8 Years Ago....

This is where I was eight years ago....

Today is Kaydra's birthday. I can't believe I have an eight year old. She is more than I could have ever imagined. I remember when I was pregnant with her and I wondered what she would look like. I hoped that Len and I would make cute babies and I was not disappointed. She was born with very dark hair and the most beautiful skin. I remember thinking that there wasn't a single mark on her. My other children (especially Kanyon) had issues with their skin and coloring when they were born, but not Kaydra. She was perfect. I remember being so excited to show her off. I think she was born on a Monday and by the next Sunday I was in church ready to show her off to everyone. I think I must have been crazy!

Kaydra is a joy to have around. She is so helpful with Miranda and I am always amazed at how well she and Kanyon play together. I know that is mostly because Kaydra is so flexible in her playing. She loves her brother and sister and isn't afraid to show it. She is a good friend to others and very forgiving. I love her and I am so proud of the girl she has become. I hope only the best for her.

Today was a good day. We sang happy birthday and opened presents first thing this morning. Kaydra said she could hardly sleep last night because she was so excited. She got some new crocs and some cute boots from Grandma and Grandpa Fitz and she got a cute skirt and blouse from me. She got some soap for the bathtub from Kanyon and a new blanket from Miranda. We also got her a new camera and her dad got her a pink B.B. gun. It was very weird for me to see my daughter with a gun in her hand -- even if it is pink! She was excited and they had a gun safety class this morning. Tomorrow they will start shooting at some targets!

We went to the school and registered the kids today. They also did pre-screening for Kanyon for kindergarten. We found out that they don't have a kindergarten teacher yet. They are interviewing right now. Hopefully they will find one soon!

Later in the afternoon we went to the Lake. It is starting to get cold again. The weather outside was warm but the water is a little chilly. The kids didn't seem to mind too much but I opted out today. Kanyon and Kaydra have both really taken to snorkeling and they find all sorts of treasures under the water. Miranda is not afraid of the water at all and I have to watch her like a hawk. Luckily this jacket works great and if she happens to fall while in the water it flips her on her back immediately until someone can grab her out. LOVE IT!

We ended the day with tacos for dinner and "Better than almost anything cake" which is SO YUMMY. I highly recommend it. Kanyon said, "We are definitely having this for my birthday next time!"

We love you Kaydra!

Not my baby anymore

Okay, so I know that this isn't really all that impressive but I cannot believe how fast my baby is growing up. I swear, two months ago I took her to this same park and tried to get her on the slide and she would have nothing to do with it. I had to drag her down it ... This time I couldn't get her off it. She just kept going around and around. They grow up so fast!

We are HOUSE-LESS

I am not going to say homeless because we have a very accommodating home right now with my in-laws -- BUT WE SOLD OUR HOUSE!!!!

It is closed and recorded and no longer ours! I was only this happy about getting rid of something when our house in Twin Falls finally closed! We do miss the people there and a lot of things in Idaho Falls, but we are so glad to be able to really get going on building our house here. We may not be able to really start building until next spring but we are going to do as much as we can. We got the permit for the septic system today and we are also working on getting power to the home site. It is all exciting but I wish there was more that I could physically do! I am sure that it will come but I feel like it's a lot of waiting....

Anyway, thanks to everyone who kept us in your prayers for the past few months. We feel very blessed with the way things worked out. And thanks to our realtor, Tina Miller, who did a great job! I recommend her to anyone looking to sell or buy a house in Idaho Falls. She worked really hard for us. And last but not least, thanks to my mom and dad and Jackson who checked in on the house since we moved and took care of the yard, you guys are awesome!

Better Late than Never

So Jodi and her kids came to visit us for about two weeks. They left last Thursday. We had so much fun with them while they were here. I think we went swimming every day (except Sunday, of course) for at least an hour. The kids played and played. We set up a HUGE tent in the back yard and the kids all slept out there. At least they all started out there. Dillon only lasted a few hours and the kids took turns sleeping in occasionally for one reason or another. But at least two kids slept out each night. It was so fun to have them here. We did a lot of Coeur d'Alene touristy things while they were here.

We took the kids on the Millie and Mudgy Walk in Downtown Coeur d'Alene. A local author wrote a children's book about a mouse and moose and their day in Coeur d'Alene and then a local sculptor made bronze statues that are at various locations to simulate the story. There is a walk that you can go on and follow the same course that they took in the book. It's kinda fun and you get to see a lot of downtown. Here is a picture at the first moose we stopped to see. It is near the library. The kids were really excited to find the first moose - Anna is holding the book with the map inside that we followed. I love this next picture because you can really see the personalities bursting! This next one is the moose statue near Tubbs Hill. All the kids with Grandma! Yup, there were five adults and eight kids staying here. We've had more in the past- but it was still tight! So much fun though! After the walk, Grandma went and picked up lunch for all of us and we ate in the park. We then let the kids play at the City Beach. We don't go there very often because it is so crowded with tourists, but the kids think it is really fun and they are always begging to go there! It's nice and shallow and the water is warmer because of that. Plus, they love to play in the sand. I think it's fun to watch all the people down there. It's kinda crazy how many people come here on vacation. In fact, I think that some of you should come here on vacation -- I hear it's a good place to go. Plus, I live here so I could tell you all the fun things to do! Come see us! When our house is built I will even have a place for you to stay! Plan your next vacation to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho!

Okay...Back to Blogging! We also went to a pioneer day celebration while they were here. The kids had a good time but they liked the tug of war the best. This is picture of all the young girls tugging against all the young boys. The girls won, of course! Kaydra is in the purple shirt (third one) She is followed by her cousins Cora (in red) and Anna and Emily, who are both about to fall over. Fun times! We are so glad that they came and we miss having instant companions first thing when we wake up. We were glad to hear they made it home safe and sound, even if they had a few "pit" stops on the way! :) They started school this week so they had to get back home. My kids don't start school until September 8. I love that. The best part of summer is the month of August, in my opinion, so I am happy that they don't start until after Labor Day. Of course, they have to continue school through the first week of June - but it usually rains in June here - A LOT - so I'm sure that this is better way to go! Happy Summer!