Life...

So, in our life right now... James just got done having strep throat for the second time in 2 1/2 weeks... He has not been sick or on an antibiotic once since we have been married until now. He was soooo sick. But, we were lucky that no one else in the house got it! Soccer has started and is in full swing! McKay's favorite part is half time and the orange slices! My nephew Eli has been staying with us for the week & I have found it is true what people say... once you have three kids you may as well have more because it really doesn't add that much to the craziness! The weather has been beautiful and we have been spending hours at the park, going on bike rides and playing outside. It's that time of year where the boys really need a bath every night! McKay and i have been hiking the mountains... I have learned that if you want to find out what is on a 6-year-old boys mind take him on a hike! He doesn't stop talking from the moment we leave until the moment we get back!!! But, I love it! Life is busy and crazy - But GOOD!

Idaho!

Grandpa & the boys set up at tent in the living room for them to have as a fort and sleep in!

We played 5000 almost every night!

Fires in Uncle Steve (the neighbors) garden! Jennifer - Matt might recognize that shed!

At Cal Ranch to see the baby chicks

flying kites

McKay was out of school for spring break and we headed to Idaho! I was in major need of spending some time with my family! We ended up extending the trip and stayed for 10 days! Even then I felt like it had gone by way too fast! We truly got spoiled by everyone! There were multiple trips to Geraldine's for donuts, McKay got to spend a day going to "work" with Grandpa (My Dad is retired - But, he does little electrical jobs for people to give him something to do - to keep from going stir crazy!) we celebrated Lily & Grandpa's Birthday, Easter with the cousins, out to lunch, to the movies, flew kites at the church parking lot, did some shopping (thanks Mom!) & one night it even snowed so hard school was canceled the next day - which was perfect because we got to spend the day out at Jason and Amy's with the boys! James was there on the weekends and he, my Dad, McKay, Curtis, Jon, Josh and Jake spent a day fishing up at Palisades. It was a perfect week! Thank you everyone for all of the effort to spend time with us!

However, the highlight of the whole week was that on the Tuesday that we were there Travis and Emily headed up to northern Idaho to do the youth turkey hunt that they did together last year!!! Just the two of them. 10 months almost to the day of their accident. I have to admit I was quite anxious while they were gone! We were all grateful that he calls to check in a lot more than he used to! But more than anything grateful that their health has been restored back to them that allows them the ability to do these things once again! Travis has worked very hard physically to prepare himself to take Emily on this hunt. They went for the first time last year - and the pictures of them together on the hunt hung in Travis's hospital room. I remember looking at them everyday as I was there and praying that one day they would be able to do it again. How humbled my whole family is that the Lord has blessed them so abundantly. I was driving back to Logan when they called to tell me that Emily had killed her turkey! I could barely see the road I was crying so hard! I have to admit I have never been so happy to see a turkey die! But, what a huge moment it was for them... for our whole family. It's beginning to feel as if we have come full circle. I cannot express how proud I am of both of them!

Checking In

Where has the last month gone... First the computer crashed and then we had technical difficulties with the wireless for a week or two... James - who never gets sick and has never been on an anti biotic since we have been married - nor has he thrown up... got Strep throat that put him in bed for 3 days... And I spent those three days doing everything I could from keeping the boys from getting it! So far we're good there! McKay started soccer and is loving it. Because of his Birthday being in July he was put on the 1-2 grade team! He is pretty tall for his age - but, one of the smallest on his team. He did not let that intimidate him one bit and I had to remind him after his first practice that he wasn't allowed to shove kids in soccer!

We are currently in Idaho for spring break being spoiled! I honestly don't know who was more excited to come... the kids or me! We have already spent a night with Beatties, tried 5 Guys Burgers & Fries for the first time, went to How To Train Your Dragon (wonderful movie!!! However, I wasn't prepared for the end and after our last year with Travis it was a little emotional... the little boy gets hurt and they have to amputate his leg.) Lily turned 5 on Saturday and we were glad to be able to be here for her Birthday (Thank you, Thank You, Thank you Rebecca for the yummy new fabric! The Oz line is one of my favorites!), the Easter Bunny found & spoiled the boys, We spent a wonderful day at Jason & Amy's with amazing food! Grandpa helped the boys set up a tent in the living room that they have been sleeping in and using as their fort! The first night Carter told me I needed to zip it up after I kissed him goodnight because "the mosquito's will eat me alive if you don't"!

Monday Grandpa took the boys to the park to play baseball while Mom and I ran an errand... on our way back it started to rain... I was a little worried about Carter because he does not like rain. As I drove in by the park I could see that the boys were camped out in the slide trying to keep from getting wet. So, I pulled up and was trying to decide if I should go and get them or wait for it to let up a little bit. After a minute I saw Carter dart out of the slide running as fast as he could towards my parents with pure panic on his face... Then McKay went running out right after him stripping his coat off as he was running and trying as hard as he could to keep up with Carter and hold his coat above Carters head to keep him from getting wet................................. I seriously started to cry! They didn't know we were there and I hurried and opened the door and started yelling at them to get in the car. Carter got in first and McKay sat out in the rain continuing to hold the coat over Carter until he was in. The first thing McKay said to me was "Mom, I was trying my hardest to keep Carter from getting wet so he wouldn't get a fever"! I love that little man so much! We drove right to the gas station and he got to pick out a treat!

Today is Tuesday... and all of the schools here are closed because it is a snow day! Happy Spring Break!