Happy Birthday Camille!

I was able to get away this weekend and go to Arizona for my sister-in-law's 18th birthday. Camille's ideal birthday party was to have all of her sisters and sisters-in-law all together for a weekend retreat. I went and it was such a blast. We had such a great time. It was so much fun to be with all 7 of them. I met up with Sharlene, Rashelle and Lesa in the Salt Lake Airport and we all flew down to Phoenix together. We had such a fun visit.

When we got there my mother-in-law was running and screaming for us. We all started running towards her. I am sure everyone was wondering what was going on. So we stopped to take a picture and here we all are.
We all loaded up into Shauna's 15 passenger van and headed to Scottsdale. Our first stop was to the Olive Garden because were were all starving. We scarfed down all the soup and salad with breadsticks that we could handle until we couldn't eat anymore. Then we went to Last Chance. It is a used outlet store from Nordstroms. My mother-in-law prepared party bags for everyone. That was the first since I was in elementary school. It was so much fun! Thanks mom!!! Inside the bag was a $10 dollar bill for each of us and we couldn't leave the store until we found something. I think we honestly spent 2 hours in the store rampaging racks and trying everything on. Everyone besides Camille, and I found something. Oh well!
Then after that we headed to the Hilton in Scottsdale. We were so excited. It was so beautiful. We got connecting rooms and just had a party. It was non-stop until 3 the next morning.
We all got in our swimsuits and headed out to the lazy river. I forgot that people can still go swimming at 9 at night because that place is so hot. It was a great place. We hung out in the pool until we were told to leave because a monsoon was coming. The thunder and lighting was amazing. I really miss that part about Arizona.
Then we headed back for ice cream and cake and just hung out.
all of us eating our ice cream, we love Ben and Jerry's!

Then all the girls decided to call it quits at 10:30 and so Lesa, Jaclyn and I headed to our room and we stayed in bed and talked until 3 the next morning. We laughed hard, got to know each other and told the funniest stories. Thanks girls that was so much fun!!!!
Then to end the day we went to Houston's for lunch. This was a fancyplace. Lance's cousin Monica's husband Matt, if you could understand that was our watier. He was such a gracious one too. He is starting Dental school and this is his part-time job. The food was soooo good!
Then we went back to my in-laws home to be with the rest of the family. The boys weren't allowed so we went back to be with them. Some of the sisters had to fly back that night so we hung out and played around. Sharlene wrote an amazing song for Camille on the piano that put us all to tears. It was really sweet!
I went to Grandma and Grandpa Ray's to watch the BYU football game. The are the biggest fans I know, especially grandpa. He is a faithful fan.
I stayed unitl Sunday afternoon. It was so nice be to able to spend time with them. There was so much more that I did that I could write forever about but I won't. I will just post pictures and explain them. Here are some of the other things I did......
A visit with our good friends the Asburry's. The are the greatest!

Bree holding on to Grandma's nose while falling asleep

Eating at Houston's- Matt(in black) was our waiter

This was our very first home in Mesa. I was so happy to see that they still keep it up

We're going to be big brothers!

Keaton and Andrew made the announcment this week with this picture. Yes, we are expecting baby #4. We are so excited. Keaton is starting to get it and Andrew is still clueless. He just points at my stomach and laughs because Keaton does it. I am due on April 25, 2009. It seems like so far away but I am sure it will come sooner than I think.
I had my first appointment this afternoon and so far everything looks and feels great. My new doctor, Dr. Carlson is so nice. I wanted to change doctors since my last doctor really didn't have very good social skills. He didn't really have good bed side manners. Dr. Carlson was just so polite and very personal. I have a good feeling about this one.
I am not sure what to think yet. It still hasn't sunk in. We are very excited and just await to find out more. Our next appointment we'll have an ultrasound and get to hear the heartbeat. Until then, we just wait.

Arizona here I come

My youngest sister-in-law Camille will be turning 18 this coming weekend and for her birthday she wanted all the sisters to come to Arizona for her birthday get together. I was really wanting to go but because of the price of airfair it didn't look like I was going to be able to make it down. I was alittle disappointed knowing that I was probably the only one not going to be there. But I came to grips with it and I was fine.
Then last night we got a call from my mother and father-in-law who told us that they had purchased a plane ticket for me to fly down this friday through Sunday to be with them all. They had a frequent flyer ticket that needed to be used before it expired. I was so excited! I am so thankful for your generosity. Thank you Mom and Dad for doing that for me. I can't wait to be with you all.
I have not been to Arizona for awhile. I think the last time I was there was last December for Eldon and Shelli's wedding. I am really looking forward to going. Arizona here I come! Can't wait to see you all!!!

A very hard day

Lance left for Georgia yesterday for a training meeting with his new job. I am not sure if you could call it a vaction since training is all day everyday but I think he has enjoyed getting out and trying new places. Thankfully this trip isn't long. He gets back tomorrow night.
I have no idea why the days seem so long when he is gone and it is just I to take care of the boys.
My mom stayed with us last night since I absolutely hate being by myself at nights all alone. It was so nice of her to come and stay. Thanks Mom!!
This morning was the funeral for our good friend Jared Higginson who passed away in a tragic motorcycle accident. We started out doing pretty well. I had planned to bring lots of entertaing things but it didn't work out too well. About 20 minutes into it my boys are going crazy so we just had to pack up and leave.
I was so grouchy and so upset with my children. I am sure they sensed that too. Keaton if I recall told me "Mom you are the biggest Monster I know!" That made me start to cry. I took it all out on my kids. I felt so bad.
So for the rest of the day we played. I played hard with my kids. We went to the elementary school just down the road to play on the equipment and then we went for a walk to the funny farm and the on they way home we called everyone to go and get snow cone with us down at the shack so we ended the day on a good note.
Now they are both sleeping and I am about ready to crash! I love bed time!!!! Hopefully tomorrow is a better day.

Western Idaho Fair

Every year the Western Idaho Fair comes to town. Every year I tell myself that I am not going because 1- it is too expensive and 2- there are nothing but freaks there. So we went! We went last year with my family on a Monday which they always label "Family night." But really it is family day and when 5 o'clock rolls around the deal is cheaper prices are done with.
We loaded up and headed down with our family. My sister and her husband Jason came along with us. My Uncle Jim brought his boys too but we didn't see them much because they wanted to go on the rides for older kids.
When we got there Keaton was just so thrilled with all the lights and action that was before his little eye balls. He wanted to go on every ride. Little did he know that there were only 2 rides that we could actually go on because of his size. So we went on a plane ride to start the night off. Andrew came along. I think they really liked that. Only horrible thing about a 2 minute ride was the price. $16 dollars it cose the three of us to ride that ridiculous ride but they sure LOVED it!
Next we headed to the petting zoo. There were tons of pigs, sheep and also may I mention a milking cow for kids to try out. My boys wanted nothing to do with that and I was ok with that. They didn't like to pet them but just liked watching them from a distance.
Lance with the boys petting the animals
the boys taking a peek

all the kids in the petting zoo
Then they found a video arcade game that was just out in the middle of nowhere. A car game and I think they played on that for a good half hour.
We walked around quite abit to see the sights and sounds of the fair. I remember as a little child going there and thinking that it was the just greatest place on earth and now that I am older, it wasn't really that good. I know realize that money my parents forked out for us to have a fun time and then they would entrust our lives with the carnies that work the rides. They are so gross. They are either drunk, or almost drunk. The worst mullets can be found wondering around and all the cute little hispanic babies that are just soooo cute!
Overall we had a good time. When 9 p.m. rolled around our boys were ready to go home.
Andrew as a farmer, this was too cute to pass up
The boys just loved being in the tractor- John Deere Boys

there was this stand you could put your face up to and it was so cute, I couldn't resist
Farmer Keaton, isn't he sooo cute?

My sister Rachel as a sheep

Sundays

I love Sundays! I can relax, enjoy some meetings, be with my husband and children and also with my whole family. We have this tradition of going over every Sunday for dinner and to be with the family. Today we had a crazy Sunday though.
We started church at 9 a.m. and our sacrament was a great meeting. I was sustained as the 1st Counsler in the Young Women's Presidency. Can I just tell you how much I love the Young Women's program! I love all of 'em. Then after 2nd hour we hurried on over to my parents ward who also attends the same ward as Lance's cousins. Lance's cousin Ryan just returned from the Uganda/Ethopia Mission and reported today. It was so neat to hear about his experiences there. Sounds like Africa is really ready to hear the gospel. Just some amazing stories and all the pictures he took. Wow! There were probably 60+ people in their home for a brunch and a short devotional put on by him about his mission. I was really intrigued by it.
Then we went back to my parents house about 6 p.m. and my whole extended family on my mom's side were over for a big family dinner. We always gather on my grandma's back porch because it is the coolest spot. My cousin Chris and his family are getting ready to move to Alaska. They have a job transfer so it was probably one of the last times we will see them. They will be greatly missed. Their two little boys are the exact same age as my boys and they just had so much fun playing together tonight.
Andrew and Ava got along so well, they loved throwing rocks together

here is grandma's back porch

Keaton on his power wheel 4-wheeler. He just thinks he is one cool dude on it
Cousin Jake

the boys having fun with wheels

It was fun to watch them run around without a care in the world and just get really dirty. A bath was most definitely needed.
So here I am writing this all down before I go to bed. It is about 9:45 p.m. so I am going to go and get ready for bed. Good night everyone!

Eagle Island Park, a.k.a Poo Lake

Today we went to Eagle Island State Park with Lance's cousin Adam, wife and kids. Eagle Island State Park is supposedly suppose to be a water park, that's what it is, but we call it poo lake. It hasn't changed since I can remember. It is a small "beach" that is pretty much river water. The water was all yellow and probably mosquitos that were carrying West Nile were buzzing around looking for prey. Yep, we were there. It is about 10 minutes from our home nestled up against the Boise River. There is a little sandy beach and lots of play ground equipment and a water slide. I couldn't believe how many people actually go there. There were tons of people there having BBQ's and just swimming.
I have never been one to go jump in a lake and start swimming. Something about that just turns me off. My kids thought it was ok. We stayed up on shore mostly building sand castles. We had a great lunch and by 1 p.m. my kids started to get crabby. They do when they don't go down right at noon for their naps. Plus it was way to hot outside today. We were in the sun and my kids looked beat.
Keaton has been feeling alittle icky today. With a temperature of 100.1, never any fun. Probably because we let him get into poo lake. I hope that it goes because I hate to see my kids sick.
This was the only picture that I took the whole time we were there
Today we also moved Andrew's bed into Keaton's room. They are going to be roommates now. Keaton was always telling us every night when he went to bed, "I'm too lonely! I want Andrew to sleep in my room." So that is what we did. The boys were so excited about it too. Just cross your fingers that they will learn to sleep together. Hopefully this will make traveling alittle bit better at night time. They haven't really slept well when they are in the same room, so this will force them to learn. I will post pictures tomorrow of their cute little room.

A surprise visit

Yesterday we got a surprise call from my brother and sister-in-law saying that they were passing through on their way home from a vacation in Canada and wanted to stop in to see us. I was at my parents home taking care of my mom's garden and flowers and I was also making some dinner and so they showed up at the perfect time to sit and eat. We also persuaded them to stay the night with us.
We had a great visit. We sure miss having them close by. The kids just loved being together and had so much fun playing. After dinner we headed back to our home to watch the Olympics and bathe the kids. We had such a nice time with them. I am so glad that they decided to stay the night at our home.
Keaton was sad to see them go. Such a short visit but we are so glad they came. Thanks Snyders for coming to visit. We loved it!
Keaton and his cousin Heidi camped out to watch the Olympics

We're back

We made it back! We did it! The boys did really well this year compared to last year. The nights were a little rough and cold but other than that we did really well. The weather was beautiful. Our first night there we had some rain and a thunder and lightening storm but it passed over us pretty fast so it didn't soak anything too bad.
My mom is the best camp cook ever. I swear we eat better while we are camping then when we are at home. For breakfast we had the works, pancakes, bacon, sausage, and hashbrowns. Lunches, we were to bring our own for our families and that was kept pretty simple. For dinner, we had chinese food one night and then the other Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, fried zucchini and corn on the cob. My mom is the best cook ever. Thanks mom for a great weekend. Some stayed until Wednseday while the majority of us came home last night. We had lots of friends and family that came. It was a great time. I already miss the mountains.
This year my dad came up which was a change. I have never in all my life remembered my dad coming camping with us. He is not one to get up and go camping and live homeless while he could be at home golfing or doing other things. So I think this was the first and the last for him. He was a good sport. I think my boys really enjoyed having him there.
We spent most of our time down at the lake. Keaton learned to fist and spent most of the time practicing his fishing techniques and Andrew was just content to sit in the sand and throw rocks in the water.
We can't wait until next year when we can do it again. Here are some pictures from our weekend at Stanley Lake. Enjoy!
(Andrew loved the beach, it was his favorite place to hang out)
My neice Ava loved the water

My cousins little guy Brody won the award for dirtiest camper

My dad and Ava

A view from our camp ground of Stanley Lake

My cousins brang their friend Jackson, he was so fun to watch with my boys
Keaton and Andrew trying to fish
My handsome little man

this is another view from our camp ground, so beautiful
Peace man

Stanley Lake here we come.....

Every year my family goes camping up at Stanley Lake. It has been a tradition since I can remember. I love camping and my family loves camping. Stanley Lake is up by Redfish Lake. The Stanley Mountain Range is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen.
Our campsite is right on the lake with beach front property. We love it! I can't wait to get up there and just relax and show my kids. Keaton has been really excited and he has been wearing his life jacket all around the house. We'll just keep our fingers crossed that we won't freeze up there also.
I will post pictures when we get back. Have a great weekend!

Opening night for Breaking Dawn

So my sister, her sister-in-law Paige, my mom, one of my miamaids - Shalise and I went to Barnes and Nobles on Friday night. Breaking Dawn, the 4th Volume of the Twilight Series came out and we thought it would be fun to get one of the first copies of it.
We got to Barnes and Nobles about 10:30 p.m. and it was completely packed. I couldn't believe the difference in the ages that were there waiting for the same book we were.
This will be short but here are a few pictures of our fun time there. I will probably never do that again but it was fun to get out with the girls. Thanks to all who made it a fun night!

Is this for real?

Meet the worlds smallest body builder. I saw this on a friends blog and just had to post it.

Let's go down memory lane.....

Post a favorite/funny memory we have had together.... Keep it clean!!!