New Mexico

This past weekend we got to go to New Mexico and visit some friends. Danny went to college with Blaine and Amanda, we have remained in touch with them since they moved and we moved. They have been great friends and were so generous to use their fling miles on us so we could come visit. It was a nice weekend to get caught up on what has been going on and to get to know their twins, Brandon and Ashlyn. Brooklyn loved playing with them, she would get so excited when they came over to her it was great watching them interact. Amanda is expecting baby #3 in October so having Brooklyn around was sort of a trial of how life will be with 3. Because of the kids and much required naptimes we didn't do a whole lot, which was perfect. We went out to eat, played scrable (Danny and I not so good at that game), stayed up late talking, went to Santa Fe,and drove around town. You know when you go away it is always nice to get back home to your own bed, well B was super happy to sleep in her bed, but I miss their King size guest bed makes our Queen feel so tiny. Thanks again Blaine and Amanda for inviting us to visit we had a great time hopefully we can do it again next year.
B was so excited to sitting by herself and playing with the peanut bags.
She is trying to decide if she can share with dad
We went to Santa Fe for lunch it is about 45 minutes from there house. This is the local train.
Some artwork in one of the museums. My mom and dad would love all the Indian artifacts, it was a big part of the shops.
The museum
At the park
Blaine just because he took it and tried to delete it! Haha

Brooklyn so proud even though she is stuck
Brandon and Ashlyn, they are so cute and loveable. They would just walk up to us and want to be picked up. I miss them.
B's new friend, when we drove around she loved playing with Ashlyn. They would laugh and get all excited.
Playing at the park
Teter Tater

Brandon not to sure at first then the smiles came out.
Ashlyn loved the swings
Ashlyn and Brooklyn swinging

Now time to go pack for our next adventure, driving to California for Cousin Lisa's Wedding!

What do I do now?

She loves to attack the camera, she has quite the personality.
Andrea taught B how to get on her knees, she rocks, but doesn't know what to do. When she tries to move her hands she falls and that hurts. She is not a fan of falling. Before we know it she will be a crawling machine.
So this picture looks like a few of my baby pictures. Big Chubby face that was me, poor B!
Well you are all caught up with what we have been up to so far this summer. Next blog will be New Mexico to visit Blaine, Amanda and the twins! Off to pack.

Busy fun filled day!

We started out the day with Zoo Boise, it is a small zoo, but pretty good for here. We saw lots of animals and played on the toys through out the zoo. It was a good time and B's first time to the zoo, not sure she quite got it, but the animals she see she seemed to like and was not afraid.
Bald Eagles they are a pretty and cool looking bird
Zebra
Big Kitty's! The Tigers were crazy big and came up close to the glass


Andrea was a good sport to pose as a turtle for me, even got a wounded toe!

The Hatching Dan's - thanks for giving in to the picture

Andrea captured the face of the day!
Outside Taco Bell Arena. The one thing that I like about living in Boise is that country singers come here for concerts. We remembered late to get tickets to Kenny Chesney, but some were available. They were at the top, but I still enjoyed the music and our friends. He puts on a good concert you could sing to all the songs. He even played "Me and You" which was the song we danced to at our wedding. I loved it. Our adpoted Grandma Etta was kind enough to babysit for us, this was the first time she had a babysitter that she did not know that well. I was nervous, B was too she kept looking around for us, but overall she did pretty good. Thanks Grandma Etta!
Lady Antebellum played first
Next Miranda Lambert
Waiting for Kenny Chesney to begin!!
Kenny sporting the BSU hat at the end of the concert! The crowd went crazy when he put on the hat. He rocked it for 2 hours then signed autographs later for fans.

Visitors!!

Our friends Dan and Andrea from So Cal came for a visit. We are not very good tour guides, but we had fun just hanging out, going to the lake, going out to eat, BBQ's, showing them the real estate around town, going to the zoo, and of course the Kenny Chesney concert. Next time we will have to float the Boise River. It was great to spend time with them lately when we go back to Cali we only get a few hours if we are lucky. Brooklyn really liked them she was all smiles around them. Thank you for taking the time to come and visit, we had a fabulous time and we are grateful for your friendship.
Dan, Andrea and Us after lunch at Bardenay taking a walk along the river
Andrea and B, I think B misses her she saw her picture and was excited.
Playing at Arrowroot lake/dam it was great until the storm came and we got sand blasted out!

Butterflies playing in the sand
Along the Boise River, we saw what we think was a beaver floating in the water.
Brooklyn playing in her new pool

Celebrating the 4th in Bend, OR

This year we decided to take a road trip to Bend to visit family. We had a great time the weather was in the 80's and it's always a good time with Auntie Dina and Uncle Angelo. Brooklyn got to meet some cousins for the first time. It is only a 5 hour drive, but I got some sort of acid indigestion on the way so it was a long painful and nauseating drive. We finally made it and was getting sicker by the minute so I got to visit the Urgent Care, 2 IV's,blood tests, drugs :) and 5 hours later I was able to keep fluids down and got to go home. It actually a great experience I was cared for very well, thanks Auntie for staying with me and Uncle and Danny for handling the baby at home. As the weekend went on I watched what I ate and did fine. We went out to breakfast and spent the day with cousin Deanna & Joey's baby Kirabella. She was a big help keeping Brooklyn entertained. On the fourth we went to the Annual Pet/kid Parade in the town it was fun to people watch and then we went back to the house to BBQ, sit under the trees, and wait for the fireworks. It was a very relaxing weekend. Sorry the pictures are out of order, but you get the idea.
Brooklyn woke up just in time for the firework show.

Playing in the pool with Daddy, she did not mind that the water was cold.


There is a tiny dog hanging from the balloons when they let go of the rope it would float up.
Elvis lives and his little dog too!
B slept through the parade
Crazy bicycles

Cousins - Caster, Indy and Kirabella
Auntie and B

Uncle and B, all the babies love Uncle
This video is of B laughing with Uncle Angelo