Blessings

I have been really bad at blogging the past couple years, not that blogging has ever been a strength of mine! We have had a so many blessings this past year it is hard to list them all. First of all we added this cutie to our family!!

It is amazing as I look back at when she was new and how sick she looks. I didn't realize how sick she was at the time. My poor little baby girl had an intolerance for my breast milk and was not getting the nutrients she needed. We ended up in the hospital when she was 6 weeks old. We didn't know what the problem was at the time but with lots of prayers, good doctors and the support of friends and families we found out how to help our little one. After the problem was discovered she thrived!! She gained 4 pounds the first month out of the hospital!! It was a crazy how quickly she gained weight and improved. We are told that we grow through trials and at the time of these trials I felt very scared, but never alone. There was always someone there to help, listen, take my kiddos, and anything else we needed. We now have 4 healthy kids and feel like life is as normal as it will ever be!! (My parents are pretty cute too!!)

Turning 2!

My baby is turning 2!! I hear parents comment on how fast their kids grow. I hate to agree with them. Though it is exciting to watch my kids reach new milestones and enjoy their fun personalities; I wish time could slow down just a little.

Around 2 months old!

Almost 1 years old!!

Almost 2!!

Family Reunion

My dad's family does not do family reunions; at least not on a regular basis. Before this summer the last one we had was when I was 15. We got together at Mack's Inn and had so much fun. It was great to see cousins who I had not seen for at least 10 years.

Grandma helped Ronin wade in the river. The water was freezing, but of course the kids didn't notice.

My dad and his siblings. It is always a laugh when they all get together. They feed off one another and before we know it we are all cracking up!

We had a little fireside Friday night.

We all sat on camp chairs and my uncle Tom reminded us of our heritage and my Grandpa Albaugh. We all teared up a bit.

We all had big plans to play in the river again Saturday, but the weather had other plans for us all. We drug all our camp chairs under a large tent shelter and had fun making leather and survival bracelets and chatting. Even though we didn't get to do what we planned we had a good time squished together and making the best of our situation.

Summertime in Idaho

The kids and I spend a few weeks every summer at my parents home. The kids have fun being able to play outside as much as they like and going on fun outings with their grandparents.

These first two pictures are actually from last summer. The girls were dying to ride a horse and luckily their cousin (my cousin) had a horse. He was kind enough to come up and let them get on with him. They thought it was amazing!! Some of the appeal to going to Idaho is the animals. Since we have no pets and there are not many livestock roaming the lots where we live.

This was the activity of choice every morning while waiting for the grown ups to get ready to go whatever activity we had planned for the day. Those swings got a lot of miles on them!

This summer we went bowling as one of our activities. The girls loved it, Ronin slept through most of it. There was music playing while we bowled; Chris and the girls just couldn't contain themselves and had to break it down!

After bowling and miniature golf we had to get in some carnival type games.

My generous parents who always welcome us and let us terrorize their home every summer.

Look at that Smile!

Ronin is our extra smiley little guy!! He goes with the flow and cheers his sisters on in their activities!! He love Thomas the Train and anything that has wheels or may be a form of transportation.

Spell . . . . charcoal

Ellie got the opportunity to participate in the second grade spelling bee at her school. She was plugging along, doing great, but got hung up on the word, charcoal. Poor city kid had no idea what charcoal was and since her parents and not much for camping she had no hope! We are so proud of her for doing her best. She was so nervous!!

Preschool Graduation

Little Miss Lauryn is growing up!! She has now graduated from Little Stars preschool and is in anticipation for kindergarten. Lauryn got to have her Grandma and Papa Belt at her graduation plus, the bonus of a surprise visit from Papa Albaugh. Papa Albaugh flew in as a special present for Lauryn for preschool; she was so excited to have so much support on her special day;)