A whole lotta Apricots

Another exciting activity on our Idaho vacation was apricot picking and canning. Jill and I have never canned anything on our own so we figured the best way to do it for the first time would be together. It was an adventure.


Look at the excitement. It is almost as if we know what we are about to do.


The first of many tools we used during the process. The Ball Canning Book.


The second of our many tools - the Internet.


Again, such excitement.


Josie (our non-napper) helped.


And the third of our many tools - a direct phone line to my mom. And yes, before it was all said and done, we called her 3 times.


Our canned apricots fresh out of the hot water bath.


A job well done!

Idaho, oh Idaho!

We took an amazing trip to Idaho Falls this August to see our dear friends, Jill, Aaron and their sweet angel Abigail. I really think I just need to make one of those photo books of the entire trip because we have so many amazing pictures from the trip. I attempted to just pick a few to highlight the trip. Anyway, we had the best time! We laughed so much and we can not wait to go back. A huge thank you to Jill and Aaron for being the most awesome tour guides and going way out of their way to make the trip the best vacation for us.

Apparently this is an Idaho Falls must - ride on the skateboard.


And a family picture with the skateboard.


The amazing hosts even arranged for a babysitter so we could all have a date night. It was so much fun taking in the Idaho night life.


We fed some fish...were they trout? Oh boo, I can't remember and nobody is here to tell me the correct answer. Anyway, the fish were just sitting there swimming against the current waiting for us to throw them bread.


We touched the really cold water that the fish were swimming in.


We climbed and climbed and climbed.


We saw some awesome waterfalls.


We got to know one another. :)


We stayed a few days in Jackson and posed in front of the horns. Oh and while we were in Jackson, we might have made the stupid parent decision of the year. We saw some folks dressed up in wild west clothes so we thought - hey, they are gonna put on a show. Lets go watch it. We sit all 4 children (ages 4 and under) on the front row of what we realize is a wild west shoot out reenactment. Little girls don't like loud noises. Before the show was over, all four girls were screaming and we were trying to get away as fast as possible. The girls prayed (and still pray to this day) to "make the shooting stop."


We took pictures in front of the Tetons.


We squeezed the Tetons (tee hee!)


We learned how to call buffalo. Jill taught us. Weren't we lucky to be with such wise tour guides?


And here the girls are teaching me to call buffalo.


Look it worked...we found one. We actually found lots.


We saw some more pretty waterfalls.


And we climbed really really high (ok actually we rode a tram) up to 10,450 ft to look around Jackson Hole.


We went hang gliding. Ok, really we didn't do this, but we watched a bunch of people take off and do it. While we were up on the mountain, Jill and I met this couple who were in their 80s. We enjoyed visiting with them and admired them for being there. So, Jill decided when we are 80, we are going to climb that mountain again. I'm already looking forward to it.


We learned about bugs. We learned lots about bugs. Thank you Aaron.


And we ate chocolate. You must always eat chocolate on your vacation.

Graduation PARTY!!!

After going to school for five years while working full time and having three kids, you deserve to celebrate all you have accomplished. It was such a perfect day and having so many of our friends and family to share it with made it that much more perfect.

Since Isabelle did not go to graduation, we took a few pictures at the party of the entire family. Poor Kevin was sweating in that gown. Oh and my nephew Tye was there too - can you find him?


Some of the boys having a good time.


We had plenty of kids at the party. I wonder what Lizzy was planning to sweep. I love this little girl.


Josie is so proud of herself to do the bars all by herself.


Justin, Allen and Danielle.


Kevin giving his speech.


So like 3 days before the party, someone said something to me about decorations. I really did not have anything in mind. I mean it was a graduation party for a man. So that evening, I got out the hot glue gun, some ribbon and a beer bottle and this is what I came up with. For all my crafty friends, I know this is nothing, but for me, this is a masterpiece. :)


Clayton is so good with his cousins.


Beth and Nikki.


A huge thank you to Royce and Jessica for hosting the party and for cooking the food and for putting up with all of us for the weekend and for going out of their way to make it a perfect celebration!


Just look at those eyes and that hair!!! Striking! And speaking of this boy - it was his mother who took all of these amazing pictures. I would not have a single picture from the party if it was not for her. So thank you Meghan - you are a true friend indeed.


Courtney and Lane.


Grammy and Grandma.


Dr. and Mrs. Harris


Kathy and Sarah


Grandma with Mary Kate and Evelyn

Dr. Wagner and Me

GRADUATION!!!!!

Did you know my husband is a doctor? He is!!!! And for your viewing pleasure, here is the entire graduation ceremony in pictures.

Finding his seat.


Shaking President Loftin's hand and receiving that very important piece of paper.


Being hooded (or knighted as I call it) by Drs. Redmon and Gentry.


We snuck away during the ceremony and took a few pictures in the stairwell.


Kevin and his proud parents


Kevin and his proud in-laws


The family who made it to the ceremony - Nikki, Clayton, Emily, Grandma, Evelyn, Kevin, Josie, Popo and Beth.

Grammy, Grandpapa, Kevin, Josie, Cecilia and Evelyn

The ceremony is over. Can you find Kevin? It is like Where Waldo?