A Little Pumpkin Carving...

McKay has been dieing to carve the pumpkins... everyday he asks me if it is time... So, I had to laugh when we finally started carving the pumkins and McKay almost couldn't handle it... He has a weak stomache (like his mother...) weird smells, tastes, textures can send him overboard really quick! So, when he got the first whiff of the pumkin he turned green and we didn't know if we were going to make it! Then, he struggled with the feel of the insides of the pumkin... everytime he would take a handful out he would wipe his hands on a paper towel... he left a couple times to go and wash his hands!!! He is all boy, but there are a couple things he can't handle!!!

Carter on the other hand had a blast as you can see below....

A Little Pumpkin Carving... Mess!!!

Carter got bored while we were cutting out the pumpkins and took matters into his own hands!!! After more than a half an hour of McKay not being able to decide what he wanted on his pumpkin James headed to the internet and downloaded a book of designs... What a good Dad! McKay wanted somwthing scary and this bat was it!!!

Project Days...

I have started project days with McKay. They usually happen on Tuesdays and Thursdays when he doesn't have school and when Carter is taking his nap. That's usually the only time it's safe to get the paint, stamps, glue, scissors out... It's my goal to turn the TV off for the afternoon and we spend time together making projects. We go to the craft store about once a month and pick out new and different projects. I have to admit that we like Michaels the best - they have a good section of little projects for $1. McKay's favorite thing to do is paint - so, often times he picks out little wooden airplanes and cars and things to paint.

Today however, we made this little chore book for him. We went through some magazines and he cut out the pictures (I did have to clean them up a little bit) and glued them on to 3x5 cards. I did the writing and the laminating. A few others that we did were: put your clothes away, collect and take out the garbage, take a bath, clean your room... I'll rotate the chores each morning according to the things that need to be done that day. I also thought that I would put some in there like project day, his family home evening assignment each Monday, go to the park, go skiing... to let him know what we are doing that day and let him look forward to those too...

We carved pumpkins last night... but, that is a post all on it's own!!!

Life Keeps Us Busy!!!

2 weekends ago we headed back to Idaho for a doctors appointment... None of the hospitals or doctors down here are providers of our health insurance... So, We have decided to finish out this pregnancy with our doctor in Idaho and have the baby there... a big hastle... But, it gets us back to see family and friends! So, the boys LOVED being at Grandma and Grandpa's house! McKay and Grandpa worked in the shop and made a few projects, Carter spent most of the time cooking - it entertained him for hours as long as he had water!!! McKay was also all about bobbing for apples... he had a blast once James showed him how to pin the apples against the side and get them!!! And, we celebrated Carter's Birthday a few days early!!! It's hard to believe that he is 2!!!

Last week was full of busy things... the type that keep you running like crazy, but you wonder what you got done... We celebrated Carter's Birthday again on Thursday with Jason and Kristin and their family and Megan and Greg and their girls.

Then, on Friday James left for Arizona and my Mom came to stay with me and the boys!!! It was so nice to have her here - We did a little shopping... And she wanted to go see the Halloween decorations at Gardners Village - but, other than that we stayed close to home and just really enjoyed having her here. The boys are going through withdrawl today... After getting to see her for two weekends in a row it will be a long couple weeks before we get back to Idaho! Thanks Mom for coming!!! And thanks again for sewing my curtains!!!

So, On Friday McKay told me that some boys at school were making fun of the way he dressed and calling him a dork... and that he thought it would be a good idea if he wore his skeleton shirt that day... Right now I know that those who really know me are laughing... Because as my husband puts it I go a little overboard in dressing my kids... I have fun buying their clothes each season and enjoy having them look nice and cute!!! James even goes as far as calling me Stramboli (the pupet master on pinocchio...) So, I told McKay that if he wanted to wear his skelton shirt that was fine but that i doubted that kids were making fun of him because he had really nice clothes... So, this morning he is sitting up to the bar eating breakfast and he told James that he didn't want to go to school.... James asked him why not? He told James the same thing... that 2 boys at school called him a dork for the way he dressed... So, I was sitting in the family room and I could hear the conversation... I heard James ask him if he had told me about it... Kinda like oh no these two kinds are treading on Mom's hallowed ground!!! I told him that I knew about it... I was still doubting the situation!!! So, I told McKay that I would call his teacher today and take care of it... He almost died and told me not to because she told him that she would take care of it today..... mmm hmmm yeah right! So, then I asked him what the two boys names were... he thought for a second and said Zac and Cody (the names of the twins on a tv show he watches)... So, after awhile I told him I needed to talk to him and that I was being serious... his response: "Yeah, it sounds serious"! So, I explained to him that he needed to tell me the truth about school... If boys were being mean to him I needed to know so that I could call his teacher and take care of it... But, If they weren't and I called his teacher that wouldn't be a good thing.... So, this was his response: "Mom, it is really hard for me to tell you this... But, there aren't any boys at school teasing me.... I just made that up." Then I asked him why he made it up and he said "Because some days I don't want to go to school and I just want to stay home and be with you..."! So, I had to explain to him that some days at school are more fun than others... but that it is really important for him to go. This is paybacks - I hated school and did everything I could to get out of it clear through high school!!! My 5 year old is already starting!!! What will be next???

A Little Yumminess...

I made this Pumpkin Spice Cake last weekend and it was so good that I thought I would share the recipe:


Pumpkin Spice Cake

3/4 Cup unsalted butter, softened
1 Cup firmly packed dark-brown sugar (I used regular)
1 Cup Sugar
3 Large eggs
1/2 Cup Buttermilk
1 Cup canned or fresh pumpkin (I used canned)
1 tsp. Vanilla extract
2 Cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg

Heat oven to 350. Butter and flour 2 bread pans; set aside. Beat the butter in a large bowl, using a mixer set on medium speed, until fluffy. Beat in the sugars and eggs, one at a time, until smooth. Set aside. Combine buttermilk, pumpkin, and vanilla and set aside. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg and stir into batter, in thirds, alternating with buttermilk mixture- until smooth. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake until cakes test clean- about 25 minutes. Cool on wire racks.


Honey & Spice Buttercream Frosting

1 tsp. unflavored gelatin

1/2 Cup dark honey ( I used this, but think that I might use regular next time - it has a funny taste to me)

1/2 Cup sugar

1 tsp. Salt

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

3 1/2 sticks butter, room temp.

1 tsp. Vanilla extract

Combine the gelatin and 2 tablespoons water and let sit for 10 minutes. Bring the honey, sugar, and 2 tablespoons water to a boil in a small sauce pan, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool for 3 minutes. Stir 2 tablespoons of honey mixture into the gelatin until dissolved. Whisk into the remaining honey syrup along with salt and cinnamon. Strain into a medium size bowl and beat, using a mixer set on high speed, until doubled in volume and completely cool - about 10 minutes. Add the butter 2 tablespoons at a time, while continuously beating. Stir in the vanilla and use immediately or keep chilled.

I took pictures of the boys helping me make the cake... But, when I was deleting pictures from my camera that were old I accidently deleted them... Argh... Look at the cute cake plate that my Mom sent me... It's a spider web with little spiders hanging down from the edges!!! Thanks Mom I love it!

Did You Know...

Did you know that the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles live in our circle... The boys were playing outside when I heard Carter yelling "turtles, turtles, turtles..." over and over and was in the process of pulling McKay out in the street... Well, Carter had noticed that there was a sewer hole in the circle and now both of the boys are convinced that they live right in front of our house!!! In the top picture they are yelling down to the turtles introducing themselves!


The Last day that James' parents were here Becky made this little pirate ship out of some boxes for the boys... they loved it so much that I brought it inside for them to play with in the basement.


McKay is on round three of the flu today... It's a little 12 hour thing that he can't seem to stay away from...


I've been doing a little baking... some new recipes... I meant to share them with you today, but my camera battery is dead. So, I'll get them to you soon!

Coming Out Of The Fog...

Well, my family has been wanting to see what the house looks like... So, not the best picture - but, a picture none the less. We sit on a hill looking out over Utah Lake - If you look to the right in the picture you can see the water. It's a very beautiful view of the lake and the Wasatch Mountains.

I'm finally starting to feel like life is starting to get back to normal a little bit. The house is pretty much unpacked - except for the few stray boxes that you throw in the garage or Storage room... Then it makes you wonder if you really need those things anyways!

McKay is LOVING school and LOVING being by his cousin Gavin - Kristin (My sister-in-law) was here on Tuesday and took McKay home with her - He and Gavin were out playing in the yard and she would check on them and they were doing great - She noticed them out by their big fire pit and really didn't think anything of it until she found them in the bathroom covered head to toe in charcoal... They had taken the charcoal out of the pit and drawn all over each other, the patio, and just about anything else in reach! She told them that she needed to be able to trust them together and that they needed to make good decisions! She called and told me about it and we had a good laugh but have decided that this is only the beginning with these two! When McKay got home I asked him about it... And the first thing he said was "I know, we need to make better decisions"!

Carter is still adjusting... Every now and then he will come and say he is ready to go home... But, he seems to do pretty well as long as McKay is around.

James' parents were here for most of this week. We really enjoyed getting to spend some time with them and were very grateful for the help that they gave us in getting some things done around the house. Kristin and I took Becky for a pedicure on Wednesday... When I asked her if she wanted to go she said NO! But, James told her she was going! We just had to laugh at her because she was really reluctant - But, then ended up loving it! James even called to check and make sure she was handling it o.k.!

Last Friday night we took the Boys to Gardeners Village - They had it all decorated up with their Halloween Witches. The other pictures are of the boys there.

I spent yesterday working on my scrapbook room... I'm anxious to get it all put together - Fall always puts me in the mood to bake and to create! And right now I have a lot of catching up to do!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Feeling A Little.... Sad...

Today has been a little rough... I have been caught up in the excitement of looking for a new house, new furniture, and getting everything ready for us in Utah... But, today as I finished tying up some loose strings here it all hit... This is my home and now it is in boxes - the walls are bare, and the liveliness that was once here is now gone... After McKay left to go sleep over with my Mom and Carter was put to bed I went through each room and just let the memories of the last 7 years come flooding in... an emotional experience - But even worse when your pregnant! This is where we celebrated our first Christmas and James threw the Christmas tree down the stairs, where James and Tyler wrestled the wild kitten in the basement, where I planted my first garden, where I suffered from all of my fertility treatments to then be able to bring home two baby boys, McKay celebrated 5 Halloweens as a giraffe, lion, baseball player, pirate and superman, Where my boys took their first steps, Where I truly learned to LOVE a neighbor, Where my Dad spent HOURS with us finishing our basement, Where I have spent countless nights up with sick children, Where I ran through the screen door, Where we played "Dare" with Carson and Lacey... Where James lit the driveway on fire, where McKay learned to ride his bike... the memories could go on and on. But, I finally realized that I am not closing the book on this part of my life - I am just starting a new chapter. A new chapter with new stories - with new memories and as long as you have your Husband and your Children with you wherever you are is home.

Where Does The Time Go???

So, I successfully got James on the plane to Alaska on Friday... Yes, I have to say that "I" did... James has a history of bad flying experiences... One time he flew all the way to Chicago to find in his hotel that he had flown the whole way with bullets in his jacket pocket he was wearing.... (yes, it was post 9/11 - nice huh!!!) then a couple times later he was flying back from moving his Brother to Arizona to be detained at the airport because he had a steak knife in his briefcase.... The only thing that saved him was that his Mother was their pleading with them that he was not a terrorist... they kept him for a while and then let him go... But, said that they would put him in their files - what ever that means! So, getting my husband on a flight to Alaska with a firearm, bullets, knives, etc... was very stressful!!! I packed everything personally to make sure everything went where it needed to - It's the getting him home part that might be a little scary! I really don't want to fly to Alaska to bail him out of jail!!!

So, It was our goal to have the whole house packed before he left... and it is! The only thing left is the bare essentials and the things that we really can't pack until right before we leave.

The boys and I are enjoying the week with my Mom (My Dad is with James). We are leaving Wednesday to go to Utah for a little trip - with the move I haven't done any of my kids fall clothes shopping - So, we're going to do some shopping, go to Park City for a day, Go to Hoggle Zoo... Just get out and have a good time together.

I've been getting some furniture shopping done - The boys got cute new bunk beds (McKay is so excited). Baby Boy Turley gets a new crib and dressers. I have to say Pottery Barn rocks!!! So, I'm still on the hunt for a Bedroom set for us... I found one here that I like... But, I want to look around Utah a little bit more - they have a bigger selection of stores... We've decided it's time for a King sized bed... Our kids come and get in bed with us in the morning - It's a circus in a Queen! And with another baby on the way we need to have more room!!!

My Mom is the greatest for many reasons... But, she is coming tonight after the boys go to bed to help me pack my scrapbook room... It's official - When the scrapbook room is packed it's time to move!!!

Boy baby, Girl baby, Boy Baby, Girl Baby...

We are having another Boy!!! Yes, that makes three little boys in this Turley family... I do have to admit that I am a little nervous! If you know my Husband and his four brothers you would understand why! They are all very good men... But, their Mother is a Saint for having raised them!!! So, if history repeats itself... I will take MANY trips to the principles office, put out MANY fires, Have MANY things blown up in my yard, Have to clean out the neighbors pool because my son's put jello in it, return stolen turtles, bring a cat back to life after they put it in the freezer because it was "hot", learn how to remove hot tar from their bodies after a tar fight, replace a fridge because they put a dry ice bomb in the freezer to "save" it for later... this is the edited version people!!! There are some things that I am seriously afraid to admit that they did!!! But, through it all they were fiercely protective of each other... and to this day James talks to almost all of his brothers everyday. So, I can handle the chaos as long as they are in it together - as brothers!

Life is still extremely crazy around here... Packing, packing, and more packing! But, I do see an end in sight! I wanted it all done before James leaves for Alaska next Friday... because we move three days after he gets back! It's crazy how much stuff you accumulate when you have lived somewhere for 7 years... We have taken multiple trips to the D.I. and the dump - it does feel really good to do a major purge! It's just that everything is packed and we will be living off of paper plates and plastic utensils for a few weeks...

I have had to stop designing for Scarlet Lime for the time being... It's just not the right time in my life right now... With two little boys, moving, and the baby on the way it just wasn't the right time. Everytime I would need to be working on layout's my boys would need me... or my husband would want to spend time with me... James was fabulous - he would try and take the boys and leave so that I could work on it... But, then I always just wished I was with them... So, I thank Christy for the fabulous opportunity that she gave me and hope that one day I will be able to do it again. But, until then I am a Wife and a Mom - something that I have always wanted to be and something that will always come first and I thank Christy for understanding that.

Have a fabulous weekend!

No Longer Homeless!!!

Well, We spent the end of last week in Utah looking for houses... Looking through houses all day long is really draining! We had a few that we went down to specifically look at and when we got there we liked the homes, but didn't like the neighborhoods... the houses were too close! I'm an Idaho Girl - I need a little bit of space!!! So, we were a little frustrated and decided to go and drive through this other development that we had heard about - we didn't have any houses to look at, but we just wanted to see the area to see if it was anything that we could be interested in. We were a lot happier with this area and just started driving around and started calling on houses. At one corner I saw this little sign stuck in the ground for a 6 bed 4 bath 4400 sq foot home... I thought why not and called on it. The builder told us where it was at and gave us the code to get into the house. So, it's at the end of a cul-de-sac (I have no idea how to spell that!!!) and at the head of the circle is a big park! So, we got really excited about it - it has a large finished basement with a walk out - so, the lighting is great too! Lots of good storage and the yard is already in! The yard needs a little TLC, But I enjoy yard work! So, we got ourselves a home! It's nice to be able to see where we are going to be!

The home is in Saratoga Springs - So, it's right on Utah Lake. James is excited because we are literally 5 minutes away from the harbor - and there is a great golf course across the street from our housing addition!!!

Plus, I found McKay a great preschool - I think I was more stressed about that than finding a house!!!

We have our Dr. appointment tomorrow to find out what we are having!!! I am really nervous on this one!!! I really don't care either way as long as it's healthy - I know a lot of people say that... But, when babies are hard to come by as they have been for us you really are just grateful! But, I am a little nervous either way - 3 boys is a lot of energy!!! And well a girl.... I really don't know what to do with a girl!!! I'm the only girl in my family and James has one sister who is older... One James' side of the family there is one granddaughter and 11 grandsons with one more due any day... On my side of the family my siblings either have all boys or all girls... So, we'll just have to see!!!

Just A Funny Picture!

I think this means it's time to start working on breaking Carter of the pacifier! The funny thing is that if you look one of them is upside down!!!


It's been a crazy week - we have started packing... We work on one room a night and pack all of the things we can live without for a month. Saturday we tackled the garage and have that all packed up... the room I am dreading is my scrapbook room!!!


James is done working here September 1 and has the month off - But, he is gone in the middle of the month for 10 days fishing in Alaska!!!


Well, we're off this afternoon to Utah to look at houses... Wish us luck!

Just A Little Project...

I have been a little overwhelmed by the whole house hunting thing... We are going down to Utah next week to find a house... So, we have been spending a lot of time talking to realtor's and looking at homes on the Internet to narrow it down... My head seriously hurts from it!!!


So, I needed a little break and put this little album together of Carter and I. When we were on our way to Redfish we stopped and spent a couple days at Challis Hotsprings. Carter gets up crazy early... So, on this morning I hurried and got him out of the trailer before he woke anyone up and we went on a walk. It was one of those walks that you should take more often with your children... no time line, at their pace and letting them stop to discover little things a long the way. What I didn't know was that James had gotten up and had seen us and went and got the camera. He sat from a distance with the telephoto and took pictures of us - They're not all the best pictures - Some are blurry and I hadn't even brushed my hair or washed my face from the day before... but, they are all priceless to me.


I have really started doing more mini albums. I like the quick gratification that you get from them. I also like that you can have a little story that you want to tell that you can't get done with a 9x9 page... but that you can get done with a little album. McKay has started to look at the mini albums more than he does his scrapbook.


James and I are going on a date tonight to my favorite restaurant Stockman's and furniture shopping!!! I think he thinks he owes me - the last two dates we have gone on we have ended up at Sportsmans to get his gear for him to go fishing in Alaska next month! Either way, I'm just looking forward to spending some time with him!

We're Back!

1. Carter being Carter!


2. Floating the Salmon River - Yes, McKay was attached to someone... (other than Jackson) They were both tied onto the Kayak. I didn't just send him down the river by himself!!!


3. Bath time.


4. I think McKay needs a bigger tub next year! He LOVED taking his bath by the fire! It was a fight to get him out!


5. What happens to your son when you leave him unattended with your older Brother and they tell you that have a "surprise".... Travis is always looking for ways to get a raise out of me!!!


Well, you know you haven't blogged in a while when you can't remember your pass word to get into your account!!! We got back the first of the week... but, it has been a crazy week trying to get back into the swing of things and I was on deadline for Scarlet Lime...

We had an absolute fabulous time! 2 weeks went by WAY too fast - In fact, I wasn't ready to leave... Parts of me were - I was really excited to get home to my private bathroom!!! But, I still cried when it was time to go. The boys had a BLAST, Mckay kept asking if we could stay until winter! Now that we are home he keeps telling me that home is boring and wants to go back. We had our whole family up there for different parts of it - But, we planned and spent the two weeks with Megan and Greg and their girls (my cousins family). Thanks guys we had a blast! We'll meet up with you guys for the "Best Salad Bar in Challis" anytime!!! It was nice to have 2 weeks and to just relax - I didn't feel the stress that I usually feel of trying to get everything in and done in one week. I think 2 weeks might be our new tradition!

Well, now that we are home there are a lot of things going on at the Turley home... Some of you have heard and I had a few emails waiting for me regarding us moving.... YES, we are moving to Salt Lake City... We have sold our Insurance Agency that we have owned for 6 years and James is going to sale insurance in Salt Lake. He is really excited about the change and I am excited for a new adventure. VERY sad to be leaving my family and good friends... James was born and raised in Salt Lake and we have a lot of family and friends there too - So, he is excited to go back home! Plus, it is only 3 1/2 hours from here - not bad at all! So, we have been looking like crazy for a home down there and we will be moving the end of September...


McKay had started telling me that his teeth were hurting... But, every time I would ask him to show me which one he would show me a different tooth... James has terrible teeth and we just had him in to have two teeth pulled and implants done... So, there has been a lot of talk about teeth around here! So, I just figured that McKay was just playing it up a bit.... So, finally after he had done it for a few weeks I decided that we would get him in and just get it checked... He was due for a cleaning anyway... Well, once we got him in there he had 5 cavities and 3 children's root canals that needed to be done.... Yeah, let me tell you that I really felt like the Mother of The Year!!!! No wonder he kept showing me a different spot - THEY WERE ALL HURTING!!! The dentist said that he has really soft teeth that are really tight - you can't even floss they are so tight... So, the poor thing had to be put under by an Anesthesiologist and he now has 3 shiny silver caps on his back teeth... He thinks they are pretty cool - I still feel pretty lousy!!!

Here's a story every mother will love... Today we had swimming lessons - We go at 11:00 and my cousin Stacey's kids go at 11:30. So, McKay was just coming out as they were going in and I was visiting with Stacey when he came out... Stacey noticed he was chewing on something and asked him what he was eating - he was chewing gum... He had spent the night at my parents house last night and I had picked him up on the way to swimming lessons - So, I just assumed that he got it from them... I was even kind of impressed that he had kept it that long.... Then Stacey asked him where he got it from (She's the mother of four kids - she knows to ask!!! I'm still learning!!!) This was his reply: "I saw it on the bottom of the pool and I swam down and got it....................." So, I promptly retrieve it from his mouth and he then informs me: "Or I may have found it on the cement on my way into swim ...................." NICE! I'm still sick from it!!!

Well, there is just a little bit of what has been going on around here... As you can see it is never boring!!! I am looking forward to just spending a couple weeks close to home!!!

I did another post below with more Redfish pictures.

1. McKay going down the slide at the May Family Ranch. This slide entertained the kids (and adults) for 3 days!


2.This is the view from our camp spot of the Lake - We are literally right on the lake!


3. Carter in one of his cleaner moments!


4. Leaving peanuts for the squirrels - Or Carter... he kept eating them!


5. The tent pad served as a nice sand box for the kids! Cody and McKay.

And We're Off!!!

Yes, it is that wonderful time of year again... The time of year that I dream about all winter long! We leave tomorrow morning for 2 full weeks at Redfish Lake! It's a tradition that started back with my Great Grandparents taking my Grandpa and has continued on... Our family loves it - We literally live for it!!! We all go - Grandparents, Great Aunts and Uncles, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins... All Of Us!

I have wanted to do another post on our "Cowboy Cousins" week, but time is running out and I have alot to do... So, I will leave you with this picture and will have more fun pictures in a couple weeks!!!

He is REALLY 5!!!

I don't know what it is, but 5 just sounds so old to me!!! Here's just a couple pictures for the Grandparents!!! He had the most fabulous day!!! When I was cuddling with him that night I asked him what his favorite part was and this is what he said: "My favorite part was all of it, my favorite favorite part was pin the tale on the donkey and my favorite, favorite, favorite part were my Incredible Hulk hands from Brett"!!! I think he had a good day! Birthdays are big around here! We have worked pretty hard to get our children here so we celebrate! I love the picture of him opening the pillow case from my Grandparents, Travis and Rebecca had the shirt made for him (see earlier post about me lighting my hair on fire!), My Mom and Dad scored with the wrestlers and Joe and Wendy bought him a guitar!

Here are a few things about McKay - He is the best Brother! He LOVES Carter and treats him so good - always patient and giving to him. Most of the time too giving - he gives Carter whatever he wants! But, because McKay is so good to him Carter absolutely ADORES his big brother - always copying him and wanting to do what he does. I'm lucky because McKay still thinks this is cool!

McKay has the greatest imagination and at night he will lay in bed and tell us Jasper stories!!! Stories that he makes up about a little boy named Jasper! They are always hilarious and it has become a tradition that we take turns telling each other Jasper stories.

McKay has never told me NO... (knock on wood!!!) When I ask him to do something he does it!!! He usually answers me with "Sure Mom". He is just so good all of the time - I honestly wonder what I did to get such a good little boy.

He does have a lot of energy though!!! He is constantly on the go.

He calls me Princess! "Good night Princess" "I Love you Princess" - any Mother would melt!

He is convinced that we are the Incredibles... James is Mr. Incredible, I am Elasta Girl, He is Dash, Carter is Jack Jack and the baby is going to be Violet!!!

He wakes up like his Father - with a smile on his face!

It drives him crazy when Carter takes naps and will keep asking me if he can go in and wake him up...

His Father is his Hero! Sometimes I get a little jealous!

I am so grateful for this little boy in my life - he truly makes life beautiful!

Where Have I Been!!!

Or, Should I say where have I not been!!! We have had two very crazy weeks here at the Turley house. It all started with the 4th of July... First off I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the 4th of July!!! It's one of my favorite holidays! My Grandparents, Aunts, Uncle, Cousins, Parents, Siblings and their families all got together and spent the day in Menan. Menan, is a small little town about 20 minutes outside of Idaho Falls - It is the perfect small town celebration! Dunking booths, fish ponds, yummy food and a small fun parade that the kids love because they get a ton of candy! We have gone the last couple years and have loved it! Then, after that we all headed back into Idaho Falls and up to the Shilo - it's a hotel on the river- My Parents get a room there every year because the fireworks are launched right down from there so we have awesome seats for that. The kids swim and we always have a yummy dinner and treats there too!

Saturday July 5, my Niece Kaylie was Baptized and the family all got together after that for another fun day of yummy food (are you seeing a pattern here with the food! Family gatherings=good food!!) and a croquette tournament.

Sunday July 6, The Turley's arrived for the Turley Family reunion! James' Mom does a theme week for the cousins and this year was Cowboy Cousins!! She had them decked out in cowboy attire and they got to go and ride horses, play cowboy games, learn know tieing, learn about snake bites and much much more! They spent a day playing water games and spent a night out in the tent with Grandma and Grandpa! McKay was lucky this year because his Birthday was on the 9th and he got to have quite the celebration with the family. They all spoiled him pretty bad! For his Birthday he wanted to go to Ross Park (a water park), eat at McDonalds and have rootbeer floats!!! McDonalds is a treat around here - I'm not into the whole happy meal thing!!! But, try figuring out how to put 5 candles into a rootbeer float!!! We ended up taping them on the cup!!! We ended the family reunion with a surprise Baby Shower for James' Sister Wendy! We had been planning it literally for months and it was so much fun to see how surprised she was. We are just so excited for them!!! They have one Son Jackson, who is 10 and have been through so much to get this little boy here - It was a true reason for a big celebration! We had a lot of fun putting it all together!

After the shower we took off With Jason and Kristin and their family (James' Brother) and headed up to do some camping on the Grays River. It is such a beautiful place!!! We spent Saturday in Jackson Hole, WY and headed home on Sunday!!!

So, as you can see it has been quite the busy two weeks! Plus, we are busy this week loading up again!!! We leave Saturday for 2 weeks camping at Redfish Lake!!! Lots of good memories are being made!!!

Blogger isn't letting me upload my pictures so those will be forthcoming!!!

What A Cute Mess!!!

Throw together sunblock, sand and a whole lot of chocolate and this is what you get!!! The weather here in Idaho is finally wonderful!!! We pretty much live with 8 months of crazy cold weather - So, when it finally gets warm we have to take advantage of it!!! The boys and I have been going to Rigby Lake a couple times a week. It's something close that I can take them to do for a couple hours and they absolutely love it!

We have my family coming into town for the 4th and James' family will be here all next week for a family reunion. I love this time of year when we can all get together and spend time together as a family - I look forward to it all year long. McKay turns 5 next week... and we have a fun pirate Birthday party planned - Lots of fun things going on here!

I hope you are all enjoying the warm weather as well!