All About the Dogs

This post has a TON of photos of my dogs. Mostly Darla. So feel free to skip this if you aren't a dog lover. Sometimes Darla just needs a snuggle.

Sometimes she's pretty sure she needs fed.

And apparently dad thinks three blankets on the couch equals an explosion. Guess he forgot what Jo's room looks like!!

There are times they get along and share.

Darla loves her belly rubbed!!

Darla is a super freak. She's super freaky.

She likes to sit on my chest and gaze adoringly at me. I mean, who wouldn't.....

I know she wants me to do something....I'm just not sure what....

I always know what Nellie wants. One of two things...go for a walk or food. She's easy!!

Darla is a little more complicated. Food, play AND sleep are on her list as well as snuggle, praise and more food.

If you ask Nellie, "Who's here?" she will look toward the door until she's sure no one is coming to see her.

If you are still reading this you are a true dog lover (and you have too much time on your hands) ((just kidding)). Thanks for being my friend.

The Cook Off Prizes

I wish I had taken some before pictures (I can tell it's been a while since I did a project like this!!). I was asked to come up with prizes for the chili cook off our ward is having at our Fall Festival this week. I went to Deseret Industries and hit the jackpot! Three plaques that I spray painted black. I used my dusty vinyl cutter and cut some plaque filler....

Then I glued spoons on to represent the places (the bigger the spoon, the better the place). 

They turned out better than I imagined (which doesn't happen very often AT ALL). 

And the rusty ladle goes to.......... 

New Family Photos

Fair warning, there are a lot of pictures in this post. Here are a few of the pictures we had taken while the kids were here. I love the way they turned out!!

Ashlee Parkinson took them for us. She has been friends with the kids since Kevin was in kindergarten. She caught a few great pictures!

I really like this one. The light is stunning.Oh...and the people look nice!

All this boy wanted to do was feed the "cack cacks". Goodness, he was determined!!

I love these two. Together they are the perfect pair!!

These two best friends are stinking cute!!!

My kids are my heart. Everyone knows that. What most people don't know is that they are my friends too. I am so proud of them and the people they are.

And then there is this guy. He is my knight in shining armor. He is my perfect match. I am one lucky girl!!

Can you believe the cuteness of this sad little face! He just wanted to feed the ducks. No pictures for him!! 

This is my favorite shot. Can you believe that sad face turned into this cheeseball??!??! He is hilarious!!

And one more of this cute couple. I got very lucky when Kevin chose Abby. She is so perfect for our family. We love her to the moon and back!!

Thanks Ashlee!! We love these photos!!

Lagoon

We went to Lagoon on the kid's last day here. Michael was so tired. So while he slept in his stroller for two solid hours Jim and I sat in the shade and did some serious people watching. We sent the kids off to ride rides. Then Michael woke up and we coaxed him on the train. This was the face. He was so timid. We thought for sure he'd love it. 

After the train we broke out the crackers and peanut butter. This kid is so easy to take places. He is fun and not fussy.

He is growing so fast. I love how animated he is when he is excited. I love the way he is snuggly and sweet. I miss him every single day.

We did manage to get one (almost) smile out of him on the train. He is the most amazing gift our family has ever received. We all love him so much!!

Saying good bye was so hard. It ripped out my heart out all over again. I know there is a reason that we are apart...but hopefully some day soon we will be together again.

My Bestie

I have to post this. Snapchat is a dangerous thing. It's easy to take a screenshot of a funny pic. This is my bestie Heather. I cannot even tell you how much I love her. She is such an amazing girl. She will kill me when she sees it...but since she is in MN I will risk it. 

She is my champion and I would be lost without her!!!

The Fair

We loaded up in the van one of our days and went to the Eastern Idaho State Fair. We loved the fair while we lived in Idaho (well, some of us did) and the kids haven't been there in a really long time. 

I think it's funny that Michael liked this. The Merry-Go-Round left him clinging to his dad...but real horses, no problem!!

I wish I had taken a picture of what we were watching. PIGS!! Yep, buddy is a fan. We watched them walking around the judging arena with their owners. Michael could have stayed for hours.

More of the horse-in-a-circle ride. These poor pony's must have been very naughty to end up here in pony purgatory!!

Oddly enough we ran into Joan and Bob Bijorn (some our favorite neighbors in Rigby)!! I was so excited to see them, and at the fair of all places!! They look pretty good for a couple old timers. They have since stopped at our house on the way to one of their doctor appointments. I hope they are able to do that more. 

On the way home there were wrecks on both sides of the freeway. One was a semi hauling beehives. The driver leaned over to grab something and hit a concrete barrier. The air was thick with bees. There were a few beekeepers walking through the ruins. We were sad for all the bees.

The air had a yellow cast to it and we could hear the buzzing from inside the car. The dead bees along the side of the road made us sad. 

This is the second wreck like this in Idaho in September. It was a bad month for bees!!

We wore this little guy out. He slept the whole two and a half hours home. I think he had a good time. I know we did. 

Bye for now!! 

Antelope Island

We loaded up the kids and headed out to Antelope Island one day of their visit. Oh, we love riding in the car!!

My little buddy is such a champ. Give him a train and ball, some snacks and a sippy cup and he is good to go!! He likes to look out the window or play a game with the person sitting next to him.

The girls in the back found ways to occupy their time. 

Michael had never seen a buffalo before....come to think of it, I don't think Theresa had either. Both were impressed. 

The girls thought the lake was pretty. Not as pretty as them!! I can't believe my baby has grown up. It's a strange thing, for sure.

More of my Jo. Cutie.

We took a family pic with the timer on Kevin's camera...but it might be a while until I get a copy of it to post. It turned out pretty good.

Last but not least, me and Michael. We had such a good time being with the kids again. I cannot wait until this becomes a more regular situation. I miss them most dreadfully.