We are in Mourning

The loss of a loved one has cause us to pause our lives and reflect on what is really important. You never really appreciate those who are always there for you until they disappear out of your life forever. This tooth has been with us through thick and thin and never falters. Sara was blessed with 21 baby teeth - that is one more than most (average, ungenious, unspecial) kids. It has always been crooked and sticking out and definately gave her a unique look. When it started wiggling (for the second time) we were sad to see it go, but you can't hold on to baby teeth forever. You know a tooth is loose when you can close your mouth and the tooth hangs out! After its pulled! Much Better! Before again! (who's posting this anyway and can't figure out what order to put the pictures in?)

Zoo Boise

My sister Susan and niece Britney came to visit us and the highlight of the weekend was our trip to the zoo. It was so fun to spend time with them. The kids have really been having withdrawls from family. Watching some funny animal, it doesn't look like the monkey spot, but the monkeys were definately our favorite. Carter didn't really want his picture taken. I love fall in Boise, in the summer everything was so green and now everything is red, orange, and yellow. What a cute turtle Allie turtle I told Scott he didn't look like he was having fun The kids loved this giraffe slide

Allie's Photography Skills

Allie loves taking pictures lately, so I download my camera to my computer today and find more random pictures that she has taken than good pictures that I''ve taken. Here is a sample, I left all the the pictures that are just solid red from her finger covering the lense off as well as the shots of the ceiling. The view out her bedroom window Carter This is Scott taking a "day off" work - I love the way she has captured his mood!

Carving Pumpkins

We went to Aunt Jeanne's house to carve pumpkins (we are so happy to have family here in Boise) and the kids had a great time. Then Scott and Allie went to her school for a kindergarten program/daddy pumpkin carving activity. Hanna's pumpkin with a spider nose Sara's pumpkin was big enough to do two pictures The pumpkin Scott and Allie did at her school Allie All the kids eating carmel apples while carving pumpkins (have I mention that Jeanne is the best cook?)

Life in Boise

This is the first day of school - Hanna 3rd grade - Sara 2nd grade - Allie Kindergarten Carter loves this bear - after he gets hurt he gets a cold rag to put on his "owie" and then sits with his bear - this day I was lucky and he fell asleep I love Sara's blue eyes and dark hair combo, especially after a long day in the sun giving her pink cheeks. Allie has the opposite look, blond hair, olive skin, hazel eyes The front of our house The cul-de-sac we live on (this is the view from our front yard) Our kitchen Our backyard - Scott hung some swings from the big olive tree and the kids love to play out there. They also love that there is a little hill and they ride down it in Carters tonka truck. This yard is a definate crowd pleaser with our kids and their friends.

Rafting the Bosie River

Katie and Travis (my niece and nephew) came to stay with us for a week and we had a great time. One highlight was rafting down the Boise river. We counted at least 4 rough rapids probably coming in at a class 1 maybe 2 but to the kids they were more of a 6/U (which is unrunnable). It took about 3 hours and one of the highlights was going under the bridges by Boise State with all of the fans dressed in Blue and Orange heading to the football game. Katie, Hanna, Sara, and Travis heading for rough waters. Getting ready to go with sunscreen and bugspray. Carter giving us the business about wearing a hat, lifejacket, sunscreen, etc. Princess Allie who wanted to jump in and swim the whole time and was not too excited about just sitting in the boat. We did jump in several times, just not enough for her taste. The front of our boat. Notice no pictures of Scott - thats because we still haven't found our camera so these pictures are off of Scott's cell phone.

Boise update

Well we are mostly moved in and so far we love Boise. I would love to post some pictures but our camera got lost a week or two before we left and I was hoping that it would turn up in one of the boxes but it didn't (so far). The pictures I do have are from Hanna's camera this is the only one in the computer so far and it is Carter "helping" carry boxes to the truck. I am happy to report that I'm not missing anything else, and I haven't found anything broken. We had so much great help loading, unloading, and cleaning. I'm so grateful for everyone who helped and moved our stuff carefully. My kids have all been great about all of the changes we are making. Scott hung some swings fron the big willow tree in our new backyard so they love to spend time out there. They like school are are making new friends. Scott and I got a calling teaching the 7-year-olds exactly one week after we moved in. Katie and Travis (my niece and nephew) have been here staying with us for the past week and we have done so many fun things but, they left today and we are all so sad to see them go. Last Friday we went to the water park for the day. Saturday we took rafts down the Bosie River. We have been swimming, riding bikes, browsing downtown, and to the movies. Tomorrow there is "art in the park" at a park down by the river, we are excited to go to that and then our ward is having a "Luau". The kids are counting down the days until we get to go to Cedar and see our......CATS! and grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, cousins, but they (especially Allie) is excited about seeing the cats. For those of you who don't know we had outside cats in Cedar that we were not allowed to bring with us and the kids are missing them - we have adopted the neighbors dog KC which is a huge, white, friendly, old dog.

Boise State Here We Come

It's been a crazy summer. We have been planning to go to graduate school for almost a year. Then in June we decided to move to Salt Lake instead. 2 weeks ago, Scott got a full tuition scholarship and we decided to head to Boise (again). So between looking for houses in Boise and then Salt Lake and then Boise we are house hunted out and trying to get out of here sooner than we thought (except later than we originally thought). So we are leaving the house we have been in for 9 years, the house that we brought all of our babies home to, and the house that holds so many happy memories in search of great experiences, new friends, and a masters degree. I wanted to take some pictures before I start taking all of my decorations down so here are a few.

Aunt Mari's new water slide

We hooked the slide up to the water heater so it was nice warm water and everyone had a blast!

Carter doesn't like the water spraying in his face so he spent most of his time on the side.