Celebrating our Independence~

I loved where I stood on the fourth of July. 

Somehow my burdens felt lighter although my responsibilities were great. 

To have our own space and quality attention towards our children felt amazing!  

I think they kids could feel the shift too. Suddenly, everyone is happier and kinder. Right away Miley declared that she wanted to ride without her training wheels.. next thing we knew she had taken off. 

It was a wonderful day full of celebrating our independence!

We dedicated our day to getting outside to enjoy. We headed to the lake first, and finished with fireworks over the water that night. It was a wonderful introduction to our new community and all the many wonderful nights awaiting us there. 

The move and settleing into CDA

Our move went smoothly. 

We drove to Montana one day and the rest of the way to Coeur d'Alene the next~

Along the way we passed a sign exclaiming 'Welcome to Idaho' I announced to the kids to look out the window at their new home~ we had made it! 

Miley looked out the window and excitedly declared.. "It is BEAUTIFUL!" 

As we descended from the canyon to look over lake Coeur d'Alene my heart filled, This was our new home, and it felt so good to be here! 

The kids did well considering the long hours in the car. 

As soon as we arrived, we headed for the water giving the kids a chance to release their energy and enjoy their new surroundings. 

We had the loving help of our father. The next two days were spent making arrangements to get into our home, unloading, unpacking and getting started. 

I grossly underestimated what it would take to make this whole move come together, but we did it! 

Although it is still an ongoing process, we are overjoyed to have this roof over our heads, and a beautiful place to call home. 

We were so glad to have Scott's company throughout our journey. Not only was he extremely helpful, but also such enjoyable company. We stayed up late most nights talking and listening to stories. It was just so nice to have him there. They kids loved being near Grandpa. He brings a special light. We love him. Sad to see him head home, but grateful to not be too far away!

Farewell to Salt Lake City~

Saying goodbye~

Probably the most difficult of all our goodbyes was saying goodbye to Max and Mia Strassberg, our favorite neighbors and friends who live next door. 

It is not an over exaggeration to say these kids played together everyday last year. Scotlin honestly went through a bit of a withdrawal syndrome being away from his best friend Max. 

Max and Mia were just what we needed in Utah. 

Lisa and Evan Strassberg have become some of our closest and dearest friends this year. We will greatly miss our evenings together on the lawn, family picnics and long talks. 

We were spoiled to live next to the Strassberg's! We will cherish that time! 

So glad we can reunite with our favorite playmates every time we visit!

The Month of June~

Al came by with a book to read with Scotlin called 'Moving Day.'

I thought it was so thoughtful!

Scotlin crawled right up into his lap. Al, has been so very good to our kids this year. 

Loren is entering into a new phase of life. Toddlerhood. 

Everything is a meltdown. Everything involves tears. 

Most days she looks like this begging me to hold her. 

"Hold you?" "Hold you?"

She has mastered tantrums, throwing herself down in fits on the floor. 

Demands are her latest thing. 

Hitting, screaming, BITING, kicking. 

Changing her is like wrestling a baby bear cub.

Where did our baby go? :(

Now, she just screams at me all day: 

"Hold you ME! Hold you TODAY! Hold you TODAY!"

I went through all of my belongings that have been stored at my moms since I was young. 

I was a bit frightened by the size of my porcelain doll collection. ;) 

But remembered them well, each one significant to me at it's own place and time. 

I had just the perfect amount to give one doll to each of my nieces as a going away gift. 

I am happy each one of them will have a little piece of me. 

Grandma Kerri had a birthday this June. We were able to get together for dinner as a family. 

A little throw back of Justin and I in dating days~

We had been four wheeling all day with my grandparents. We were completely covered with dirt from head to toe when we got home, so grandma let us sport her bathrobes until we could get our clothes clean. Hard to choose a favorite: Sexy leopard or technicolor dream coat??

-2005 Glory-

We got to spend a day with sweet cousin Ciera. The girls were in heaven together. 

Ciera and Miley play so well together. It is a joy to have her here with us! 

First sleep over!!

The girls were so excited to be sleeping in the same bed!! 

They jumped on the bed, and threw themselves back in fits of giggles before bedtime. So sweet together. 

At 3 am I heard footsteps upstairs, so I went to check on the girls. 

I found them with the light on in their room, crafting at the wee hours of the morning! 

Scissors, glue, construction paper, stickers... you name it. It was sprawled out all over the bed. ;) 

Having too much fun to sleep. :)

 I love these two little sweeties. 

I was asked to be the make up artist for one of my best friends weddings. 

Sydney has been my longest and dearest friend since 5th grade. 

(she is not pictured here, but I'll get one of her)

I LOVED being with Sydney on her wedding day and the days leading up to it. 

Again, one of my favorite things about my job! 

Sydney was the most beautiful bride, and her wedding was spectacular! 

I loved seeing my childhood friends... it had been too many years! We had a great group we ran around with from elementary school through jr high. We had the best time laughing together and reuniting. 

I felt very honored to be a part of Sydney's big day and rubbing shoulders with her and her great family. 

Pictured below: Krissi Forsgren, Vanessa Clayton, Lisa Gardner, Rachel Keddington

Baby's first pony!!

It might be a little weak.. but we got one in! 

Now she requests a pony everyday... 

She calls it her "pony-hair" and tells me "pony cute!" 

My last lunch date with grandma.

(Loren was less than thrilled to be my lunch date)

Grandma calls me often, and likes it when I come to lunch with her. I love it too... I will miss visiting her on a regular basis.