Eagle Island!

Tuesday we met our friends the Pittman's at Eagle Island. They were our neighbors when we built our first house in Nampa 7 years ago. It was fun getting together with them again- it's been a long time. We've both doubled our families since we saw each other! The kids loved the cool water & warm sand. It was a fun little place, clean, close, & cheap!

Elena loved riding on the blow up toy. Riha P. loved getting her picture taken- it was so funny! Aundrea & Alexis stayed in the deep the whole time- they had a great time getting to know one another again.

Kaylee, Elena being pushed around by Jayden. Gabe's in the background swimming all around- he had a life jacket on cause it did get a little deep back there.

Kaylee & Kobin fed Zander grapes one after another. Amazingly he didn't choke- He loved the special attention!

Z's hands were so sandy he couldn't feed himself even if he wanted to! Zander was in heaven with all the sand to dig in!

Eagle Island was a hit- We all had a great time & the kids are already asking to go back!

Reminiscing With Friends

This week I got to catch up with friends from the past! It was so great! I forgot how much I missed them & how much fun we had growing up. We talked about old times & some of the crazy things we did. :) We always had fun & lived life to the fullest! I'm so grateful to have created such wonderful relationships-we were able to pick up from where we left off 20 years ago!

My 2nd cousin Kimberlee Relyea McWhorter came by Wednesday for lunch. We were best friends growing up & have so many fun memories! She always made me laugh! We did a lot of crazy things but thanks to guardian angels- we were kept safe! :)

I thought this was just a cute picture of Zander- he's getting used to smiling for the camera!

Wednesday night we met at Marie Calendars with Clark Johnson, Holly Peterson Deim, Kimberlee, & Matt Howard. We've all known each other since 2nd grade (app.30years)! We laughed so hard remembering the funny things we did together! We're all grown up now & have families now. All of us but Kim live here so hopefully we'll get together more often. I had so much fun!! I love these guys!! Thanks for the memories!

4th of July!!

We went to the Middleton parade this year which was really fun! It was packed but we found good seats & patiently waited for it to start. We thought we were at the beginning but later found out we were close to the end. It was hot but the people in the last half of the parade spray you with water- that helped! God Bless America! I'm so grateful to live in our free country! Thank you to all the military men & women who preserve our freedoms! That's you Mike!

Our little sweetheart Elena- unless you get in her way!

Z didn't really care about the big parade- just the parade of water & trash that came floating by!

Finally the parade started & the kids were ready to collect their candy- Elena got the most. She wasn't afraid to run & take it from the big kids nearby! :)

Later after naps we had Kade & Riley over for a very yummy dinner! Dutch oven chicken & potatoes, corn on the cob, salad, strawberries & of course cherry pie for dessert!

Zander loved the FIREWORKS!

Z & Elena loved hanging out with Kade!

The favorite firework? STROBE LIGHT!! Get up & dance- Groovy Riley!

Getting a little crazy there Gabe!

There faces show it all- the fireworks around us, in the air, & our own were amazing! Thanks again Brian for the great entertainment!

HAPPY 36TH BIRTHDAY BRIAN!

On the 6th was Brian's birthday! He & I went to dinner & a movie while Grandma & Grandpa Evans watched the kids. Then after our date we went back to their house & had cake & icecream. We're still eating cherries so for his cake I made a devils food cake with cherries & cream in the middle covered in chocolate frosting! Yummmmmy! If I don't say so myself!

Zander's 1st Haircut!

It was time to finally trim up Z's hair! It was a little sad but he's so cute we don't want him looking like a girl!

Brian had deep concentration!

Z actually didn't mind the haircut- A little wiggly but for the most part he just sat there. He thought it was fun sitting on the counter & staring into the mirror!

The finished product! He looks more like a little boy rather than a baby now! :(

You did a good job Brian!

Tis the Season of Canning!!

It's that time of year again! Actually canning came a little early this year- My friend Vicki has a cherry tree that went crazy this year so she let us come pick. After 2-1/2 hours of picking endless cherries we got app. 7 gallons worth. It didn't look like alot but after cleaning, pitting, canning, drying, freezing, pureeing (sp?) it was plenty! I ended up getting 28 qts of whole cherries- 2 broke :( 7 pts pie filling- 1 broke :( :( 3 things of fruit leather, 4 trays dried cherries, 1 gallon bag frozen, & app 1/2 gallon still to eat fresh! ! Whew! Aundrea helped alot cause she's working on one of her Personal Progress projects. After dinner we had cherry smoothies!

Thanks Vicki for the cherries & thanks to Lil O for helping me & Aundrea pick them! all!!