Another Birthday Girl Bash and More Pics!!!!! UPDATED!!!!!

Happy 12th Birthday to our Big girl!!!! It is hard to believe that Trinity is now 12 years old.....my goodness where has the time gone???? I wish she time would slow down, they all seem to be growing up so fast. So we have finally made it through the month of February and YES we had our very BIG Birthday Party Bash. A total of 17 girls not including our own kids were here at our house and 10 of them ended up staying the night. Plus my good friend Dana from Olympia was staying here with her 2 month old daughter, my sister and also Alicia and my dear friend Tammy. I started with the idea for the party to make cupcakes and to decorate them all with flowers etc., but then Dana came up with the idea of having the girls in different age/grade groups get around the table and have them decorate their own cupcakes themselves. Which was a BIG hit. I set up a lot of things for them to put on their very own cupcake. It was a lot of fun but thank goodness it is over. The sleeping arrangements were fun in itself. We had bodies everywhere!!!! Little girls "k" grade in the girls room, 6-8 grade in the boys room which was very nice of Tristian to clean it up and move out to the cot so that the girls could have their own space, and then my sis on our couch, Dana and baby on the blow up mattress and Zachie in bed with us. It was crazy. Not to sure if I'm doing that again next year.....LOL As you all now we have had a very busy month with my parents and my niece came and visited. That was so great to see them. It had been way to long. Then the following week was Michelle and Hailey and stayed for a few days. I LOVED having them, it was a lot of fun looking through yearbooks and wondering what happened to everyone (besides the ones on facebook/myspace). Getting together with Alicia was a blast as well....playing games, listening to music and acting like fools. Loved it!!!! I can only hope that you don't wait 2 years to come out again Shell Bell....LOL. Then after Shell was Dana and her new baby girl Karysn and the birthday party. We had good times and we loved all the company!!! Here are some pictures of this last month.

Trinity and her friends

One of her besties Sierra

Trinity relaxin

Tristian surrounded by all the girls, one being an ex girlfriend, one liking him for years and another he's turned down 3 times.....my goodness he thinks he's s stud.

Savannah and her friends.

Sierra and her friends

Sierra and Willow with their personalized cupcakes.

Teresa & Sierra

Zachie thinking he's on top of the world.

Shell, Hailey & Zachie






My parents, niece & the kiddos

My daddy with as he says it "My brother" Bandit who will be 15 yrs old this July

Cousins

A quick update and A happy bday

Yeah the count down is on until my parents and my niece come to visit. It's been over a year since we have seen them and even longer since my niece. And that is clearly way to long. I found out the other day that they are planning on coming this way as long as we don't get a dumping of snow as as long as my dad's knee continues to heal after having a replacement. The kids are all going to be so super excited to see them!!!

As we still try to find Internet here in our super duper small town I wait for the library to open up so we can go and do what needs to be down online which I am thankful for the fact the we have a very nice library but I would so like to sit all comfy in my bed and type this. Can you believe it's been almost one year since we have had Internet at our finger tips. Dang I surprise myself. LOL So besides that, Dave will be starting classes again but this time they will be online which is nice but would be better if that was at home....errr "stay focused Carol" This is suppose to start after Valentines Day.

Also going on this month is our 3 girls Birthday Party Bash. Each girl will be inviting about 10 friends and it is a sleepover too. So it's already been said that Tristian is going to a friends house and Dave is heading to the casino to spend some money and hopefully to win some too.

I am a little late getting this up on my blog but here it is anyways. Savannah has her first basketball season behind her now. This was her first sport and she did amazing!!! Way to go baby girl. You would have never known she was born with clubbed feet and wore casts and braces. She has done great!!! They had a great season with only a couple of loses. But who's counting anyways. Can't wait for next season for her. She now watches all Basketball games on TV now...funny girl.

Another update. Congrats on turning the big ol' 6 Sierra. You are the sunshine that brightens even the darkest days. It is hard to believe that it has already been 6 yrs ago when we brought you home. I still remember your older brother dropping to his knees and crying when we told him we were having another girl. But you would have never known it today. The two of them do everything together.

Well this pretty much sums up whats been going on around this part of the world. I have two more birthdays to write up about and will be posting lots of pics a little later down the road.

Our New Friend...NOT!!!!

Morning number three at our new house in beautiful Northern Idaho. This is what we woke up to. A huge wolf at our front door sniffing around. I was still asleep when Dave awoke and went outside to let out our two dogs. I woke to him running in grabbing his rifle and saying “I think we have a wolf in the yard!” And sure enough when I made it to the front door, there he was. Now let me go back a few months to October when they opened hunting season for wolfs here in Idaho. Dave, myself and my sister would go tracking up in the hills and around just to see what we could see. And all that we ever saw were prints, huge prints. We went hunting weekend after weekend and saw nothing but tracks of wolf, elk, deer and even some mountain lion. So back to that morning waking up…. There he was right at the end of Dave’s rifle and he didn’t shoot. We all kids included we’re in shock that he came to us like he did. I wish I got a picture of this but at one time the four kids were on the couch looking out the window at Dad and he (wolf) jumped up on the outside of the window and peered in looking back at the kids. So neat but yet scary too. So we let him go but not before we were able to get some great pictures of him. He left when the sun came up and for his own good I hope he stays away because next time he won’t be so lucky. Here the opportunity presented itself and yet we couldn’t shoot it. For one we just had moved into this small country town and have one neighbor across the highway. We didn’t want to start if off on a bad note. Meaning not everyone is happy with the new season the state opened up for wolfs. So that same day with our computer in hand we went to Fish & Game, The Police Depart., and to the Mayors office asking about if anyone else has seen this wolf or maybe someone tired to domesticate it so they could have it for a pet. Everyone we talked to said no and everyone gave us a green light to shoot it if we see it again on our property again. Now with all that happening I was you could say very nervous about letting the kids out to play for quit a few days and since we have 40 acres there is lots of playing and area for the kids and for the wolf. Let me fast forward now today, we have yet to see that wolf again and have let the kids explore the property a little bit more. If Mr. Wolf shows his face around here again, he won’t be so lucky and we would have a beautiful rug on the back of our new couch!!

For all who care.......

Here I am again…long time no blogging. We have just recently moved into our new house (at least new to us) and it’s on 40 acres. So Dave pretty much feels like he’s won the lotto. I have a feeling he will be outside the entire next hunting season. So besides another move and all the kids and myself had the stomach flu while moving. There’s not a lot going on. I have to thank Stacy one of Dave’s friend with helping us move since I was useless. Thank God also that Dave didn’t get the yuck!!!! Yahooooo.
So more about the move I have this advice for all those out there that actually read my blog….DO NOT MOVE IN DECEMBER!!! LOL We got our tree the weekend after Thanksgiving (like always). We got all the Xmas décor out to put all out for the holiday, decorated the tree and took family pictures. Then about 2 weeks later we found out we got our house and so everything had to get packed up again….including the Xmas tree. We tied it back up and moved it out here to the new house along with the Xmas décor so we could have Christmas in our new house. That poor tree……needless to say it came down on the 26th. Which we normally leave up till the new year. But the pine needles were everywhere and were driving me nuts. So now we’re on to the new year. Our Thanksgiving was good. Just the kids and us this year. So it was nice and quiet. I wish my parents could have made it but the snow was coming down and with the passes they didn’t want to try it. Christmas was great as well. Kids made out like bandits and all are thrilled with what the got this year. This year my sis came and spent 3 ½ days with us, which was great fun. That pretty much raps up our holidays.
With this move to a new town an hour closer to Cda and my sis. We found out that they have a “YMCA” kind of place. I will be enrolling Trinity into basketball because she wasn’t able to play much before because of us moving. They also have cheerleading and our youngest and oldest girls are going to be in. They are so excited plus they have swimming lessons for those who want to do that too plus tons more.

I will be writing more in the future, this was just a quick hello and lots of pics to come.

A little of this A little of that

First things first, I am already to get back to my family. I miss them so very much! I am caught in a tough spot, leaving my sister here in Michigan and coming home without her and yet so excited to leave so I can hug my kids/hubby. It's been a fun crazy and road trip across the country. And we've had many many good laughs and cries. I will be out here to see her as often as I can. I have to just to keep up with my hair....LOL Sorry honey it's going to be an expensive haircut...lol Just know sissy I am always a phone call away. I love you and miss you already and I haven't even left yet.....

Then secondly, when I get back home I will not have Internet again for who knows how long. I have to take my computer in to get fixed...ugh!! So there won't be much from me here in blog land or even my other sites as facebook and myspace.

And finally I wanted to show some pictures that we took at Paul Bunyan days carnival. I don't have many pictures of the older two because they were on their own to enjoy the rides. The picture of the girls singing is Trinity and Morgan (Tristian's girlfriend in his pirates hat). They did a great job for their first time. Anyways here is what I do have. Enjoy!!!

MY CROSS COUNTRY TRIP

• IDAHO
  
• MONTANA
  
• WYOMING
  
• SOUTH DAKOTA (first stop 865 miles 10 hours)
  
• IOWA
  
• ILLINOIS
  
• INDIANA
  
• MICHIGAN (second stop 1300 miles 13 hours)
  
• OHIO
  
• PENNSYLVANIA
  
• NEW JERSEY
  
• NEW YORK (third stop 650 miles 10 hours)
  
• THEN:
  
• NEW YORK (same day we turned around and headed back to Michigan)
  
• NEW JERSEY
  
• PENNSYLVANIA
  
• OHIO
  
• MICHIGAN.....

FLY TO COLORADO, SPOKANE AND HOME!!!!!

*computer is not working well at all and when I get home it will be taken in to get fix, so sorry no pics right now*

Sister Fun

So what do two girls do after going to the salon.....yes even on a Monday evening???? Have a drink of course. Thank you Dale for the Apple Martini's. Here's to you sis and your new start in Michigan. I will miss you terribly and love you bunches. I wish you all the best lord knows you deserve it!!!

New doo....short and spiky in the back and long in the front....LOVE IT!!

Our travels across the states Part 1

Day one of our road trip as we cross into Montana. And just to let everyone know we hated the state of Montana and think it should be given to Canada....LOL Just kidding. It was just really long and boring. We stopped off in Butte and oh boy I can now see why it's called Butte. But anyways here are a few pics, but don't get to excited there really isn't much to look at.

By the time we got to South Dakota I couldn't get my camera out in time to get the state sign so here is my picture for the state....lol it's of the first rest stop we came to. Oh yeah and their rest stops are so nice I was quite surprised. As for our trip through SD, it went pretty well. We got a room in Rapid City and had a late start the next day. We went to a small town of Wall and was looking around for one of my favs....black hills gold jewelry...fun fun fun. Then we hit the road again and oh boy we have never driven on such a straight flat road. And then we came up on this vehicle with their either road kill or actually hunted. It was so funny to see that I just had to take a pic.

Next is onto Iowa and unfortunately it was to dark to get their state sign....bummed. This is the only picture I as able to get. We like Iowa it was actually kinda cool to drive through that state.

And then there's Detroit, we finally made our first destination. So we drove none stop from Rapid City to Detroit.......holy cow is all I can say. We got here yesterday morning. Today was the first time that Dale drove us around and showed us all around. It was really neat to see some of the places around here. And scary at the same time. The first pictures are of the good ol' Hitsville U.S.A which was really neat to see. Alot of great music started there. And then the last two pictures are of one the bridge to Canada and then of St. Clair.

I will be doing a big update in a few days. Tomorrow we are onto PA and then to Jersey
and New York City baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHO HOOOO.

A Small Summer Recap

I don't even know where to start. We have traveled around small towns in Northern Idaho, ended up being Camp Ground hosts. The kids loved it and we met some really great interesting people from all over the US. The only thing that really was trying was the fact that the mosquito's were so bad that the kiddos started having allergic reactions to the bites. That's when we decided that was enough of the Rving for now, plus it was getting cooler now. So with the RV backed up and found a rental for the time being and don't get me wrong I really liked Rving but it is going to be on the back burner until the kids are older and/or out of the house.

Here are a few pictures of the kids from this summer for now. Enjoy!!

Tristian and Zachary loving the quad, we can't keep them off of it.

Zachary on one of the mini horses. The kids all want one of their own. Go figure!

Here is Zachies 3rd birthday party at the Camp Ground.

Done with the Drs.

Its Friday and I am relaxing still with my Trinity at my sisters house. We're watching a movie, eating Watermelon and sipping on Lemonade while we wait for Dave and the kids to come pick us up all while trying to stay cool. It is suppose to cool off after today, thank goodness!!

Trinity had her Ortho appt yesterday that was 2 1/2 hours by the way...long long day. It wall went good and her teeth are coming along great. She has already had a big change in little over a year she has had them on. I am so happy for her. I made dentist appts for cleaning for all 5 kids, that will be a little later this month. I can only pray that we have another visit without 1 single cavity like the last time. Boy that felt so good. And as for today with her ENT appt, it went well, as well. She still has one tube still in so the doc wants to see her in 6 months and maybe by that time it will have fallen out by then and he can see if her hearing loss is coming from the inner ear bones. So for now her right ear is good and the left the same but at least its not worse.

That's pretty much a summary of the last two days. Now when we all get back to the RV the kids will be catching up on schoolwork because they have all had an easy week.

wordless wheelin' wed......

Back to Cda

For a few days that is. My oldest daughter and I are staying in town until Friday evening with my sister. It seems a bit strange for me to just have one kiddo with me, but it's nice to have some one on one time. Trin has a two Dr. appts on two different days so my sis said for us to stay here in town instead of driving 4 hours each day after talking with Dave. Thank You Sis!!! Her first appointment tomorrow is with the Orthodontist and she is finally getting her metal "appliance" out of her mouth, she has had it in for about 10 months. We are all so excited for her and then she has about another year then she should be done with braces and onto retainers. Fun fun. Then on Friday she has another follow up visit with her ENT for her hearing. I am hoping and praying to God that her hearing has gotten better or at least not worse. I would hate to have to go back into surgery again.

As for the rest of the family they are all doing good! Yesterday we all went to the local pond for the kids to swim (the river is to swift and high for them to swim in) and for Dave to fish and we ended up staying there for about 4 hours. 20 plus Trouts later (catch & release of course) and 5 very warn out kids later we headed home for hotdogs by the fire. It was a great day with a bit cooler weather. And today my sis came out for a visit and we thought we'd go fish again and let the kids play again.....well..... 90 plus and absolutely no trees was a little to much warmth for me and my sis. So we packed up and headed back to camp. We have had almost 2 weeks straight of 90 degree weather here.....omgoodness I want a break. Gotta love A/C!!!

So besides trying to stay cool and getting some quiet time with one child, there's really nothing new going on. I might be adding some more pictures soon....

Nature update

Once again long time no blog. We are hanging out here still in Avery. We all have our own jobs to do around here at the lodge and it’s pretty fun. From time to time we get cabin fever but when that happens we go for a nice beautiful drive of the St Joe’s River Rd towards Montana. Or up into the mountains and look for sheds. My new favorite hobby is to find photograph waterfalls and there are sure a lot around here! The wildlife around is so abundant here. We have seen Bears, Mountain Goats, Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, herds of Elk. The one thing we have yet to see while we’re here is a Moose, but I know there here. And oh my goodness the Humming Birds are everywhere, I have never seen so many, you can actually be filling up the feeder and have the birds swarming around your head. And Butterflies too……just beautiful. The kids are loving it!!!

Another beautfiul day in paradise

The weather has so turned the other directions and now is warming up and not a cloud insight. LOVE IT!! As do the kids, that means they can get out more for bike rides, hikes and fishing. Yesterday the girls were making friendship bracelets to send out to almost every female they know....LOL And our little Scientist Savannah has been nothing but trying to come up with new inventions on paper over the last several days.....it's cute to see but on my goodness she is getting obsessed with it and asking everyone for something that could help here.....funny!! As for Tristian he has been working for Jamie doing lawn care here around the lodge and we have been cleaning up the cabins for the upcoming visitors. This next weekend is Memorial Day Wknd and there is a very large breakfast called "The Fisherman's Breakfast". So we are getting things ready around here for more grounds. Also my sis will be out here that weekend as well.....WHOOO HOOOO we all miss her very much and the kids are super excited to see her! As for Trinity and Savannah they are still waiting for the Coffee Shop to open so they can help out there but for the meanwhile they were helping up wipe down the cabins. And poor little Sierra kept telling me as I was cleaning..." I don't have a job"....and she was so bummed I told her not to worry soon enough she'll have a J.O.B. "Your job is to be a kid and to go play". She said "ok mom, I'm going down to the playground". It was pretty cute and on she went along with her little brother who is almost 3......OMGoodness that's another story.

This is pretty much all for now, I am going to try to just upload some pics onto another blog here....bare with me....lol