000-07:00

Just thought I would throw in a little update. We were able to move into our new beautiful house on Friday. Lots of work, but lots of family to help! It is so wonderful, even more wonderful that I thought when we first came through! We love it so much, and just can't believe that it is ours. We have so much room. I can fit every piece of clothing I own in my closet! That has never, ever happened before. I love it!!!
I will upload pictures another time.

Thank you to all of you wonderful people who helped us move, both times this last month!!

New house

2010-05-31T09:39:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures of our new house. We get to move in the day after Austin graduates from Residency. June 25. We are so excite we can hardly stand it!! The girls are really excited because there is a place that is a big sand box and they love that!
Austin and I are constantly looking at the pictures trying to figure out where everything will go and where to plant trees and the garden and put Howie and on and on.
Austin doesn;t think that he can last the whole month, it is going to be hard!

Do you love that huge fridge? Austin HATES it. He thinks that I will just let all of the food rot in there! Little does he know...

Downetta Hot Springs

2010-05-31T09:11:00.000-07:00

Austin had a Saturday off in the beginning of May and so we decided to make a trip to the hot pools. The girls loved it the last time and the weather was a little better this time, so we headed out!
The kids had so much fun. Tori and Kennedy have been wanting some googles since last summer and so I surprised them with some that morning. They didn't take them off the whole time. And they loved swimming under the water with them on. They are both getting to be better swimmers. I wish that we had a pool that we could go to more often so that they would get really good.
Layton was a little timid at first, but warmed up. He just always had to have a basketball in his hands. He loved the little kiddie pool, and only took a couple of unwanted dives under the water.
Austin worked with the girls on sit diving (since there was no diving allowed). Kennedy went down the big slide many times, but it took Tori a while to work up the courage to go down. Once she did she didn't want to stop. She is so funny that way. I hope one day she will learn to not be scared to try new things. I can always hope!
We had a lot of fun and can't wait to go back.

Our House

2010-04-17T20:29:00.000-07:00

I know that not all of you know, but we listed our house on the market last Friday. this Friday morning I got a surprise phone call that we had an offer on our house! In a one week period we sold a house!!!! This is so much different than our last experience. We feel so blessed. We are so grateful that things turned out so different this time. Anyway, we sign the closing papers on May 21st and then we will be on our way to St. Anthony!

Steelhead fishing

2010-04-12T11:02:00.000-07:00

After a very long week of getting our house "FOR SALE" ready, we all needed a break. Austin had been wanting to go steelhead fishing for a couple of months, but everytime he tried the weather was terrible and he had to turn around. Since the fishing closes at the end of the month and this was his only weekend off we decided to make the trip. We didn't leave Poky until 9:00 p.m. so we arrived in Ellis Idaho at midnight. The kids did great, even better than usual, because we got to sleep in Uncle Jerry's 5th wheel.

Austin fished in the morning while we all slept. Yeah right! The kids were awake as soon as he left! So much for sleeping in! Oh well.

When he got back we packed up our stuff and headed off to catch some fish.

We fished and drove around most of the day. The fishing wasn't great, but both Austin and I did catch some. (only one for me) It was a fun, relaxing day for all of us.

Our Carribean Cruise

2010-04-01T07:32:00.000-07:00

We left from Miami, but we had about an hour before we were kicked out of our hotel, that was on the beach, before we had to make our way to the ship. So we decided to go out and play in the ocean for a bit. I have never really played in the ocean. As kids we would play in the Galveston area, but it scared me so bad I would mostly stay on the beach. Anyway, we were on South Beach in Miami and it was beautiful. After the water we walked along the boardwalk for a couple of miles. We heard a lot of Spanish and even got to see a model shoot (pictures). No, it was not being that was the model! Silly!

To start off our cruise the weather was very windy and by the time the sun went down it was stormy. At this time, neither Austin or I were feeling sick, so I thought we would get away with no sea sickness, I wish! Early, early the next morning Austin woke up really sick. He stayed that way all day. He couldn't even get up to leave the room. Finally at 2 I convinced him that he HAD to come up stairs and get some fresh air. He made it, then stayed in this position for about 5 hours. By this time we had already missed our Elegant Evening dinner, I was quite sad since I worked very hard on my dress! That is okay, I was mostly just happy that Austin could stand up without having to run for the bathroom.

Grand Cayman Islands was our first port of call. The weather was still crummy, in fact we almost didn't get to stop here because the waves were so bad. But they found another place for us to port and then we had to take little boats to get to the island. We were really hoping to be able to snorkel, but didn't want to try and get thrown into the rocks. So instead we walked along the Seven Mile beach and found some great shells. We also body surfed on the waves for a couple of hours. I am glad that I have a husband who is patient with me. I was still quite scared of the ocean, but he helped me overcome my fears and I found that the ocean can be very fun.

This beautiful place is Roatan Honduras. It was by far our favorite place to visit! We just loved it. Maybe it was because it was our first nice day, or we finally got to snorkel, or just that it was BEAUTIFUL! When we got off the ship there was this gorgeous beach. We were able to go out and teach ourselves how to snorkel for a couple of hours, another this I was a bit scared of. In fact, at first sight of all the grasses on the bottom of the ocean and not knowing what could be down there I started to hyperventilate, but Austin just grabbed my hand and took me out. I got a lot more brave, and learned that snorkeling was awesome! I wish that we lived by an ocean so that I could go again!!! We saw many cool fish, it really was awesome!

Austin told the girls that in this picture of me snorkeling, my fin is a shark chasing me. They are still so nervous for me.

Just a picture of our ship. Pretty big. They said that there were 3,500 guests on board, 1,200 were children. Plus 1,500 employees. A lot of people!

this is the only picture we have of Belize, we were actually not impressed with that port at all. It was a twenty minute little boat ride to the city, and we got there, stayed for about 45 minutes and got back on the little boat back to the ship and took a nap. I had had gotten sunburned a couple of days before and needed some aloe vera. We saw this shop that said it sold RX so we stopped. They weren't kidding. It was an over the counter Pharmacy that sold all those drugs you need scripts for, but not there! Austin thought it was funny, and the prices were pretty cheap, so he needed a picture.

Our last port of call was Cozumel. We really liked it there too. We went to a beach called Chankanaab. We practically had the whole beach to our selves for a couple of hours. We snorkeled a ton here. We went off to places no one else was and dove for some great shells. Austin had found a ton, and when I finally got brave enough I dove down and found a lot too. On this beach we saw lots of animals. We saw dolphins, an iguana, lots of crabs, and tons of fish. Some were the size of my kids, but I did not freak out when they swam by me, maybe the first time, but definitely not after that!

Michelle had told me how amazing the waiters were, but I just didn't realize what she meant until we got there and met them. This is Benjamin (from Honduras) and Luis (from Costa Rica) They were the BEST!!! They always had a smile on their face and were just so kind and fun and funny. Most nights Luis would have some trick for us to figure out. They had performances part way through our meals that were so funny. (It was always singing and dancing, and usually on the tables) They really were great!

Sickness

2010-03-12T09:21:00.000-08:00

Layton got really sick on Tuesday night. Of course Austin was working that night so I had to stay up with him and clean up throw up all night! FUN!!! On Wednesday he acted fine all day, not even a little sick, except the 4 hour nap he took. Austin had the morning off on Thursday and we have really been itching to get up to St. Anthony and look at some land we are interested in. So after a good night sleep we all got up early and headed North. We were halfway there and Layton started crying, Pretty normal, he HATES riding in the car anywhere. Next thing I know, yep, throw up, everywhere!!! We had to pull over at the rest area and clean everything. GROSS!! Sometimes being a parent is not fun. We didn't have any extra clothes for him, except Dad's. It was quite funny. He knew they were not his clothes and he did not like them. We had a t-shirt and a pair of socks. I thought he looked pretty cute! He kept a pouty, crabby face on the whole rest of the ride, until we changed him into his own clothes.

Swing time!!

2010-03-12T09:14:00.000-08:00

On Sunday we had some cousins over for a few hours and the kids had a ball playing outside. Layton stayed out there the longest though. After the others had come in he and Austin stayed out there. Soon I heard Austin yelling at me. When I went out he had Layton on the "Wee" as Layton likes to call it. Austin told me that he was pumping himself, and he was. He sat in the swing for about 5 minutes with no one touching him or the swing, and he kept it going the whole time. What a smart kid!!!

Now everytime we go outside he immediately runs to the swings. He LOVES them! Can you tell by the look on his face?

Our new cousin Aubrey

2010-03-12T09:03:00.000-08:00

My sister Mel was taking pictures and caught Aubrey in a cute little smile. I am sure she was smiling because I was holding her! :)

Heather looks so good! Her baby is only 2 days old!

This was all that the girls talked about for days. They absolutely love babies and thought it was great that they have a new cousin to hold. I wish that we would have gotten a picture of Layton with the baby. I didn't have him hold her, but he would come up and pat her head softly, (surprise) and then talk to her in a cute little baby voice. It was seriously adorable.

2010-03-12T08:56:00.000-08:00

Sadly, Tori's basketball season is just about over. She has had so much fun this year. I relaly hoped that when I signed her up she would get really excited about basketball and realize how much fun it is. We really worked with her on being more aggressive when rebounding... if only she would use the same attitude that she uses with Kennedy, every rebound would be hers! I am so glad that she loves playing basketball. Great job this year Tor!!!

Christmas

2010-03-01T12:32:00.000-08:00

For Christmas this year I got Austin tickets to a Celtics vs. Suns game. He LOVES the Celtics. They have been his favorite team since he was a little kid. We got some pretty good seats and got to go to PHOENIX where it was WARM! He was so happy to get to see his team close up and not in the nose bleed section.
We got to the game as early as they would allow and then watched some of the players warm up. The game in its self was not the greatest, three of Boston's starters were out injured, but it was still fun. The rest of the time we golfed, played in the pools, sat in the hot tubs, ate out, and shopped a little. I have to say, although I hate to leave the kids, I love to leave the kids. It was such a nice and relaxing vacation. And they had a blast with Grandma and Grandpa for a week. I hope that we can do this again, and soon.

Oh wait!! I am going on a cruise in 3 weeks! I do get to have a relaxing vacation soon!! Yea!!!!!

My New High Heels Part 2

2010-03-01T12:26:00.001-08:00

So I have had some requests for pictures of my shoes. I have not had the opportunity to wear these babies out yet, mostly because they KILL my feet still. But I am wearing them in so I can be ready for my cruise, that is the real reason I picked these ones out.

My new High Heels...

2010-02-18T08:57:00.000-08:00

Because I am just barely shorter than Austin (1/4") I have never really worn heels, well, those of you who know me well realize that I have never really worn them, mostly because I am so freakin' tall. The other day I tried on a pair of 4" heels for Austin, mostly just to be funny, and no I could not walk in them! :) He asked me why I don't own any high heels. I informed him that I didn't want him to be uncomfortable around me when I am wearing them, because I would be taller. He sweetly told me that he didn't mind if I wore heels, and that I should get some to have when we go out. So what did I do? the very next day I went out and spent my birthday money from my parents and bought two pairs of high heels! Then, because my feet are not used to wearing them, I decided to vacuum the house in my heels. It was a fun half hour, but now I realized that I was giving my calves a workout. They are a little sore. I think I will wear them again tomorrow!

Uncle David

2010-02-18T08:47:00.001-08:00

I love living close to home, this means that I can make quick trips to see my little (BIG) bro play basketball. It has been so fun to watch him this year, which is sadly his Senior year. Last Friday night was Senior night and so I decided I needed to go watch him. It was a good game and he did great. He ended up with many blocks (which he is awesome at, and the kids in the crowd love) and lot of rebounds and a few points! It was a fun game, and they blew Preston out of the water. Someone made them lifesize posters and hung them up around the gym. We had fun standing next to a HUGE poster of Uncle Dave. I wish that he still had one more year to play...college maybe?

our choice

2010-02-04T12:35:00.000-08:00

This post is also really late, but it is because of the no computer situation the last few months. This might be really old news to a few of you, but in November we FINALLY made our decision as to where Austin would accept a job this summer (and hopefully forever). After MUCH prayer and MUCH fasting and then more of both again, we decided to accept the job in St. Anthony. This was such a difficult decision for us. For some reason we both thought that the answer would be clear all along, but it was not. Both places had so many good things about them, and we realy loved the people in Dillon. We even had to ask for an extension so we could have more time. One night after going to the temple for inspiration, we both came out knowing that we needed to go to St. Anthony. We are all very excited now that we know where and when we are moving. Austin is already making big plans for the clinic and how he will expand. We are exctied that we will still have family close, hopefully they are too!

Coupons...again

2010-02-04T12:26:00.000-08:00

This is a week late, but last night we had an enrichment that focused on ways to save money, and so I thought what the heck. I was so excited about this shopping trip. When the total came up, it was 169.00 after all the instant savings, coupons and douple coupons my total was ... $32.71!!!
Isn't that great saving! I ended up with 30 boxes of cereal/granola bars 4 popcorn boxes (which I have never bought before but when you get then for almost free I think I will try them) 4 2-liter pops (free) apples, contact solution, I think that was all, but I think that was not bad!
Anyway, I was pretty excited so I thought I would share.

Kennedy's snowman

2010-02-04T11:48:00.000-08:00

We got some good snow overnight and through the day on Monday and Kennedy was really in the mood to build a snowman. Her friend could not come over to help and she was really sad. After I laid Layton down for a nap I decided to get on the snow gear and brighten her day by helping her.
She had a cute idea for a non-traditional snowman. I think that he turned out really cute. Kennedy even donated her hat. We had so much fun together, just the two of us. Sometimes I forget that I need to sit and play with my kids, not always think of that list of things that I need to get done. Those days that I do remember, always turn out to be my favorite day.

Jr. Jazz

2010-01-31T17:15:00.000-08:00

I signed Tori up to play in a Jr. Jazz basketball league this year. Austin is all the time trying to get the girls to go outside and shoot and dribble, but that does not hold their interest as long as he thinks it should. I thought playing on a team might help her see how fun basketball can be. I think that it worked!

Before the game Tori was so nervous she couldn't eat her lunch. but she was also so excited about it that she couldn't stop talking about her "1st Jr. Jazz game!" There are 9 players on her team so they have to rotate. Tori did not start, later she told me she was glad, but when she did go in she didn't touch the ball, not once. I just wanted to go out there and help her and encourage her. But I could not, I am just a mom.

Well, when she went back in the game, in the fourth quarter, they passed her the ball, she got to dribble, then the ref had her go to the hoop, and then there was no stopping her!! All the sudden she went after rebounds, got open for passes (instead of standing behind the guy guarding her) she took lots of shots in the last couple of minutes, and had a BLAST!!!

Seriously, she has not stopped talking about how fun basketball is. As soon as we got home from the game, she wanted to get all our neighbor kids together and play basketball, none were home dang it!!

When Austin got off work today, the first thing Tori said was, "Dad don't you love Saturday? " He said," It's Sunday." "I know, I just love Saturday because I get to play basketball!! "

How stinkin' cute is that!

I tried and tried to post a video, but it won't let me. If anyone knows and hints let me know!

It's been FOREVER!!!

2010-01-27T09:11:00.000-08:00

Well, my computer crashed in October and I have not had one available to use since then. It was a little tough getting use to not having a computer at my becon call, but I got use to it, now I am afraid I might forget that I have one. That's right... I got a new computer yesterday! What a great birthday present! J/K Not exactly for my birthday, but Austin picked it up and brought it home on my big day. I am just so excited to have a reliable computer.

Sometime soon I will load all my pictures on here and have a huge catch up blog, but not now, I have a house to get ready to sell.

Family Pictures

2009-10-20T10:16:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the first day that we were all together, when the sun was still up, in a long time. So we decided that since the leaves were changing we would take our family pictures. So after Tori got home from school we all got ready. We left the house at 4:00 to start our drive up to City Creek. At 4:01 it started to rain on us! I was so MAD!! Last time when we were going to take pictures it snowed! Can we not ever get good weather!!! Austin pointed out that the darkest clouds were over City Creek...nice. Oh well, we headed up anyway, at least we were spending time together, right? We drove around for a little while trying to pick the perfect spot, and let the rain die down. We took some pictures and the kids didn't complain too much. I have to say that I am not a huge fan of taking my own family pictures. I set everyone up in the positions that I think looks pretty good, try to picture me in there, set the timer and then run, at the same time I am hoping that no one moves and that they all look at the camera when it takes the picture. It rarely turns out. But I keep trying. Next time I will just recruit someone to come with us and take the pictures for me.

This is me running, I accidently set the wrong timer!

2009-10-20T09:36:00.000-07:00

I am a little late with this post, but this wonderful snow storm happened on October 4th!!!! It was conference weekend and we were going to go to Rupert on Sunday to drop off the 4 wheeler we had borrowed, wish Austin's Dad a happy birthday and then drive dome through the mountains to get some fall family pics. When we called in the morning to tell everyone we were coming they told us they were getting snowed on, but still come because it should be gone when we got there. When we left they had 1" of snow. When we got there they had 3" and the power was out! So the kids grabbed all the winter gear they could find (and by kids I mean my kids, the adult men in the house, and Auntie Mel). Immediately John had to build a little fort for the snowball fight that he knew would come. And it did. They were even rude enough to throw snowballs at me, the photographer! How rude!The girls loved every minute of it, and were pretty upset when they had to come in to eat!Tori in Aunt Mel's face mask. Kinda surprising that she put it on and left it on.

Dad and Uncle John about to hit each other with snowballs.

Building Forts

2009-10-09T11:37:00.000-07:00

I don't know about your children, but mine think that blankets have one purpose, and one purpose only... to built forts with. I guess that the same goes with the furniture, well, that and to jump off.

After weeks and weeks of constant forts in our family rooms (yes both, and somtimes at the same time), Austin and I looked for a way to solve this problem.

One day Austin came home and showed me this website! I was so exited.

Two weeks prior to the girls birthdays, there was literally a new fort built everyday. People would come to my house and I would just think, "my house is usually cleaner than this!!!"

I wanted to give the girls their gift early, just so I could have a clean looking house again, but I didn't.This is the last BLANKET FORT to be built in my house!! YEAH!

And of course it was on Sunday right before they got their "new fort."

Here is the Invent-a-tent! I love it. they have made at least 6 different forts since then, and they are all downstairs where no one can see.

Friends Party

2009-10-09T11:02:00.000-07:00

Tori, Summer, Kennedy. This is at their birthday party. Summer is a wonderful neighbor who LOVES the girls, and they LOVE her! They both wanted to have her come over for their party.
Each of the girls made little pizzas, jumped in the bounce house and danced their hearts out in a Freeze Dance contest. It was a fun afternoon.

Top to Bottom:
Summer, Whitney, Tori, Seirra, Nikki, Kennedy, Allison.

Kennedy and Nikki on the bounce house.
Kennedy, Nikki and Allison

Tori is 7!!!

2009-10-09T10:50:00.000-07:00

Let pretend again!! It is ...

September 28, 2009

Happy Birthday Tori!!!

Tori also got to open her presents in the morning of her birthday, because Dad, once again, would not be there. Next year he will! She was also given a jumper from Mom and a puzzle. Surprise!

What?!? That is not the same picture as Kennedy's is it! Well, when your birthday is only 4 days away from your sisters, and there are only four members of the family that will eat the cake, we cannot make two regular sized cakes. So they share. One day that will have to change, but for now, we celebrate the birthdays together.
Tori also LOVED testing out the bounce house. They didn't want to get out until it was dark.
Thanks Reann!

Kennedy is 5!!!!!

2009-10-09T10:29:00.000-07:00

Lets pretend for a minute that it is September 24, 2009.

Happy Birthday Kennedy!!!

Kennedy is finally 5! She has had a countdown since the end of August when her cousin Kyler turned 5. IN the morning she got to open her presents, Mom made her a dress and she also go t a puzzle. (because Tori's birthday is in 4 days we will celebrate again in the middle, on Sunday, and they will both get another gift together)

Dad was not home for Kennedy's birthday (except in the morning) so she got to go to the hospital and eat lunch with Dad and all the other residents. That was pretty special for her, they treated her like royalty.
Do you like the jumper?Grammy came to Pocatello to spend time with both Kennedy and Tori for their birthdays. Where is that picture you wonder, well, I forgot, but this is Kennedy opening grammy's present.

We had a little party for the girls on Saturday where they got to each invite 3 friends, and we borrowed a bounce house from a friend. This is Kennedy testing out the bounce house the night before the party. They LOVED it!!

2009-09-15T15:11:00.000-07:00

Today was a very busy day!! I cleaned and did some laundry in the early morning, then I took pictures, then it was lunch time. During Layton's afternoon nap Kennedy and I worked on Preschool. After that I started on the peaches that I had gotten this week (YUM).

This was Layton's music that I got to listen to for a LONG time during the canning process!

At least he was occupied and not climbing all over me. He did that later, and kept calling me dad!! I tried to correct him, he still calls me dad. When Austin got home, he started saying mom, so I can't feel too bad.

First Haircut

2009-08-25T18:16:00.000-07:00

This is Layton's first haircut. I know, he is pretty old to have never had a haircut, right? He just doesn't have much hair, and it is blond, so it really looks like he has no hair, so we have never cut it. It was just getting a little too long though, so I made Austin do it for me. Layton would have never held still with just me there. He thought it was pretty funny at first, but after a while he would just move his head to get rid of the clippers. That is where I came in. I had to hold his head and his hands. Fun times. He did do pretty good, so did Austin.

(Please excuse the dirty mirror, it is bathroom cleaning day, and now they are clean.)

Now Layton is back to looking like he has no hair again. :) Oh well, he is still pretty handsome!

First Day of School

2009-08-25T17:48:00.000-07:00

this was Tori's first day of 1st Grade!!! (I can't believe that she is old enough to be a 1st grader!) She was so excited to go to school. She helped me pick out all her school supplies, especially the Tinkerbell lunch box, that is all she really cared about anyway. She picked out her own outfit and laid it out the night before. She even went to sleep within minutes of getting in bed. Tori did wake up with a tummy ache (nerves) and didn't eat much breakfast. When we got to the school I told her we would come in with her to help her find her class again, she told me no she was fine. I insisted! She is not old enough remember? As we walked in Tori was clinging to me, Kennedy was crying, and Layton was trying to grab everyone and everything in sight! It took Tori a few minutes to finally let go, and I made a dash out before she started crying (or me). When I got outside a friend, who also has a son in the class, told me that Tori came up to her and gave her a great big hug, still nervous I guess! Thanks Ad! She came home from school so happy and excited to do it again! That night in Tori's prayer she said thank you three times that she had such a fun day, and please bless that tomorrow she would have fun too. And she did.

2009-08-09T17:45:00.000-07:00

The whole gang. Well, all that were able to come. Which as you can see, was quite a few!

Gina

Mari

Giff

Damon

Dallas

Yesterday we got to go up to Lake Cleveland for a little mini family reunion for the Gillette family. It was so much fun. I have been in the Gillette family for 8 years now and just barely got to meet a few members of the family, original members. We had a lot of fun talking and eating. Some hiked into the lake, others drove there, like me. We cooked Salmon that Austin's Dad and Uncle caught. And man WAS IT GOOD!!!!! i LOVE SALMON!!!!!
and I LOVE a good Gillette fish fry!

Then we sat around the camp fire, then played and played and played and played some more on the big swing. We kinda acted like little kids.

Me (Rachel)

Kelsy

Kate

Faith

Chatting around the fire

All the cute kids.

Uncle Jerry cooking up the fish.

MMMM good!

Some of the cousins.

It was a blast! Thanks Aunt Nancy and Uncle Randy for organizing it! Until next year...

Island Park

2009-08-09T17:28:00.000-07:00

Tori loves to pose for pictures.

Layton is trying to have fun while the other kids are fishing, mom is just mean and didn't let him leave the blanket to get into the dirt.

Kennedy wasn't really in the mood to fish, so she just pretended like she was fishing with this stick.

Uncle Dave helping Brenner catch some fish. Well...casting out the line HOPING to catch some fish.

Brenner

Terrill and Kyler fishing. I think that Terrill undid more snags than anything. He is pretty patient!

Layton's favorite activity at the cabin was racing across the room to climb up the very dangerous and scary (to mom) stairs. He would laugh as he was crawling across the room!

Tori, Kyler, Kennedy, Brenner

All five cousins

Uncle David took Tori and Kennedy on many four-wheeler rides. Thanks Dave!

Funny

2009-07-28T12:17:00.000-07:00

So last night was a terrible night for Layton and I. I am not sure what was going on with him, teething, off schedule during the day, not feeling well maybe, not sure but he decided that one minute after mom crawled under the covers would be a great time to wake up crying, and then not stop for 4 hours. That is right he was awake from 11-3. Mostly. I tried to let him cry it out, he got louder. I tried to cuddle him, feed him a bottle, lay on the ground next to the crib and hold his hand through the bars, nothing. Finally at 2 I was so exhausted I pulled him out and laid him next to me on the floor. (Austin is on a very demanding rotation and Layton does not hold still in bed, so I choose the floor) It took about 40 minutes of moving and moaning (from Layton) before he was finally asleep, then I let him get into a deep sleep before I moved him back.
Needless to say, in the morning I was exhausted. I got everyone breakfast and then Layton was ready for a nap. YEAH! So I told the girls to play nicely, not to answer the door and DO NOT DISTURB ME! yeah right. That lasted about 20 minutes then they were yelling and hitting each other. I threatened them and they were quite for the last 20 minutes. When I woke up they were downstairs laughing and giggling with each other, then I found...
I found it quite FUNNY! I told them to work out their problems and if I needed to I would take care of things when I woke up. I guess this was Tori's way of taking care of things.

Layton is ONE!

2009-07-27T12:49:00.000-07:00

My baby is ONE!!! It is so sad and exciting at the same time. I cannot believe how time has just flown by this last year. Layton is still just the happiest little guy, even when he is teething. I do not know how Austin and I got so lucky.

I was so excited to have a summer baby to celebrate with ice cream cake. All day long all Layton wanted to do was open his presents that were stacked on the cedar chest. We invited lots of family and friends over to celebrate with us. Layton seemed to love being sung to, but what he really wanted was the candle! Layton never did eat a bite of his cake. I tried and tried, so we just gave up and let him do what he really wanted, rip the paper off the presents. Oh how he loved that. The girls too, and Nash, his cousin.

Uncle John and Aunt Gina also celebrated their birthday's this past week so we were able to sing to them also. It was a fun filled day.

Can you tell what his favorite toy? Good thing there were two big balls, Nash and Layton were having some struggles, Layton was very possessive of his toys.

Dillon, MT

2009-07-27T12:39:00.000-07:00

It is that time in Austin's residency experience where we get to start trying to find a "real job." It is a little fun and a little stressful. For us, we want to pick the perfect place because we want to stay wherever we go, little stressful. But at the same time we are having lots of fun considering places we never thought we would consider. Never dreamed that I would love Pocatello so much that I would not want to move, ever. Never thought Austin would want to move to Rexburg, and definitely never thought we would consider moving out of Idaho again. Even when the call from Dillon came I told Austin NO! Don't even think about it. Well, he did. And we went. And we liked. Sometimes I don't so much like being an adult who has to make hard decisions, but I am and I do. We really like all three possibilities, it is going to be one very, very tough decision. Pray for us!!

Layton's climb

2009-07-27T12:26:00.000-07:00

These are not the greatest pictures, but I had to catch Layton doing his new thing... climbing over people who are in the way, or close to in the way, or not even in the way, just fun to go out of HIS way to climb over. Kennedy thinks it is HILARIOUS! So he does it over and over again.

He tried it on my niece Kaylee this weekend, she didn't seem to mind, so he continued to do it. Poor little Kaylee.

4th of July in Rupert!!

2009-07-27T11:58:00.000-07:00

Rupert is where I grew up, and it is a great place to take my kids every year to witness great LOVE for Country and State, (and a small little town). The parade is WONDERFUL! There are always tons of great floats, horse back riders, cheerleaders and so much more. We always sit with my family and eat popcicles and yell to the kids to get more candy (there is a TON of candy thrown). This is just one of the amazing floats, they all seemed to have moving parts this year. I also hope you enjoy the tops of my siblings heads! :)

This is how Layton enjoyed the parade. It was an extremely hot day and it was nap time, and with that combination, Grandpa Fennell's lap was absolutely perfect. He didn't even budge when the fire trucks went by with their sirens blasting.

This little horse with the carriage, that I got an AMAZING picture of, hehe, is Grammy Gillette's horse, Tango. This is the horse the girls have been learning to ride on. It was fun to see her in the parade.
After this we all we out to Aunt Sherma's and had so Fried Chicken and saw our hearts out in the pool. Fun times.

Graduation

2009-07-03T12:57:00.000-07:00

Sad to say, but yes, Tori has graduated from Kindergarten.

She was so excited. Austin had the day off, MIRACLE! And so we were all able to go and watch Tori's graduation. It was so cute. They sang lots of songs for us and then played a video of pictures from the year. Tori was so cute during the whole graduation.

She is a very smart little girl and loved going to school. I was a little nervous at first because she gets a little distracted when other friends are around, but she did good and paid attention to her teacher (most of the time). She improved through the year and can't wait to start 1st grade. She is LOVING summer break though.

I just spent the last 45 minutes long a video of Tori singing, and it didn't post it. I will try again later. A little mad right now!

Yellowstone

2009-07-03T12:30:00.000-07:00

I have a ton to update... so here we go. My sister and her boys came out for a visit from Alabama and the main thing that she wanted to do while she was here was go to Yellowstone. We hoped to see some baby animals, and indeed we did... a bunch of baby bison. That is IT!!! A little disappointing, but fun none the less.

We had all the cousins together for the first time in a year and a half and they had a blast! Uncle John and Uncle David trying to be the tallest. Sorry John, Dave has you beet by a couple of inches. (He is about 6'10")

All the cousins, and the two uncles.

The whole Fennell family, well, all that could make it, waiting for Old Faithful to errupt. I have to say, this was much cooler when I was a kid. Still neat, just not as much as I remember.

My coupon experience

2009-06-16T15:13:00.000-07:00

So I went couponing with my friend Julie today. I was totally amazed at how much I really could get for my money. These are all the items that I got at Albertson's today.

4- Gogurts
1- Bounty papers
4 Bertolli alfredo sauce
2 Sweet and Salty Nut bars
1 cake mix
1 Little drums ice cream cones
1 Breyers Ice cream
1 12 roll cottonelle
2 boxes of Cheerios
4 hot dogs

Isn't this awesome!

Total spending: $25.34
Total Savings: $59.75

I was really excited and can't wait to do it again!!

Fireproof

2009-06-13T21:08:00.000-07:00

We signed up for Netflicks a couple of months ago, LOVE IT! Anyway, many, people have recommended the movie Fireproof to me as a movie that Austin and I watch. Since his schedule is crazy we just barely got it this week. Last night for our date night we watched it. It is SUCH a GOOD movie. The acting is a little cheesy at first, but I think once you get into the movie you just forget about the acting. Oh, this movie has such a good message. It is about working on your marriage and not being selfish and loving each other and doing kind things for each other, but oh, seriously, good movie. I think that it is a good movie for everyone, especially for every marriage, just be ready to cry. Well, I will just down off my little soapbox, but do rent the movie. :)

Oh, it stars Kirk Cameron.

Uncle Jordan

2009-05-15T11:48:00.000-07:00

Uncle Jordan only has two short weeks before leaves on his mission to Arcadia CA. we are so excited for him, but we are also a little sad. It has been fun having him in Pocatello going to school. We have gotten to see him a little more because of that. He and Austin go to play on a city basketball team together (with the other brothers) and had a lot of fun doing that. We enjoyed all our game nights, dinners together, and all our dunk contests in our backyard. We are going to miss him.

Shed Hunting

2009-05-15T11:41:00.000-07:00

Austin and his brother Gifford love to go shed hunting, and go out every chance they get. This is the latest finds from their shed hunting excursion. I think they did pretty good. Gifford was pretty excited about the moose shed he found (in the back by his knee). I think they came home with 23, but I could be wrong.

Easter

2009-05-15T11:29:00.000-07:00

Sorry these pictures are terrible, but I wanted to show that we had a fun Easter. The girls both got pink baseball gloves. Dad was a little ticked at the Easter Bunny for picking pink. Dang that Easter Bunny, she should know better! The girls love them, they hardly ever put them down. so Mom says, "Good Job Easter Bunny!"

A Day at the Park

2009-05-15T10:18:00.000-07:00

Austin had a rotation in St. Anthony and the kids and I went with him for a couple of days. We got to stay with my sister in Rexburg, visit with my brother and his cute family, play at lots of parks and eat lunch with Dad (never happens), go to the temple, and just enjoy time together (rarely happens). It was a fun couple of days, and beautiful ones too.

These are some pictures of the girls playing at the park. Tori loves that she can cross the money bars and Kennedy loves to try everything that Tori does.

Bath Time

2009-05-15T10:02:00.000-07:00

This is one of the kids favorite times of the day. They love bath time. The girls were starting to argue and fight a lot in the tub, and I was just about to make Tori take showers and Kennedy takes baths individually, and then I threw Layton into the mix and they all love it. Layton loves to splash up a storm, and the girls just burst into laughter every time he does it, then he does it again because they laughed, then they laugh, over and over again. Bath time is pleasant again! Hallelujah!

My baby is nine months!!

2009-05-15T09:29:00.000-07:00

Well, my little baby is nine months, actually a little more now because I am so slow posting! I just can't believe how time flies!
Layton is the happiest little guy. We have only had a couple of time when he has gotten a bit cranky, and both times were because he was teething.
Layton had his 9 month appointment a week and a half ago, and during the appointment we found out that his head is still huge! (95%) and he is still a giant length wise (above 97%) and he dropped drastically on the weight end, from 50% to 10%!!! My poor skinny, tall, big headed boy!
A friend of mine calls him a "grapefuit on a stick." That just about fits him.

Nine fun things about LAYTON:

9. Layton loves to eat!
8. Big beautiful BLUE eyes.
7. Quick to smile.
6. scoots across a room in no time flat!
5. loves power cords! Oh wait, that is not a good thing!
4. Good sleeper.
3. Loves his sisters to death, even when they smother him with loves.
2. His face lights up when his dad walks into the room.
1.Happy, Happy little boy!

WE LOVE OUR LITTLE LAYTON!

Very, very, very, very, very EXCITING NEWS!!!

2009-04-24T09:09:00.000-07:00

WE SOLD OUR HOUSE IN OHIO!!!!!!!

This is honestly the most exciting news that I could possibly tell you right now. Our house has been on the market for almost exactly one year, one very long, long year! But this has been a year of many blessings. Our Heavenly Father has blessed us more than we deserve I think, but we are ever so grateful. I know that we were able to make it month to month paying both mortages and all the rest of life because we payed our tithing and did what the Lord asked us to do. We are just so grateful that it has SOLD!!!

2009-04-10T13:38:00.000-07:00

Austin got to spend some of his vacation this March going Steelhead fishing in Northern Idaho. He went with his Dad, Uncle Jerry Doug Manning, and a few other friends from home.
They all had a great time. The weather cooperated with them for the most part and they were able to catch some nice fish. This is Austin' Dad with the great big net. He spent a lot of time teaching them all some new things he had learned. I think that he really enjoys that part of fishing. The next picture is Doug with one of his catches.

Austin caught this beauty and the next accross the river from everyone else. It actually terrifies me that he crosses the river when he is fishing, but he always does it anyway because "fishing is always better over there" What do I know?

He caught some really nice fish and enjoyed some "guy time."

General Conference part two...

2009-04-10T13:31:00.000-07:00

These were some of the wildlife that we saw on our drive. There were a bunch of does and two bucks. Kinda cool.

I just thought this was a cool picture.

General Conference

2009-04-10T13:04:00.000-07:00

Growning up Austin's family would always take a little road trip to the City of Rocks and listen to conference as they were driving. Then in between seesions they would have a picnic of Fried Chicken and climb all over the rocks. They have some great family pictures taken doing just that. Since we now live in the land that we can watch conference on our own T.V. or listen to it on the radio, we decided to take a drive and keep up the tradition.
Austin's brother Gifford and his family also came along. We went all over the mountains, I can't remember where, but if you ask Austin he can
give you every detail of the trip, I guarantee it!
Anyway, we drove around south of Pokey and looked for wildlife and just enjoyed the beauty of the day, because it was a beautiful one! In between sessions we took a little break and had a picnic. Austin took the girls on a little hike then went down to the water and played fetch with Howie.
When it was time to listen again we piled in the truck and started off again.
We drove on roads that had not been driven on since the fall, hence the digging out the snow on the road so we could pass. Good job boys!
After conference was over for the day we all went on a hike. It was a nice hike and the kids really enjoyed being outdoors.
I enjoyed this little family tradition, as did the girls.

Just before our hike I found a great little spot for some pictures, and my girls are always very willing to be photographed, wish their Dad would try to be more like them .

Meaning behind my name

2009-04-02T09:51:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my friend Kristi I came across this fun website that tells a little about you from just your name. Kinda fun. It is not totally perfect, but I think that most of it fits me. Any way...

You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something.You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense.You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun.

You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality.

You are very open. You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily.You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind.A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable.

You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out.Success comes rather easily for you... especially in business and academia.Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You're a strong person.

You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.

You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow.You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily.Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is.

Check out this fun site and see what is behind your name!
www.blogthings.com/whatsyournameshiddenmeaningquiz

Craft Fair

2009-04-02T09:12:00.000-07:00

My sister, Michelle, and I just got done doing our first craft fair. It went okay, not as great as we would have hoped (we had REALLY high hopes), but it still was fine. I thought that our booth turned out really nice. Thanks goes out to Jessi for helping me set up and her husband Zach for watching my kids. And Mari for the use of her screen, it added that finishing touch!
I guess that we did not get too burned out with the whole things because we are planning for the next one. We are already replinishing our inventory.

2009-04-01T16:59:00.000-07:00

March 20th turned out to be a gorgeous day for a wedding. Stafford and Gina were married in the Twin Falls, ID temple for time and all Eternity. The ceremony was wonderful. And it was fun to see cousins and family that we hadn't seen in while.

These four cute kids are Addison, Hailey, Tori and Kennedy. They had a ball together for the first time in months. They made good time of all the "free time" they had. They climbed this wall multiple times and walked back and forth and back and forth. They all LOVED their "wedding princesses dresses"
As I walked around doing the picture thing, Austin and Layton had some great Father-Son time. And poor little Layton ended the day with his first sun burn!! Who would have thought he would burn in March! Obviously not his mother.

Kennedy vs. Layton

2009-03-13T12:54:00.000-07:00

We came across this photo the other day, actually Austin carries it around in his white coat pocket, how cute huh? Anyway, I could not believe my eyes. Layton looks so much like Kennedy at that same age. A couple of months ago we did another comparison and it was the same, so I don't know why it shocked me so much.

I don't know that the picture I put on of Layton proves my point too much, but when you see him in real life, you can't deny it!

And then there is Tori, she hasn't changed a bit! :)

Jordan's Mission call

2009-03-12T20:10:00.000-07:00

My Brother-in-law recieved his mission call today. He, all the brothers, his Dad and Uncle all came over to our house for the opening of the call. It was so fun and exciting. He was called to the Arcadia, CA Spanish speaking mission. The really, really cool thing is that he was called to the very same place his brother Giff served in. Giff was just English speaking. It was such a fun and exciting night. We had pizza and then sat around and talked about his mission. Austin and Stafford and their Dad shared advice and stories. It was a great evening.

Cuties!!

2009-03-06T22:38:00.000-08:00

We decided to do a little photo shoot a couple of days ago. I made the kids wear the hats that I made them. The girls had a grand time holding Layton. He just didn't want to cooperate too much. I thought the pictures turned out pretty cute, although, it did take a few shots just to get a couple good ones. (Layton LOVES to move)

Residency Ski Day

2009-02-13T07:50:00.000-08:00

The Residency has an anual ski day every year, and though we did not ski yesterday we went up anyway.

The kids had a blast with all he other kids, throwing snowballs and sledding.

There were a few Skiers, a few sledders, and a few who just came up for the lunch. And heck, when you get a full day off for just showing up to the lunch, I would show up too!!

2009-02-04T15:22:00.000-08:00

This was Layton on January 26th. It was his 6 month birthday, so we celebrated with a little rice cereal. I don't think that he really appreciated that. His face told me that it was not his favorite way to eat. But now, only a week later. . . he love his rice cereal!!

Today we even tried oatmeal. Got about the same result as the rice the first time.

OHIO!!!

2009-02-04T14:54:00.000-08:00

I had the GREAT opportunity to go to OHIO last week. Our house is not selling, and we have been beyond stressed and worried about it, so my mother-in-law suggested I go out there and see how things are. So I went out and had to clean, clean, clean, and clean. I did not realize how dirty our house was. (I would have never left it that way! Oh well, I guess that is what comes with renters!) I am so glad that I got to go out. My good friend Annie picked Layton and I up and let me stay with her and her family (and use her car constantly). It was so fun to see her again, and see how much her little family has changed.
Julie was also a doll and helped me clean. I never would have gotten it done without her. Although I went out there to work I did get to have a little fun. Annie got some girlfriends together and we went to dinner then to the Men's church ball game.
All in all it was a good trip. I wish that I could have just been out there for fun, so that I could see more people and do more things, but at least I had an excuse to get out there!

DECEMBER 2008 . . . PART II . . . CHRISTMAS

2009-01-21T10:04:00.000-08:00

We started a new tradtition this year. (Well, I hope it becomes a tradition). On Christmas Eve we decorated this wonderful GINGERBREAD house. Isn't is great!
The girls had a blast. Austin found some fun songs on Youtube that we listened and danced to while we were decorating.

The girls were very proud of the house.

I was not very excited about this. I walked into Layton's room to check on him before I went to bed and found him rolled over. Now he almost automatically rolls to his stomach when I put him in bed. Even during the night when I roll him back over. I guess that he is a stomach sleeper.

It scares me.

This was Christmas day. We got another huge snow/wind storm Christmas Eve night. It snowed and drifted, and so they had to close all the Interstates and Highways. We were planning to go to my parents on Christmas day, but had to postpone a little because of the snow. It actually turned out to be such a wonderful day. No one could go ANYWHERE and so we stayed at home and played games, Austin built a snow tunnel house with the girls, and we watched a little football.

When the roads did open we started on our way, and then wished that we hadn't. The roads were still awful. We saw many people slide off and had to stop and call 911 three times.
We drove 35 almost the whole way home and even that was probably too fast. It took us two and a half hours to drive 60 miles. But then when we did get to Rupert, we had a wonderful weekend. We were the only kids home on both sides of the family and so we got lots of time with our parents. It really was a wonderful Christmas.

I accidently deleted the picture of Austin's parents house after that storm, I will try to add it again. But the snow drifts were about 3 feet. . . in his parents yard!! One of the cars got completely covered in the snow.

It was pretty fun.

DECEMBER 2008 . . . PART I

2009-01-21T09:28:00.000-08:00

Right before Christmas we got an awesome snow storm. The kids were out of school already, or they would have been released. We got about 10" of new snow over night. We had already had about 4" so there was like 14-15" of snow. The girls had a blast with all the kids in the neighborhood. Even our dog Howie, who had snow up to his chest, was loving it.

I don't know if you can tell, but that little snowman dude is a canycane with 14" mark on it, and the snow is clear to the top. I had just cleaned the sidewalk about 15 minutes before the picture and it already had another 1/2"

This is my little lovey dovey Kennedy kissing her cousin Kaylee. We went home the weekend before Christmas so that we would be there when my little brother John blessed his little daughter Kaylee Jean. She is such a doll.

Layton looks like a GIANT compared to Kaylee. at 6 weeks she weighed less than Layton did when he was born!!! Not fair.

This is little Riley. He is 10 months old in this picture. I watch him everyday while his Mom works and Dad goes to school. He is such a happy little boy. He had just started standing up next to things, and now, a month later he is into everything! He can almost move faster than me. He is so much fun to have around. I can't wait until Layton is old enough to not get whomped on and play with Riley. I think they will be best of friends.

Grandpa and Grandma Fennell

2008-12-19T15:02:00.000-08:00

This cute couple is my grandparents. They are such wonderful people I just wanted to let people know. They have always been so supportive of me and my family. My grandparents helped watch my little brother and sister when my Mom decided to go back to school. My grandma even made us birthday cakes during that time so that my mom could get other things accomplished. She always remembers everyones birthdays, anniversaries and such and sends cards. My Grandpa is a quite fellow, but has a great sense of humor and a wonderful smile, you just don't ever see that on film. Being on a girls basketball team in High school you don't attract a huge crowd, but I always knew that if I looked up into the stands, I would see my Grandpa there supporting me.
They are both such wonderful people and I lve them very much.

Thanksgiving in Rupert

2008-12-19T13:49:00.000-08:00

Growing up we always had Thanksgiving with my Dad's side of the family. It was always so fun to see all the cousin's. This year was much the same. On Thanksgiving Day we had a wonderful dinner with Austin's family. All were there, but Damon who is serving in Florida on a mission. Unfortunately I was a bit sick, so I could not enjoy the food as much as I would have liked, but what I did try was delicious!
On Friday we got together with my family. We went out to my Aunt and Uncle's home. Tons of cousins were there, and many had children of thier own for my kids to play with. We ate, then the boys wanted to go hunting and shooting of clay pigeons.
The top picture is a row of clay pigeon shooters and those in line to shoot, and some just watching.

This is my Grandpa Fennell entertaining two of his Great-Grandchildren, Layton and Abby.
This is a close up shot of Layton and Abby. Layton is one month older and more than a head longer! When my brother, who is 24, was a baby my mom took a picture of he and another cousin, and it looked much the same.

This beauty is my Mother. She takes every opportunity to hold and cuddle with Layton. Thats what Gramdma's are for!

This is a picture of the hunters. We brought Howie and my brother brought his pup Max, but he didn't want to be photographed.
They had a little luck and shot one pheasant, and then Max chopped on it and wouldn't let go. What can you say, he is a puppy after all. This was one of his training days. My brother David, the tallest one, loves that cute little pup and takes him almost everywhere.

Layton is Rolling

2008-12-19T12:01:00.000-08:00

Layton has learned to roll over. I think that he learned it a little backwards. He was on his back and rolled to his tummy the first few times. Today he got from his tummy to his back. In fact, he rolled tummy to back to tummy to back! I was quite amazed since he just started yesterday.

He is so cute when he rolls, he usually always gives a big smile, like he knows that he is accomplishing something great.

I love this time with a baby, when they are learning new things. It is so fun. And he is such a good and happy baby. We LOVE having him in our family.

Country Girls Stitchin'

2008-12-17T13:18:00.000-08:00

My sister Michelle and I decided to put our creativity and free time, ha-ha, to good use. We both LOVE to do crafty things, and I had found all these cute embroidery patterns, so we decided to make some and sell them. So here we are. We are just getting a website up ad running, and have already sold quite a few pictures. We are loving it.

Michelle and I embroider all the pictures, tea-dye them, then meet with our Dad and make all the pictures frames. I think that he loves this opportunity to spend lots of time with us, and in the shop, two things he loves.

Anyway, please check out our website, but remember that it still needs a lot of work, we are just starting.

And remember to tell all your family and friends.

Holiday Stamp a stack

2008-11-10T16:39:00.000-08:00

This Saturday, November 15th, I am holding a Holiday stamp a stack. I am posting the cards that we are going to be making. There are five cards and we will make two of each. The cost is $10. Come anytime between 11-3 on Saturday.

I will also have extra supplies to make cards for the soildiers. So come and have some fun.

Scrapbooking this month

2008-11-01T14:43:00.000-07:00

These were little treats we made for Tori and Kennedy's school classes. They loved them.

Just a fun thank you card I came I made.

These are the cutest Mummy cards. I loved them. I am in a card club and these are the ones that I made. I thought they turned out cute.

October Kids

2008-11-01T13:58:00.000-07:00

Okay, so this totally put my pictures in backwards, and it takes to long to upload them, that I am not redoing it. So start at the bottom and work you way up.

This is a picture of the kids today. They are growing up so much, so fast. Tori is LOVING kindergarten, but when I ask what she did at school when she gets home, all I learn is whether of not she had recess, what the snack was and who she sat by on the bus. Hope there is more going on than that!!!

Kennedy is just such a cutie! She loves to play games and dress up while Tori is at school. She is also getting a little more imaginitive in her playing.

Layton is changing all the time. He is smiling at everyone now. He really loves to "talk" to Tori. She will lay on the floor next to him and he will just chat away. He really loves his big sisters.

He has also started to grab at toys and bring them towards his face. He is such a GOOD and HAPPY baby.

Another big plus with Mom is he is sleeping between 11-12 hours at night! Loving it!

This was taken about 3 weeks ago. I thought I would take a picture in his Aunt shirt before it got too small and I forgot. The Aunt will remain unnamed, so the others with think it is them! :)

And yes, this is Idaho in October!! Still want to come Annie?!? It was around October the 10th!!! And we recieved 4 inches on day and 6 the next. It melted inbetween. My parents house and hour away got 27 inches!!!!! And the week before it was in the 80's! After the snow melted it went back to the high 70's and has stayed warm since. This Idaho weather!

Cowgirls

2008-09-29T21:57:00.000-07:00

This has become Tori and Kennedy's favorite thing to do when we go to Grammy Gillette's home. They quickly put on their PINK cowgirl boots and run out to the corral to feed TANGO.

Doesn't Tori do such a good job of riding by herself. Both of the girls are getting so good at riding Tango. They sure do have a lot more confidence than I would. I am proud of them. One day maybe we will get them a horse of their own.