Swimming Lessons!

Today was Caysja's last day of swimming lessons and I'm so bummed because I actually remembered to bring my camera, but then realized that the battery was at home, charging up! Oh well. I'm so proud of her! She did a great job. We took a little "mommy and me" class together at the local Aquatics Center and she learned quite a few things. They taught her how to:

• Float on her back (with my help of course)
  
• Float on her tummy (with help)
• Blow bubbles (she already knew that one)
• Jump off the side of the pool (already knew that one too)
• Climb alongside the edge of the pool and pull herself out
  
• Kick her legs
  
• Wear a life jacket correctly
• Use a kick board

The class was super cheap too--only $10 for 9 lessons! Since it was the last day and they let the kids play on the slides and kiddie toys and then gave them each a certificate and popsicle. Good job Caysja!

We've also been going to the local "Water World" a lot lately, which is a lot like Utah's Raging Waters. We decided it was so fun that we might as well buy a season pass. We've been there three times and each time I've forgotten to bring my camera, but I promise the next time we go I will remember it and then I'll post lots of pictures. The wave pool is the best! What else is there to do when it's 115+ outside!?

More Father's Day

On Father's day I asked Caleb what he wanted to eat for his "special dinner" if he could have anything and he said homemade chicken noodle soup with homemade noodles like his mom always made. Well, I've never made that before, but figured there's a first time for everything, right? Little did I know that it was going to take me ALL DAY to make those noodles and have them dry out and all that! Luckily he really liked it and I was so happy that it was edible. I'm not sure I'll be making that again for a while though... Caysja and I picked out some sunglasses and a new swimsuit for him. What else do you give a guy here in AZ??

I also made this really yummy raspberry cheesecake for dessert.

We love you, Hon!

More of Caysja's Birthday

On Caysja's Birthday we celebrated with a little party on the deck outside San Lagos. Afterwards we had a pool party, but unfortunately my camera batteries died before I could get any pictures of the pool. It was a really HOT day!

Caysja was so spoiled by all her AZ friends and she got some AWESOME new toys! Thanks, guys!

We made her a "popcorn" cake and put two candles in it which she wanted to blow out over and over again.

The moms helped the kids decorate these cute visor hats.

Here is Halle, Caysja's best friend.

I had to take this darling picture of Caysja's friend Dane. He knows what's good!

This is what the hats looked like.

Caysja's aunt Marisa made her this cute little birthday dress.

We also had a party for her the day before we left Idaho Falls. Here she is hugging her cousin, Mariah.

Caysja's cousin Adria gave her this cute little piano that played songs and a little microphone attached. She got right up and put on a show for all of us--dancing and singing! It was hilarious! Guess she's watched a little too much American Idol!

He other cousin gave her a necklace, bracelet, sunglasses set. Pretty stylin' eh?

My mom made her cake and it was soooo yummy! Thanks, mom!

Once again, we let her blow out her candles about 5 times just for the fun of it.

Our original plan was to have her party outside, but as you can see, we're all freezing in the pictures and we soon moved it inside. I had forgotten how COLD Idaho is! The wind was so strong, it blew half a pizza off the table!

Catching up from our trip home...

*WARNING* Lots of pictures below...

Sorry I've been so slow posting these pictures from our trip home. We had SO much fun and fit just about as much as we possibly could into three weeks. We went to the zoo with my friend Melinda and her daughter Sammi, and the girls had so much fun together. Too bad it was so stinkin' cold!They wanted to hold hands! Isn't that darling?

Here we are at an old Ghost Town in Northern Idaho with Caleb's family. This was near where we camped. Caleb and his brothers had a great time exploring that old mining building you can see in the background. They went all the way to the top, much to all the wive's dismay!

Caleb's parents were so nice to take us camping with them at Challis Hot Springs. It did rain most of the time, but the hot springs felt great! Thanks, DeLoy and Lorna!

Caysja had so much fun playing with her cousin Nelah. They are only 10 weeks apart in age.

My dad's big hobby is white-water rafting and he was so nice to take us on the Snake River while we were home. It was actually the ONE nice day while we were there and didn't rain! Thanks, Dad!

We were going to take Caysja with us, but decided against that once we got there. My mom was so nice to watch her for us.

We stayed with my parents while we were home and Caysja LOVED jumping on my parent's old tramp!

She's my parents only grandchild so she got totally spoiled and stayed up late every night, getting lots of horsey rides from "Grampa" and treats from "Gamma".

While we were home, I got to go to Pocatello to say good bye to my old flute professor, Mrs. George. She and her husband are retiring and moving back East. She had one final concert that I was able to attend. It was wonderful. She is an incredible musician and has taught me so much.

I just had to post this picture of Caysja and Nelah because they were so cute carrying around their purses together like grown up little ladies.

In Caleb's family there are 6 brothers and I got to see 4 of my 5 sister-in-laws while I was home because we had a "sister's weekend" together. We went out to lunch at Leatherby's, tied a quilt to be given to Humanitarian Aid, had a sleepover, and went to a session in the Rexburg temple. It was so much fun! I love my sis-in-laws. We are all different, but all get along great.

I have to give Caleb's parents, Lorna and DeLoy Roberts a big shout out because they just barely retired from teaching at Skyline High School in Idaho Falls. They have been wonderful teachers and will be greatly missed there. Congrats on a job well done! Now you can go camping as much as you want! We are so proud of you. We got home just in time to go see them in their rooms at school one last time. Caleb took a little video of it to remember

Tag, I'm it

Thanks for the tag, Sara!

How to play the game. Post these rules on your blog: List 3 Joys, 3 Fears, 3 Goals, 3 Current Obsessions/Collections, and 3 Random surprises about your self. Tag five people at the end of your post by leaving their names.

3 Joys:
-My husband and little girl
-The Gospel
-Shopping (and actually spending money--such a rarity!)

3 Fears:
-SPIDERS! (They seriously freak me out!)
-Caleb dying
-Never getting out of debt!

3 Goals:
-Learn more 'homemaking skills' like quilting, crocheting, cooking, etc.
-Teach Caysja her alphabet--letters and sounds
-Get caught up on the 9 months of scrapbooking I'm behind on

3 Current Obsessions/Collections:
-blogging (not so much my own, but reading everyone else's)
-Decorating my apt. (there's only so much you can do to an apt. though)
-Swimming with Caysja (right now we're taking swimming lessons at the aquatic center)

3 Random Surprising Facts About Yourself:
-I wear glasses (but you'll never see them on me!)
-I LOVE pizza, ice cream and french fries (people who know that I try to eat pretty healthy are always shocked by this because they are not, shall we say, the healthiest of foods)
-I have never been skiing even once (even though I grew up in Idaho)

I tag Stacey Gray, Sarah Hollinger, Heather Inns, Alissa Morris, Kalie Chamberlain

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to the wonderful fathers in our lives!

Caleb is such a great dad to Caysja. I couldn't ask for better. He plays with her, he loves her to pieces, he's patient with her, he teaches her the Gospel. He is worthy to hold the Priesthood. He's so good to me as well. I don't deserve him. We love you so much, Hon! Thanks for all you do for us.Like father, like daughter!

I have such a great dad too. He taught me what to look for in a husband. He loves and respects my mom. He played with us, he is faithful in all his callings, and always worked so hard to provide for us. I have so many happy memories of the fun things we did together growing up--like white water rafting, hiking, camping, swimming. etc. Right now he is serving as Bishop and I know he has helped so many people. Wish we could be there today to give you a hug, Dad! We're thinking about you and we love you.

This isn't the best picture of Caleb's Dad, DeLoy, but he is a great dad as well. Caleb had a wonderful example to follow growing up. Caleb's dad has had a calling in the church that kept him from sitting with his family all of Caleb's life (he was always sitting on the stand)! He is in the stk. Presidency right now. Needless to say, Caleb learned early on about fulfilling one's responsibilities in the church! DeLoy raised 6 wonderful boys who are all great fathers. He just retired from teaching school. Enjoy your retirement DeLoy! We love you.

Happy Birthday Caysja and Aunt Chalise!!

Today is Caysja's 2nd birthday AND my sister Chalise's 22nd birthday! Yep--they were born on the same day, exactly 20 years apart!

I can't believe that my little girl is already two! That's just crazy! I can't be the mom of a two year old already! It seems like just the other day we brought her home from the hospital and I remember thinking, "Aaaagh--I don't know the first thing about being a mom!" She is a such a joy in my life. I can't imagine my life without her. She has taught me so much about so many things--being patient, what it means to truly love someone unconditionally, etc. I can't believe how much she has grown and changed in the last two years. She can run and jump, ride a bike (with me pushing it), swim (sort of) in our pool, and say soooo many words now. She is my angel. I love you so much, Kiki! We are having a little pool party for her this afternoon, so I will post more pictures soon.
My sister (my only sibling) was one of my very best playmates growing up and even though we fought now and then, I have tons of happy memories of growing up together. She is so beautiful and talented and I look up to her in so many ways. Chalise, I wish you could be here to celebrate the day with us! We love you and are thinking about you today too!

We're Back

I'm SO sorry that I haven't posted in FOREVER!! We had sooooooo much fun during our three week break in Idaho and we miss our families lots already. Aside from the freezing weather, it was perfect. We took tons of pictures so they will be coming in the near furure...

Now on another note. I just have to record that this morning, for the first time EVER, we were awakened at 7 am (luckily it wasn't earlier!) by Caysja, who came in our room, saying "I wake up", naked from the waist down! Yep--she's officially figured out how to climb out of her crib. Oh GREAT!