BIG NEWS, WE'RE ENGAGED!!!

Last night was by far one of the best nights of my life!  Austin took me out to dinner for Valentines Day and we had a GREAT time!  We had dinner at this little Sicilian diner in the Village in Meridian it couldn't have been more perfect.  We finished dinner and walked around the courtyard, until we found this quiet area by the fire.  Austin and I started talking about the last three years of our lives together and just how wonderful the time has been. Austin then asked me if life could get any better...  my first response was that each day that passes is usually always better than the last!  Our conversation continued and next thing I know Austin suddenly got down on one knee and asks if I would marry him? 

This truly was one for the record books, I can't wait to begin planning our wedding and starting the newest chapter of our life together! 

<3 <3 <3

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

I know that this is a few months late... However, I just realized I never hit the publish button...oops!  This year was Claire's first School Halloween party and both Austin and I wanted to make sure that we were there! It was so much fun, we made mummies, had pumpkin bowling, Halloween bingo and more treats than you could ever imagine! 

Cutest little mummy I've ever seen! 

Pumpkin Bowling!  Claire really got into this! 

Trick or Treating with our little kitty cat!

  

One of the neighborhoods we went to had all sorts of decorations, so I could help but take the opportunity for a photo op!  Claire LOVES Halloween and seeing the excitement in her eyes makes it one of our favorite holidays too! 

Happy Halloween Everyone, We love you all! 

Family Fun Day!

A couple of weekends ago Austin, Claire and I went with Meghan, Tony, Marley and Oakley to the Nampa Rollerdrome, it was so much fun... From Watching the adults who haven't skated in years nearly kill themselves to watching the girls skate hand in hand, the outing was priceless to say the least!  

 

 It has become an annual tradition to go to Linder Farms and pick out pumpkins and ride the rides, this year we were pleasantly surprised at the amount of pumpkins the farm had! 

 As many of you know Claire LOVES ponies so when there was an opportunity for her to ride one, we just couldn't tell her no!  She was in HEAVEN! 

And......  Here they are!  We spent most of Saturday evening carving our pumpkins, Claire drew the bat and cat and Austin carved it out for her, I would say all in all this was yet another successful adventure!  Stay tuned, I will be posting the pictures from the Halloween party first thing! 

Claire's 5th Birthday Party!

Our little girl is 5!  I can't believe it!  On the eve of her birthday we snuck into her room and delivered several rainbow colored balloon so when she woke up she would be surrounded by happiness on her special day! I will never forget when I heard her little footsteps run in to our room and say "oh my gosh, have you guys seen my room?" That moment was PRICELESS!

 

This year Claire's birthday party theme was the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles which wouldn't have been complete without delicious ice cream cake and masks for everyone!  Note that everyone is sporting their ninja skills!   

Finally, we opened presents!  Marley made her best friend and Claire loved it!  All in all, Claire's birthday was a huge success and I think that Claire really loved her party!  Thank you to everyone that was able to make it and made Claire's birthday so special! 

Long Time No See...

I know that it has been a long time since our last posting... well, I don't have any other excuse other than life has just been busy and although I have take a bunch of photos I just haven't taken the time to update our blog.  So, here goes.... I couldn't think of a better photo to start off with other than one I snapped this last weekend that melted my heart!  I hope you all enjoy!

This is of Nona and Claire, I don't think that there is any greater love than from Nona to her Grandchildren!  We went over to give Melody her birthday gift with Claire and this was a moment I could help but capture. 

 

More recently the Western Idaho Fair was in town and Meghan, Tony, Marley, and Oakley and our little family went to the fair for family day!  As we usually do, we had a fabulous time with our wonderful family.  i hope you enjoy the following fair photos as much as we enjoyed spending the day with some of our favorite people! 

 

Claire decided to go down the "BIG" slide at the fair... She got to the top and realized just how far down it was and wanted to turn back... the next thing we know the carnival worker decided that he would ease her fears as he held her hand and they flew down the slide together.  I have never seen such compassion in such an unlikely place.

 

Marley also went down the "BIG" slide at the fair, she sported a brave face as she flew down the slide solo! 

 

 

Best friends forever!  These two little girls love doing everything together!  It is so much fun having the ability to spend time together and watch them grow!  

 

Would the fair be complete without a face painting???  Of course not!  We took the girls to get their faces painted, Claire was a bunny and the cutest bunny I've ever seen too say the least!  Marley was a beautiful butterfly and Oakley got a little bee painted on her arm!  I love these girls so much and I hope that they enjoyed all the activities from our family day at the fair, we all look forward to going next year!

 

We are so thankful to have Meghan and Tony in our lives, we couldn't ask for not only great family, but great friends to spend time with while we watch our children grow! 

GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN!

Saturday morning after Claire's gymnastics we decided that it was only fitting to get our toes done!  So, off to the nail salon we went!  Having a little girl is just too much fun! 

Claire went with sparkle purple and bright pink for me, can't wait for the next salon visit with our little princess!

Our First Harvest of Carrots!

Some of our carrots were ready to be picked, I can't believe how much fun we have had with the garden this year! 

They are so sweet and delicious!



Just Us Girls, Part Two

 Although the dinosaurs were the BIG attraction at the Zoo, Claire also loved the usual attractions too!  Such a cute little birdie, right! 

JUST US GIRLS!

This last weekend Claire and I had a girls day, we woke up, had breakfast and then got ready for the Zoo! 

Claire LOVED the dinosaurs, she literally ran from one dinosaur to the next, I think she might have liked that more than the animals!

As we walked/ran to each dinosaur Claire told me which ones were the mommas and that they were hiding their eggs so that they would be safe, it was pretty cute!

At about the fifth dinosaur Claire explained to me that they were not real and that the rocks near the dinosaurs were the speakers where the noises were coming out of, just in case I didn't know...

All in all it was a really fun morning, although we love it when we all three can spend time together it was so fun being able to have a little girl time! 

Garden Update!

This year was the first time I have ever grown a garden and it has been such a fun experience!  Our sun flowers are about 3 ft tall, I can't wait until they bloom and reach the 10 ft they are supposed to be!

In the planter box we grew sweet peas, carrots, and broccoli.  The carrots and broccoli aren't quite ready yet, but the sweet peas are super sweet and oh my gosh, so delicious!

Along the backside of the planter box we planted pumpkins, gourds, watermelon, and cantaloupe.  So far everything is growing strong and we can't wait to try everything! 

Our Little Oakley!

I can't believe how quickly Oakley has grown up!  Last night Meghan, Tony, Marley, and Oakley came over to finish up our Father's Day celebration and as Marley and Claire were playing upstairs Oakley was enjoying a Popsicle in the back yard with all the adults.  Man, the personality on this cute little girl... Tony better watch out, she will be a heart breaker! 

This is a MUST SEE!  Oakley is just too cute for words! 



A Moment of Reflection...

Two years ago today Austin and I began seeing each other!  I remember from the moment he walked up to me just feeling like we picked up right where we left off nearly 10 years ago!  From that moment we have spent nearly all of our time together making memories that will last a lifetime!  I never thought I could be so happy or be with someone that gets me like Austin does.  As I think back over the last two years and all that we have accomplished, I am not only thankful but excited to see what the future holds!