Jumpin' June

So June flew by. It seems like we were always on the go. Just jumpin from one fun thing to the next. We got all settled in to our new little house. We've really liked it and Tyree loves having so many friends to play with. We've spent some of the weekends up in Gray's Lake, of course.  I love watching all the birds up there in the spring. Bluebirds, little song birds, Humming birds (which are really hard to get a good picture of), and this Killdeer that made her nest right in the driveway. We put that black thing around it to keep it safe, and yes the babies hatched and they have since moved on. We also love to fish when we're up there. Well Clancy just loves being outside, I don't think he cares about the fishing so much. Tyree is always great at bringing dad the worms. During the week when we aren't in Grays Lake there are so many fun things to do. Like going to the water park with our cousins. One day I took the kids up to Rexburg to meet with Cali, Travis and their kids at the water park. It took my kids a little bit to warm up to it, but once they did, they loved it. We had so much fun we definitely need to do it again. I did put Tyree in swim lessons, and Clancy and I did a mom and tot lesson. So maybe next time they'll be ready to bail right in. Of course in June we had Father's Day. Tyree was so excited to give her dad presents. We are so blessed to have Kelly in our family. The kids couldn't ask for a better dad and role model. He does such a great job leading our family. We love you! Also in June was Clancy's first birthday. I can't believe it. We had a fun filled day of cupcakes in the park, and going to the zoo, but I have a whole different post just for that. That was pretty much our June, remember to keep checking back.

Marvelous May

Our May was marvelous! We've been having such a great time and I've really enjoyed staying at home. I did realize in May that my children are growing up way to fast. During May Tyree had her dance recital.(She's on the left end) It was so much fun. She did a great job. When they took the pictures however, she wouldn't smile. I asked her why she didn't smile and she said "I didn't want to" She was so excited right before the show started. I took some videos but I had to cut them down a little to get them on here but they just repeated the same thing a few times. I took them during dress rehearsal so you can still hear people talking but she did just as good during the real show. Starting on the left she's the second girl.

We're so proud of her.
Also by May Clancy was up and running. He started trying to walk in April, but by May he had it down good. He is getting such and awesome personality. He does the best fishy face, and he loves to blow kisses, but of course I can never get them on camera. He wants to be funny, he'll do things and pull faces just to make you laugh. Then he'll laugh this huge wide mouthed HaHaHa. It's so cute. He loves to drag things around. Anything with a string on it, or a cord. He also loves to carry around anything like a bucket. He'll carry it around and put things in it. Clancy is all boy. He loves to climb on everything and throw things in the toilet. Yes he can open the lid, fortunately he can't open doors yet.
We spent a couple of weekends in Gray's Lake fixing fence and doing all the usual stuff in the spring to get ready for cows. We were up there on Mothers Day so on the way home we stopped and fished. We didn't catch anything but the kids had fun. Clancy just really liked eating the mud, but he was happy! The last weekend of May we moved into a new house. No we didn't buy one, still just renting. It's a cute little duplex on a quite cul-de-sac. There are a bunch of little girls Tyree's age so she has new friends. We've really enjoyed it here. Please keep checking back I have about 5 posts I'm going to try and get up in the next couple of days.

Easter

Easter was good this year. We took our baskets and eggs up to the inlaws and the Easter bunny found us there. But first we had to color eggs. I want to know how you do that with a bunch of kids. It was hard enough trying to keep 1 child from getting it everywhere. Tyree is a little impatient. She never wanted to let them soak very long to get that good color. Dad was very good at helping her and giving her a little coaching on how to get the best color. We had to strap little man in his high chair. He's just tall enough to reach the top of the table and kept trying to pull the plastic down with all the dye on it. We only did 18 but they were beautiful. I made a Wonder Woman one, but our red would not get very dark no matter how long it was in there. I still like it though. A couple days before Easter we had some plastic eggs that we had to hide and find every day so we could "practice." Kelly's work had an egg hunt and a brunch on Saturday so we went to that. It was fun but I didn't get any pictures. The Easter bunny was good to the kids as usual. Tyree kept saying "Look what the Easter bunny gave me. He is So nice." All that practicing paid off and she found all of the eggs (of course). Then we had to hide and find for the rest of the day. She got this amazing new outfit with sunglasses. Of course she had to help brother get into his basket too. Our Easter dinner was delicious and I made the cake. (sorry the pic is sideways) That was our Easter, nice but low key. The week following I kept having to convince Tyree that the bunny wasn't going to hide eggs every morning, even if we boiled more. He only does it once a year.

Since Then (part 2)

Here's the rest of what's been going on since then. In my life there are 3 things that are guaranteed to happen in the spring. #1 the wind is going to blow( because I live in Idaho), however we won't be talking about that because I hate the wind. The other two are some of my favorite things. My birthday, yeah, and working cows. My birthday this year was great. We didn't do to much, just the usual birthday cake at home with the family. (Tyree is into making silly faces when we take pictures. It must be her age or something) Kelly and the kids got me this super cute purse.  I also got some cute jewelry from my sister Cali. The gift came with this great card. I think it is one of my favorite cards ever. It had this magnet in it. I've decided it's my new mantra. I don't know if it qualifies for one, but it definitely cheers me up on a bad day and keeps me going. On the weekend we went up to the in-laws and had a little birthday dinner for me and my brother in-law Ryan. I made the birthday cake. It was a rum cake and it was delicious.
Spring time always brings calving season which I love. I love watching the calves run around they are so cute. We spend every weekend at my in-laws so we can help tagging calves, vaccinating, and moving cows around. It also means we get to have a lot of quality family time which is one of the most important things in life.       (Randi Jo, Kelly, Ryan) The day we branded this year was super windy so I wasn't able to have the kids out like I wanted, but the next weekend there were a few more to do so the kids got to help. The weather was much nicer. Clancy learned how to mix the medicine. He also got to ride on a horse for the first time, but I didn't get any pictures. We went up this last weekend and opened up the house in Gray's Lake. So we can start spending some time up there and that makes me happy. I have Easter pictures to post so keep checking back.

Since Then (part 1)

I know it has been awhile since I posted, and those posts were from Christmas time, so here's what's been happening since then. The kids and I stay home and play a lot. Kelly and I are able to get away sometimes and we were able to go steelhead fishing one day. We didn't catch anything, but we still had a great time just being together. We got to see some big horn sheep so that's always fun.
Tyree is still in dance and is working on her recital dances which is going to be May 16. Clancy is growing as fast as he can. He has 6 teeth and is trying to cut more. His body is in constant motion unless he is sleeping. It is a challenge trying to change his diaper and dress him. As my mother in-law says "It's like trying to put clothes on an octopus!" He crawls everywhere but really, really wants to be able to walk. He can pull himself up on anything but he can't get more than a step or two. It won't be long I'm sure before he takes off.

He's into everything already and will climb anything. I'm amazed at the things he climbs up on and he just laughs. There's not much he's afraid of, loud noises and strangers are about it. Heights, animals, and baths don't bother him at all. Bath time is a favorite for both kids. After I get Clancy out and am trying to get him lotion-ed and dressed, he's always trying to climb back in with sister.

We also got Kelly's deer mount back. They did a great job, and it looks amazing. The hard part was trying to find a spot for it in our little rental house. The ceilings are maybe 7 feet high. So that means when he is hanging on the wall we are at eye level with each other. There was really only one good place where he wouldn't be sticking out for us to walk into him. Above the TV. His face literally sticks out just above the TV. At first it was a little weird I always found myself looking at the deer and not watching TV, but now I don't even notice.
As life goes not everything that happens to us is filled with happiness. There is also some times of sorrow. On Friday March 13 in the morning we got the phone call to come to the hospital because Kelly's grandpa, Demont Crystal, was in his final hours. We were so fortunate to be able to be with him and let him feel our love. He passed that evening. Although it was a sad time, it was also a great time. We were able to be surrounded by family and friends, and share so many great memories. The outpouring of love and friendship was amazing and we would like to thank everyone for their support. The week leading up to the funeral was actually wonderful. We were able to talk to so many people we hadn't talked to or seen in years. It really was a testament to what a great person Grandpa was. We had a wonderful relationship with him so of course we think that, but when we saw the number of people who came and called and shared their memories, it really makes you realize what a great person he was and how blessed we were to have him in our lives. He treated everyone the same, like a good friend. He always had a smile and a nickname for you, and he was full of life. He always wanted to be going and doing. Fixing fence, working cows,or just fishing, and playing cards, but always doing something. He was fortunate enough to be going and doing until his last day. His health was decent and his mind was good. Even though I know I will see him again, and that death shouldn't be sad because it is not the end but only a new beginning, I still shed a tear every now and again because I miss him. I am a little sad that my children won't remember him. But that is life, we have to have sorrow to know happiness, and I have no doubt that he has found a fishing hole with endless fish and the warmth of the sun on his back. He will wait and fish until we can see him again, and then he will probably ask if we brought more worms. We love him and we'll miss him!
(Sorry to leave on a sad note but there is more so check back)