While we stayed in Twin Falls, we visited Shoshone Falls one night after Chris got out of class. Olivia loved it!

I wish it would have made her so tired that she wouldn't have to sleep with us though. We just didn't take into consideration that she has never been away from home {so different from the other kids huh} with the exception of going to Missouri to visit Nanna and Pop, and then she had her siblings with her. There was lots of weeping and wailing and even screaming {in her sleep}.

Ok, so I really DID NOT get enough pictures of the kids all together as there are none that have that "WOW I should frame that!" quality. O-well. Live and learn.

Mattilda....the spaz dog.

the girls

stinky boys

Braden ( who just started on the track team *whoot*)

Savannah Bannana

W. Colton ....happens to LOVE the camera.

Olivia Grace.....Livvy Lovey...Liv....the Liv....you get the idea.

It was near impossible to find a spot to take pictures for Easter this year. I was hoping for a wonderful spring park shot that would have tulips and daffodils etc. in the back with a lovely trellis etc, at the very least a few leaves and some green grass with a crocus or something, but NO!!!

Idaho is holding onto winter for as long as possible and that is ok, but it doesn't make for very "springy" photos.

I wanted to go to the college in the botanical gardens there. I was pretty sure that we would find something nice, but Chris had to put his new Christmas present to use ( a HONKIN big grill) and smoke the Easter ham so we couldn't leave because his apple wood smoking thing needed monitoring. It was worth the drab backgrounds for pics though, as we had a super QUIET and small Easter dinner. It was so nice.

We did miss the fact that our Hootah cousins didn't make it up. Hopefully we will see them soon, as I think we will all go through withdrawls, or at least suffer the effects of it from the kids!

Livvybug

Olivia and I were leaving the funeral of D. Woods, a dear friend of my Aunt B's and my Aunt D's Sister. It was apparently too much sitting for Olivia because she was EXCTATIC to be outside. Even though I was running late to get to the ROTC closing social for the semester, and it was raining/snowing she apparently needed to get a good run in. I had my camera, and just took some shots of her getting some energy spent. They turned out pretty cute.

What a monkey!

Olivia got this outfit for Christmas, but got the hat later, as I think I am going to do her 3 year old photos in this outfit, but she CUT her hair off! A good 4" off the back and then the next day she lopped off her pony tail that Aunt Mia put on top of her head. Stinky baby.

Having a bad day? Watch this link, you will feel better!!!

We are told from a young age that we all have something special to offer. How easy it is to think that to be something special, one must fit into a mold of what our society values.Talents come in all forms, and although not always revealed in such a big way, we all have things to offer that might surprise and uplift those around us.Take a moment, watch this link that I have posted here, and ponder what your personal talent that might be. Whether it be a little hidden; either to yourself or to others, or something that you might not consider a talent at all. Having watched this video I was brought to think about how sometimes we forget our own worth because of fear of the scoffing from the great and spacious building. Please watch this! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

Patterson's chocolate mug cake

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil ..or try real butter...worked very well
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
a small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mixthoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts (high). The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).So we all have 5 mintues and we can make a cake and eat it to in that time so thats why this is so DANGEROUS HAHA!

Spring Fever

Ok, so I have a foot of snow on my roof that seems to think that it should be melting and coming in through an ice dam and onto Colton's window sill and bed. It is time for winter to be over. Now. Not June like last year. GRRRR.

Anyway, I have spring fever and am trying to feel better about the NON receding snow line in my yard by making plans. I have a dress pattern picked out to do for Liv, and a bag I want to make for myself. I am thinking about what to do after I take after my front yard with some ROUND UP. Easter will be here soon (but the downside is that by then I will be another year OLDER). And horse 4-H is starting up again for the spring. The horses need some excercize so badly! If we are still around I am going to finish my chicken coop project and get the hens off the farm and over to our place.

We are already making plans for a Memorial Weekend ride/camping trip, and are thinking about what night to go to the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo ( a spring tradition ). We might even go twice one time with family and kids, and another on a ...get this....date...(gasp!) with friends. Chris even has plans for this years first white water trip with his cadets, and has a big paint ball thing planned with the ROTC that he has invited Braden and maybe even Dallan to go on. Lots of fun later. None now. Must wait. Groan.