Playing "catch up..."

I truly apologize to all those of you who follow this blog for the utter lack of posts, lately! My excuse is my calling...we've just had a big Enrichment night and we have another one coming up in a few weeks so let's just say I've been a little busy...

A couple weeks ago we were able to go home to Idaho Falls. It was so fun to see everyone but the purpose of the visit was rather sad...to say goodbye to Caleb's parents who left on their mission to the Dominican Republic on Labor Day. We are so proud of them! They will be fantastic missionaries.

One last shot with "motorcycle grandma and grandpa"

While we were home my dad took us white-water rafting down the Snake river. It was Caysja's first time ever and she loved helping Grandpa "row" the boat.

My mom was so nice to watch Crew for us.

family shot

Caleb made sure to get in a few good rides with his brothers while we were home.


As for the rest of the month...

I had the opportunity to play with the Paradise Valley Community College flute choir--and I got credit for it, which will help when I have to re-certify my teaching certificate next year. It was a lot of fun! There were about 25 of us that meet once a week and then had a concert.
me with my good friends, Becky Lowe, and Nora Welsh (we didn't match on purpose!)

Crew, hangin' out with his bud, Camden

Caysja and Crew have started "playing" with each other and it's so cute! Caysja gets so sad when I have to put Crew to bed for his naps now.

In Aug. we celebrated our 5th Anniversary. It was kind of low-key since our present to each other was going to Wicked the month before. We went to Pei Wei's for dinner and then a movie.

Caleb surprised me with this creative number '5' made out of popcorn balls and a homemade card.

And our biggest news is that Crew is sitting up so well and about ready to crawl...not there quite yet, but we'll keep you posted...

I seriously LOVE his curls! He probably needs a haircut, but I can't bring myself to do it.

Friends

Last weekend we were able to get together with Caleb's best friends from his high school days. One of the couples flew in from Georgia and we were able to meet up with everyone at his other friend's house in Queen Creek for dinner, dessert and games. We had an awesome time! Thanks for hosting it Nate and Tashina, and thanks for sending me the pics, Heather! You and Ryan are welcome to come see us anytime!

The Guys (This is a recreation of a famous pic from high school and yes, that is my husband being goofy as usual!)
Brandon, Nate, Ryan, Caleb, Adam

The Gals (Heather, Tashina, Kandis, me, Liz)

Group shot

Family Reunion at Baumgartner 2009

WARNING: Picture overload!!! (Sorry I've been so slow getting these pictures posted. My excuse is that my computer broke--it was very old and now I'm having to get used to a Mac computer--I don't do well with change!)

Baumgartner is a campground near Boise ID. It is practically heaven on earth (except for the camping part--ha ha!) No, seriously, it is soooo beautiful! The Boise River runs right through it and there is a natural hot springs there as well. The weather is perfect--not too cold, not too hot. There are these gorgeous huge redwood trees and it smells so fresh. Caleb's family has been going there for over 20 years. This was my 5th time there, Caysja's 4th time, and Crew's first time. Caleb's uncle always brings his horses for the kids (and adults to ride) and he even has two little ponies just their size. We went four-wheeling, motorcycle riding, swimming, hiking, horseback riding, played games, roasted marshmallows, threw horseshoes, had a treasure hunt...the list could go on and on. I was a little worried about taking Crew since it would be his first time camping, but he did so well. Caleb's parents were so kind to invite my parents to come too. Caysja and Crew were really spoiled with both sets of grandparents there, not to mention lots and lots of cousins!! The highlight of the trip was Caysja jumping off the BIG rock!! We talked her into it and she DID it!! It was soooo awesome. It was kind of sad since this will be the last time Caleb's parents will be there for two years while they serve their mission to the Domincan Republic.

They found a snake and evey Kiki was brave enough to touch it!

Crew just chillin' with Grandma

I LOVE this picture! He barely fit in this inner tube.

4-wheeling with Daddy

(Sorry, these next three pics are posted in reverse order, but I'm not going to change them.)
She DID IT!!

Wow--Uncle Darin caught me!

Ready, set,---GO!!

kisses

our family

My HOT motorcycle MAN

Caysja loved riding the horses

Caleb with his bros and cousins before their all day ride

My parents at the hot springs

This chair is just my size!

more hot tub pics

HE PASSED!!!

I have to give my Honey a big shout out because he PASSED his BOARDS!!!! Way to go, Honey! I'm SO proud of you!

We were able to go home for a family reunion last week so I'll be posting pics from that soon...

Gotta love rice cereal!

Crew has been eating solids for several weeks now, but I thought I would post these pics of his face after tasting rice cereal for the first time. He wasn't quite sure what to make of it...it was pretty funny! He eats it fine now. He's also had bananas, pears, applesauce, cantaloupe, and sweet potatoes. What can I say-- our little man loves to eat!

Oasis Gymnastics

Our friends introduced us to this awesome place called Oasis Gymnastics center. Every Mon. Wed. and Fri. they do a "preschool power hour" from 10-11am where they kids have free range of the the whole gym to do whatever they want. Caysja seriously had so much fun! She would love to go there every day if I could afford it. She called it "mashtics" and now all she wants to do is wear her leotard around the house and do somersaults, jump off the couch, etc..

The foam pit was the BEST!

Fourth of July~2009

We had so much fun on the 4th of July! Our friends, Adam and Joanna Smith, invited us and the Morris family to go to Prescott, AZ with them for the day. (Thanks, guys!) They had rented a little house built in the 1800's in downtown Prescott. We made it just in time for the parade (I can't begin to say how many horses we saw) and the girls loved it. It was so great to get out of the heat a little. (The temps were more like what I grew up with in ID.) We had a pic-nic later on and then headed home. Prescott is known for the "world's oldest rodeo" and I kind of wish we could have stayed for that...*sigh*...oh, for the days before kids...and naptimes...and schedules...

Caysja, Halle and Kate--watching the parade

Kiki and Halle

Crewser and me

Pic-nic time

Just loungin' around

My two handsome men

Mmmm...ice cream and good friends...it doesn't get any better than that!

Doing "pop-its" with Joanna--(the only firework allowed in AZ)

Isn't this the sweetest little house? Do we look like we just bought our first home or what?

I am so grateful to live in this choice land of America. I know that I am very blessed. I know that our Founding Fathers were led by Divine inspiration in writing our Constitution. May I never take my freedom for granted.

What a FABULOUS week!!

We've had such a wonderful week!! Caleb took his big Boards test on Wed. and felt pretty good about it so hopefully he did well--(we have to wait about 6 weeks to get the results back). We're so proud of him!! He's worked so hard. That night we had a BBQ with some friends of ours to celebrate that all of our husbands have taken their boards. The next day we were able to celebrate not only boards being over, but also our 5th Anniversary (even though it's not for another month) by going to see Wicked! We went with some good friends of ours since it was their anniversary too. I've wanted to see Wicked for sooooo long and I couldn't believe my good luck that it was coming to Tempe, AZ. The tickets weren't too expensive either (although we were way up there in the boonies, I must say). I LOVED it though! Seriously, it was so amazing! I have had the music stuck in my head ever since Thurs. night. We also went to dinner at Cheesecake Factory before the show and I love that place too. Unfortunately I remembered my camera, but forgot to take any pictures with it--figures! Then we had a wonderful time this weekend for the 4th of July as well. We were able to go to Prescott, AZ with friends. I DID remember to take pics of that event and they will be coming soon...

I made Caleb this little sign to surprise him when he got home from the test.

Here is my handsome Honey eating the banana split I made him to celebrate!

Here we are celebrating with our friends the Skinners, Hamblins, and Ryans that boards are OVER!! (Thanks for having us over, Britni!)

I seriously would love to see this show again!