High School Graduation

Last night was Borah High's high school graduation. My cousin Kevin was graduating and we thought it would be good to go out and support him. My sister Rachel, my grandmother and I piled into my car and headed down to the Taco Bell Arena for the big event. I can't believe it has been almost 11 years since I was there on that same floor awaiting my diploma. It brang back a lot to memories for me. Those were the good ole days indeed. I was suprised on how short it was. That was a good thing because those things can go on and on. All you are there for is to see friend/family graduate and then go. I think my cousin Kevin was really surprised that we were there. I am glad that we got to go. Afterwards we all went to the WestSide Drive-In for some food. We were all starving and it smelled so good. I ordered a small cheeseburger and look what I got...

It was so huge. Only sad thing was was that I ate the whole stinkin thing, plus tator tots and an Oreo shake also. I was really hungry. Every now and then I will get these huge cravings for food like that. We went with my cousin Chris, his wife Karen, and my Aunt Sheryl and Uncle Michael.It was so nice to get out and feel like myself again for awhile. I was able to leave my kids at home with Lance and enjoy an evening out with just the family. It was so much fun. Thanks to everyone who made it so much fun. I love you all! Thanks Melander's for the fun evening. Kevin, Congratulations!!!!! You did it! We are all so proud of you. Now you are officially an adult. Welcome to the real world.

Memorial Day Weekend

For Memorial Day weekend we just hung out around our home. We didn't plan anything this year because we just wanted to stay home and be together as a family. Saturday we helped lay sod at my grandmother's house. We went to to different BBQ's and then went to bed early. It was so nice. Adam and Annie (Lance's cousin and family that just moved to Star from Provo)invited us over for a BBQ. Thanks Spiels for having us over. On our way home we passed Doug Attwood(the second counsler in our bishopric)and he called us up on Lance's cell and had invited us over for another BBQ. We went and spent time with them. Also another great family. Thanks for the fun evening. It was so nice to be with you all.
Sunday was pretty low key. I went to a fireside that night with our youth. I love my calling with the Miamaids. We are really small in number (about 4) but we have so much fun. What a great opportunity to serve with all the leaders that I get to associate with. They are so much fun.
Monday we spent with my family. It was a beautiful day. The weather was great and the kids got to run and play outside all day. Lance went golfing with my dad and some other family members and that took about all day long, so it kind of felt like another day. My cousins, aunts and uncles came over later in the evening for a BBQ also. I don't know what it is about Memorial day and BBQ's but I think after this weekend we are all BBQed out! Here are some fun pictures of our weekend. We hope you had a great one too

A rainy day

We finally got a rain storm. This is the view out my back window of our home. It was so beautiful. The weather was still warm and there was a slight breeze. It was one of those days you wish you could just sit and watch the clouds come in. There was thunder and a little bit of lightning, it was beautiful. I love storms. I miss the ones in Arizona. Those were amazing ones. When the monsoon season would roll around I was outside watching it almost every night.
It has been a while since we had any rain. I love the smell of it, the way it just washes everything old away and makes new. Keaton liked the thunder. Today he went through the house warning people about the storm that was coming.
This evening when the sun was trying to peak through the clouds I was able to snap a couple of shots of the amazing contrast in color of our trees against the dark sky. It was so pretty.
It got me thinking today about the storms I have been through in my life. Some of them I try not to go back and think about and some I can close my eyes and see them as if they happened yesterday. One of the most trialing times of my life was the pregnancy and birth of our first child Madalynn. Some days it hits me really hard and some days I honestly still feel numb from the whole experience. Maybe that is the way Heavenly Father intended it to be for me. Even though we didn't know her, we were able to feel of her spirit for the short time we got to be with her in the hospital.
There is a part of me that somehow passed away when she did. I can't wait to meet her and get to know her. I wonder if my boys knew her. Where they together before they all came to our family? Do they really know her? I am sure there is a momma up there somewhere rocking her while I can't.
Other trials that have come and gone have left impressions upon my mind. The miraculous life of my two boys whom I love more than life. It amazes me just how fun life can be. They present me with new ideas all the time.
I have decided to start a quote wall in our kitchen and write down all the funny things they do and say. It is hard to remember all of them when I don't write them down. Keep posted, I will write them all down for you.
I am so thankful to be alive and to be me. Sometimes I have really struggled with myself but the more I live and the more I learn from my mistakes the better I can become. My poor husband has put up with alot lately. Thanks Lance for trying to understand.

Hot days, frogs and green grass

This is the weirdest title but it is true! We are having extremely warm temperatures, the frogs around our house are crazy and we are finally getting green grass. For the past week we have had great weather. It has been really warm for us. The temperature decided to jump 20+ degrees higher and we have been in the low 90's. It has been really crazy. It has hit me really hard. I wonder if I am ready for the hot days ahead of us. The boys love playing outside every chance they get so lately we have been going out in the mornings to play. They just love being together.


Thank goodness our pool is almost ready to swim in. We are hoping it will be done come this weekend. Keep your fingers crossed. It will be a life saver this summer. But they say cooler weather is on its way so that might be nice for alittle big longer. It sure has been an unusual year. All this global warming that is happening. Almost can't tell the seasons apart sometimes.
Since we moved in almost 3 weeks ago we have had tons of frogs around our home. Our home is nestled up against a huge field full of cows, horses and lots of ducks. Now the frogs are coming. I swear we can hear about 30 each night all around our home. I am sitting in our office that faces the front of our home and I have the window open and I can hear one that you would think was just a giant frog but nope, its a baby one. The boys have had a lot of fun watching them and then falling asleep to their crowking each night. I love living in the country. I love the peace that it offers. I didn't really get used to the city life when we lived in Mesa. It was just too busy for me. I am a country girl, that is for sure.

We are starting to notice all the green growing in. We can't wait until we have a yard for the boys to play in and a place for me to start planting. There is nothing like having a place for kids to run around on. Lately we have been over to my parents because there is so much green grass to run around on. A few more weeks and it will be good to go. We have really loved our home. It has been a huge blessing in our lives. We have worked long and hard to be where we are today. We are so thankful to our Heavenly Father who so generously blesses our lives. We are up for visitors. Come and see us!

A day at the park

Thursdays are alittle quite around this place. Today we went over to my mom's house so the boys could see their grandma before she went to the temple. My mother has worked at the temple every Thursday ever since I can remember. This evening me, my children, my sister and Ava and my brother Justin all loaded up in the car and went to pick up Lance at his office and then headed to McDonalds for Happy Meals. We took them to Merrill's Park and had a great time. It was the first time in a long time since we have done that all together. We had a great time just being together.
I can't believe how perfect the weather was today. It was a little warm. Anyone from a warmer climate will laugh at me when I say it got pretty roasty today with a high of 83 degrees. Yes, it was really warm to me. My boys got alittle sunburnt today. I wasn't thinking at all and forgot the sunscreen and hats.


The park was fun. The kids had fun! We played and played then went over to the greenbelt down by the Boise River and threw rocks in the water. It seems as of lately that is my boys most favorite thing to do. Especially Andrew! When I am at my parents home there is a alittle irrigation ditch or small stream. I am not sure what it is but we tend to go over there quite often to throw rocks in. At the slightest mention of rocks or water Andrew has headed towards the back going towards the ditch.
(My boys playing in their sandbox)

Another one of my children's favorites is the sandbox at my parents home. They love to get in and just play. It is so fun to watch them and just see them interact with each other. I can honestly say I love them more than anything! They are my life! They make me happy ( most of the time ) and they are worth all the hard days we have too!
I took a few fun pictures of my mom with my boys and also with my grandma. Grandma Beard is one of the greatest grandma's anyone could ask for.She is just one of those people who I always thought would live forever and ever. Just this week she was diagnosed with Luekemia and it has been hard for her I know. Emotionally and physically! She is such a brave woman and I love her so much. Hang in there Grandma! We are here for you!

More birthday please!!!

I realize that I have posted quite a bit today but there is a lot that I want to write about and pictures that I would like to post for you all to see. Today we finally got an updated family picture of the four of us. Aren't we a cute bunch?
We had a fun evening with Lance on his birthday. We made a big steak and potatoe dinner for him over at my parents home. We had a fun time with my family and then we all headed back over to our home for cake and ice cream.



We had a lot of family and friends over. It was crazy go nuts at our home. Little kids everywhere while we all sat back and enjoyed each other's company. Thanks to all of you who came and supported Lance on his birthday. It meant a great deal to him. Happy Birthday Babe!
On a different note, my children have been off their schedules and it is driving my nuts! Both of them are up now at least once if not twice a night now. Andrew used to be such a great sleeper and now he is up. Am I the only one that has children who do that? Getting up with them at night leaves me really tired come 7 o'clock in the morning when Keaton is bouncing on our bed asking for breakfast. Maybe I am just growing more impatient but it has really been wearing me down. I wish we could really just wake up and pretend this has all been a dream. Let us hope that this new week we can start again clean and fresh. Let's start over boys! Here we go.......

Who are you?

Take the Quiz here!

Happy Birthday Lance!

Today is my husband's 29th birthday. He was born on Mother's Day. He was such a sweet blessing to his parents. After having 3 girls he was the first boy to arrive. Lance's mom said he dad was all smiles from ear to ear for a long time afterwards. He was so excited to have a son. Now 29 years later, he is so wonderful. I honestly couldn't have found a more perfect match. I have really enjoyed watching him with our boys. They love him so much! He is a great husband and an amazing dad.
So here's to you Lance on your 29th birthday. We love you so much!

Home Sweet Home

I think we are finally starting to settle in. It has been a really long week and I am so glad it is over. This past week has been hectic as the crews have come in and out of our home doing last minute touch-ups around the house. We have practically lived at my parents house this past week. Thanks mom and dad for putting up with us!!!! You are real troppoers! It's amazing how much I missed my computer. It has become an everyday usual thing to have close. But Lance got it up and running for me so we are back on track.
We are pretty close to being all done unpacking our home. We haven't put anything up on our walls yet. Lance thinks its a good idea that we wait since I am always changing my mind about where I want things hung. It will happen someday sooner or later. I promised I would post a few pictures of our home so here they are-

(here is the front of the house)

(this is the back of the home)

(in my kitchen I had an island put in. I have always wanted one of those)

(This is what you see when you come through our front door)

(our front room looking from the kitchen)

(lance designed our vanity for the Master bath. Good job Lance!! I love it!!)

(here is our bedroom, kind of plain right now)

Hope that helps some of you who have been asking lots of questions. We are very happy to be in this home. We hope that we will be able to stay for many more years to come. Thank everyone for all your help! We greatly appreicate all you have done for us. We love you all!

Be patient with me......

Please be patient with me! Our home is still in boxes and I can't seem to find out where I have put all my important things. My computer is not up and everything is still just sitting in my garage. Once I get things out, up and running I will post pictures of our home and what we have been doing the last week and a half. Life has been crazy. We have been chilling at my parents house everyday this week because there is so so much that is still being worked on in our home. The wood floors needed some buffing, the paint touch-ups and much, much more. But after the kids are in bed Lance I and can really get to work. Most of the time we are just too tired to do any of it. So we just call it a day and go to bed. I haven't stayed up this late for a long, long time. I am usually in bed come 9 p.m.. But lately bed time has been about midnight. It has been a long crazy week. I promise to post some pictures as soon as I am up and running.
The boys are growing up fast. Keaton still amazes me with the things he says. He is so fun to play with. I love that boy so much. Andrew, well he still feels alittle lost and disoriented but we are getting back on track. He is still always one step behind Keaton. He cries for him while he sleeps. They are such good friends.
Also for those who watch Amercian Idol. All I can say is yey, Jason Castro is gone. I can't believe that weirdo made it that far. I felt like I was looking at a girl in sheeps clothing. Some say he was charming, whatever! He was just a poor performer. Adios Jason!
Keep in touch, pictures soon to come.

The Costco Menu

I was reading a friends blog and she posted some interesting information about the food there. It has made me think about this. We eat and buy lots there. Maybe I should re-think this through. Anyways, check it out....

The Costco Menu:

Chicken Bake Sandwich (Costco)
Serving Size: 1 sandwich; Calories: 927, Total Fat: 51.68g, Carbs: 80.09g, Protein: 55.15g

Polish Sausage (Costco)
Serving Size: 1 sausage; Calories: 570, Total Fat: 33g, Carbs: 46g, Protein: 21g

Hot Dog (Costco)
Serving Size: 1 hot dog; Calories: 560, Total Fat: 32g, Carbs: 46g, Protein: 20g

Pizza, Combo (one slice) (Costco)
Serving Size: 1 slice / 1/6 pizza; Calories: 775, Total Fat: 37.7g, Carbs: 72.89g, Protein: 36.07g

Pizza, Cheese (one slice) (Costco)
Serving Size: 1 slice / 1/6 pizza; Calories: 804, Total Fat: 38.03g, Carbs: 70.57g, Protein: 44.3g

Pizza, Pepperoni (one slice) (Costco)
Serving Size: 1 slice / 1/6 pizza; Calories: 716, Total Fat: 24g, Carbs: 68g, Protein: 34g

Chicken Bake Sandwich (Costco)
Serving Size: 1 sandwich; Calories: 927, Total Fat: 51.68g (WOW!!), Carbs: 80.09g, Protein: 55.15g

Churro (Costco)
Serving Size: 1 churro; Calories: 240, Total Fat: 14g, Carbs: 24g, Protein: 3g

Chocolate Muffin (Costco)
Serving Size: 1 Muffin (5.8 oz); Calories: 690, Total Fat: 38g (WHAT? THAT BAD? DANG!), Carbs: 79g, Protein: 10g

Blueberry Muffin (Costco)
Serving Size: 1 muffin (162.4g); Calories: 612, Total Fat: 32.1g, Carbs: 71.2g, Protein: 8.0g

Kirkland Signature Smoothie, Very Berry flavor (Costco)
Serving Size: 1 smoothie / 15 fl oz; Calories: 200, Total Fat: 0g, Carbs: 49g, Protein: 0g

Very Berry Sundae (Costco)
Serving Size: 445.2 g; Calories: 390, Total Fat: .05g, Carbs: 89.0g, Protein: 7.5g

Kirkland Signature Frozen Yogurt, Vanilla, Non-Fat (Costco)
Serving Size: 1 Costco serving; Calories: 270, Total Fat: 0g, Carbs: 57g, Protein: 9g

Ice Cream Bar (chocolate Covered Only) (Costco)
Serving Size: 1 bar; Calories: 870, Total Fat: 65g (What is this made of? Straight butter?), Carbs: 60g, Protein: 3g

I guess we will take second thought on some of these things. Since it doesn't help to lose weight when we are eating these things. Hope this doesn't dissappoint you. It did for us.