its official

I posted a few weeks back about our upcoming move, but Aaron said I should probably wait to post until he told his work. Well yesterday he gave his notice.

It's official

We are moving to Rexburg

We've always kind of known that we wanted to head back to Idaho but I have to admit when we found out we were going to be moving back I had a lot of mixed emotions.  We really have loved our time here in Oregon and will miss so many things. We are looking forward though to Aaron not having a 2 1/2 hour commute each day, and being so close to grandparents and cousins. 

We've had a lot of people tell us, when they hear we are going to Rexburg say,

"Do you know how cold it gets there?"

Yes

Isn't it going to be wonderful though

Think of all the great stories I'll have to share about the Antarctic cold and snow we'll get!

Our move date is just before Thanksgiving.  This will be our 8th move in 8 years of marriage. Yikes!
I can't wait to buy a house and really settle down for once.

the festivites- part 2

Anna in her classroom

halloween alwasy stresses me out. This year I decided to start early this year so that I wasn't scrambling at the last minute. It seemed to work and we had a really great year. I feel like a bit of a slacker mom because I have no pictures of Carter. I think he was asleep in his car seat during every activity. Sorry buddy!

            Anna with her best buddy Sage

 Anna during the hallway parade

 Anna's teacher was very kind and let Brooklyn sit by Anna and participate in the class party. Brookie was so excited to be included.

 Our little spider. I loved how her costume turned out even though her little arms did get pretty tired holding up all those arms!

 walking to dad's office

At the ward party

Happy Halloween!

the festivities-part 1

Our friends threw an amazing costume party last week for Halloween.  Aaron went as an Amish man and I went as a totally awesome 80's girl!  It look me 2 hours to crimp my hair but it was worth it!

Some of my best gal pals

before we left.... compliments of the babysitter

my boy

Our little Carter is 3 months old now

What a joy he still is

He is smiling and laughing and cooing and talking

He has been sleeping great sense about 6 weeks old. Most nights I am only up once to feed and sometimes i get lucky and he sleeps all night.  Oh how that makes a mama happy!

The girls love him so much. Anna loves to hold him and kiss him and try to make him laugh. I have to watch them though because sometimes they think the harder they shake him the harder he'll laugh.  It is a miracle these little babies survive older siblings.

We feel so blessed to have Carter in our family. I thank my Heavenly Father that he is healthy and strong. I am trying to count the simple yet so important blessings I have in my life.

My favorite thing in the entire world is going to get Carter after he's woken up.  He smiles and kicks his legs frantically. He looks like a little burrito all swaddled up. 

Look at those cheeks

He loves his baths so much.

10-10-10

peek-a-boo

another first: what a difference a year makes

Brooklyn's first day of preschool

I can't believe both of my girls are in school

Yikes!

Carter and I were a little bored at home..... who am I kidding...

we loved it!

1st day of 1st

Anna turns 6!!

We celebrated Anna's 6th birthday while we were in Idaho.  She was so excited to be able to have some of her cousins and grandparents there to help her celebrate.  She wanted to have cupcakes, vanilla ice cream (she doesn't like chocolate... is she my child) with fresh strawberries on top.  We sure love this little girl.  She is pure spunk and independence. 

 Carson, Ryan, Anna, Brooklyn, Emma, Ellie, Paige, and Emily

 Carter relaxing with grandma Tonks

Bear World

My mom and Alain were so generous to take us all to Bear World one day while we were in Idaho.  It is a huge outdoor "compound" where you drive around in your car slowly and watch all of the animals. They have elk, deer, moose, wolves, and BEARS!! The animals are just walking around and can come right up to your car.  After you go through the park, there were small carnival rides, and a little petting zoo with things like pigs, chickens, fawns, and goats.  The girls had so much fun and the moms stayed busy trying to keep hands clean and poop off of shoes.  Then after that we went through the park again. The highlight this time was that all the grand-daughters rode in Papa's truck and they each got a turn to drive! They were in Heaven.

In the petting zoo

I love Brooklyn's face here. She wasn't too sure about this turkey

This deer was licking Anna's arms up and down. Then it decided to go in for a kiss!

 Against my better judgement I decided to caravan back to Idaho with my in laws when Carter was just 2 1/2 weeks old.  I think if it would have been with my first I never would have done it, but anticipating the month of August alone, while Aaron worked 70+ hour weeks I decided it would be better to brave the torturous drive than to be single parent at home.  Also Angie was going to be there with her girls, so why not.   Despite the truly long car ride I was so glad that I went.  Carter was absolutely wonderful both there and back and the girls did as well as can be expected.  The weather was so beautiful while we were there. We spend a  lot of time outside in mom and Alain's beautiful back yard.  The girls called it "Nana's park."  They have a huge garden, a play structure, a gloriously relaxing hammock, and the most delicious raspberries that we picked and ate until we were sick.  Heaven!  We went on scooter rides, 4-wheeler rides, made smores in the fire pit, went to Bear World,  shopped, ate, relaxed,  and ate some more. It was so nice to be able to just relax and know the girls could play with their cousins, I could take care of Carter, and hang out with my mom and big sis.

Gary had to work and Lynette was just getting back to work at the school, so we spent less time with them, but still made many memories.  The girls loved to go to "grandma's school" and eat lunch with her in the cafeteria.  The girls played in their awesome play room and loved the Chocolate milk that grandma would being home for them.  We missed Aaron so much but I knew he could work without worry and feeling bad about being gone so long.    

                                                        Raspberry milk shake mustaches

                                                                         Before church

                  Grandma and Grandpa Tonks took us all bowling and Grandma Tonks beat us all.
                                                 Brooklyn, super cool Ryan, and Anna!

                                                                  Brookie and her papa