{May 2016: Outdoor Family Fun, Last day of School, Celebrations, Parties}

“It is spring again. The earth is like a child that 

knows poems by heart." ― Rainer Maria Rilke

Baby D relaxing, reading his favorite book, "Llama, Llama Red Pajama", in his favorite hangout, our teepee.  Dandelions turned into wishing flowers.  Our Girls {R & K} watching the flock of geese, that we admired at the park.

The majestic, beautiful flock of geese, that we saw at the park.  Springtime flowers, growing out of our brick.  Baby Girl H, smiling adorably.

Little Man C and Baby Girl H, coloring in their coloring books.  Big Sister R, with her flowers, that she received at her dance competition.  Our family loves our new fabulous picnic table, that Daddy built for outdoor events & fun!  The Hive of Bees that visited our apple tree, for a few days.  Little Man C, with his long worm, that he found in the dirt.  Baby Girl H and Little Man C, finding snails in the irrigation stream.  

Baby Girl H and Little Man C, snuggling with Mama.  Little Miss K, dribbling down the field in her soccer game {E & R also played soccer}.  Baby D, Little Man C, and Sisters R & K, visiting the neighbor dog, Dewey.  Big Brother E, Big Sister R, and Little Miss K, with their teachers in the last week of school.  Summer has begun! :)

I will post links to other events that happened this month, after I post them on 

my photography blog:

{School Carnival}

{Cinco De Mayo}
{E's Karate Class}
{May the 4th Be With You}
{Mother's Day}
{R's Teen Beach 10th Birthday}

   

{February 2016: Music & Dance Performances, 1st Birthday, Vday Dance & Party}

Love is when you look into someone's eyes and see everything you need.  Big Sister R & Big Brother E had several performances this month {They did an awesome job! #superproud}.  E & R at their Music Concerts {for School}: E playing the Ukulele, R playing the Recorder, R singing in the Honor Choir, E & R & K performing in their school dance festival.  Baby D eating his first lolly pop: Yummy!  Eating Delicious Kabobs.  

I will post links to other events that happened this month, after I post them on 
my photography blog:

{Baby D's 1st "Little Man" Birthday Party} 

{Baby D's Cake Smash Session} 

{Daddy/Daughter Valentine's Dance} 

{R's Dance Team & Competition}

{Valentine's Day Party}

   

{December 2014: Christmas, Pregnancy, Family Fun, Continuing...}

Hello again.  I am continuing on from where we left off.  December 2014.  I will try to catch up as soon as possible.  In December 2014...I performed my violin, in the Stake Orchestra, for our church, for a Christmas Nativity Program.  It was wonderful to play in an orchestra again!  Mark and I were also asked to sing a duet, which we performed in our Ward at church, for the Christmas program.  We sang "What Child is This?"  It was and always is fun singing together.  We had a fabulous time!  I was 7 months pregnant, with our 6th child, at the time, as well.

 We have many Christmas traditions that we enjoy doing as a family.  One is: making and decorating a Gingerbread house.  So much fun!  Our daughter R, performed in her Christmas Music Concert, with the other Third Graders, from her school.

Our Family had a blast at their Class Christmas Parties, at school.  Our daughter K, at her Kindergarten Christmas party, with her siblings H & C.  Our Daughters R & K in R's Class for her Christmas party.  Our sons E & C at E's Class Christmas Party.  Mark and our son C, in his Classroom, for his Christmas Party.

Our Three Ginger Kittens, are Loved so much by our Family!  Our kids named them: Pikachu, Apricot and Peaches.  They are such adorable, and sweet Kittens and we adore their spunky, loving personalities!

 We had a Beautiful and Magical Christmas celebration with our Sweet Kiddos.  We love this special time of year!  We enjoy our fun traditions together; some more are: reading Christmas stories, watching Christmas movies, Caroling together, performing the Nativity Story, Christmas morning Breakfast, Christmas Eve Party, Christmas Dinner, Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt, Sledding, Hot Chocolate, Christmas Pajamas, Christmas Ornaments, Singing together, Crafts...

 We celebrated Christmas Day at our House with our Kiddos, and a couple days later, we went up to Oregon to spend Christmas with Mark's side of the family.  We enjoyed doing fun things with them; including going sledding with our cousins.  The kids had a blast doing that!  

We also celebrated New Years Eve, with Mark's side of the Family.  We had a fun party and celebration, and enjoyed ringing in 2015 with them. 

{Last Day of School, Awards, Carnival, Fathers Day, Outings: June 2014}

In June, it was the Last Day of School for E & R and Mark's last day for his first year of teaching.  Our son E received the Reading Award and the Most Growth Award.  Our daughter R received the Reading Award and the Straight A's Award.

E & R received many certificates for academic achievements.  We went with E, as a family to Cafe Rio {Yum!} so he could use his Principal's Pride {Student of the Month} certificate {from May}.  I took R to Sizzler, to use her Principal's Pride certificate {from June}.  We are so proud of our awesome Kids!  We took R & E to many restaurants in the city, to redeem their certificates and prizes.  E had fun earning merit badges and playing games; at Cub Scout Day Camp.

 We went to the Kid's School Carnival, as a family.  They enjoyed the many fun games {face painting, fishing, cupcake walk...}, rides {mini- train, bounce house...} and Delicious treats {snow cones, popcorn, cotton candy, cupcakes...}, and snacks there.  It was a very fun night!
 

Our 3 Pretty Girls, in their matching dresses.

Our 2 Handsome Boys, with their Sisters.

We spoiled Mark on Father's Day with Breakfast in Bed {the Kiddos made}, handmade presents and cards, and a Special Lunch and Dinner.  We also called our Fathers and sent them cards.  Mark's parents came to visit us, in June.

Our Baby Boy C, and Baby Girl H, with Daddy.

We enjoy exploring the Outdoors, as a family, and hiking around Beautiful places; having picnics, and admiring God's Amazing Creations.

We had so much fun together, exploring the area around and near Red Fish Lake.

The Kids loved meeting their cousin's kitty "Timmy", while visiting family in Oregon. 

{Family Fun, Mother's Day, R's Baptism, Talks, School: May 2014}

In the month of May, with our Family, there were a lot of awesome things happening.  We went to the Family BBQ {Picnic}, at Mark and the Kid's School, we Celebrated Cinco De Mayo, by eating Yummy Mexican food.  Our son E, was Principal's Pride in his class {Student of the Month}.  We were so proud of him!  Our daughter K gave a talk in Primary, on Easter Sunday {April 20th}   K's "Easter Talk":  {K did a Wonderful Job!}

"Jesus Has Risen.  Jesus Our Brother.  Jesus Our Friend.  Joy Fills Our Hearts.  He Lives Again. "The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven..." (Joseph Smith Teachings) I am thankful that Jesus was resurrected, so I can be resurrected too someday, and be with my family forever.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

Our son E, also gave a talk in Primary "God Speaks Through Prophets" E's Talk:  {E did a Wonderful job!} "There are many ways that Heavenly Father can talk to you. He can speak to you through the Holy Ghost. He can speak to you through the scriptures. One very important way that Heavenly Father talks to His children is through His living prophets. When the prophet speaks, he tells us things that Heavenly Father wants us to know.
In the Book of Mormon the people of King Noah were very wicked. Heavenly Father sent His prophet Abinadi to preach to them.  Alma, one of the priests, believed Abinadi’s words and learned the way to obtain God’s promised blessings.
In the Bible we read of God’s promises to the children of Israel. Through Moses, His prophet, the Lord delivered them from Egypt. Moses taught the children of Israel the way to obtain God’s promises and blessings.
There was not a prophet on the earth when Joseph Smith prayed to find out which church to join. He became God’s prophet and restored the true Church of Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith taught the people what they needed to do to obtain God’s promises and blessings.
 If you knew that Jesus Christ was coming to speak to you, would you take time out from your playing to go and listen to
Him? Each April and October, the prophet and other General Authorities speak to us in special meetings called general conference. They tell us the things the Savior would tell us if He were here. Their words are like the scriptures and will guide us in our lives.
Today PresidentThomas S. Monson tells us what God wants us to know and do. When we listen to general conference, it is as if God Himself is speaking to us. We can learn the way to obtain God’s promised blessings when we listen to our prophet.
Our prophet loves us just as the Savior loves us. If we do the things he teaches, we can be happier in this life. We can learn how to live again with Father in Heaven and the Savior, Jesus Christ. It is wonderful to know that through our prophet, the Savior is speaking to each of us!  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen"
Sources:
Elizabeth Ricks, “Sharing Time: I Will Follow the Prophet Today,” Friend, Oct 2006, 14–16
Diane S. Nichols, “Sharing Time: Listen to a Prophet’s Voice!,” Friend, Apr 2001, 13

We celebrated Mother's Day.  The Kids and Mark spoiled me, with Breakfast in Bed, a Wonderful Lunch and Dinner, Flowers, and Special handmade gifts from the Kiddos.  We also called and sent cards to our Mothers.  It was a great day!

Our Daughter R had her Baptism in the month of May.  We were so proud of her.  I did a Photo Shoot of her in her Baptism dress, {that my Mom made for her--it's so beautiful!}  To view more of her Session, click here.  

Our Daughter R, had her Baptism, up in Oregon, with her Best Friend, L.  They had a wonderful experience together.  They sang "When I am Baptized" together, and they also sang "I am a Child of God" with their siblings {they have siblings who are all the same ages as our first 4 kids, and they are all best friends}.  I also played the descant on my violin, for that one too.

It was so fun to have a combined Baptism, with our great friends, the Smith family.  The program was all done by both of our families.  Mark's Dad {R's grandpa} gave the talk on The Holy Ghost, and Nette's Mom {L's grandma} gave the talk on Baptism.  Both R and L's Dad's Baptized them.  It was a Beautiful Baptismal service.  Mark confirmed R.  It was such a wonderful day!

 We went back to Mark's parent's home, with both sides of our family, and took some lovely pictures {thanks Riana!} with our family.

Our Daughter R, with her Grandparents, Parents, and Siblings.

R and L had such an Amazing Baptism day!  R with her Cousins, at her Baptism Luncheon.

Our Kids had such a Blast playing with Cousins from both sides of our Family.  It was a wonderful Baptism day!  We all had a great time spending time together.  We are so glad that so many of our Family and Friends could be there for R's special day!{Thanks to my awesome sister, Angela for taking care of our sick Baby H {without being asked!}, during the Baptism!}

{R's Baptism Invitation & 8th Birthday Party!}

Since we only recently moved to Idaho from Oregon; our Daughter R, wanted to have her Baptism in Oregon {Plus she gets to have her Baptism, with her best friend L Smith!  The girls are super excited! :)} 

 We Celebrated our Daughter R’s 8th Birthday {yay!  It’s Great to be 8!} Party with a Disney’s “Frozen” themed party!  We had a total Blast!  Click here to View More from our Party!

{Lucky Us! St. Patty's Day: March 2014}

Lucky Me: On Saint Patrick's Day this year, {some years we have traditional Irish Food} we had Green Food.  An Egg McMuffin, with Spinach inside and a Healthy Shamrock Shake, with Spinach, yogurt, and juice.  Yummy! :)  We loved it.

 Lucky Kids: Our Kids are Irish on Both sides of our Family.  We all love dressing up for this Lovely, Lucky Holiday.  Little Miss K loved trying on Green Eyelashes and Little Man C, donned his "Mom's Lucky Charm" shirt, and we love his Irish Red Hair! :)

 Lucky Us: Baby H was so Excited to Celebrate Saint Patrick's Day!  Little Man E and Little Miss R, loved dressing up with Daddy Mark, at their School {Mark teaches 2nd Grade, there}.  We always love turning on Pandora and having an Irish Dance too.  We feel So Lucky to have Each other's Love and Companionship and that we always have an Amazing time together! We had a Fabulous Saint Patrick's Day this year!  :) 

{Valentines Day Sweetness: Feb 2014}

Our Valentines Day, was Lovely.  The Kids and Mark had their Valentines Day Parties at School the Day before, which were so fun and exciting!  But Valentines Day, the Kids had off--from school {Mark had a Teacher's Work day for part of the Day}; so it was wonderful to have them home with us, for the day {Friday}.  I made everyone Egg in a Frame, with the Frame Shaped like a Heart, special for Valentines Day.  In the evening, Mark wasn't feeling very well, so we didn't go out to eat, but we made a Special Dinner at home; complete with Steak wrapped with bacon and salad {Yummy!}.

 We made Homemade Valentines, and exchanged them with each other.  We also made {Healthy?!  Whole Wheat} Sugar Cookies and enjoyed eating them together.

The day after Valentines Day {the 15th}; is a Tradition to Celebrate {along with Valentines Day}; every year since we got Engaged {12 years Ago!} to Celebrate when Mark proposed to Me {and I said YES!}.  So We went out to Eat at a FABULOUS Soup and Salad Buffet {SO GOOD!!!}.  We had a Wonderful Time Celebrating Our Special Day! :)

Later, we ate our Homemade Popsicles, with our Kiddos.  Everyone Enjoyed them very much!  We had Fabulous Valentines Celebrations this year! :)

{Our Kids' Sessions and Birthday Parties}

Check out {Our Son E's 9 year Photo Session} and {Sneak Peek}!

Check out {Our Daughter K's 5 year Photo Session} and {Sneak Peek}!

Check out {Our Son C's 3 year Photo Session} and {Sneak Peek}!

 Check out {Our Daughter Baby H's 8 Months Photo Session} and {Sneak Peek}!

Check out {Our Children's Dressup Photo Session}!

Check out {Baby H's 1 year Birthday Party}: Cookies and Cocoa Theme!

Check out {My Mom's Surprise 60th Birthday Party}: that we threw for her!

Previous Post In Case You Missed it: 
{Our Family's Spring {Daughter R's: 7 year Session and Baby H's: 6 months Session} Summer {Our Family Session} and Fall {Kids} Halloween Photo Session}