District Champions!

All the WAY TO STATE!!!!

To say the least, this is one of the longest nights of intense volleyball that I have ever had to endure in all three years of my coaching career. On the bus the girls were teasing me that they were going to play 2 matches and go all 10 sets and win the last one. And wouldn't you know it. That is exactly what they did. I was so intense the whole time and trying to keep my whits. My body was in overload and I couldn't do anything to calm down. I had people in the stands watching me like a HAWK!!! So that I didn't go into labor. After getting worked over by them I drank some water and stayed a little calmer and it all worked out. Because WE MADE IT TO STATE!!! Most of the football team came to cheer on the girls and waved shirts around that said "All the way to state!" They were made for them during football season last year and it just totally fit the situation. All I can say is: "DECLO IS WHERE AMAZING HAPPENS!!!" I love you girls and am so excited to take you all the way to Cour' de' lane!

PLUS: Our Girls JV Team worked their butt off this year and also were DISTRICT CHAMPS!!! Gotta love it!

35 Weeks

I figured since I haven't posted any prego pics with baby #2 I thought I would take a few quick shots. Not great but they will work. I cannot believe I have 40 days to go till I'm going to become a mom again! I am so excited and looking foward to meeting baby "boots". She has already been blamed for many things by her sweet sister so I"m sure that is only the beginning...

Grandma Nielsen Sky Diving

Last time the boys all went skydiving Grandma got a little irritable and was a little offended that no one had invited her. Well, Brad decided before he left on his mission that he wanted to take Grandma skydiving and make a day of it. After seeing "The Bucket List" Grandma said this is one thing that she wanted to add to her bucket before it is her time to go. So she did it and did an amazing job. As Grandma was getting ready and all "GEARED UP" the guy told her that she is the oldest lady to ever go sky diving with this particular company. She was very excited and couldn't wait to jump out. And as she was walking out to the plain she said " I need to stop and Kiss Grandpa goodbye" Grandpa said "I don't think so this is NOT good bye" Oh how cute Grandparents are.

Did I mention she is 75!!!!

Potato Harvest

You know you haven't seen your dad in so long that you want to go ride in the tractor with him for 3 hours. He has been working mostly out in Raft River and we haven't been able to see him at all. Working 14-16 hour days gets him up and out of the house before we wake up and gets him home after ellie has gone to bed. So to have him work close to home has been fun. We only got to go ride with him once but it was awesome to see him in action. We appreciate all his hard work and know that he is only doing it to take take care of us at home. WE LOVE YOU DARLIN!!!!

The wind was blowing and she couldn't get that hair down to save her life!

Baby "BOOTs"

I cannot believe I have less then 50 days to have this baby. It seems like I haven't been prego all that long and am about ready to pop. It seems like over the past few weeks I have been anticipating the arrival of another baby girl and wondering how the dynamics of my family will change. I know it will be okay and I am looking forward to it. It's just hard because Ellie has been the center of our lives for so long that it will be a change for all of us. I know as soon as she gets here It will all be okay it's just a matter of waiting. Ellie loves babies and gets so excited every time she feels her move... But Ellie is going through a stage of hating and loathing one year olds. Mckendrie and Rylee drive her crazy. I actually have NO IDEA what brought this on but she is mean and rotten to them. I hope that she gets over it soon. Oh the changes we will make in our family......

On Monday I had my last ultrasound before the baby arrival. I have only gained EIGHT lbs since getting prego and they have worried but are no longer concerned since she is growing right where she needs to be and everything looks great. I laugh and laugh when they said her legs are two weeks ahead of the rest of her body. I know her dad has long legs but what about her mother. I'm going to have a giraffe! LOL I am so excited for her to get here. I love this 3D picture of her looking right at you. The doctor kept saying she has HUGE eyes... To me it's just so cute... to Layne it freaks him right out!!!

Scrunched up baby face! "CHUBBY's" as Ellie says when she sees this picture of Boot's. I'm afraid her cheeks will get squeezed more then she will ever want them too with her sister around!

Dexter

Josh held him upside down and says doesn't he look like "STITCH" from Lilo and Stitch. So FUNNY!

The other night Layne's friend Josh Meade brought his new puppy over so Ellie and I could meet him. Ellie fell in love and never wanted to stop loving on him. He took all the loving very well but we were worried she might hurt him. He is a little English Bulldog and his name is Dexter. He weighs maybe 4 1/2 pounds and thinks he is so super tough. If you have ever seen the cartoon "Pinky and the Brain" He looks exactly like the brain. HUGE head, little body. We love it when he comes over to play but are still GLAD we do not have an indoor pet... Accidents happen?!

Three Weeks Time....

For the past three weeks I have felt so OVERWHELMED with substituting, coaching volleyball, being eight month pregnant and trying to keep peace in my home. It seems like when you aren't used to getting up early in the morning and having the whole day to your self and in one day having everything flipped upside down and completely doing everything the opposite it takes a tool on your body, and your family. I have really enjoyed subbing, don't get me wrong, I love helping out the kids and seeing that they understand. But when I am used to getting up at 9 and staying in my pj's all day till I absolutely have to get dressed to waking up at 6:30 and getting Ellie and I out the door by 7:45 it has been TOUGH!!!!! We are EXHAUSTED!!! Ellie has been NAUGHTY in the mornings and would tell me everyday she just wanted to stay home and "RELAX". I felt so bad but was grateful for the teaching opportunity. Along with subbing I have been going like a mad lady to volleyball practice and games. It has been many up and down days of volleyball. We do so well and then we fall apart. I love my girls but know that at times we are all just tired!!! This week is our last home game and then next week is districts. I hope for only the best. I want my girls to get to go to state in volleyball and get to have that experience. I am also feeling bad because I will be 3 weeks from having the baby and feel "RIGHT NOW" that I should be staying home. (SHOULD I OR SHOULDN'T I is the question???) BUR I REALLY WANT TO GO AND BE WITH THEM!!!! Layne tells me everyday that there is a hospital no matter where we go and will be very taken care of along the way. But I just DON"T KNOW!!! I loved subbing but am grateful to focus on Ellie, the baby and my volleyball girls. I would say Layne but he has been gone as much as me. Working 14 hour days everyday for potato harvest. OH How I love and appreciate him for taking such good car of ELLIE and I. And thanks to everyone for helping out with Ellie. I know that she is loved when no one hesitates to take her and I appreciate EVERYONE for that! so THANK YOU TO ALL... and I will be making it up to you!

Tana's Bridal Shower

A few weeks ago was one of my old roommates/neighbor/very good friend's bridal shower. I was very greatful to get the opportunity to go and visit with all my old friends from the college days. I love that when you don't get to see friends for a long time you know that they are your true friends when you can pick right back up where you left off like no time has past. I loved spending the afternoon with them. I have missed them a ton but was greatful for the time I had. Looking forward to her wedding and getting to spend more time with them. LOVE YOU GIRLS!!! and Congrats Tana. Cannot wait till next weekend for the wedding. LOVE YOU!

A picture of Ellie looking at the "HOOGE" flowers that were there.

Homecoming Week!

Jack, Emy, Sam, and Becca!
Waiting for the parade
Cameron Clark. Makes for a very cute Cheerleader!!!
Brittini Duncan
Brinlee Breshears and Katie Kowitz at the Powder Puff Game.

So the following week is when I started subbing. It was a great week and I loved all the excitement that came with "Homecoming". From the cheering in the halls, the dressing up, the powder puff game, the parade and most of all the football game itself. Here are just a few quick shots of what I captured of the week!

Our Beautiful Canned Peaches.

So on my way home from Jessica's I stopped and got a few things so I could help can. But by the time I got there Layne and Teresa only had 5 jars left to fill. I was so excited that they were so willing to can all of those peaches that we picked and were almost done. I appreciate them so much. I love that they did it and didn't even complain. We ran out of jars and had about a box and a half left so I decided to peel some slice them up and freeze them. I used about a half a box and got 5 1/2 gallon freezer bags full! And then the next day I made homemade fresh peach cobbler and it was HEAVENLY! I love harvest and am so grateful that we are able to survive on things that we have grown and canned ourselves. Thanks Layne, Terese, Erica and Jenna for helping (pretty much doing it all).

September 19, 2009

After we were done picking peaches, Ellie and I headed straight to Boise to hang out with my sister Jessica and her roommates. We were filthy dirty and tired but still had time to eat at Olive Garden and sit in the hot tub before we called it a night. The next morning I was planning on getting up early going to breakfast at Krispy Kreme and then off to shop. Well, we didn't get up till late and thought we missed the making of the donuts but lucky for us they had a few more batches to do and we got to watch. Ellie thought that is was very neat to watch but was disgusted by the donut itself. Weird kid. Anyways we enjoyed the rest of the day of eating and shopping and made it home by six. I was glad to have a weekend with my sister before I can't travel anymore. It was a good get away!!!
YUMMY!!!

Peach PIckin!

Lolly was not happy and after taking these pictures of her I kindly decided to pick her up.
One of my most favorite guys in the whole world. Rigdon. I love it when he sees me and says "Kissy you got a baby in you belly" he points and laughs hysterically. He is just too cute.
Just a "branch" overloaded with peaches! YUM
McKendrie
Me pulling the wagon to where we were picking peaches. I look like a midget pregnant person with high water pants! LOL
Ellie Bug "Helping"
The three oldest that were with us. Jaylee is Kenna's little girl and the other two boys are Robbie's oldest... Such good kids and helpers!

September 18, 2009

My friend Kenna called me up a few days prior to this date and had heard that you can get peaches for $.59 a lb if you pick them your self. Of course we thought this was a GREAT idea because we have all been wanting peaches and this was way more in our price range then $1.11 a lb. Well, we decided to make a day of it and go eat lunch at Cafe Rio before we headed out to find the orchard. Or course I was RUNNING super late because we were at the hospital that morning checking on baby Kypton whom which was born the previous day. (pictures to come). Anyways we got done eating lunch and headed out. I knew I was getting low on gas but thought "I can make it to Buhl" Ha not even close. As we were heading down the grade to get where the orchard was I was so past empty my car was puttering on me. But as soon as we leveled out on solid ground I was fine but the first thing I asked the guy when we pulled up was if there was ANY WAY I could bum a gallon of gas to get me outta there cause there was no way I was going to make it anywhere. (Ask my husband I run on empty all the time and this time I went a little to far. OOOPS) After I got some gas we moved on to picking peaches. Not only were there THOUSANDS of peaches there was also plum and apple trees everywhere to.
I loved picking peaches with Kenna and Robbie and their kids. It made for a lovely adventure and truly will be great fun again next year when I'm NOT so HUGELY prego. Thanks girls for the great day and MEMORY!!!