I-D-A-H-O Idaho, Idaho, GO, GO, GO!!!!!!!

Ok - So Bruce's gift from Santa ended up being the highlight. Who knew?? It was so fun to go to the Humanitarian Bowl together. We bleed black and gold and have been suffering for a long time. Last night was so great. It was a fantastic night to be a Vandal. The only thing that could have made it better would have been to not have been playing on such an obscene field. The smurf turf is just UglY

Holidays!!

Fun month!! Christmas was great. We did not have one big fun event but more of a smattering of events that made the holidays great. We stayed in Boise and had a great time hanging out together. Grandpa and Grandma Purcell came to visit the week before Christmas to attend Braden's choir concert and do a Christmas celebration. The kids had a great experience doing donations for the homeless shelter. I love to give them experiences to help others with them having to do the sacrifice and work. We did a city Christmas light tour (guided by Braden). On Christmas Eve Grami, Grandpa, and Grandpa's friend came over. On Christmas morning Grandpa and Grami came back for present opening and then we went back to their home for Christmas dinner. We all love our presents from St. Nick. Oh and the nerf gun war had to be a highlight - inspired by Bruces gift. I definitely recieved the award for the best shelter. Braden's bunker was indestructable. We are blessed~

The First Day of Christmas

Only 12 more days until Christmas - Today - a partridge in a pear tree ;)
We have been busy and having a ton of fun. I am looking forward to the holidays and I am very excited for all of the new adventures our family has planned for the new year. Lets see. Fall was fun. We went to a few football games. We went to the U of I / BSU rivalry game (not much of a rivalry this year - nor last year to be honest). We still have the Humatarian Bowl to look forward to. Thanksgiving was a good time. Spending time with family and gorging on decadent fare. Simply can not ask for more ;). Misty took some great photos of our family that I am sending out in a card for Christmas. Bruce and I have been doing our best keeping up with a tween, a big kid, and a wild toddler. We have been able to relearn our Canadian history, our geometry, and soon we get to be able to relearn how to potty train. This week in Boise we have been graced with freezing weather but with the colder temps came SNoW!!! This means sledding in the neighborhood park :)

Fall

Happy Halloween!! Obviously Braden was a soldier and Hunter was Darth Vader. Ellis was suppose to be a bumble bee but never really dressed up. He was sick on trunk-or-treat and did not want to wear his costume trick-or-treating. Anyway - Halloween came and went nonetheless and we had a good time. :)

We drove up to Moscow for the big Idaho vs Colorado game. It was a great time. We drove all day went to the late game and arrived back in Boise about 6 am. Yes the vandals won and made it totally worth it.

So here it is -

I have lived my life a long time pretending to not really be an adult yet. I don't know why - I just figure that is Bruce's job. I realized the other day that I am an adult. I am totally busy with my kids and in church. That is what I consider an adult to be. I still am a total dork and spend way too much time playing tennis (not so much lately). That will never change. Anyway I guess this is my lame excuse for not blogging.
We had such a fun and busy summer. It was more challenging than others trying to keep everyone happy. Having such a huge age gap in children makes it more difficult. We had our big trip to Cannon Beach over the 4th of July and then we hung out with cousins in Idaho Falls. I came home and played districts for tennis and we said good bye to Collette and Abby. August was long. I thought that school started a week earlier than it really did (the kids were ecstatic) so we went back to mom and dads for another week and I played in a tournament. Bruce and I started our tennis journey together. I loved playing with him. There were some moments of frustration (with both of us) but I am glad that we did it. I think we even finished the season with a winning record. :)
Anyway - fall is upon us. I can not believe it has happened so fast. This year I have a 6th grader and a 4th grader. They are both doing fab. They have wonderful teachers and they enjoy going to school each day. What more can you ask for? We are excited for the new season that is upon us and the many adventures and fun times we have planned.
So there - I finally posted something.

In the Summer time

Our trip to the Sand dunes - the sand was so hot - the snake was kinda cool though - I should photo shop out the bag with the diaper and the shoes and put in the pic of Ellis looking back. Do you think you can do that Liz??





Braden and Bruce on Braden's first official Boy Scout Camp-out



Hunter and Ellis in the "Sand Box"??? "Mud Box".



Rainy Saturday - Playing in the run-off water




Sailing our boats


Just because


I am not going to tell how I accomplished this but it was awesome~



Our peas - they are coming along!

We have been on summer break since the 4th of June. We have been having a lot fun this month. Unfortunately it has been extra rainy here and we have only been able to make it to the pool once. Here are lots of pics of our summer escapades so far.
Let's see we have been to the sand dunes, Hunter went to Provo with Grami, Bruce and Braden went camping for scouts, Braden went to Grandma and Grandpa Purcells with Liz and Josh, and Braden is going camping again this weekend. It has only begun. I moved all 3 beds into the big room. We call it the sleeping porch (we need to find a fraternity insignia to put on the door). Summer is in full swing!

Ellis's First Phone Conversation

As a two year old Ellis has been keen to the telephone for some time, but before tonight the conversations have always been one-way. Well, I guess it took a phone call from his oldest brother to inspire him to actually participate in a phone conversation. Braden (who is visiting his grandparents in Idaho Falls this weekend) called us as we were leaving Wingers in Nampa after doing some shopping. Ellis was very eager to talk to him, so Rosy gave him the phone. We only heard Ellis's end of the conversation, but from what we heard it went like this:

Ellis: Hello Bray Bray. Doin?

Braden: (told him what he was doing, and then Ellis what he was doing)

Ellis: Num-Nums.

Braden: Where did you eat?

Ellis: Owey sauce. (We had warned him about the hot sauce during Wingers but he had insisted. After tasting some he called it owey sauce).

Braden: Where are you now?

Ellis: Choo choo tracks (we were near some tracks by the freeway).

Braden then asked him some yes or no questions, and then the conversation was over. The little kid is growing up too fast.

Snips, Snails, and mud

Thats what little boys are made of~

Ellis and I out preparing the soil for the garden (in the rain).

(it was not muddy when we started)

Sushi Night

Well Hunter's birthday is not until Monday however, last night rather than having a friend party, Bruce, Hunter, and I went out to sushi. We had a great time. We went to Shegi express. To explain a little, in the express area the chef stands in the middle with a conveyor type system around him except the conveyor is water with little boats in it. He puts the plates on the boat and as the boat passes you grab which ever plate fancies you. Anyway~ Hunter won with 17 plates, Bruce in second with 16, and me in last with 8. I will definitely be returning. The sushi was delicious and it was so fun and easy.

Happy Birthday Braden

Hunter

Braden and Josh

The Group

Braden's birthday was on Mar 17 we had a great time. He had a party at the BSu Sub bowling alley. Lots of his friends and family came to make it special. Thanks to all who came and also thanks to all those who sent well wishes :)

Ellis's FHE Contribution

Last night I gave the lesson at Family Night, and I had Braden, Hunter, and Rosy each take turns reading something, whether it was a story or a scripture. Ellis obviously noticed this, and he also noticed that he wasn't assigned to read anything. He tried to take the pieces of paper I'd given to Braden and Hunter, and so I gave him the kids' Book of Mormon picture storybook to look at. He took that book and sat down on the couch next to Rosy.

As Hunter was reading his story, Ellis opened the storybook and began "reading" his story to everyone, saying his made-up words with quite a bit of expression and feeling. It seemed he was telling a sad story based on the tone of his voice, and he kept "reading" it to us as Hunter continued his reading assignment.

When Hunter finished reading, Ellis noticed that there was silence. He then stopped reading, closed his storybook and said "Amen."

The first and probably only

Last week when visiting in IF we had a birthday party for Grandma Hatch. She is 85 now. It was fun to see family while we were visiting. Anyway when Grandma and Grandpa were leaving we were in the door way saying good bye and Bruce said to "Ellis bye Grandmama and Grandpapa". Ellis said back to Grandpa and Grandma "bye mamama, papapa". I have to say it was adorable and most likely the only time he will say mamama and papapa since the next time we see them he will probably be able to pronounce their names. (kinda sad, time goes by way to fast)

I deserved it-

The boys and I went to Idaho Falls for spring break last week we had a ton of fun playing and relaxing. On Sunday night when we arrived home I was making some popcorn for a snack. I was kinda grouchy and just tired and on edge from being in the car. While I was making the snack Braden was just kind of hovering and was in my space, it was bugging me. I snapped. " I said Braden you need to go, you are in my bubble." He said right back, not mean or sassy, just matter of fact "Mom your bubble is just to large". I just had to laugh.

scouts, scouts, scouts

Braden and Hunter are doing such a good job is scouts. At this last pac meeting Braden officially finished cub scouts and moved on to boy scouts. He earned his Arrow of Light. It was a lot of work for him (as well as his leader and mom...me). I am glad he accomplished this.

Hunter last month earned his wolf :) He is such a good scouter and has a lot of enthusiasm for the program. In January our pac became a stake pac rather than a ward pac and I was moved from webelos to wolves so I have been able to be Hunter's leader as well as Braden's. I will miss Hunter in May when he moves up to bears.

Good job boys.

Smart Kid

I was so surprised the other day. So a little bragging is okay right?? Well I am going to anyway. A few weeks ago Bruce, Hunter, Ellis and I went to a U of I alumni event. It was called block fest and was put on by the early education department. It was at the University of Idaho building down town in the Water Center. Hunter and Ellis had a good time playing with the blocks and it was an event worth our time. Anyway last Wednesday 11 days after we went Ellis and I were on our way out to Meridian and passed the Water Center. It was so cute, from the back seat I heard this sweet little voice "blocks, blocks". I was really surprised that he remembered the event and on top of that remembered where it was held. He has such a good memory- wow.