Pile of Leaves

Isla came home last week in a bad mood.  Not sure what the problem was, but all we had to do to get her out of her funk was rake up a big pile of leaves and let her and Drew jump/walk/fall into them:

 I think they could have done this all night!  Another reason to love the fall season in Idaho.

Fall Festivities

We have had an easy going October so far - thank goodness!  My favorite time of year is upon us and we celebrated by taking the kids to the fall festival at the Idaho Botanical Gardens:

This may be my new favorite festival for the kids, mostly due to the fact that they have beer and wine for the adults.

Ryan and I made it to a Bronco football game (another fall favorite of mine!) this past weekend.  It was a beautiful day for football:

 While we were at the game, the kids hung out with Grandma Connie:

Thanks Grandma for watching the kids so we could go to the game!

Swiper the Horse

So my husband likes to think he is younger than he is and play flag football with the 20-year olds.  Well, actually his whole team is like that considering they are the oldest team in the league.  But I've got to hand it to them, they seem to win the league each year - how does that saying go again "Old age and treachery will overcome youth and skill every time"?  Anyways, back to my post (I promise flag football has something to do with it).  Last week I took the kids to one of Ryan's flag football games and the field he played at has a horse corral (only in Idaho).  I have been to many games at this field before, but this was the first time I actually saw a horse, make that two, using the corral.

My kids reaction to the horses are so telling - Isla stayed glued to our blanket by the football field while Drew took off running after them.  Thankfully one of the riders was nice and let some of the kids ride on her horse.  Isla watched the whole spectacle from her security blanket while Drew actually let me put him on the horse.  He giggled the entire ride!  I love this little guy and his no-fear attitude:

On another note, Drew kept calling the horse Swiper (the fox from Dora the Explorer).  I have no idea why.  I kept telling him "no, Drew, that's a horse" to which he would reply an enthusiastic "neigh!".  So I think he knew it was a horse? Anyways, I gave in and we called him Swiper.

After the horse left, Isla magically became unglued from her blanket and went back to playing with her brother:

I know her cautious personality will be something I appreciate in the future!

Isla's 4th Birthday Party

Isla got to have all of her friends from school over for a birthday party a couple of weekends ago.  Since we don't have that big of a yard we borrowed a small bounce house from the Kearney's and hoped that would entertain seven four year-olds for two hours!

Isla waiting patiently for her guests to show up:

 The party in full swing:

 Isla opening her gifts with her friends:

 Getting ready for cupcakes:

 Of course Isla shied away when we began singing "Happy Birthday" (but Hank was right there to eat her cupcake should she not be able to):

 Blowing out her candle in front of her friends (Hank was really disappointed that he didn't have to step in):

After some more bouncing the kids entered a sugar coma on the couch:

Although it was chaos for two hours, our kids went to bed with no fuss that night and slept in the next morning.  So worth it!  And of course it was worth it for our Isla Bean!

Isla Turns Four!

Next up, Isla Bean's 4th birthday!  Crazy that I have been a mother for four years now.  On Isla's birthday we had a family celebration with Papa, Gigi and Krista.  Isla was very excited to open all of her gifts:

 She really loved her dress-up shoes from Papa and Gigi:

She really did not like all of us singing "Happy Birthday" to her.  Just like her parents, doesn't like to be the center of attention:

We finally got a smile once she blew out the candle.  I think it was because she wanted the cupcake - a girl after my own heart:

Happy Birthday Miss Isla Bean!  You are growing into such a caring, sweet (and sometimes feisty!) young lady and we love you so much.

Drew Turns Two!

So after the whole wedding weekend we had to hurry home and get ready for the birthday week!  Papa and GiGi stayed with us to help us celebrate.  First came Drew's 2nd birthday on Monday, and, as you can see we were all still a bit tired from the big weekend:

Isla was a great helper and taught Drew how to open his presents:

After his lesson from Isla, he got into the spirit quick and reminded us all that he is turning two by yelling "mine, mine, mine" every time we opened a present.  He really liked the drum from Mom and Dad:

The tool bench and t-ball set from Papa and GiGi were big hits as well:

 Notice Isla's defensive stance in the picture above - do we have a future baseball player among us?  I think so:

So Drew really isn't into sweets at all.  While I consider myself lucky and don't want to push it I can't help but wonder how he can resist a cupcake?  Crazy.  He really didn't want anything to do with this:

Don't worry - I ate it for him (and maybe a couple more).  Happy Birthday Drew man!  We love you so much and you bring a smile to our faces everyday!

Anna & Robert's Wedding

The wedding day finally arrived and it was a beautiful morning - I think this was the only day we didn't have smoke in the area due to the fires:

 First order of business was breakfast with the family:

Then it was off to the cabins to begin hair and make-up.  Anna and I cuddled in the bed to get warm:

Anna waits patiently to get her hair done:

The finished product:

Next on to make-up:

Finally in her dress sneaking a peak at Robert who was getting his pictures taken:

I had to hand the camera over to Ryan during the ceremony and these were the only ones he was able to get (while trying to handle Isla and Drew):

Isla was quick to take off her boots after the ceremony (I don't blame her):

 Papa and Grandma entertaining Drew until dinner:

The happy couple arriving after pictures:

Dinner time:

First dance:

Father/daughter dance:

Sexy bride showing off her cowboy boots:

It was such a beautiful wedding and we all had a great time dancing the night away, especially these three: