HAPPY FATHER'S DAY AND OTHER STUFF!

LATELY, IT SEEMS THAT WE HAVE HAD QUITE A BIT GOING ON. OUR FRIENDS, THE HIGBEE'S HAVE BEEN UP FROM BOISE FOR AWHILE FOR MIKE TO DO AN INTERNSHIP AT FORT HALL, THEY HAVE BEEN LIVING WITH JEN'S PARENTS AND WE HAVE ENJOYED HANGING OUT WITH THEM. THE CADYS, JARED'S BEST FRIEND MIKE, AND HIS WIFE ANGELA WERE UP FROM FLORIDA FOR A COUPLE WEEKS AND WE HAD A GREAT TIME WITH THEM TOO. THE DUDLEY'S AND MARSHALLS WERE AROUND TO PLAY ALSO, AND THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING. I HAVEN'T TAKEN A LOT OF PICTURES SO THIS WILL JUST BE A BLOG...BORING SOME MAY SAY! WE HAVE BEEN OCCUPIED WITH THE SAME OLD SUMMER STUFF-WORKING ON THE YARD, HELPING FARM IN SODA, SPENDING TIME WITH FAMILY, AND JUST OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN GOING ON. WE HAVE ENJOYED THE PAST COUPLE WEEKENDS HANGING OUT WITH AUNT NIKI AND TREVY AS WELL AS NANA. WE WENT TO THE FAMILY LIVING FUN DAY LAST WEEKEND AND THAT WAS ALOT OF FUN FOR THE KIDS. IT HAS BEEN RAINING A TON SO ANYTHING TO GET THEM OUT OF THE HOUSE WHEN IT'S NICE FOR A BIT, HAS BEEN IDEAL. THEY ENJOYED JUST WALKING AROUND ROSS PARK SEEING BOOTHS, KIDS, FOOD, ETC...NIKI AND I ENJOYED GETTING OUT OF THE HOUSE FOR FREE ALSO. THIS PAST WEEKEND STARTED WITH JARED, TROY, MY STEP-DAD, AND MICHAEL TORGESEN HELPING WITH OUR GARDEN. YES, WE FINALLY GOT THE RAILROAD TIES WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR. WE ABOUT GAVE UP AND THE NEXT DAY THEY CALLED-YIPPEE! THEY PUT THAT TOGETHER AND I WENT TO LUNCH WITH HAILEY DYE, BRITNEY OFISA, AND HEATHER JENKS SINCE HEATHER MOVED YESTERDAY. WE WILL MISS HER AND WISH HER FAMILY TONS OF LUCK. THEN FRIDAY NIGHT, NIKI AND I ALONG WITH OUR FAMILIES, HAD MY DAD AND KAREN, AND MY GRPA BOB TO NIKI'S FOR FATHER'S DAY DINNER. GOOD FOOD AND FUN WITH GOOD CONVERSATION-WE HAD A GREAT TIME. SATURDAY, WE WENT TO THE FARMER'S MARKET WITH NIKI, TREVY, AND NANA AND JUST HUNG OUT-THE WEATHER WAS CLOUDY BUT NO RAIN. WE THEN WALKED AROUND SHOPS IN OLD TOWN POCATELLO AND JUST PLAYED, SO FUN! THEN NANA CAME AND HELPED ME MAKE HOMEMADE CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP AND THAT WAS FUN AND TURNED OUT SO YUMMY. WE THEN WENT TO THE RIVERFEST HERE ON THE GREENWAY AND LISTENED TO BANDS AND JUST WALKED AROUND, MOST THE BOOTHS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS WEREN'T UP DUE TO THE WEATHER BUT IT WAS STILL FUN. WE THEN CAME HOME AND JARED AND I WATCHED THE MOVIE, "TAKEN" AFTER HALLE WENT TO BED. WE HAD A FUN DATE NIGHT AND IT WAS A GREAT MOVIE.

TODAY, WE GOT TO CELEBRATE FATHER'S DAY. THIS IS A TRIBUTE TO ALL THE FATHER'S OUT THERE, WE LOVE YOU! I AM THANKFUL FOR ALL THE MEN IN MY LIFE AND ALL THE IMPORTANT LESSONS THEY HAVE TAUGHT ME. I WOULD NOT BE THE PERSON I AM WITHOUT THEM AND THEIR INFLUENCE. ESPECIALLY, MY HUSBAND. HE IS A GREAT PERSON, A WONDERFUL FATHER, AND AN OUTSTANDING HUSBAND. I AM SO THANKFUL FOR HIM AND THE LOVE HE HAS FOR HALLE AND I. HE IS A GREAT PROVIDER, CARE TAKER, AND LISTENER, AND I AM SO GREATFUL FOR HIM. I LOVE YOU JARED! WE SPENT THE EVENING WITH HIS PARENTS AND SISTER KIM, AND HUSBAND JOHN AT THE BERNT'S HAVING A BBQ. IT WAS GREAT AND WE HAD A GOOD FATHER'S DAY!

OTHER THAN THAT AND BEING BUSY, NOT A WHOLE LOT HAS BEEN GOING ON. WE DID FIND OUT JARED HAS AN EYE INFECTION WHICH ISN'T FUN AND DUE TO LASIK SURGERY LAST YEAR, HAS LOST SOME SIGHT IN HIS RIGHT EYE AND WILL HAVE TO UNDERGO SURGERY AGAIN SOON. THEY ONLY PAY FOR IT WITHIN 18 MONTHS OF SURGERY-WE ARE GOING ON A YEAR SO IT WILL BE SOON. HOWEVER, WE ARE THANKFUL HE IS OK AND NOTHING MAJOR IS WRONG, AND HE WILL GET BETTER.

WELL, THATS A LONG POST, SO HOPE ALL IS GOING WELL FOR EVERYONE.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY AGAIN TO ALL THOSE MEN OUT THER!

WE LOVE YOU!

ST. GEORGE!

THIS PAST WEEKEND, WE WENT DOWN TO ST GEORGE FOR JARED'S COUSINS WEDDING. WE LEFT ON WEDNESDAY, WHICH HAPPENED TO BE THE SAME DAY OUR FRIENDS, THE DUDLEY'S WERE GOING DOWN WITH THEIR FAMILY TO SPEND SOME TIME IN THERE HOUSE. WE FOLLOWED THEM DOWN WEDNESDAY LEAVING AT 6 PM. WE STOPPED IN PROVO TO BIG UP BRITNEY DUDLEY'S LITTLE BRO AND EAT AND THEN OFF WE WERE. WE STOPPED ONE MORE TIME FOR GAS AND THAT WAS IT. HALLE WAS A CHAMP THE WHOLE WAY DOWN, NOT MUCH COMPLAINING. WE FINALLY ROLLED INTO ST. GEORGE AT ABOUT 2 AM AND WE WERE EXHAUSTED. WE STAYED THAT NIGHT WITH THE DUDLEY'S SINCE THEY GRACIOUSLY OFFERED, WE SAVED MONEY ON A HOTEL AND GOT TO BE WITH FRIENDS, WHAT A BONUS! WE THEN SPENT THE NEXT DAY PLAYING IN THE 80 DEGREE WEATHER, SWIMMING(WHICH HALLE HATED!), AND SHOPPING AND HANGING OUT. JARED AND THE FRIENDS GOT SOME GOLF IN. WE HAD SO MUCH FUN WITH THE DUDLEY'S AND BRIT'S FAMILY AND WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THEIR GENEROSITY TOWARDS US. THEY OFFERED TO LET US STAY THE NEXT NIGHT, AND WE DID. HOWEVER, THAT NIGHT HALLE GOT SICK AGAIN! I AM SICK OF COLDS! WE DID GO SHOPPING THE NEXT DAY AT THE OUTLETS AND PLAYED ALOT. WE HAD FUN! THE REST OF THE TIME, WE WENT TO THE WEDDING, WHICH WAS WONDERFUL. I DIDN'T ATTEND IT, SINCE HALLE DIDN'T FEEL TO HOT, BUT JARED SAID IT WAS WONDERFUL! THE REST OF THE TIME WAS SPENT PLAYING WITH THE BERNT'S AND WE HAD A BLAST. I DID GO SEE MY UNCLE DEON AND HIS CAR STORE WHILE JARED GOLFED ONE DAY AND IT WAS GREAT TO SEE HIM AND CHAT FOR A BIT. OVERALL, WE HAD A WONDERFUL TRIP AND IT WAS SAD HALLE WAS SICK. SHE WAS A TROOPER AND WE LOVED SPENDING TIME AS A FAMILY IN THE SUN! THURSDAY WE WERE TO GO TO THE SWEET 16 NCAA TOURNAMENT IN ARIZONA, JARED WILL GO WITH HIS MOM. HALLE AND I ARE GOING TO STAY HOME TO GET HER HEALTHY ONCE AND FOR ALL AND LET JARED ENJOY HIS TRIP. WE WILL MISS HIM BUT IT IS BEST THIS WAY, FOR HALLE! (SORRY NO PIX, COMPUTER STILL BEING STUPID!)

ST PATTY'S PARTY!!

IT IS TRADITION TO CELEBERATE ST PATRICK'S DAY AT OUR HOUSE. WHY? NOTRE DAME FIGTIN' IRISH! WE JUST SIMPLY CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF IT AND SO THIS IS ONE DAY SET ASIDE FOR FREAKISH FANS LIKE US THAT JUST HAVE TO CELEBRATE. WE DECK OUT THE HOUSE FOR THIS HOLIDAY AND COMPLETE OUR DECOR WITH A RUG COMING IN THE HOUSE WITH THE BIG "ND" SYMBOL ON IT. I THOUGHT I WOULD NEVER GET HOOKED TO A FOOTBALL TEAM SO MUCH, BUT NOW I REALIZED I HAVE CROSSED THAT LINE TOO. WE HAD SOME FRIENDS AND THEIR KIDS COME OVER FOR A LITTLE PARTY. JARED DIDN'T FEEL GOOD (FOOD POISONING) AND SPEND MOST OF THE NIGHT LAYING DOWN ON THE BED. THE REST OF US HOWEVER ENJOYED SOME GOOD CONVO WHILE OUR KIDS PLAYED AND RAN AMUCK TOGETHER. DINNER THIS YEAR WAS LESS TRADITIONAL THAN OUR CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE LAST YEAR. WE HAD DELICIOUS HAMBURGERS, GREEN SALAD, A GREEN DRINK, AND FOR DESSERT, DIRT WITH MINT OREOS CRUSHED ON TOP. I GUESS THIS HOLIDAY IS NOT JUST AN EXCUSE, WE ACTUALLY ALWAYS HAVE A TON OF FUN. THANKS TO THOSE WHO CAME AND PLAYED WE ENJOYED OURSELVES, AND HOPE YOU DID ALSO. (PS...WE DID MISS THE HIGBEES AND THE ZIRKERS:) (PPS....SORRY SHALOAM I DIDN'T HAVE ANY PICTURES OF YOU!)

HERE ARE ALL THE GREEN DECORATIONS, I THINK IT WAS PRETTY CUTE!

HALLE AND JARED HANGING OUT, BEFORE HE FELT TO SICK!

ME AND HALLE JUST HANGING OUT WAITING FOR OUR FRIENDS! NOTICE THE ND JERSEY! GO IRISH!~

BARRY AND HEATHER JENKS~DON'T KILL ME! THIS IS THE ONLY PICTURE I TOOK ALL NIGHT OF THEM! AT LEAST THE FOOD LOOKS YUMMY, RIGHT

SHALOAM AND BRITTNEY OFISA. SORRY SHALOAM, I DIDN'T TAKE MANY PIX THAT NIGHT, BUSY WITH THE KIDS~

SICK, TEETHING, AND MISERABLE TO SAY THE LEAST!!

LATELY OUR HOUSE HAS NOT BEEN TO MUCH FUN TO BE AROUND. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH WE HAVE CAUGHT A CYCLE IN THE WICKED COLD THAT IS GOING AROUND AND WHEN ONE OF US FINALLY KICK IT-SOMEONE ELSE GETS IT. HALLE HAS HAD IT FOR QUITE A WHILE AND IS NOW FACING A TERRIBLE BARKING COUGH AND HAS HAD SOME VERY SLEEPLESS MISERABLE NIGHTS FOR ALL INVOLVED. SHE IS ALSO GETTING HER TOP TWO MOLARS AND ONE OF HER CANINE TEETH ON BOTTOM AND THOSE ARE CAUSING QUITE A BIT OF PAIN IN HER LITTLE MOUTH. ALL I CAN SAY, THANK GOODNESS FOR MOTRIN. I ALSO HAD HER WEENED OFF THE BOTTLE COMPLETELY FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS AND AFTER ONE SLEEPLESS NIGHT I GAVE IN. IT WAS A COMFORT TO HER AND AT THAT POINT, I WOULD HAVE GIVEN HER ANYTHING SHE WANTED. THE PA I WORK FOR TODAY CHECKED HER EARS FOR AN EAR INFECTION, JUST IN CASE. THEY LOOKED FINE AND SO DID HER THROAT. I GUESS THE COUGH THAT IS GOING AROUND CAN TAKE UP TO SEVEN WEEKS TO GET RID OF SO WATCH OUT. SHE DID REALLY GOOD TODAY AND SEEMS TO BE GETTING BACK TO HERSELF AGAIN SO WE WILL KEEP OUR FINGERS CROSSED. BUT, JARED HAS A SORE THROAT TONIGHT. OH NO! I BETTER KEEP THESE TWO SEPERATED AND THE HOUSE CLOROXED. OTHER THAN THAT, (ON A POSITIVE NOTE) WE HAD THE DUDLEY'S AND THE WILDE'S AND THEIR FAMILIES OVER FOR HAMBURGERS AND MILKSHAKES THE OTHER NIGHT. WE HAD A BLAST, THEY ARE SUCH GREAT PEOPLE AND AWESOME FRIENDS. WE LOVE THEM! THANKS FOR COMING TO PLAY!(SORRY NO PICTURES THIS TIME....)

PARTY LIKE IT'S 2009!

THIS YEAR FOR NEW YEAR'S WE HAD ALOT OF FUN. ALMOST ALL OF JARED'S FRIENDS HAVE MOVED AWAY FOR COLLEGE AND WE ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES OVER THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY. THIS YEAR WE HAD A GET TOGETHER AND IT WAS FUN. ALL OF US, (THE DUDLEY'S, MENNEAR'S, CADY'S, MARSHALL'S, CASEY AND HIS LITTLE GIRLIE FRIEND LYNDLY, AND US-WITH HALLE) MET UP AT THE NEW PLACE IN TOWN-RUBY TUESDAY FOR DINNER! WE HAD TONS OF CONVERSATION AND CATCHING UP AND ALTHOUGH WE WERE THE ONLY ONE'S THAT BROUGHT OUR DAUGHTER, SHE WAS SUCH A GOOD GIRL AND ENJOYED BEING OUT WITH ALL THE ADULTS. AFTER DINNER WE CAME HOME AND HUNG-OUT IN THE BASEMENT SINCE HALLE WAS ASLEEP UPSTAIRS. WE PLAYED A TRIVIA GAME WITH EVERYONE, WATCHED SOME TV, DID SOME CATCHING UP AND I PLAYED WITH DUDLEY'S 2 WK OLD SON. WHO MIGHT I ADD IS ADORABLE! WE HAD A GOOD TIME. WE WERE ALL SO STUFFED FROM DINNER THAT WE DIDN'T EAT MANY OF THE TREATS WE BOUGHT AND WE ALSO FORGOT THE MARTINELLI'S JUICE IN THE FRIDGE. WE HAD FUN AND WILL HAVE THEM OVER AGAIN LATER IN THE WEEK TO EAT ALL THIS FOOD AND DRINKS! (SORRY I FORGOT MY CAMERA SO THERE ARE NO PIX!) WE HAD SO MUCH FUN AND IT WAS GOOD TO SEE EVERYONE! WE CAN'T WAIT TO ALL GET TOGETHER AGAIN AND HANG-OUT! WE LOVE YOU GUYS, AND HOPE YOU HAD FUN!

WHAT A BUSY, FUN-FILLED WEEK!

I WILL WARN YOU RIGHT UP FRONT, THIS WILL BE A LONG POST. THIS PAST WEEK HAS BEEN VERY BUSY, AND MY COMPUTER HAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT, SO IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO POST. I HAVE GOT A LOT TO CATCH UP ON, AND I BETTER DO IT WHILE MY COMPUTER AND HALLE ALLOW...RIGHT? ON MONDAY, MY FRIEND'S GRAND-DAUGHTER WAS UP FROM BOISE AND SHE HAD SOMETHING TO DO AND ASKED IF WE COULD WATCH THE LITTLE ONE, NAMED CJ. SHE IS ALMOST 4 AND IS AN ADORABLE GIRL. HER AND HALLE HAD A LOT OF FUN TOGETHER PLAYING, EATING CHICKEN NUGGETS AND SALAD, OREOS AND MILK, AND THEN WATCHING KUNG FU PANDA. SHE WAS FUN TO WATCH AND WE ENJOYED HAVING HER OVER!HERE IS CJ, GETTING READY TO PLAY CATCH WITH JARED~

TUESDAY NIGHT, WE ENDED UP PUTTING HALLE TO BED AND THEN PUTTING UP OUR CHRISTMAS TREE. HALLE WOULD HAVE HAD A BLAST BUT WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW LONG THE TREE WOULD BE STANDING WITH HER AWAKE, SO MAYBE NEXT YEAR SHE CAN BE THE TREE HELPER. WHILE I DECORATED THE TREE, JARED WENT AROUND PUTTING "MONEY SAVER" LIGHTBULBS IN ALL THE LIGHTS IN OUR HOUSE. WE HAD A FUN NIGHT DOING THIS WHILE LISTENING TO CHRISTMAS MUSIC. IT WAS ACTUALLY RELAXING SINCE I LOVE TO DECORATE THE TREE!

THE LIGHTS, THIS IS THE WORST JOB EVER BUT SO PRETTY WHEN IT IS DONE. I SHOULD REALLY LEARN TO PUT THEM AWAY BETTER AT THE END OF THE SEASON!

HERE IS THE FINISHED PRODUCT, WE GOT THIS TREE WITH OUR HANDS AND A CHAINSAW AND IT WAS FREE! GOOD TREE PICKING JARED- I DON'T THINK IT LOOKS HALF BAD!

WEDNESDAY NIGHT WAS PORTNEUF EMPLOYEE'S NIGHT AT THE FESTIVAL OF TREES, SO JARED AND I TOOK HALLE TO IT. SINCE I AM AN EMPLOYEE, WE GOT SOME TREATS IN THE BASEMENT, AWAY FROM EVERYONE AND GOT TO ENJOY LISTENING TO HOLIDAY MUSIC, WE ALSO PUT IN FOR RAFFLES-BUT OUR LUCK, NO WINNERS DARNIT! WE THEN MET NIKI AND TROY AND TREVOR UPSTAIRS AND ROAMED AROUND THE TREES! THEY WERE BEAUTIFUL BUT THERE WAS NO ROOM, THE PLACE WAS PACKED. IT WAS FUN BUT NEXT YEAR, THEY SHOULD DO IT MORE SPREAD OUT SO YOU CAN HAVE ROOM TO BREATH, OH WELL! WE HAD FUN AND IT WAS FREE! HALLE LOVED ALL THE LIGHTS AND PEOPLE!

HALLE CHILLING IN HER STROLLER WHILE WE ATE AND TALKED. WHAT A GOOD GIRL!


HERE WE ARE HANGING OUT AT THE FESTIVAL~

TROY, TREVOR, AND NIKI LOVED THE FESTIVAL ALSO. WE LOVED HAVING THEM COME WITH US! TREVY HAD A DOUBLE EAR INFECTION THAT HE WAS JUST GETTING RID OF, HE WAS SUCH A TROOPER AND SUCH A GOOD BOY! WE LOVE THEM!

THURSDAY WAS FOLLOWED UP WITH A BABY SHOWER FOR ONE OF MY FRIEND HEATHER JENKS. WE HAD IT AT MY HOUSE AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE ALOT OF FUN. ALL THE MOMS IN OUR PLAY GROUP CAME OVER AND BROUGHT SNACKS. WE TALKED, SNACKED AND HEATHER OPENED GIFTS FOR HER BABY CLARA~IT WAS SO FUN AND WE WISH HER LUCK! WE LOVE YOU HEATHER!


HEATHER, OPENING ONE OF HER GIFTS!

THEN TO END THE WEEK, HALLE WAS ONRY ON FRIDAY AND HAD A LONG DAY AND JARED HUNG UP LIGHTS OUTSIDE. HALLE SLEPT ALOT THAT DAY AND I KNEW SHE DIDN'T FEEL TO HOT! THAT NIGHT, I NOTICED SHE HAD A SLIGHT FEVER AND WAS NEEDY SO I THOUGHT IT MUST BE A TOOTH COMING IN. WE WENT TO THE WARD PARTY AND WATCHED THE PRIMARY ACT OUT THE NATIVITY-THEY DID GREAT AND ATE A WONDERFUL DINNER. AFTER WE CAME HOME AND PUT HALLE TO BED. ON SATURDAY WE WERE TO GO TO BOISE TO STAY WITH JARED'S BRO-TREG AND HIS GIRLS. OUR FRIENDS, THE HIGBEE'S WERE BLESSING THEIR BABY ON SUNDAY DOWN THERE AND WE WERE INVITED. HALLE WOKE UP TO A RASH ALL OVER HER BODY, IT DIDN'T SEEM TO BOTHER HER BUT IT LOOKED BAD AND THE NIGHT BEFORE SHE HAD A FEVER SO I WAS A BIT NERVOUS TO GO TO BOISE BUT WE WENT, BECAUSE SHE FELT FINE, AND THE RASH WASN'T BOTHERING HER AND HER FEVER WAS GONE. SO WE HEADED TO BOISE. WHEN WE GOT THERE, WE WENT TO OLD NAVY AND GOT SOME KILLER DEALS ON SOME CLOTHES FOR HALLE AND THEN WE WENT TO DINNER WITH HIGBEE'S AND SOME OF THERE OTHER FRIENDS AT THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY. WE HAD A BLAST. AFTER DINNER, WE WENT HOME TO PUT HALLE DOWN. IT WAS A LONG NIGHT, NEEDLESS TO SAY. WE WOKE UP TO GET READY FOR CHURCH AND HALLE VOMITED OUT OF NO WHERE. THEN SHE ACTED FINE SO WE WENT TO CHURCH TO THE WONDERFUL BLESSING. AFTER CHURCH WE WENT TO A BRUNCH AT HIGBEE'S AND THEN BACK TO TREG'S TO PACK TO COME HOME. HALLE SEEMED OK BUT VERY TIRED. I CALLED THE PEDIATRICIAN ON CALL JUST TO SEE WHAT TO DO AND HE SAID SHE WAS REACTING TO HER FIRST MMR SHOT, AND THAT SHE WOULD BE FINE. IT IS A LIVE VIRUS AND HER IMMUNE SYSTEM WAS TRYING TO FIGHT IT OFF, WHICH, IS WHAT THEY LIKE TO SEE. ON TOP OF IT ALL, SHE RUBBED HER EYE SO HARD THE NIGHT BEFORE SHE BROKE A BLOOD VESSEL IN IT AND IT LOOKED SORE AND GROSS. SHE LOOKED AND PROBABLY FELT ROUGH, HOWEVER, SHE WAS STILL SUCH A GOOD LITTLE GIRL. WE HAD TONS OF FUN BUT IT WAS VERY EVENTFUL! WHAT A GREAT WEEKEND~

HERE IS HALLE ON THE WAY HOME FROM BOISE, SHE WAS SO GOOD IN THE CAR. SHE EITHER SLEPT OR PLAYED. HERE SHE IS WAKING UP. WHAT A TROOPER!

HERE IS MY FRIEND, JEN HIGBEE, AND I. I LOVE HER TO DEATH AND MISS HER LIKE CRAZY! SHE IS A GREAT FRIEND AND IT WAS SO GOOD TO SEE HER AND MEET HER ADORABLE BABY, KATHRYN LYNN!

GIRL'S NITE FOR HEIDI'S 27TH BIRTHDAY!

YESTERDAY, WAS ONE OF MY FRIEND, HEIDI'S 27TH BIRTHDAY. WE HAD SO MUCH FUN! IT WAS A SURPRISE PARTY THAT STARTED WITH DINNER AT BAJIO'S, THEN WE WENT TO HEIDI'S AND DID CAKE, HALLOWEEN CANDY, GIRL CHAT, AND AN ADORABLE HALLOWEEN CRAFT. THANKS TO JARED FOR TAKING HALLE, DESPITE SHE IS GETTING FOUR TEETH, TWO OF WHICH ARE MOLARS-THANKS HONEY! WE HAD A GREAT TIME AND IT WAS SO MUCH FUN SEEING SOME OF MY PALS. LOVE YOU GUYS! HEIDI, I HOPE YOUR BIRTHDAY WAS GREAT!

HERE IS ALL THE GIRLS AT BAJIO'S!

ME, MOHNA, KATIE, AND HEIDI EATING!

HEIDI, THE BDAY GIRL, AND I! I LOVE YOU HEIDI!

MOHNA AND I AT HEIDI'S DOING THE CRAFT!

KATIE AND I DOING OUR CRAFT! SO FUN AND CUTE!

LUNCH WITH THE LADIES!

TODAY HALLE AND I GOT TO GO HAVE LUNCH WITH SOME FRIENDS AT THIS LITTLE RESTAURANT "RED HOT ROASTERS." MANY OF YOU THAT LIVE IN POKY MAY NOT EVEN KNOW OF THIS PLACE. IT IS A LITTLE HOLE-IN-THE-WALL THAT MAKES THEIR OWN COFFEE AND HAS UNDENIABLE SOME OF THE BEST FOOD EVER. I ALWAYS HAVE THE CHICKEN RANCH WRAP WITH SOME DELECTABLE TOMATO BISQUE SOUP-WHICH IS I MUST SAY THE BEST SOUP IN THE WHOLE WORLD. I CAUGHT HALLE AND NANNY'S COLD AND THE SOUP WAS SO GOOD TO THE TASTE. I LOVE WHEN WE GO ON MONDAY'S TO LUNCH WITH OUR FRIENDS AND WE GET TO CATCH UP AND PLAY WHILE WE DO WHAT WOMEN DO BEST, EAT! LOVE YOU GIRLIES.

GIRL'S NIGHT OUT!

LAST NIGHT ONE OF MY FRIENDS HAD A "SENSE" FACIAL PARTY. IT WAS A BLAST. WE GOT TOGETHER AND DID FACIALS AND WHILE WE DID THEM WE RELAXED WITH CANDLES GOING, THE SMELL SO SOOTHING, AND I DIDN'T HAVE A WORRY IN THE WORLD. MY STEP-FATHER SO GRACIOUSLY WATCHED HALLE WHILE I WENT SO IT WAS NICE TO ACTUALLY HAVE A GIRL'S NIGHT OUT AGAIN. WE HAD A GREAT TIME AND THANK YOU BRITNEY FOR HAVING IT AND INVITING ME. THERE IS NOTHING LIKE GOOD FUN, GOOD COMPANY AND GOOD FOOD. WE HAD FRESH FRUIT AND IT WAS SCRUMPTIOUS. IT WAS GREAT TO BE ABLE TO GET AWAY AND HAVE A GREAT, RELAXING TIME WITH EVERYONE. ALSO, THANKS JARED FOR LETTING ME TREAT MYSELF TO SOME OF THEIR FACIAL PRODUCTS. I LOVE YOU! WE MUST DO IT AGAIN SOON! WE HAD HEAD BANDS ON THAT WERE SO HOT AND I DIDN'T HAVE A CAMERA, DARNIT! NEXT TIME, OCEA, BRIT, BRANDI AND I WILL GET A GOOD ONE. LOVE YA GIRLS!

JEN'S BABY SHOWER!

I AM SUCH A DUD! I LEFT MY CAMERA HOME FOR THIS IMPORTANT LITTLE DAY AND I WILL TRULY REGRET IT FOR WHO KNOWS HOW LONG. JARED AND I ARE GOOD FRIENDS WITH MIKE AND JEN HIGBEE AND WE USE TO HANG OUT EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT TOGETHER, WE HAD SO MUCH FUN AND THEY WERE SO GOOD TO US AND OUR LITTLE HALLE. IN MAY THEY MOVED TO BOISE WHERE MIKE WOULD FINISH PHARMACY AND JEN WOULD SOON BE A STAY AT HOME MOTHER. I DECIDED SINCE THEY WOULD BE UP THIS WEEKEND TO THROW JEN A BABY SHOWER/BRUNCH BECAUSE WE DIDN'T KNOW WHEN WE WOULD BE ABLE TO DO IT AGAIN. WE HAD IT AT ARDATH JOHNSON'S(86 YR OLD SPITFIRE) ON HER SHADED PATIO. BLANCHE DAVIS, ETHEL CLARK, RENAE BERNT, ALMA OLSEN, HEATHER JENKS, AMBER SAYRE, JENNY(?)AND HER DAUGHTER, BRITTANY DUDLEY, ARDATH, JEN AND I WERE THERE. WE HAD A FABULOUS BRUNCH OF HOMEMADE CHICKEN SALAD-SO YUMMY! THEN MELONS CUT UP AND ROLLS THEN TOPPED IT OFF WITH A WONDERFUL CAKE(COURTESY OF WAL-MART) AND ICE CREAM. WE THEN MOVED ON TO THE FAVORITE PART OF OPENING GIFTS. THIS WHOLE THING WAS A SURPRISE FOR JEN AND SHE HAD NO IDEA UNTIL SHE GOT THERE, MANY TIMES MIKE OR I COULD HAVE SLIPPED BUT WE ACTUALLY DIDN'T. I THINK ALL-IN-ALL THERE WAS A GREAT TURNOUT AND IT WAS SO GOOD TO SOMETHING NICE FOR JEN! I HOPE SHE ENJOYED HERSELF, AND KNOWS HOW MUCH SHE IS LOVED AND MISSED. WE ALSO CAN'T WAIT TO MEET BABY HIGGY IN NOVEMBER! WE LOVE YOU JEN!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANGELA!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANGELA! LAST NIGHT MIKE HAD A SURPRISE PARTY FOR HER WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY AT HER PARENTS HOUSE, WE HAD A GREAT TIME. DINNER WAS HOMEMADE GYROS-WHICH I HAD NEVER TASTED A REAL ONE, SO YUMMY! THEN WE HAD THIS SINFULLY SCRUMPTIOUS DESSERT THAT MIKES MOM MADE WITH BROWNIES, CHERRY ICE CREAM AND CHOCOLATE GONOCHE! SO GOOD! ALL OF THEN PLAYED A GAME MUCH LIKE GUITAR HERO BUT THERE ARE TWO GUITARISTS, A DRUMMER, AND A SINGER! WE ALL HAD A FUN TIME ROCKIN OUT! HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT DAY ANGELA, WE LOVE YOU!

THIS IS ANGELA AND LILY WITH HALLE AND I AND ONE OF HER NEPHEWS.

THIS IS THE GIRLS ROCKIN'! BRITTANY AND I ON GUITAR, BECKY ON THE DRUMS AND ANGELA SINGING~WE ROCKED GIRLS!

THIS IS THE BOYS ROCKIN' IT~JARED ON DRUMS, PAUL (MIKE'S DAD) AND MIKE ON GUITARS, AND TREVOR SINGING! GO TREVOR, LOVE THE BANDANA! AS MENNEAR WATCHED ON! THEY ACTUALLY DID REALLY GOOD!

TWINS!

THIS IS LILY AND HALLE, LIKE I SAID IN A PRIOR POST-THEY ARE THE BEST OF BUDDIES! IT IS TOO BAD THEY LIVE IN FLORIDA. HOWEVER, WHEN THEY MOVE BACK THERE WILL BE TONS OF FUN. FOR RIGHT NOW, WE LOOK FORWARD TO SUMMER AND XMAS VISITS. IT WAS SO FUNNY~THE OTHER NIGHT EVERYONE CAME OVER TO WATCH "BATMAN BEGINS", AND TO OUR SURPRISE, THEY WERE IN THE SAME ONESIE! WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF THAT? ANGELA AND I HAVE THE SAME TASTE I GUESS, GO MOMS!!

LOOK HOW HAPPY THESE TWO ARE-SO CUTE! WE WILL MISS YOU WHEN YOU LEAVE!

RELAY FOR LIFE! GO RED RUBIES!

SO, A COUPLE BLOGS DOWN I EXPLAINED THAT I WOULD SOON BE PARTICIPATING IN THE ANNUAL RELAY FOR LIFE HERE IN POCATELLO AND I WAS ON A TEAM CALLED THE RED RUBIES WHICH WENT ALONG GREAT WITH THE THEME "THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOPE." THIS BEING MY 1ST YEAR PARTICIPATING I DIDN'T QUITE KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT. I GOT THERE WITH MY MOM AND SISTER WHO WERE ALSO ON MY TEAM AT ABOUT 5:00 IN THE EVENING LAST NIGHT-IT TOOK PLACE AT DAVIS FIELD, ISU'S TRACK! WHEN WE SHOWED UP ALTHOUGH THE EVENT DIDN'T START UNTIL 6 THERE WAS A TON OF PEOPLE THERE DOING ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING: SETTING UP TENTS, DECORATING THEIR CAMP SPOTS, SIMPLY WALKING AND WAITING, SETTING UP THE STAGE AND SILENT AUCTION, EATING, YOU NAME IT. IT WAS A VERY WARM DAY 87 DEGREES, AT LEAST IT WAS NOT AS HOT AS IT HAD BEEN....AND WE WERE ALL HOPING FOR A COOL DOWN BECAUSE IT WAS HARD TO WALK LONG IN THAT HEAT WITHOUT STOPPING FOR WATER! IT ALL STARTED OUT WITH AN OPENING CEREMONY WHICH INCLUDED INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE EVENT AND ACTIVITIES THAT WOULD LAST ALL NIGHT AND THEN MULTIPLE CANCER SURVIVOR SPEAKERS, SINGING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM AND A PRAYER TO BE WITH US. THE FIRST THING AFTER THAT WAS THE SURVIVOR WALK. ALL THE SURVIVORS WORE PURPLE SHIRTS SO THEY STUCK OUT AND THEY WALKED UNDER THE BALLOON ARCH AND AROUND THE TRACK WITH US CHEERING FOR THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES, CAREGIVERS, FRIENDS, ETC. ANYBODY THAT WAS WITH THEM. AS WE WATCHED THESE PEOPLE WALK, WHEEL IN THEIR WHEELCHAIRS, RUN, DANCE, ETC. IT WAS HARD NOT TO BECOME EMOTIONAL. THERE ARE OH SO MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS DISEASE AND THOSE PEOPLE WERE PROOF THAT SOMETIMES YOU CAN DEFY ODDS AND OVERCOME IT..THAT WAS A GREAT WAY TO START! AFTER THAT WE WALKED AND WALKED AND WALKED. THERE ALWAYS HAS TO BE ONE PERSON FROM YOUR TEAM ON THE TRACK BUT AT FIRST WE WERE ALL MOTIVATED AND EXCITED SO WE WERE ALL OUT THERE. PRETTY SOON, THEY INTRODUCED ALL THE TEAMS ONE BY ONE, HAD TRICK OR TREATING AT EACH TENT, HAD MANY DIFFERENT LOCAL BANDS PLAYING ON THE STAGE, HAD GAMES GOING ON, ETC....IT WAS SO GREAT. ABOUT 9 MANY OF THE ONLOOKERS WERE LEAVING AND WE DID LIGHTING OF THE LUMINARIAS. THESE WERE SOLD TO ANYBODY THAT WANTED TO DECORATE ONE FOR SOMEONE THEY HAVE LOST TO THIS DISEASE. THEY WERE ALL DECORATED AND SOME HAD PIX, POEMS, AND MEMORIES ON THEM AND THAT WAS A TEAR JERKER. AS THEY WERE LIT, THE WHOLE FIELD WAS TO BE QUIET WHILE THEIR NAMES WERE READ AND WE WALKED A COUPLE LAPS ON THE FIELD WHILE ONE LADY SANG "SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW", AND A MAN SANG ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL SONG. THIS IS WHEN IT SET IN...WHAT WE WERE REALLY THERE FOR. MY MOM, SIS, AND I INTERLOCKED ARMS THROUGHOUT THE LIGHTING AND THERE WERE TEARS BEING SHED BY JUST ABOUT EVERYONE IN THE PLACE. THEN FOR THE REST OF THE NIGHT ACTIVITIES, SILENT AUCTION, RAFFLES AND OTHER THINGS TOOK PLACE FOR THE TEAM MEMBERS THAT WERE NOT WALKING TO PARTICIPATE IN. LITTLE DID WE KNOW IN JULY THE TEMPERATURE THAT NIGHT WOULD GET DOWN TO 47 DEGREES. IT WAS STINKING COLD, WE WALKED TO KEEP WARM. WE TRIED TO KEEP POSITIVE BUT WHEN YOU MIX BEING TIRED WITH FREEZING TEMPS AND 3 IN THE MORNING, IT WAS HARD. AT MIDNIGHT, THE CHARLEY'S ANGELS FROM THE BAR (DRAG QUEENS) PERFORMED AND IT WAS AMAZINGLY FUNNY AND THE ACTIVITIES KEPT GOING...FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD AROUND THE TENTS FOR CANDY, DRAG QUEEN DRESSING LIKE THE CHARACTERS IN THE WIZARD OF OZ, LIVE MUSIC, IT WENT ON AND ON. OUR TEAM ENDED UP BEING SMALLER THAN EXPECTED..WE STARTED WITH 11, 3 LEFT ABOUT 10 AND ONE LEFT FOR A FAMILY EMERGENCY! THAT LEFT 7 OF US FOR THE WHOLE NIGHT BUT TO STAY WARM WE HAD TO WALK SO WE WERE BOUND TO TAKE IT ON. ABOUT 430 IT WAS TO MUCH TO HANDLE SO MOM, NIKI, AND I ENDED UP GOING HOME, CAN I JUST SAY ALONG WITH OUR CAPT PAULINE AND US 3, WE WALKED ALMOST THE WHOLE TIME. IT ENDED AT 800 SO WE DIDN'T FEEL TO BAD ABOUT LEAVING AT 5 AM. WE LISTENED TO MANY PEOPLE'S STORIES WITH CANCER..FROM HAIR CUTTING PARTIES TO TAKING SAUSAGE BALLS TO THE CANCER CENTER WHEN THEY WENT FOR TREATMENT. THEY TOUCHED US SO DEEP.THIS YEAR THERE WERE 105 TEAMS WITH AT LEAST 10 ON A TEAM, THAT'S UP QUITE A BIT FROM LAST YR THEY SAID. IT CONTINUES TO GROW AND FOR SUCH A GREAT CAUSE. THERE WERE LIVES CHANGED, MONEY RAISED, AND LOVE FELT ALL OVER THAT FIELD LAST NIGHT, WE ARE ALL FIGHTING FOR THE SAME OUTCOME, GET RID OF CANCER! I WILL NEVER LOOK AT CANCER AS DEATH, BUT AS A FIGHT TO OVERCOME. NEEDLESS TO SAY, IT WAS SO FUN AND IT CHANGED MY LIFE FOREVER! HERE ARE SOME PIX TO ENJOY...

THIS IS PAULINE, OUR TEAM CAPT. AND THE GIRL I WORK WITH! SHE DID SUCH A GREAT JOB IN PUTTING OUR TEAM TOGETHER, SETTING UP FUNDRAISING EVENTS, GOING TO MEETINGS, ETC. THANKS PAULINE FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN. WE HAD A GREAT TIME AND REALIZE HOW MUCH TIME OF YOURS IT TOOK! WE APPRECIATE IT!

SINCE WE WERE THE RED RUBIES, WE GOT SOCKS TO GO ALONG WITH IT SINCE WE COULDN'T GET RED SHOES AND MY BROTHER-IN-LAW MADE US SHIRTS WITH OUR NAME AND THE RUBY SLIPPERS FROM THE WIZARD OF OZ, THEY EVEN SAID THAT INSIDE OF THEM. GO TROY! WE LOVE OUR SHIRTS AND APPRECIATE ALL THE TIME AND EFFORT YOU PUT INTO MAKING THEM FOR ALL OF US!

JARED AND HALLE CAME FOR A BIT AND DID A LAP FOR THE CAUSE AND THEN HE TOOK HER HOME AND BATHED HERE, GOT HER TO SLEEP AND TOOK CARE OF HER ALL NIGHT. ALSO, SATURDAY HE TOOK CARE OF HER SO I COULD GET SOME SLEEPING IN. THANKS JARED FOR HELPING ME OUT SO I COULD PARTICIPATE IN SOMETHING I WANTED TO DO SO BAD. ALSO, THANKS L & K FOR THE DONATION FOR MY REGISTRATION!THIS IS OUR TEAM-RED RUBIES! POP THE COLLAR! L TO R: IN BACK: MOM, LAURA, MELISSA, KATRINA AND JANFRONT:NIKI, PAULINE, AND I.SOME PEOPLE WERE NOT AROUND FOR THE PICTURE, DARNIT~

HERE WE ARE AGAIN JUST HANGING IN FRONT OF THE TENT WAITING FOR IT TO BEGIN!

THE SURVIVORS! IN A SMALL COMMUNITY IT IS AMAZING THIS MANY PEOPLE EVEN HAVE THE DISEASE, AND THIS ISN'T PROBABLY EVEN 1/8 OF THEM.

THIS IS THE SURVIVOR WALK, GO SURVIVORS-YOU GIVE OTHER'S HOPE!THIS IS ME AND LAURA HENDERSON. SHE IS THE DENTAL ASSISTANT AT MY DENTISTS AND HER HUBBY IS THE ONE THAT WORKS WITH JARED. SHE WAS ON A TEAM FOR HER DENTAL OFFICE AND SO WE GOT TO HANGOUT FOR A BIT. IT WAS SO FUN! SHE IS A TROOPER FOR BEING 8 MONTHS PREGO AND DOING IT-WHAT A GIRL!

OH WHAT A NIGHT!

TONIGHT, BRAD AND LAURA HENDERSON (JARED'S PARTNER AT WORK AND HIS WIFE) CAME OVER FOR DINNER. WE HAD SUCH A GREAT TIME! JARED AND BRAD COOKED CHICKEN PARMESAN IN THE DUTCH OVEN ALONG WITH APPLE COBBLER WHILE LAURA AND I TALKED ABOUT HER BABY THAT SHE WILL BE HAVING IN ABOUT 6 WEEKS. IT WAS SO FUN! WE HAVE BEEN WANTING TO HAVE THEM OVER FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THE INVITED US OVER AWHILE AGO BUT FOR SOME REASON WE COULDN'T GO AND SO WE THOUGHT IT WAS OUR TURN NOW. THEY ARE GOOD PEOPLE AND SO FUN TO HANGOUT WITH. WE TALKED ABOUT LABOR AND MANY OTHER THINGS AND IT MADE ME RELIVE THOSE TIMES WHEN I WAS HAVING HALLE. THEY ARE WONDERFUL PEOPLE AND THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE OUTSTANDING PARENTS PRETTY SOON. HER SHOWER IS COMING UP AND THAT MEANS IT IS ABOUT DEBUT TIME, WOW! IT SEEMS LIKE IT HAS GONE SO FAST...PROBABLY NOT TO YOU LAURA AND BRAD! I KNOW THAT FEELING! CAN'T WAIT TO MEET THE LITTLE GIRL AND BEST OF LUCK IN THE COMING WEEKS! WE LOVE YA!

BBQ NIGHT AT THE BERNTS!

LAST NIGHT WE HAD THE OFISA'S AND THE JENK'S OVER FOR A BBQ AND SO-CALLED FHE! WE HAD SO MUCH FUN. I VISIT TEACH BRITNEY OFISA AND HEATHER JENKS VISITS ME. JARED HOME TEACHES SHALOAM OFISA AND THEN IS BUDDIES WITH BARRY JENK'S SO IT WORKED OUT GOOD. IN THIS PIX IS TELU OFISA AND HALLE AND BARRY JENKS. TELU IS 18 MONTHS AND WAS SO FUN TO INTERACT WITH. AND, BARRY AND HALLE WILL BE GETTING MARRIED LATER IN LIFE SO THAT IS ALWAYS FUN! THEN OFISA'S ALSO HAVE A 4 MONTH OLD BUT HE COULDN'T PLAY MUCH.
HERE IS HALLE AND HER FUTURE HUSBAND, QUENTIN! LOVE IT!
HEATHER WANTS A GIRL THIS TIME AROUND AND I THOUGHT WHY WAIT QUENTIN CAN BE A BOY OR GIRL. HIS DADDY WASN'T TO PROUD OF THIS HEADBAND, HENCE THE SHOT OF HIM IN THE BACKGROUND. WE LOVE THESE GUYS AND HAD A BALL WITH THEM. HOPE TO DO IT AGAIN SOON! JENK'S ARE MOVING AND THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND A HOUSE STILL IN OUR WARD-KEEP OUR FINGERS CROSSED. IF NOT, HALLE MAY HAVE TO MOVE WITH HER FUTURE LITTLE MAN!

GO RED RUBIES!

SO THIS IS HOW OUR SATURDAY STARTED! MYSELF ALONG WITH SOME OTHER TEAMMATES FROM OUR RELAY FOR LIFE TEAM WENT TO THE LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET AND SET-UP A BOOTH AS A FUNDRAISER TO MAKE MONEY FOR THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY. PICTURED ABOVE ARE MY FRIEND, PAULINE-OUR TEAM CAPTAIN, AND MYSELF. WE WENT FROM THE 11-1 SHIFT AND SOME OTHER TEAMMATES WENT FROM 9-11. IT WAS SCORCHING HOT BUT WE STILL MANAGED TO HAVE A GREAT TIME. WE SOLD TSHIRTS, RAFFLE TICKETS, AND BAKED GOODIES THAT WE ALL PITCHED IN. WHEN ALL WAS SAID AND DONE WE HAD MADE $89.41. WE WERE AMAZED THAT WE HAD MADE SO MUCH IN 4 HOURS. WHAT A GOOD JOB OUR TEAM DID AND WE HAD SO MUCH FUN. CAN'T LIE, I WASN'T TO THRILLED WHEN I WOKE UP AND IT WAS GOING TO BE 96 DEGREES OUTSIDE BUT WE MADE IT! AND, LUCKILY WE GOT A BOOTH IN THE SHADE!

THIS IS PAULINE, HER SISTER KATRINA, AND OUR LITTLE BOOTH. WE HAD A GOOD TIME AND EARNED QUITE A BIT OF MONEY FOR A GOOD CAUSE. WHEN WE LEFT, WE ALL WERE FULL OF WARM-FUZZIES!!!