2018 Trip to FLORIDA and the Rest of the Year

The kids and I headed to Florida in the end of July; it has been two years since we had gone. It was the best two weeks. The kids had so much fun; ill highlight out trip; the kids ask everyday to go back

 First night on the beach!!!

Fishing is always something we do when we are in Florida. Teddy caught a big catfish; he also had a fun time with a friend Weston. They loved spending time together and I am glad he made a friend

 DISNEY-it was so fun to go to Disney World. My kids are at the perfect age; Teddy was brave and rode the big kid rides and the girls were brave and rode a smaller roller coaster. Disney is crowded, not like when I was young and we went in the off season and got on rides without waiting. I do not think there is an off season anymore. For us, I would have to say that it was just a magical day. 

LAKE LIFE is the best life!!! Haha...I love time spent on the lake. My parents have a small boat which is perfect to just go on the lake with or pulling small tubes and pulling me skiing. Its my happy place. I am glad that this year my kids liked it too. 

 I LOVE SKIING!!! 

 

Will never get old!

In addition to Disney World, we also spend a day at Fun Spot. It is such a cool place; not as crazy busy as Disney but the kids had just as fun. They rode the big feet dangling roller coaster and then all the other fun rides. Its kinda like a big carnival. Such a blast. 

Freedom Flyer-even Sally rode it and had a good time. 

 

Always hard to leave this view!!! 

 And this one too; Ahma and Ampa spoiled us rotten

A few weeks after getting home from Florida, School started. Teddy is in 1st grade and Macy is in Kindergarten. Its crazy that they are only one grade apart in School

Little sis started Preschool as well; she is doing so good compared to a few years ago when she screamed and cried and almost barfed everyday. She is my little lover girl!!!

So, my husband also had a first day of school picture. He started teaching economics and history at Rigby High School. Rigby is a small town just south of where we live not. I am proud of him for completing his bachelor and masters degree in three years and obtaining a permanent teaching position. He is also the golf coach and will be the freshman football coach next year.

 So I said I was not going to coach soccer again but they asked this season if I would help out with Macy's team; I said yes...she had such a fun time. She is learning how to be more aggressive.

Teddy had a great team and great coach; she was so good at helping them with their positions and learning how to pass to each other. Team Work was how they worked this season. 

 Teddy also played flag football for the first time. He was on the same team as his friend Brayden; it was fun to see him in action. Having two parents that love sports, he definitely got the gene to get out there and do it.

Teddy turned 7; how in the world do I have a 7 year old. Its crazy. We love Teddy

 Halloween was fun this year; we went to the Halloween store and let them choose what they wanted; it cost more than I had wanted to spend but they loved it. We had a witch, a cat and a skeleton.

My mother came out again to help out my sister in law; we got to see her for a day and we made the best of it; my girls love spending time with Ahma. 

So I do not have any pictures on hand but October during fall harvest break, I took the kids to Boise to visit my sister. It was such a nice break. 

Also, my husband and I had been looking at houses in Rigby, where he is a teacher. We had talked about moving after the 2019 school year but while I was in Boise, he called and told me that he found the perfect house for us and if we wanted it, we would need to grab it. The housing market in Rigby goes super fast. So I toured the house and decided that it was a good fit for us and we should pursue it. I really did not want to leave Rexburg but my husband really wanted to move and be closer to work and immerse himself in the Rigby community, since he wanted to teach here forever. haha

Teddy's friend Brayden's mother works as a loan officer at a credit union and she helped us get qualified and helped through the whole process. We closed November 16th and moved in that weekend. It was bitter sweet but it felt like the right thing for our family. 

 New House!!!

We were so lucky to  be invited to Thanksgiving dinner at a friends house. It was a family that my husband met on his mission in Florida who now live in Rigby as well. It was so nice to not have to cook a meal in our new home. 

The only hard thing about moving in the middle of the school year was deciding whether to keep the kids going up in Rexburg or move them down to a school in Rigby. We can actually see an elementary school from our front yard; but we made the decision to out of zone them to a different school; where their aunt teaches and where their cousin goes. So they got to have a new first day at a new school after the thanksgiving break. 

 

We were invited by a teacher at the high school to go out with them and cut down our own Christmas Tree; it was cold and the kids spent most of the time in the car, but we are glad we were able to do it. Not sure if it will be an annual tradition or a one time thing, only time will tell. 

Our realtor had a special holiday party for people who bought a house from them that year. They had Santa and I got these cute pictures of Teddy and Macy; Sally was not having it that evening. But she did like it a week later at out local library. 

Macy participated in spirit week at school!!!

 First was ugly or cute sweater; this was such an awesome find!!!

There was then elf day, wear red day, wear a headband day and pajama day!!!

Christmas Sunday the kids sang a song in church:

Stars were gleaming, shepherds dreaming; And the night was dark and chill. Angels’ story rang with glory; Shepherds heard it on the hill. Ah, that singing! Hear it ringing, Earthward winging, Christmas bringing! Hearken! We can hear it still!

See the clearness and the nearness, Of the blessed Christmas star, Leading, guiding; wise men riding, Through the desert dark and far. Lovely showing, shining, growing, Onward going, gleaming, glowing, Leading still, our Christmas star!

This year, I am grateful for all we were blessed with. 

2018 FIRST HALF

My Helpers!!!

 Snow Afternoon!!!

 

Friends!!!

 So I hate the snow, well...I hate the cold; sometimes the snow is fun (if I bundle bundle up). But it takes work, why do I live in Idaho. This other picture I just keep to remind me of those days, you know the days when you just dont know if you will survive. Sally was not having it waiting for the pharmacy at Walgreens, is it bad that I just let her lie on the dirty floor, sigh

My first mission president and his wife came to Rexburg for the wedding of one of their nieces. It was fun to meet and catch up. I will always be grateful for my mission presidents and my time I spent in Texas as a missionary. It was a hard hard but rewarding 18 months and these two helped me so much. I love them !!!

 Love these two!!! 

Teddy and his buddy Brayden. They met at the beginning of the year and have been glued at the hip since. I am so glad that Teddy is good at making friends. 

We got out for a night on the slopes; it was great. I will always love snow skiing-one of the reasons I tolerate living in Idaho and having snow

I also got to go out snow skiing with one of my previous bishops; I had been wanting to go with he and his wife for a long time and it finally happened; Targee did not disappoint; I was a little rusty but had a nice time. 

 Hanging out with Aunt Annie and cousins. Her parents live in Rexburg and we got to go over and ride the 4 wheeler in the snow!!! 

 Little Ozz

 Our little red SUV died; my husband was driving home from Pocatello one evening after school and it stopped on the freeway. We found a great deal on another vehicle. We upgraded from a Ford Escape to a Ford Explorer.

Macy turned 5

In the End of April; my friend Courtney came down to Utah with me and the girls. We drove down to participate in the NEDA walk (National Eating Disorder Association). I was able to see a few ladies that I was in treatment with. I am glad we were able to go down. I got to meet with my therapist. I have kept the same counselor since coming home, we just do skype sessions. It was nice to see her in person. I was also able to go and meet my second mission president and his wife. They are always gracious and welcoming. 

 It started to warm up and the kids loved riding their bikes

Teddy plated soccer and he loved it. My mother came out to visit my brother and his wife and was able to come up for one of the games. 

Cinco De Mayo; our friend Courtney invited us over and we had dinner and she got a pinata, so fun

Mothers Day!!! Like I always say, I am grateful for my kids. At times I do not feel worthy to be their mom, but they were sent to me for a reason and I will try hard to give them the love they deserve. 

 Teddy graduated from Kindergarten. He had a super awesome teacher this year

The people that live across the street from us got season passes to bear world and they let us know if we ever wanted to go, we could go with them. They have grandkids in town and we loved going with them. They are so kind. 

 My sister came out to Idaho for a quick visit; it was fun to spend the afternoon with her. She also brought cousins to play.

Love the warm weather and love this sister of mine. She is loving and caring and kind. 

We celebrated 9 years of marriage. 

 My three year old!!!

We also found a new pizza place in Idaho Falls, it is so yummy...its thin crust, brick oven and its all you can have toppings. So nice. Its a new favorite place. 

Fathers Day!!!

Macy has had a umbilical hernia since she was born; each year the doctor said that it would go away or they would need to do surgery. But then they kept saying that each year. Finally after turning 5, they said they would fix it. 

She had an awesome child life specialist who helped her stay calm and we love her not having such a huge belly button; just in time to start school!!!

 This girl love loves milk; she will always bring it to me in my office. I can always hear it if she has the gallon, haha 

 Macy has always been super creative; love this girl!!!

For my friend Courtney's birthday a few of us went horseback riding. It was super cool. I fell off a horse when I was in high school and cracked my tailbone. I LOVE horses but they have scared me. It was nice to get on one and go for a nice walk, haha

For the 4th of July this year, I jogged/walked in a mile run before the parade. It was suppose to be a family affair but Teddy was not feeling well. I huffed and puffed but we made it

Hiking with my gals; I like that they love getting out in nature with me!!!