Long Time

I have been terrible at posting lately.  I am also terrible at pictures.  I will be better I hope.  I am going to try really hard to catch up. 

January:

Garrett had surgery to remove a bump from behind his ear and a few spots in the front of his ear.
Gabby had surgery to remove her tonsils and put tubes in her ears.
We found out that we were pregnant with our 3rd baby.

February:

Collin and I went on a trip by ourselves to California.  We had a blast.
Garrett and Gabby went to Idaho to spend time with Grandpa Craig and Grandma Paula
Garrett turned 7.

March:

Gabby turned 6

April:

We announced our pregnancy to our families over Easter.
I celebrated my 34th birthday

May:

Collin and I celebrated our 9th Anniversary
Collin celebrated his 31st birthday
 We are having a BABY GIRL!!!
Garrett and Gabby both finished school

June:

We went to Boise for a baby blessing (Patrick and Cortney blessed their first)
The kiddos and I went to Oregon with my sister for a week.  We watched Chandler play baseball all week.  Elise had a dance recital.  We went to a Safari park....it was awesome. 

More to come soon and hopefully pics.

A Very Long Month

Just a warning no one needs to read this, but if you want to feel free.  

Starting in October Collin and I found out we were pregnant.  We were just getting excited when I miscarried.  I never understood what others went through with miscarriages.  My heart goes out to anyone who has ever suffered this.  I felt like my life was turned upside down.  My emotions were all over the map.  I did have some comfort in a wonderful blessing that Collin gave me.  I was told that this baby only needed a body and that was all we needed to provide and that we would know when it was time for us to have another baby. 

With all of this happening in our family some of our dear friends found out that their father had been diagnosed with a rare disease and had roughly two weeks to live.  We have spent a little time with their family over the summer getting to know this great man and were very sad for their family.  I spent the next couple of weeks pushing myself to cover my own grief with helping them.  I still don't feel like I did enough for them, but I tried.  I made soup, treats, and tried to keep the kiddos as often as possible. 

Throughout all of this Collin had his annual trip to Neuroscience.  His trip was to Washington D.C. this year.  I had been planning to go with Collin for the past three years, but when it came down to it I had a really bad feeling about going so I passed.  Normally I would have gone home to my parents in Idaho for a few days, but I decided not to let the kids miss that much school and stuck it out.  While Collin was gone our friends dad passed away.  It was a sad and hard day.  I thought about losing my own dad and couldn't imagine dealing with that.  I had a good idea how they were feeling because we lost Collin's mom 7 years ago to cancer.  I also received the call that Collin's grandfather was not doing well.  He had gone into LDS hospital earlier in the week for surgery to remove cancer in his bladder and was failing.  I spent the week trying to keep Collin updated on everything and be with his family.  

I spent Sunday at the hospital all day with Grandma Jane, Ann, and Kevin.  As I arrived they were talking to Grandpa about what he wanted to do.  Grandpa has been dealing with complications with dialysis for over a year now.  After surgery Grandpa had a stroke, and a heart - attack, when they were in the surgery they realized the cancer had spread to his lymph nodes.  It was such a hard day to have to call Collin and his family and let them know that Grandpa had decided not to any more life saving efforts.  We brought Grandpa home from the hospital on Monday so that he could be at home.  I really thought that Grandpa would hold on until Collin could get here, but unfortunately Grandpa passed away at 2pm and Collin got in at 8pm.  It was a very sad day.  

Needless to say: Thursday we attended Joe's funeral (our friends dad). Friday we packed and tried to organize things to leave town.  That evening we attended the viewing of an amazing man.  Saturday we attended Grandpa Herb's Funeral and told him good-bye.  After the funeral we drove to Idaho for the burial.  After everything we decided to spend the week in Idaho with our families.  It was nice to be with family and get away from here.  Overall its been a hard hard month at our home.  Hopefully the holidays are going to be looking up!!! Here's hoping.

Halloween - Trunk or Treat

 Our little BYU cheerleader and football player.  

Julie, Jenn, & Layla Price 

Gabby & Camryn - Twin Cheerleaders. 

Last night our ward had our Halloween trunk or treat party.  It was a lot of fun and the weather was ok.  Our good friends the Prices rode with us.  Julie and Layla were so cute in their costumes.  We did hair and makeup before we went over.  One of our friends dressed her little girl as a BYU cheerleader so we had to do pictures of her and Gabby together.  Camryn is only 6 months old.  She is adorable.  Her big sister Reagan has her head popping up in the bottom of the picture.  Lots of fun.  

Collin and I made a brain in a jar, a wormy brain, and I made witches hats and brooms for the party.   

Picking Pumpkins

Fall Break - Island Break

We got to have a few days break from  school and everything so we decide to head up to the family cabin.  My sister and her family were in Idaho for a few days so we got to see them while we were there.  We took all the kids swimming in the morning before we headed to the cabin.  

 Swimming with my family before we headed up to the cabin. 

Bald Eagle we saw right as we entered Yellowstone Park.

Elk was standing right by the side of the road.  

Collin was helping the kids feel how warm the river was from the geyser water running in. 

 Water Falls

Geese

We searched and searched for a moose and finally found one walking through a field by the highway. 

Baby Elk

Love these kids....they were so good.

Simulation geyser so kids can see how it works!!! So, cool.

I yelled out the window at this bison and he turned and posed for his picture.  

We had so much fun.  We did a lot, but we got to rest too.  What a great get away.  Our kids are so much fun to travel with.