Clear Creek Trip #2

Last weekend we made a quick trip up to our favorite camping spot, Clear Creek.  We were there for less then 48 hours but enjoy the area so much that all the work of preparing to go was worth it!  We stayed busy doing things like riding the 4-wheelers and go-cart, riding bikes, exploring and mom & I ran a long 20 mile run.  Running in the fresh mountain air is the best!  The kids came home tired, happy and dirt so our weekend was successful!!

Katie got to give her cousin, Amelia, her first ride in the go-cart

 "Mama, I hot. I need a popsicle!"

 Rebekah and the kiddos exploring in the mountains

 Dad and Casey ready for a ride!

 Saturday afternoon I gave each of the kids a ride on my 4-wheeler.  The older kids are doing well at learning how to steer and use the throttle.

 Late Saturday afternoon we went to the nearby Lake Herrick to hang out and fish.  I had never been to this lake before... even though it's a smaller sized reservoir, it was really pretty!

 Mom helped the boys with their fishing..

 Trenton was just slightly scary when it came to casting but, he did a good job :)

Kristiana 3 yrs old

Happy 3rd Birthday, Kristiana!!

It's hard to believe my baby girl is turning 3 yrs old today.  Even though she's no longer a baby, she'll always be "my baby"!  As the youngest in our family, she is such a fun, happy and care free girlie.  We love her contagious laughter and the silly things she says... including the way and expressions that she says things... she's become quite the drama queen this last year!  She loves it when her older siblings read books to her or involves her in their game.  Kristiana has a big time love for animals.  Every night she prays for her animals and my parents animals.  She always has to pet a puppy or kitty that she sees and enjoys visiting the ducks along the greenbelt during our morning runs.  Recently, she's learned the value in doing chores.  Each morning she goes to her chore chart on the fridge and marks off what she's done... clean her room, brush her teeth, feed the fish etc.  She also likes hanging out in the garage with her daddy.  Kristiana will spend countless hours outside riding her bike, swinging, playing with her neighbor friend, Ellie, petting Jesse and talking to Casey about all kinds of stuff.  She still loves anything that has to do with Minnie Mouse or Dora but, has also began liking Doc McStuffins too.  She's learning her manners.. Please and Thankyou's and, Katie has been practicing her colors, ABC's and 1,2,3's with her.
We love you, baby girl, and are so thankful you are ours!!!

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to Casey!

 We are a family blessed to have such an amazing, hard-working, Godly and unconditionally loving daddy and husband!  This Father's Day we enjoyed celebrating Casey with extra hugs, a special breakfast, church, a fun afternoon of riding and a BBQ dinner with my parents.

 There's always some sort of silliness going on!

 Reynolds Creek, Idaho.  My very handsome boy :)

 The kids each took turns driving the go-cart and got in quite a bit of riding.  Trenton was prob the fastest driver... Tys was the safest and most experienced! Kristiana enjoyed riding while her older siblings drove and kept yelling "faster"... I'm sure Trenton was her favorite driver :)

 My family.. my blessings.. my love

 My mom got dad a new DeWalt drill.. he was pretty happy about getting it!

 Papa and the kiddos (minus Kristiana.. she didn't want her pic taken)

 A more realistic photo.. haha!

Cherries!

The time finally arrived and we are now able to pick the amazing cherries from our two cherry trees!  Last year we didn't realize these two trees were cherry trees so we didn't spare in time and they were covered in worms.  I was so disappointed in that!  We love cherries but I don't like paying the high prices for them in the stores.  SO, this year we were prepared, sprayed and are now picking!  So far we've gotten 14lbs and there's still more!  I've made three pies (2 for the freezer and one was for Father's Day.. it was SO yummy!)  This week I'll be working on freezing the rest, picking more and maybe getting in time to can them.  

 The kids have all had fun climbing the ladder and picking!

Idaho City

Last Sunday afternoon, after morning service, we took a little drive up to Idaho City.  We wanted to explore around the historic town and see if we could find any good campsites in the various Boise National Forests.  We did find a couple of good places but, not any that we thought we HAD to go to.  So, mainly we enjoyed the ride and beautiful mountainous scenery!  We did get out a few times to explore and let the kids/Jesse play.  We brought home a new rock for our rock garden and pretty yellow wild flowers :)

 I love my amazing husband!

I love my adorable little blessings!

On our way back towards Boise we stopped in Idaho City for yummy ice cream at an old fashioned ice cream parlor.  We also explored a few of the old historic buildings...

Memorial Day Part 4 "Running"

Sunday morning my mom and I went out for a run/bike ride on the scenic mountainous dirt road.  Mom rode because of an injury she's was healing (she's ok now) I got in a good 12 mile run!  The best part of the run was the amazing scenery and fresh mountain air!  I loved and enjoyed every minute of it!

About a mile from camp (headed back) Casey and the kids met us along the way... I thought that was really sweet of my supportive husband to do that!