Family

We've had two weekends of family fun. We were so excited to be able to spend a weekend in Rexburg with my WHOLE family! Brice was visiting from Maui and it was awesome to see him. We enjoyed one of Brady's soccer games, had a picnic, checked out mom's stained glass gallery (which looked amazing,) and just talked long into the nights.





This past weekend was a trip to Boise. We enjoyed a walk on the Green Belt together with Eva, had hotdogs in the park while the boys played homerun derby (which Derek won,) the kids were able to spend time together with their cousins, and again talked long into the nights. We love all of our family and our grateful that it is a short 4 or 5 hour trip to see both grandparents and tons of aunts, uncles, and cousins.

1 YEAR!

Table Making

We got a new computer recently, but we didn't really have a table or desk to put it on. Rather than buy a new desk, I decided that it'd be cool to make my own. My father in law has some great know-how in woodworking, so last trip up to Rexburg we went to work on building a table. We picked up the wood--four 2x12's and two 4x6's for the legs. The whole table came from these pieces. Once we got it back to my in-laws place, we created a plan and made all the measurements, then started cutting. After the pieces were cut for the top, we used a biscuit cutter to make slits in the sides, glued each three 2x12 peices together with biscuits between them, then used clamps to hold them tightly together while they set. We had quite a few more cuts to make to create the structure underneath the table. After we had cut the leg pieces, we got to work sanding. And we sanded and sanded. To finish up for the day we put the substructure together using all the peices we had cut for the frame and the legs, which we put together using biscuits, then clamped it all together. When we were getting close to finished for the day Reed got a call from a friend who needed some help rounding up some cattle, so we went to a ranch to ride horses and get some cows sorted out. I didn't have any riding experience to speak of, but went anyway. I think I did pretty well though. It was a lot more "real cowboy stuff" than I expected, lots of riding and wrangling, and I was actually able to contribute to our ultimate goal of getting the bulls separated from the heifers. I was running all over the place chasing cows. It was tons of fun and I came back covered in cow poop, sore, and unfortunately without any pictures. It was a ridiculously busy day, I was ready to drop by bedtime. Reed's energy level is nothing short of impressive.

Reed had a few things to take care of that we didn't have time for before we had to leave, like attaching the top of the table to the base. Fast forward a few weeks... Reed and Laura came for the weekend and were nice enough to load the table onto the rack on top of their car. It arrived a bit wet and full of dead bugs, and they said they got a lot of funny looks on the way. It sucked their gas too and I'm very appreciative that they brought it for me because our car couldn't accommodate it. So over the past couple of days I've put in quite a few more hours sanding, then applying stain and protective coating. I'm happy to say that it's now finished. I think it came out pretty awesome. I'm super grateful to Reed for all his help and expertise, and I had a great time working on it with him and Brady. Here are a few pictures...

Happy Birthday, Easter, Masters Weekend

It's been a celebrating kind of week for us. First of all we thoroughly enjoyed Conference. Which in our home, is a holiday in and of its self. We also used that great family time to celebrate Derek's birthday early. We thought it would be especially fun to do it while Chad was visiting from Boise. It was nice that Derek was able to go to priesthood session with his brothers. Earlier that day Derek did his Easter egg hunt filled with clues for his birthday present.

He followed clues all over the house to get to his very special birthday (Father's Day, Christmas, etc) present.
True joy and surprise was on his face as he came upon the PS3 that I forever swore would not enter our home. He has been the best boy, the most wonderful father, and loving husband. I just couldn't deny him.
We enjoyed an entirely too rich turtle cake after the boys returned from the Priesthood session.
I don't know what he could have possibly wished for, maybe Tiger Woods winning the Masters or that the Cubbies have a good season. But I certainly hope it comes true.
This is something we have never seen Baby Eva do. This picture captures pure excitement of a child about to get a present. She had seen her Easter basket on the table and was squealing with glee.
She crawled so fast and couldn't wait to get her little hands on a few new toys. I'm not going to lie; I hate stuffed animals. I think they are a worthless toy, but this little girl loves them! She is a very nurturing and loving girl. She hugs them and kisses them. Nothing makes her happier.
If this little girl is anything like her mother we will surely see this Sunday after Sunday for the next 10 years. There is nothing as lovely as wearing a dressing over a vent and seeing it puff out in the prettiest way.

The true Easter was certainly not lost on us amidst bunnies, baskets, and eggs; it was a beautiful, sunny Sabbath day. I have found that the place I like to be best on Easter is in the Primary. Sure, our hundreds (literally) of children can be overwhelming and crazy, especially when hyped up on chocolate bunnies and jelly beans, but if there is ever a place to hear sweet, genuine feelings for the Savior it is surely amongst His "little ones." I taught sharing time today. A daunting challenge enough when it is trying to help them feel the Spirit during lessons on family or the creation, but it can be absolutely mind boggling when trying to plan the perfect lesson to teach on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. However the teaching was effortless (not on my part) and the learning abundant (most definitely on my part) as I was touched to know by the junior primary that "Jesus loves us" and by the older children that "He died for us and He lives for us." I also feel especially blessed this day to know that our home and family is lead by a Priesthood holder who loves and serves the Savior tirelessly.

Well, it wasn't just the Master's day, it was also the final round of the Masters. Which being married to Derek, obliges me to hours of golf viewing. I actually don't mind. Especially when it can be done with friends. We had a very fun day with the Yeats!

Eva sang, danced, and endlessly tormented Zach. His only defense was being armed with a dinosaur. This girly girl shrinks in fear from any dinosaur he wields in her direction.
Maybe I wasn't as attentive as some would've hoped. In the end I know Angel Cabrera won and the details in his race for the green jacket don't concern me much.
Ally spoiled Derek and we all benefited. It was a wonderful dinner followed by a 5 star restaurant worthy dessert.

I just feel in complete bliss with my family. It's a good one and we had a really fun week together!

Our Mischievous Baby

Baby Eva is quite the explorer. She pretty much disregards anything that is meant for her, like her toys, and goes for anything she can get her little hands on that we can't manage to child proof. She loves to open drawers and pull everything out, she loves the books on the bookshelves, any garbage can, audio/visual equipment, etc. She pushes doors open into rooms and closes them behind her. She also has an affinity for any cabinets and cupboards, and loves to climb into baskets. She definitely keeps us on our toes as she crawls all over the house looking for mischief. But we think it's pretty awesome. Here are some pictures from the past couple of weeks.

under the kitchen table

in her bedroom

under her crib

large boxes are always a hit

her favorite kitchen cabinet. she first takes out whatever she can...

then proceeds to get into the cabinet so she can really investigate

in the bonus room

basket of blankets in her bedroom

at grandma's house in boise

in her toy basket

Not pictured: Eva getting into a basket of newly folded clothes and removing it piece by piece, and Eva pulling down her tall laundry basket, pulling out the clothes, and crawling inside for a better look, both fairly common. She is our little sweetheart.