The Caudle Family

Unity's Blessing Day

2011-05-24T21:16:00.000-07:00

On May 15th Matt blessed our 5th child. It was a beautiful blessing and our Unity was even more beautiful. We missed so many of our wonderful priesthood holders, but felt blessed that the arms holding her were filled with so much love!

Unity Joy Caudle

2011-05-05T16:47:00.000-07:00

We brought our new beautiful addition home from the hospital on May 4th 2011, and already we don't know how we lived without her. For those of you who have not heard the story behind her name let me enlighten you... If you have not noticed all of my children's names start with a vowel. Not planned but giving each child a different vowel---Aaron, Electa, Olivia and Isaac.--- leaving only U left (and sometimes Y, but that's possibly for later). We discussed several names, and were recommended several more, most of which left me abandoning the idea and just naming her Abigail. However, Matt decided to have an opinion this time and wanted to stick with using all the vowels. So Unity was the only option in my opinion. I love the name now and am so grateful I let Matt choose.

Greating us at home was: Livi, Isaac, Deanna, Denise, Sarah, Kimmie, Samuel, and Michael. Thanks to you all for the clean house, banners, balloon's, flowers, gifts and love! We love you! Oh and I love her coming home outfit mom!!!

fun in the snow

2011-01-25T12:11:00.000-08:00

Our winter break was pretty basic but we were able to get in some sledding and hot tub time with a LOT of hot chocolate. This was the 1st year that Isaac was really able to enjoy and he was a real trooper. He ran right into a tree, stood up covered in snow, and laughed.

Pumpkin Patch 2010

2010-11-25T10:01:00.000-08:00

Oh how we love Green Bluff! Pumpin carving, Carmel apples, and Family. Life could not be better!

Aaron is Baptized

2010-10-30T20:03:00.000-07:00

We are so proud of our sweet Aaron and the choice that he made to follow the example of our Savior and be baptized. He is such a tender little man and I am grateful to be the mother of such a wonderful and handsome boy. We were able to do the baptism on his actual birthday which made the day extra special. We were blessed to have many family members and friends there to support him. Thank you to all those that traveled to be here for him. We love you!

Apple Orchard 2010

2010-10-25T10:00:00.000-07:00

This is for Debbie

2010-09-15T09:42:00.000-07:00

Deb, thanks for being so patient!!! As you kindly reminded me I have not posted for a while and I am having a hard time getting them all organized let alone posted. These were taken only about 2 weeks ago, so hopefully it will hold you over until I get organized.(no smart comments) I'm not Deanna but I am organized sometimes!

1st day of school

2010-09-10T09:57:00.000-07:00

I cant believe Aaron and Ele will be gone all day! I love that they have each other and wonderful cousins to always be there for them. Ele has Mrs Wold and Aaron has Mrs Astin with Mark in his class with him.

Isaac's 3rd Birthday

2010-04-27T10:00:00.000-07:00

My baby is 3 years old. He loves to give hugs and kisses almost as much as he loves to wrestle. His Dad is his best friend but wants me when he does not get his way... being the baby I'm afraid I spoil him a tad. We love you Isaac.

Ele's Teddy Bear Tea

2010-04-25T09:59:00.000-07:00

At Dalton, every year they do what is called a Teddy Bear Tea, which really only consists of the children performing the songs they learned through the year, singing about a teddy bear, getting a teddy bear, and then afterwards having refreshments. It is so fun to see how excited they get to be able to perform for the first time. And... Ele was the cutest one up there!!!

Livi's 4th Birthday

2010-03-25T09:56:00.000-07:00

Livi had a Princess party this year and invited all her best friends: Ele, Isaac ( who had no problem being a princess) Rachel, Maddie, and Kimmie. What would we do without cousins to be her best friends! Happy Birthday Beautiful Girl!

Ele turns 6

2010-02-25T09:58:00.000-08:00

-Electa turns 6-

Ele wanted this year to have a Tea Party and sleep over at Grammy's! She invited only, Livi, Kimmie and Rachel, which is good because I let Grammy take care of everything. Thanks mom for being so incredible and loving my girl enough to do it!

Family fun in Spokane

2009-12-26T09:55:00.000-08:00

I have no clue where any pictures are of Christmas, and honestly that is alright with me. I already can't remember what the children got for presents anyway, and our Christmas Eve was spent with family and every year traditions (regardless of how great, it tends to be the same every year...) but this year, the day after Christmas, Mom and Dad took our family to Spokane to River Front Park, and that is a memory the children will never forget. We rode the carosel, fed the the ducks, and watched a little christmas movie at the imax, ending the day with going to dinner at the spagetti station. It was a cold but beautiful day and will be in our minds and hearts forever! Thanks so much Mom and Dad!

As a side note, homemade gifts that year were memorable and deserve a mention: Aaron made Ele a little doghouse for her stuffed animal dog foofa. Ele made Aaron a dog made out of golf balls. Livi made Isaac (with a lot of dads help) a blanket with tags on all four corners. And Isaac made Livi (with a lot of moms help) a bag for her to carry all her STUFF around.

That's right, I was surprised too!

2009-11-04T15:00:00.000-08:00

I took Aaron and Ele to school the other day and when we picked up Rachel this is basically how the conversation went

Rachel: "my dad is going to be a pirate".
Aaron: "Really, my dad would never dress up."
Ele: "he will if I ask him"

Matt, later that night: " I don't care what it is, just put it together for me and please make it have a gun"

You can't see the gun but it is there! He is a sucker for his girls.

School Parties

2009-11-04T14:51:00.000-08:00

My kids made it really easy for me this year. After looking for hours for a costume for Aaron he decided he would rather just be the Ninja Turtle again, and was very happy because he was the only one in the whole school. Ele was adamant about being a bunny again this year, but after going to her party and sitting down in her "tight" bunny suit she gave in and was a pirate for the rest of the day, I thought she was darling as both. Livi wanted to be a cheerleader which I somehow missed pictures of and Isaac refused to be anything or do anything.

7 years

2009-11-04T14:43:00.000-08:00

-My sweet Aaron is 7-
7 years ago I brought my little pumpkin home from the hospital on Halloween day, literally as a pumpkin.
What a great weekend for Parties!

Pumpkins

2009-11-04T14:34:00.000-08:00

Green Bluff

2009-11-04T14:32:00.000-08:00

The apple orchard and pumpkin patch at Green Bluff is one of our favorite places to go.
It starts the holidays off for us.

These are just some random pictures of everyone.
Donetta and Mark came all the way over just for this day.
We sure do love having them here for these important memories and miss all those that are not close anymore!

updates FINALLY!

2009-10-15T19:02:00.000-07:00

So, I have been very bad at blogging and I know there is never really a good excuse for not keeping up on my children's life but moving might qualify as an adequate reason. And not moving just once but twice in a matter of 3 months.
As many of you already know but more of you don't, my Uncle Wally moved here to CDA and decided that his house would be a good place to live (which has been my home for the last 4 years) As much as I loved the home and was bummed about leaving it I was thrilled to have him come home, I have been begging him to do this for years. Well, 4 children and hearing aids don't get along very well. He was amazing and would have been willing to make it work with us living there but I could not ask him to do that.
Move #1-my parents graciously took us in. We moved into their attic while I looked for a rental home. Every day my children would ask in their prayers that they could have another sleepover at Grandma's and Papa's. Those sleepovers lasted for 2 months and the children never got tired of it. Not that they would, Papa made papacorn almost every night for them, and UNO and Mexican Train were a nightly favorite. Aaron was content being Papa's shadow, Ele loved the fact that we had a big family sleepover every night, Livi loved her 5:00 am snuggle time with grandma, and Isaac loved making Buffy's life miserable. I believe that time will be a major cherished childhood memory for them. Thanks Dad and Mom for everything, you are the best and we love you the most!
Move #2- I am very picky. I wanted a nice, clean, home in Dalton gardens ward, and close to Dalton school, I didn't want it to be too big, but not too small either. I wanted a big, fenced, back yard, good neighborhood, and I had to keep my cat (I am anti mice these days.) Big closets in the bedrooms, and I was determined to have a fireplace,- Matt did not consider that priority but I did. I wanted all of this to be under $900 and I did not want to sign a lease. Miracle of Miracles, as I was driving around I saw a tiny, homemade "For Rent" sign on the garage. Heavenly Father was truly watching out for us that day. The house is only 3 years old and darling. We all love it! I cant wait to decorate it for Christmas, the fireplace is going to be a perfect focal point.....
Now I'm ready for the holidays.
Continue to scroll down. There are a few fun posts there!

1st day of school

2009-10-15T19:00:00.000-07:00

Aaron is in 1st grade with Mrs Wold. He was bummed at first because he did not get into Mark's class but was relieved when he saw Kiley and Karsten there, fortunately he is not shy at all and has already made several new friend. He loves the social part of school but it is like pulling teeth to get him to do homework. Oh wait, he hardly has any teeth left to pull! He is now gone all day long and I cant begin to tell you how much he is missed. I love you Aaron.

My Electa is in Kindergarden this year with Ms Elliot, and boy was she ready. She loves to learn and comes home every day so proud that she actually talked to someone. However she is very missed at home, without our peacemaker my two very determined "babies" are quickly learning what the word SHARE means. I love and miss you too Ele.

2009-10-15T17:48:00.000-07:00

About a month ago our family went on our traditional picnic to Manito Park. I love this particular day for taking fun, casual pictures with cousins, it was a beautiful day, one of the last warm weekends of the summer.

Several years ago I sat down with Matt's mom, his sister Candy, and sister-in-law Missy, and they all helped me start Aaron scrapbook. Candy is amazingly good at it and she taught me to be very careful to not cut out too many things in the background of a picture, she said "those are the things you might someday consider priceless".
In case you cant tell it is my dad with Isaac. I even love the dirty fingernails.

Cousin Time

2009-08-29T20:51:00.000-07:00

There is nothing better than spending time with your best friends, what a great summer we all had!

Silverwood

2009-08-29T20:44:00.000-07:00

What did we do every summer before there was Silverwood?
We love this place. Aaron can ride alone this year and Ele was able to go with an adult, poor Livi is going to have to wait another 3 years before she can go on anything, she is so stinkin' short Isaac will probably get to go before her. Oh well, as long as she is with Kimmi she is happy!

Our Summer consisted of 2 things. Hydes and Girls Camp

2009-08-28T09:54:00.000-07:00

Debbie and her kids were able to come and spend a whole month with us. It always amazes me how the children can go months without seeing each other and are best friends immediately. Life is so great when all the family is together!

As soon as Debbie left I turned into Florence Nightingale. I was asked to portray this amazing woman and her Good Works to the girls at Girls camp, along with many other incredible women. It was way out of my comfort zone but I feel blessed to have played a small part in that wonderful program.

Memorial Day Camping

2009-08-28T09:53:00.000-07:00

Bryant came with us this year and played the fiddle, what a treat that was. He is so very talented

2009-05-29T10:34:00.000-07:00

Aaron Played Soccer for the 1st time this year and loved it! He had some great friends on his team so that made it even better. I know that it is just my 1st of many sporting events, but I think I had as much fun as he did. He is excited for the golf season, and baseball, and tennis, and football, OK so every sport. I hope my excitement continues also!

On a side note - I asked Ele if she wanted to play Soccer next year and she said that she did as long as she could get a cute ribbon for her ponytail. Matt got her even more excited by telling her that he would get her matching socks too! She is so girl.

Weeds or Flowers?

2009-05-18T18:59:00.000-07:00

As much as I dislike those little yellow flowers/weeds that seem to take over the lawn, and no matter how hard I try to get rid of them every year I cant help but love them at the same time.

Who wouldn't?

School is almost out!

2009-05-18T18:25:00.000-07:00

Aaron with his buddy Mark

More Friends.... Where is Gabe???

This year Dalton Elementary decided to combine the Teddy Bear Tea (a performance of all the songs they have learned through the year) with the kindergarten graduation. It was great to get them both done at one time but was bummed when they said that they still had to stay in school for the last 3 weeks even though they graduated! I am SO ready for him to be home, I really miss him while he is gone for those few hours. I don't know what I am going to do next year with him gone all day. Way to go Buddy I love you the most!

2009-05-18T18:10:00.000-07:00

2009-05-14T20:56:00.000-07:00

They Love their Dad!

Girls Night

2009-05-14T20:49:00.000-07:00

Once a year, when all the boys are out for the Father and Son's Campout all of us girls get together. We had a few new additions this year which was great because we really missed Jen and the girls not being with us!

Isaac Wallace

2009-04-27T20:01:00.000-07:00

I cant believe that my baby is 2. What an angel. For the 1st year of his life he had to be the easiest baby ever! So good in fact that I could put him in his bouncer or bumbo or high chair and you would not hear anything out of him for hours. He sucks his thumb so he started sleeping through the night almost immediately, and easily 8 hours a night! He has a ready smile and great laugh. He is the light of our lives and truly another miracle in our family, oh how we love our little Zac!

Our Livi

2009-03-07T11:42:00.000-08:00

Olivia Deanna Caudle

She is 3 today! What a joy this little girl is in our lives. I have not told her that today is her birthday because Matt is out of town so we are going to wait until he gets home to have her party! We Love you Livi

Livi is 3 years old

2009-03-07T11:33:00.000-08:00

With the other children I have reminisced about their birth on their birthday so that someday they can look back and read about themselves and know my thoughts at the time and how much I love them. So please bear with my sentimentality's.

Livi was the only one of my children that almost made it full term, but not for her lack of desire to get here early. I was in the hospital for 2 weeks, stuck reading good books and sleeping when ever I wanted with meals brought to me in bed. Tough life, I know. But really, at the time I was miserable and felt very helpless while my family was left to deal with my 2 and 3 year old at home. To make things worse they decorated the babies room, made curtains for my kitchen and scrubbed my entire house. Are they the greatest or what! After watching the baby for 2 weeks they said I could go home. That was when she decided to wait an additional 2 weeks to come. Only 1 week early. Her birth was so easy that I actually came home the same day she was born!

And Oh was she worth the wait! she is still very determined to do things her own way but that is what makes her special. Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

2009-03-01T19:30:00.000-08:00

We Love Sleepovers! I suppose that I enjoy them because I get to spend quality time with my children's best friends, which happen to be some of my favorite people. I would like to think that I am their "favorite Aunt" however I know that I have steep competition and it is not very likely. But that wont keep me from trying!
This weekend we had 11 total at my house. We had children coming out our ears! at least that is what it feels like after all the noise we had! Matt was a dear and treated them all to McDonald's and Dollar tree, we had more candy and papacorn than I will ever agree to have again and ended the night by watching Madagascar 2.
Thanks Adam, Rachel and Kimberly for all your help!

I wonder if it would be too hard to convince their parents to go away next weekend too!

Valentine's

2009-02-19T20:07:00.000-08:00

Because Matt and I went out on a date for Valentines Day, on Sunday we made the children feel loved. The girls got their roses from Dad and big heart cookies from Mom. All in all everyone went to bed feeling extremely loved!

MY VALENTINE

2009-02-11T15:42:00.000-08:00

I don't usually get on the blog and post things, but with valentines day coming this weekend I decided that I wanted to write a little note to my darling wife.

Dawna-
I hope this post is going to be a little reminder of the love that I have for you. I know I don't show it as often as I should but I truly love you. You are a inspiration to me and I am trying everyday to be better than I was yesterday because of your love for me. When I think of you there are not enough words to express what a wonderful person, mother and especially a wife that you are. I hope you are listening to the words of this song when you are reading this because I am in love with my best friend. When life gets hard for me and I need someone to talk to or to comfort me you are there and willing to hear me ramble on and on about how bad things are for me and you do it without complaint. I appreciate everything that you do for me and the children. You are a wonderful mother, don't think other wise. I am so grateful that I am married to you. These 7 years have been worth every heartache that we went through and I know that spending that rest of my life with you is going to be the best years of my life. I love you Dawna and wanted everyone that looks at the blog to know that.
Love,
Matt

Electa LaRee Caudle

2009-02-09T19:41:00.000-08:00

5 years ago tonight I was in Pullman WA. with my sister Debbie as she was giving birth to her 1st girl. I went down a few days early to help so she could come home to a clean house and such. Seeing as Lexi is a Hyde and somewhat determined to do things her own way, we were all night in the hospital, sleeping on the ground in the waiting room. Little did I know that I would give birth the very next day to my own little girl. ( I think it was scrubbing the floor boards that did it) I was not due for another 4 weeks and she was suppose to be a boy. Imagine our surprise when we were blessed with our own perfect girl!

Electa and Alexis

Debbie did not make it in time for the delivery. Excuses, excuses!

Happy Birthday Beautiful Girl!

2009-02-08T20:19:00.000-08:00

Love Remains

2009-01-13T13:27:00.000-08:00

We are living proof that Love Remains

That is right, David is helping my son spray lighter fluid into a fire, and I am still really missing him. go figure!

David: I will miss his ability to make any moment lighter with his laughter and teasing
Jen: I am going to miss having her here when I have my babies, and me being there for her. I am also going to miss her Sunday night meals.
Joshua : I will miss his sweet spirit and gentleness with my children. I could always count on Josh to do a talk, scripture or prayer in primary at a moments notice.
Kyndra: I will miss her mothering and calmness and patience.
Hailee: I am going to miss how she would take Ele and Livi and dress them up and make them feel like princesses, I will miss her darling voice.
Gabe: I will miss not having him here for Aaron and all of the momentous things that they would have done in their lives together, (schools, baptisms, dates, sports)
Michael: What is there not to miss about that sweetest of sweet boys!

That's how I know!

2009-01-04T20:43:00.000-08:00

Happy 7th Anniversary
January 4, 2002

That's How I know he loves me!
1. He never complains about moving furniture around
2. He never even suggest that I use a shovel/rake
3. He always warms up the car, and turns on my seat heater
4. He never makes me go in the basement (I don't like bugs)
5. He weeds the whole garden ( I really don't like bugs)
6. He always peals my oranges
7. He watches Hallmark movies with me
8. He hand pushes mowing the front lawn (just because I think it looks better)
9. He rubs my feet
10. He lets me take 2 hour naps on Sunday
And Many More Things!!!
I LOVE YOU MATT!

2008-12-31T19:17:00.000-08:00

2008-12-31T16:56:00.000-08:00

Snoooo Fun

2008-12-19T17:21:00.000-08:00

We had the most beautiful snow storm. Almost 3 feet in 24 hours. As you can see it is almost to the kids waist.

We have had the never ending dressing and undressing.

Its a good thing it is beautiful because I could swear that a good portion gets into the house.

Again, proof that Papa is the greatest!

The Christmas fun begins

2008-12-09T22:28:00.000-08:00

We started off the Christmas holiday with one of the children's favorite things to do.

The Coeur d'Alene Light Cruise.

This consists of going on the boat, drinking hot chocolate, seeing all the lights, visiting Santa at the North Pole, and most of all, being with family.

Chistmas is here!

2008-12-09T21:06:00.000-08:00

It seems like Christmas comes so fast every year. It might have something to do with the fact that I turn Christmas music on in September, however it never really hits until the day after Thanksgiving when we pull out the decorations and finally turn on Roger Whitaker for the 1st time, the kids singing "our" traditional CD that finally makes it real.
WE LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR!

Thanks Deanna for the cool new way to display more than one picture at a time!

Honoring Vetrans' Day!

2008-11-12T10:16:00.000-08:00

Our Cousin Stephen was here for 2 weeks. He is a Sargeant Major in the Army Special Forces. We were honored to have him attend our elementary school assembly with our children and they were proud to have him there. We could not have asked for a better example.

Thank You Stephen and all the other men and women who serve for us and our Amazing Country!

Halloween Party

2008-11-01T12:51:00.000-07:00

Last night our ward had a great Halloween party, it was very well prepared and the children loved it, there were games, food, candy, hay rides, and lots of space,everything you could want at a party. I left Matt in charge of Isaac and ran to do the activities with the other 3 kids, we had a blast. Matt was quite worn out after the night was done, he definitely had the harder job!

Zac was a bee! ( we have one of those every year)

Aaron was the Red Ninja Turtle
This is him playing one of the games, but it was Livi who really got into them- I could not even help her aim.

I let the two older kids pick what they wanted to be this year,

Ele was a Bunny Rabbit, big surprise!

If you did not know, her nick name is "Ele Belly Bunny Rabbit" given to her by her Papa

I don't know how I missed Ele at the party

so this is her at Aaron's School party with Michael and Livi

Emmalee, Mandy, Jamin, Melissa, Jessica, David, and Joey

These are some of my favorite kids, Mandy and Emma were a little creepy but Lissa was the cutest adult pirate I have ever seen, and I was told that Joey made a mushroom look pretty darn good. Jess is "too old now" and Jamin and David were just poops.

I would like to think that I was the angel between the witches but when it came right down to it, I was a poop also!

Pumpkin Carving

2008-11-01T12:17:00.001-07:00

Many of you know how it is with carving pumpkins, the parents end up doing 90% of the job. Matt did the carving and I was the one who dug through the goup to find the seeds. Regardless, the children all are very proud of the way "their" pumpkins turned out.

Ele is my unique child, last year she wanted a white pumpkin and thought that it was pretty cool to be different so she wanted to do the same thing this year, but there were none to be found, at least at the fruit stand we went to, but she saw the red one and said that one would do. (The Goup is a lot more slimy in the red than the regular orange, but the seeds are quite a bit larger if anyone is interested)

The Pumpkins all aglow

Yes, that is a Coffin in on our porch. Matt is endlessly tormenting my mom and he built it for her but she didnt want it (I cant imagine why) It worked out pretty good for us. It just finishes my halloween porch decorations.

Aaron Turns 6

2008-10-24T17:38:00.000-07:00

Aaron's Monster Truck

No laughing, I never claimed to be a culinary artist. He requested a Monster Truck, I know it looks more like an old fashioned farm truck but he loved it anyway.

Opening presents with all his friends
When we asked him what he wanted to do for his birthday he said that he wanted to go
"real golfing, not the fake kind".
even though they only got through 6 holes before they decided they had had enough, they all came home feeling very old and proud of themselves
Aaron will often go out in the yard with

Papa and Grammy and hit golf balls.

Not to brag but he is actually quite good, OK so I am bragging.

Biggest Mistake

2008-10-22T14:31:00.000-07:00

My Sister Debbie wanted to see my biggest mistake on film so here it is!

The kids named him Sammy. I would have said no, but Matt knew exactly what to do. He brought the little ball of fur home as a surprise! How can you say no to that. He really is cute. I would be more upset about it but I do know that because Matt loves dogs he will be well trained and I wont have to do anything for him. So, you tell me, could you say no to that?

Besides I did get a kitten not even 3 weeks ago. I really had no leverage.

I Have Been Blessed

2008-10-14T19:36:00.000-07:00

We finally got our family pictures taken. The last time we did this it was with just Aaron and Ele, I cant believe how quick the time flies, maybe we can keep this one current for a while!

I must admit that in the past it was really hard to find incentive to get our pictures taken knowing that it would be outdated in 9 months. But just look at those faces and see why we continue to bring them into the world. I have been blessed!

Just us Girls

Cute guys

Remodeling

2008-10-02T14:11:00.001-07:00

Our house is in constant remodel - we are trying to pay cash as we go along so it is a slow process. We have already redone several portions of our house that were a necessity like our kitchen and bathroom, but this was one of my biggest pet peeves. The back door that you are looking at was a finger chopper and the kids had to push with their feet against the frame to even be able to open it, and no matter what we did we could not keep the handle on. The window was so low we could not see out of it with out bending over. Well 2 years later it finally happened.

This is our new slider. I can see the whole back yard and I love it.

This is our carpenter. Kind of goofy but cute none the less.
Many of you have never seen our Humble Abode. Well, this is it and believe it or not it looks 100 times better than it did when we got it. I think it gets cuter every day, I am usually decorated for Halloween by now but my flowers are doing so good I don't have the heart to pull them out yet.

New Kitten

2008-10-02T13:53:00.000-07:00

I am not a huge animal lover in fact the only animals that I have ever gotten on my own were because they were either sick, dying neglected or very ugly, and Matt certainly is not a cat guy . However this kitten was both neglected and ugly, and Matt cant ever tell me no, so... it was meant to be ours. For the 1st time I do not regret my decision. She is so gentle. Most of the time Isaac is carring her upside down and she just hangs there. The Kids adore her. Now I just have to deal with a litter box, craziness at night, and in the future, kittens. (I have the philosophy that every female deserves the chance to be a mother at some point in her life. even a cat. ) then we have to get her fixed and declawed so our Free kitten was not so Free.
Side note: She loves Matt, and will not leave him alone.

Grandparents Day!

2008-09-17T10:48:00.000-07:00

In Honor of Grandparents day last week, Let me just say, my kids have the greatest grandparents! This was not just a pose, he really mowed the whole lawn like this with one more most of the time. Livi got bored half way through. Thanks Mom and Dad we love you the most.

Mother and Father Prayer

2008-09-09T17:04:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful day it was for our Aaron, I know without a doubt that I was more scared than he was. He has been such a strength around the house and the thought of him leaving the safety of our home to go into the world was a bitter sweet thought. I know what an example he can and will be to everyone that he comes in contact with but it breaks my heart to know that he will now see and experience things that a mother never wants their child to know. However, I am blessed with the knowledge that he is not alone, and that the Lord will watch, protect and comfort him during those few hours that my arms cant always be there for him. I love you Aaron.
The night before school started my sweet, wonderful Matt, went into our bedroom and spent some time in prayer and came out dressed and ready to bless our sweet son with the strength that he would need to start the next chapter in his life. How blessed we are to have the gospel in our lives.
I cant imagine their being a cuter kindergartner out there, although I know there are mothers out there that might disagree, Gabe and Mark made a very close second
This is the group from my side of the family that attend Dalton Elementary. I am so grateful that Aaron has such good examples and friends so close to him.

Floating the River

2008-09-01T21:36:00.000-07:00

We did our annual float the Coeur d'Alene river trip. For those of you who don't know about this, it is quite the ordeal. The water is freezing, at some points you have to get out of your raft and walk because it is so shallow, the water is freezing, you have to paddle at least 75% of the way because there is no current, did I mention it is freezing, and it is a blast. Matt thinks it is a lot of work but tries not to complain too much. we always have so much fun.

Still Young

2008-09-01T21:29:00.000-07:00

When we got done with floating the river all the kids decided that we should jump off the bridge. It is about 4 stories high into FREEZING water. I had done it several times when I was younger so I could understand their desire, however that desire was completely gone for me now. But my husband being the sympathetic man that he is reminded me that my son was starting kindergarten and I was turning 30 all in the same week and that I should jump one more time before I was OLD. So of course I had to do it. To prove that I did, I opted to put the picture of me in the water right after I landed rather than the one of me flying through the air. Trust me it was for your benefit.
Matt on the other hand was pretty proud of his moment, he dove, almost Olympic quality too!! Way to go Matt!!!

Labor Day Camping

2008-09-01T20:20:00.000-07:00

It seems that everyone from my family has officially gotten too old or too BIG that the thought of camping the day before school starts was a little much for them. This year it was just my parents and our family, ( they joined us on Saturday for the day though) it was really the 1st time that we have ever had to cook at a camp out and frankly Matt and I decided that we would almost rather not eat. No seriously, my family has always made major meals at camping and with a lot of hands it never seemed so bad but with just us we have decided hot dogs sound really good. Fortunately dad never fails with the dutch oven and popcorn so we survived.

Best Friends

2008-08-25T19:48:00.000-07:00

For anyone who knows my Ele, she can sleep anywhere as long as she has her blanket and her thumb, but this takes it to the extreme. It was still a picture I could not resist.

Summer Fun

2008-08-15T20:04:00.000-07:00

We have had such a wonderful summer filled with lots of great times, however on one of our adventures we lost our camera. Thank goodness for Papa, I borrowed some of his pictures so I could put up a new post. We started out our summer going camping where Aaron caught his 1st fish, Matt had to work so uncle Andy was a trooper and helped him. (I am not really good with the whole worm thing) he also learned how to ride a 2 wheeler this trip. Uncle David must have ran that loop a dozen times to accomplish it. I even did a 1st and pulled the trailer. Which didn't seem so bad. Of course Dad backed it in to the spot, and David, Andy and Randy stabilized and leveled it for me. Family is the greatest! It sure made me appreciate and miss Matt, I always knew I was not a real big help while camping but this time I learned just how worthless I usually am. Maybe I'll be better next time, doubt it though, it wasn't much fun (the work part I mean) the camping was great!

Coulee Camping

2008-08-15T19:28:00.001-07:00

We have quite the group at church, we almost double their ward. We have learned to bring our own bread and no one is ever prepared for our family in Primary

Camping at Coulee

2008-08-15T19:06:00.000-07:00

One of our favorite and most relaxing places to go is Grand Coulee, I started going with Deanna's family when I was single and have continued going with them ever since with my own family. However for some reason it seemed to be more relaxing then. go figure- Matt had to work again but he drove back and forth when he could to help me with the children, again, I had to pull the trailer, not much fun I'm tellin ya, but it was worth it, again we had a great time.

Father and Sons

2008-08-15T16:12:00.000-07:00

Again Matt was working so Papa took Aaron to the Father/Sons outing this year. (I guess dad thought Isaac would miss me, he didn't even volunteer to take him)

Isaac is ONE

2008-06-17T09:53:00.001-07:00

Our sweet Isaac is One, what a blessing he has been in our lives, if I told you how good he was you could never really believe it. He has a constant smile and everyone in the family adores him, but we have another thumb sucker, (which I find really convenient) he sleeps through the night, and still takes 2, 2 hour naps a day, he is so patient with Livi who is always picking, poking and pulling on him. He is just now walking and if the kids would ever leave him alone he would probably be running, he is loving the sunshine and kiddie pool and is content all day long playing with his car. He adores Grandma, and snuggles with her every chance he gets. We love our Angel and count him as one of our biggest blessings.

For his birthday we went to "Rainbow Park" and had Dad's dutch oven. Aunt Jen made him his yummy bithday cake, and the children had a little scavanger hunt. The whole family was there EXCEPT DEBBIE'S, Isaac just sat and watched happily.

Our Sweet Boy!

2008-06-16T17:31:00.001-07:00