Anniversary Inn

I feeled spoiled. We were supposed to go up to the youth camp to stay the night and help transport the kids home. Mark went up for a fireside Wednesday evening and while he was there, they decided there were enough cars to bring everyone home and so that we were not needed to come up. Mark didn't want to give up our babysitter, so instead of telling me, he had me pack anyway and led me to believe we were still camping. As we were driving, I was wondering how he was going to get us there by the direction we were taking. Instead, we ended up at the Anniversary Inn. It took me awhile to redirect because I was so focused on camping that I was a little disoriented. We stayed in the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House and enjoyed a relaxing evening without the kids. This is after he took me to the local fondue restaurant "The Mona Lisa" last week to celebrate our anniversary.

Owyhee Park

We were in Boise with extra time to kill so we went to Owyhee park to reminisce all the times we used to go there when we lived in Boise. Our daredevil Jo, showed no fear in this video as he climbed up on the playground and loved swinging from the bars. Sam is climbing the "rock" wall & swinging, Dani sliding down the pole, and Taylor selling "ice cream."

T-ball

We signed Dani up for T-ball this year and last night was her first game. They don't keep score, but she did well. She loves having something that "belongs" to just her and have everyone come cheer her on. Sam can't wait for his turn and Taylor is itching to find something she can do. Taylor made a sign for the team and Sam was the cheerleader, yelling "Go Braves, Go Braves."

Dani at 6 years

Dani used to be my most photogenic, but she's found the fake smile. She's still cute.

Jo at 18 months

Our 6 year old

We gave Dani the option of doing something fun with her family (ie Chuck E. Cheese, Wahooz, Pojo's) or having a birthday party with friends. The friends won out this time around. Taylor immediately started planning and decorating. She drew the invitations, made party hats and other decorations. Dani wanted a princess theme and a castle for a cake. Sam came as our frog prince for all of about two minutes. The girls played spin the nailpolish (when it lands on you, you paint one toe that color) and Kiss the frog (Dani was closest). After presents and cake the girls played "find/hide the princess" (A little figurine). They had fun. Here are Dani's favorites for 2010:
Book: I spy
Food: Breakfast
Color: Red/Pink
Thing: Blee
Friends: Ashtyn/Kayla
To Do: Play games
Movie: Barbie in a Mermaids Tale

I won!

Last Christmas I entered a contest to win a similar shelf, but never expected to win. Instead Mark bought me one for Christmas. In May, along came another contest which I signed up for again - why not? I love the one I have and can always stock up another one with plenty more food. I never thought I would win but I did!!! It's a little different than the one I have. I can't wait until it comes!

Memorial Day

The girls decided to get creative and made a flag out of blankets on our living room floor for Memorial Day. Too bad it's raining and we can't do any fun outdoor activites. Hope you have a good one.

Handsome Joe

I had to take some pictures of Jo before he messed up his hair because he usually runs his hair through it shortly afterward. He sure does look handsome when he leaves it alone. We were able to attend my cousin, Courtney's graduation in Baker City, OR yesterday. Luckily the rain stayed away for the outdoor ceremony.

New clothes

Mark's aunt loves to bargain shop for children's clothes and as a result she keeps our kids well stocked with new outfits. We received a package the other day and my kids couldn't wait to wear them.
I should have pictures to post from last's weeks camping experience, but maybe after you read you'll understand why I don't. Mark took Sam camping on a Father/Son outing. To lessen the disappoint for the girls, we had our own camping fun planned. Mark decided to take the little tent (which we used last year in our living room). This left us with the big tent which we could only set up outside. Unfortunately we only have one camera and Mark rarely takes pictures, so he left it for me to take of our fun. After babysitting until 8, we took our portable DVD player in the tent to watch our rented movie. Luckily Joseph went to sleep inside at this time. It was so cold that I almost didn't even want my hands out to eat our popcorn (or to use the camera). Halfway through the movie, the battery died, so we had to come inside to finish. The girls insisted on sleeping outside (even though it was freezing) so we headed out and came to find that it had started raining. The rain didn't actually bother us too much. It wasn't until around 3 that the sprinklers turned on and left Taylor in a puddle that made the night real interesting. Mark and Sam were rained on too (possibly even snow). Luckily for them, Mark had bought a battery operated machine that he plugged his electric blanket into, so they were able to stay mostly warm. Everything was wet for days and so we wonder - who schedules camping trips in May?

Dani's field trip

Dani's class just went on a field trip to the zoo and Planet Kid. She had a blast spending time with her best friends. The lion cub was playing with the kids through the window.