Thayne's 8th Grade Graduation

My nephew is growing up! Thanye had his 8th grade graduation.  He looked so sharp and one of the better looking.  I might be biased a bit.  I still remember his birth.  I remember that I thought I wouldn't be able to love him as much as I loved his older brother Spencer.  Turns out I was wrong.  It is possible to increase your love for many.  But him and spencer hold a special place in my heart.  Can't believe is is now a high schooler.  Crazy.

 Crayton had just lost his other front tooth and was pretty proud!

Me and Thayne! Love this kid.

I liked this picture.  Visiting with family.  I just think it is picturesque of the family.  Captures them nicely.

Congrats Thayne!

Visit from Rosie and EJ's family

Memorial weekend we just hung out with family. My cousin Rosie and her family were visiting.  We had them come over and see our new baby chicks and our chickens. This is Rosie ane EJ and the family in front of a pine tree they planted at aunt susan's house when they got married 14 years ago.  It is growing up into the power lines, so I don't know how much longer it will be there, but it was pretty cool how tall it has grown.

Caleb loved the little guys and couldn't get enough of them.  He wanted to sqeeze them!  He just loved them,  It was cute to see.

Blake

McKinnley with a baby chick. 

Braxton with a baby chick.

Thanks for the visit guys! We enjoyed it.  Come over anytime!

Tricacale

After the last day of school events, we went to town and got a doughnut.  We drove by the stringer farm and saw them working on the tricacale.  I had never known how they harvested it, so curious, we stopped and watched for a while.

After they bale it, they load it on the truck and haul it over to the wrapper.  They load it on there two bales at a time and then turn the machine on and shrink wrap it.  We thought it was pretty cool to watch.

This farm is right next to the Snake River.  It is huge and his photo doesn't do it justice.  The kids also found and old sign they liked.

Field Day/Last Day of School

It was the last day of school and Field Day.  I was asked to help.  I ended up being over the tug-of-war.  They kids had a great time and it was fun to be able to share the last day with Howie.  Livy came along and was my side-kick.

1st Graders

Livy trying to pull me!  She was a fun helper. 

Livy and I went to eat lunch with Howie since it was the last day.  It is kind of a big thing to have your family or someone come and eat with you.  You get to sit in a different section than your class and you also get to pick one friend to eat with you.  It is a big deal.  Howie picked Jesse to eat with him.  Livy loved the corn dog.

I love how much kids love swings.  Swings are just magical when you are little.

We love you Mrs. Martin.  You are a FABULOUS teacher.  Howie has learned so much.  We can't say enough how much we are going to miss having you as his teacher.  I guess we will have to wait until Livy is in 1st grade to have you again.  Thanks for an awesome year!

Howie's Spring Concert

Howie participated in the school spring concert.  They elementary school did a program about American History country songs.  They did a bunch of old fashioned songs like Yankee Doodle Dandee, America the Beautiful, Clementine, etc.  It was well done.  We found as country clothes as possible for Howie and I happened to have a bandana that helped. It was a great program.  I love that his little school still does these music programs.

Howie's 1st Grade Class 

We were glad that Grandma Barbara Schulthies was able to come to the program.

Temple Weekend

We haven't been to the temple for awhile since our Boise temple closed for renovation.  We have been planning to but finally made it work this weekend.  We visited Wade and Angela in Burley for the weekend and was able to go to the Twin Falls Temple (little over 2 hours away) while the kids played with their cousins.  It was a pretty temple, smaller inside than it looked, but still pretty.  When we got there, we were an hour and 45 mins before the next session.  So we did sealings, but they went over and when we tried to make the session, they wouldn't let us in.  Then, we had changed and decided to go to lunch and come back for a session (because I was determined to do a session since I haven't in months and was really counting on it!!), one of the officiators apologized saying he could have got us in the session and apologized for the new workers.  We left and went to Cafe Rio for lunch and then came back and did a session.  Even with all the craziness of the day, we were glad we were able to make it to the temple.  There is such peace there.

A highlight for the kids was Wade's animals.  Josi had just gotten her horse, Cookie, the night before and was over the hill for it.  She gave that thing so much attention, it definitely wasn't lacking.  She gave the kids rides and walked them all over the yard.  It was fun and our kids LOVED it.

 Lorien was showing us the bunnies and climbed in with it.  I thought it was pretty cute.

 

Howie loved collecting eggs from the chickens.  I am surprised the hens could lay eggs with Howie lifting the lid and checking all the time.  Knowing him, he probably felt under them for eggs. He would bring them one by one into the house as he found them.  He loves gathering eggs.  He is getting pretty excited for his own chicken project to take off.

I love this pic of Howie and Lucy.  They get along so well and are like best buds.  Super cute.

A great weekend get away. We loved it and came back refreshed.  Thanks Wade and Angela for watching the kids.

The Hungry Catapillar

We went to Brigs and Evelynne's Headstart graduation where they were putting on the play from the book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.  Sis actually had the lead role of the caterpillar.  When we got there, there were a few kids that didn't show up or were too shy, so Crayton and Livy got impromptu parts of watermelon and cupcakes.  

 She came by and ate each item....

 then miraculously transformed from a caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly.

It was cute.

Mother's Day

Mother's got invited to the 1st grade where they had a lovely hour planned for us. They recited poems, songs, and stories for us.  It was very special and a nice treat.

Howie with the book the class made for the moms.  Howie's page says "My mom is the best cook.  I love her spaghetti squash."

They had also planted marigolds in pots they painted and fired in the art classroom kiln.

I got a beautiful bouquet of tulips, howie's flower, and a Cuisinart ice cream maker I have been wanting from Costco.  I was truly pampered and felt like it today.

Me and my doll I like to dress up.

The best one I could get with Howie.  He kept squinting because of the sun.

The hubs that gave me the pretty flowers. (in his new glasses-I think they 

make him look like the nerdy type, but still cute)

Mom requested Creme Brulee for Mother's Day dessert so I obliged her.  It helped that she even bought the little plumber torch for the real effect and recipe.  It wasn't hard at all, just time intensive.  Stoney helped me with torching the sugar on top.  I was actually a little scared of the torch.

It was really fun to make.  They turned out perfect.  Mom loved it.  I think I realized my kind of dessert is definitely chocolate.  It was okay for me, but I probably won't make it again (unless mom asks).  However, mom loved it so much, she asked for it to make an appearance next mother's day.  I love you mom, so yes, I will make it for you again next year.  Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!