Halloween Fun!

My time with the girls lately has been more limited than I am used to. I guess that is part of the challenges of going back to college. So this past week I decided to surprise Mackee at her school and whisk her off early so all of us girls could go on a mommy daughter date. Some of my friends and their children joined us as well. I took the girls to a place called The Berry Ranch. Otherwise known as a pumpkin patch. We spent time together going through a hay maze, playing on some old farm equipment, and picking out pumpkins. The girls and I loved it and I think as mom's it's important we make time for such small and simple things.

A cute picture of Mackee and Keely on the wagon with some of my friends children.

Mackee and Keely were fascinated with all the old farm equipment.

Mackee and her pumpkin!



Izzie sitting on some pumpkins!



Keely and her pumpkin!



I also wanted to celebrate some holiday fun with the girls by making a craft. Thanks to my sister Raegan for the idea, we decided as part of our family night this week we would make some SPOOKY GHOST'S.



Keely got a little excited about drawing her face on, but it was fun to see her get creative.

It's just a plastic garbage sack that is formed over a wire hanger. The picture below gives you a better idea of what they look like once you hang them up.

D is for DUCKS!

A good friend of mine owns two ducks and every year she brings them into my preschool on the letter "D" day. This year I got some cute pictures of Keely and Izzie and thought they were worth sharing.

My babysitter was sick that day so Izzie ended up joining us for preschool. It was a fun day to have her. She was so cute and soft with the ducks. To my surprise she didn't even get scared.

First Grade Fall Program

Mackee's school put on a first grade fall singing program.

It was adorable to watch.

Of course Mackee was not shy one bit.

What can I say - she loves being the center of attention.

After the program I had several parents come up to me and tell me they watched her because she was so stinking cute! She was very DRAMATIC!

Eastern Idaho State Fair

Our lives have been so busy that I am just now getting around to making this post. The pictures were just to cute not to share, so better late then never.

The most exciting news we have to share right now is that Izzie is finally walking. (Sorry no picture at this time). On top of that, Mackee is doing really well in school and has earned a 100% on almost every spelling test she has had so far. Keely is doing well with preschool and has been busy making lots of her own friends. As far as me, I am lucky I have time to even make this post. When I am not locked in the bedroom studying then I am working on preschool stuff, or cooking and cleaning. Life has been very busy for us and has brought upon some challenges but it has also been good at the same time. The good news is that, I am doing very well in school so let's hope I can keep it up. Zack has been Mr. Mom pitching in whenever he can to help with the girls so I have plenty of study time. Bless his heart, I don't know what I would do without such a supportive husband. Don't worry though, I am arranging a fishing trip for the poor guy so he can have a break.

About a month ago we got to go to Idaho Falls and spend time with our family. One of the fun perks of the trip was that the whole family got to go to the Eastern Idaho State Fair together. It was a blast and the girls loved it. They got to go with their cousins so that was icing on top of the cake for them. A huge thanks to Grandma Rae and Grandpa Barry for taking us...

A family full of COWGIRLS!

Mackee, Sydnie, Kambrie, Izzie, Keely

The girls loved the petting zoo!

Izzie wanted to touch all the animals, unlike her sister Keely she wasn't scared of any of them.

Rides, Rides, Rides, and more Rides!

What a good Grandpa! We made Barry take the girls on the carousel, because none of us wanted to get dizzy.








Mom and Keely on the train ride. We had to impervise since Keely didn't hit the height requirement on a lot of them. She didn't seem to mind though.





GAME TIME!








I think the dollar store would have been cheaper on grandpa's wallet, but the girls LOVED their prizes!

Parking $15.00, Entrance $60.00, Food $100.00, Rides $70.00, Games $50.00

Time Together With Family - PRICELESS!

Back To School!

"Beyond our study of spiritual matters, secular learning is also essential... I urge you to pursue your education - if you are not already doing so or have not done so - that you might be prepared to provide if circumstances necessitate such. Your talents will expand as you study and learn. You will be able to better assist your families in their learning and you will have peace of mind in knowing that you have prepared yourself for the eventualities that you may encounter in life."

President Thomas S. Monson

"My dear sisters, don't ever sell yourself short as a woman or as a mother. Do not let the world define, denigrate, or limit your feelings of lifelong learning and the

values of motherhood in the home - both here mortally and in the eternal learning and benefits your give to your children and to your companion. Lifelong learning is essential to the vitality of the human mind, body, and soul. It enhances self-worth and self-actuation. Lifelong learning is invigorating mentally and is a great defense against aging, depression, and self-doubt."

Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

You read it, you guessed it! I am going back to school. After much thought and much prayer, Zack and I finally feel that the time is right for me to finish my education. However, I have transferred schools. I am not going back to Boise State like I had always intended, I am attending NNU. They have an excellent elementary education program and I am looking at being a college graduate in 2.5 years. WISH ME LUCK! I am going to need it on top of being a full time mom, wife, preschool teacher, primary teacher, house maid, and personal chef. I must say though that this was not an easy decision and it wouldn't be possible if I didn't have an amazing husband who is very supportive and willing to take on extra roles in the home to make sure our family is well taken care of.

Not only is mom going back to school, but Keely started preschool this year. She is so excited to finally get to stay during preschool instead of being shipped elsewhere so mom could teach.

Pictured below is Keely at

"Back to School Night"!

Mackee and her first day of FIRST GRADE! We just can't believe how fast she is growing. The early mornings have been smoother then I expected and I have found that I get more done during the day, but I do miss her being away for so long.

Mackee at "Back To School Night" with her new first grade teacher Ms. Cash
Don't you just love the side pony tail.

Total 80's look!

Gotta Love These Girls!

The girls wanted to show off their dresses before we headed out the door to church so Zack snapped a few quick photo's,

I love these dresses (thanks to my wonderful aunt Melissa), I only had to buy one out of the three. When we were at church this little girl (Sydney), looks over and tells her mom "they look like baker's". I JUST LOVE IT!

Izzie BUSY! This girl will not stay out of stuff... She is into everything and she is not even walking yet. We are happy to announce though that she will take 3-4 steps occasionally, but other than that she has no interest in walking. She absolutely loves pulling out the bottom of the stove drawer and climbing in and out of it. It's kinda cute because after pulling all the cake pans out and literally throwing them on the ground, she does attempt to put them back.

Target Practice!

We got to go camping this past weekend up to Mackay, Idaho with Zack's side of the family, and uncle Garett decided to spoil Mackee yet again for her birthday. He is famous for this. He bought her a pink 22 riffle. Of course she absolutely loves it, and believe it or not she had excellent shot placement and it was her first time using it. She must get that from her mother! A huge thanks to uncle Garett for such a special gift that will be getting used quite often.

Mackee and her daddy!

Shot placement results after the first couple of shots!

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING FOR A SIX YEAR OLD!

Mackee was pretty excited to get such a neat gift. No worries though, this gun will be locked in our safe and safety rules will be reiterated every time it is used. It's exciting for me as a mom to see her use it because it brings back so many memories of my dad taking me out to learn how to shoot when I was little.

So not that we are trying to brag about our talented daughter, but you know fly fishing is more important then hunting in this family. Below is a picture of Mackee showing off her Brooke trout and her famous Cinderella fly rod built by her dad.

On top of all the outdoor fun. Izzie had some fun of her own while camping. Whenever her sisters would take her for a ride in the JEEP, she would laugh hysterically every time. It was so cute!

Just Another Cake!

I am posting this cake because I know some of you enjoy seeing what fun things I can do in the kitchen. I made this cake for one our good friends (Kotton Corder). He graduated from the electricians trade so this was the best idea I could come with on short notice. I won't decorate a cake for just anybody but since I am married to a man who completed a trade program I know what hard work and dedication it takes to achieve something like this. He was very deserving of it. Yes, it's all 100% edible including all the tools on the side.

Happy Birthday Mackee!

Our baby girl turned 6yrs old on August 1st! We can't believe she is growing up so fast. What a joy she has been to have in our lives. For those who know Mackee best know that she is very outgoing and very loving. She can make a friend anywhere she goes and is always willing to help you. When she grows up she wants to be a mommy! She loves to swim, fish, camp, ride her 4-wheeler, and help her mommy bake in the kitchen. She has a mind of her own and is not afraid to tell you what's right and what's wrong. We love her for that because sometimes she reminds us as parents of the things that we are suppose to do. Mackee we love you and we hope all your dreams come true!

Mackee chose to have a SNOW WHITE birthday party this year! What a fun party it was. She had over 21 friends show up to celebrate this special day with her. A "friend" party is what she asked for so that is what she got. The cake was a lot harder to put together then it looks, but most importantly Mackee loved it and so all the hard work was worth it in the end.

Princess Mackee! Isn't she cute?

We played lots of fun games. Mackee's picks were: mining for gold, bobbing for apples, musical chairs, and red rover. I think the bobbing for apples was the hit of the day!

Thank you to all those who came to make this day very special for Mackee, she loved every minute of it!