Toby Keith Concert!

I went to the Toby Keith this past Thursday. We had tickets on the floor, so we were so close to Toby. It is definitely one of my highlights from my Boise trip!

Discovery Center

We went to the Discovery center in downtown Boise. It is a hands-on science museum/children's museum. Tyler loved the electricty section where he got to connect circuits and make robots. Lindsay loved the pretend animal hospital. I could not get Anna out of the play grocery store or the giant bubble maker. Joey just ran around and touched and played with everything. It was a good day and we all learned a lot!

Good friends!

I was able to get together with some good friends from high school! It was SO fun to see them and catch up on their lives. Some of them I hadn't seen for about 10 years! It's crazy how fast the time goes and how much has happened.

Karalie, Jesse, Lisa T., Amber, and me! We all went to elementary, middle, and high school together!

Kim and me! She is one of my good friends in high school. I haven't seen her since our freshman year in college!

Lindsay's 7th Birthday

Lindsay turned 7 on July 18. We celebrated at my parents' house on Sunday and then on Monday, we went to Wahooz in Meridian. She had a princess castle cake and got lots of presents! She was glad that her cousins were able to come and party with her.

Family Pictures

My three older brothers and all my parents' grandkids were in town for my brother, Jared's, wedding reception. We got some good family pics with all of us.


My parents with their 13 grandkids

The Whole Gang

There's me with my 4 kids, then next to me is my brother, Mark. Next to Mark is my brother, Eric, his wife Amber and their 4 kids. My parents are in the middle and then in front is my brother, Jared, his wife Liz, and their 5 boys.

My 4 cuties!

Ice Skating!

We went ice skating at Idaho Ice World with Uncle Brent. Since I'm from Florida, I dressed all my kids in shorts and a t-shirt, not thinking that ice skating is a winter sport and that it might be cold! Annie only survived about 10 minutes because she was freezing, but Lindsay and Tyler sucked it up and skated for about an hour. Next time I'll remember the coats, hats, gloves, and long pants! After ice skating, Uncle Brent took us for a joy ride on his new motorcycle. Thanks Uncle Brent for the fun afternoon!

Swim Lessons

Tyler, Lindsay, and Annie are taking swim lessons at the YMCA.

Balance Rock!

Yesterday, we took a day trip in my parents' RV to see Balance Rock. We stopped in Hagerman, ID to see the fossil museum and then in Buhl, ID for some homemade ice cream. The kids hiked all the way up to the top...including little Anna. She was wearing flip-flops, but somehow managed to run to the top!

Tennis

My kids are doing tennis lessons while we are in Idaho. I'm hoping that one of them will be a future tennis star (just like their mom)! :)

My niece's birthday

My brother Eric, his wife Amber, and their 4 kids came to visit last week (they live in Montana). We got to celebrate my niece's (Valerie) 9th birthday. We went to an arcade called Pojos. Whenever we come to Idaho, my kids HAVE to go to Pojos. It is one of their favorite places. We were glad that we got to celebrate with Val. It seems like we don't get to see their family often enough since we live so far away!

Fireworks!

We had an awesome 4th of July. My mom made her famous fried chicken which we all could not get enough of! We did fireworks in front of my parents house at night. Since it doesn't get dark here until 10pm, we lit them off in the daylight! I wasn't about to keep 4 cranky kids up until 10! My brother's family came for dinner and fireworks too. Anna kept her ears covered for most of the fireworks, but Tyler and Lindsay fought over who got to light them off!

Almost the 4th!

Today we went to the Fourth of July parade in downtown Boise and then afterward we bought fireworks! I absolutely LOVE the Fourth of July! I love the food, the summer weather (although it's a little cold in Boise), and especially the fireworks. I can't wait to light them off! The only disappointing part is that all the fireworks in Idaho are "Safe and Sane!" I want something illegal and insane!

Little Chefs!

I signed Tyler and Lindsay up for a cooking class at the Young Chefs Academy. The theme for the week was CHOCOLATE! They made SO many delicious goodies...I was really surprised that their creations actually tasted good! Not just good, but fantastic!

Boise Zoo

We spent a morning at the Boise zoo this past week. I was impressed with how much they've updated and remodeled the zoo. We went with 7 of our cousins, Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Julie, and Uncle Brent!

Cousins!

We decided to spend the summer in Boise visiting family. We are having a great time and staying very busy. Jon's sister and brother were both in town for a short time, so we got to see them and their kids. My kids absolutely loved seeing their cousins! Jon's grandma also lives here and so we get to see her often!