Thanksgiving Feast at Bradens Pre-School

What a super fun day at Braden's Pre-School.

Musical Kids Class Braden, Hannah and Keylee go to after Pre-School. Carsten was dying to go, then wouldn't participate.

Making Homemade NOOOODles

Katelyn stayed the night the other night, so she got to help us make Homemade Noodles that we using in a dinner we took to Kevin & Janna. They also made some Peanut Butter Cookies with Chocolate in them, they named them Kate and Chey Creations. It was a lot of fun and flour all over the place.

Dinners for Janna

Thought I'd put the list of who is going when and what they are taking to Janna..so we don't double up on her...great Idea Julie..... If you are on the day she is scheduled to come home, skip yours, her mom wants to cook that night for her, you'll be added the next time the list is updated. Drop off around 6 or before the day you are scheduled.

Friday: Jenn (will pass to Joann if she goes home Friday)
Saturday: Kris
Sunday: Megan Veggie Sausage Stew w/ noodles. Rolls/Pumpkin Sticky Buns
Monday: Julie, Spagetti, Garlic Bread, Salad, no bake cookies
Tuesday: Steph
Wednesday--was going to suspend it from here on until after the holidays since her folks will be here and there will be lots of left overs....pending how she is doing we'll pick it up 11/30 Monday...

For those of you who aren't sure what this is about: My sister-in-law Janna, JJ's younger brother Kevins Wife, is pregnant with Twins, due in March, had a rough go with it had to have her gallbladder out, then developed a blood clot in her lungs so has been in the hospital for over a week now. She will hopefully go home any day now, and we're cooking it up for her so she can spend time with her daughter Laney Jo. She's having a boy and a girl and they are doing well thru this whole ordeal...just giving mom a run for her money.

All this for $65

$250 worth of Groceries for $65...wanna know how I did it? See my new blog http://savingthebankonecouponatatime.blogspot.com

Birthday Party XXL

For the first part of Carsten's Birthday Party we went to Cabalo's Orchards in Kuna for a Hay Ride and Picking Pumpkins from the field. The Grim Reaper was there and the kids got a kick...some got a thrill, out of her. All the kids, big and little had a fun time. We had a contest to see who could pick a 13 pound pumpkin. Keylee won, Trey got second and Tawny third. Good job kids.

To wrap things up we went to Idaho Pizza in Kuna and took over their dinning room. Carsten had a great time and Loves all his gifts and family! Thanks to everyone for a great time!

Carsten's 3rd Birthday--Zoo

For Carstens birthday we took a trip to the Zoo...Funny the zoo, visiting the Zoo. Well they let us take all our kids home but I think there is an exact Carsten and Braden in the Monkey Exhibit. We had a lot of fun, Uncle Trent went with us too and gave Grandma Rose a tour, she had never been to the zoo before. The animals were really active, the kids had a great time. Happy Birthday Baby Carkey!

Carsten is 3????

Hard to believe my Baby will be 3 on Saturday October 10. He came into this world and gave us all our grey hairs in one swoop! But by the Grace of God he survived and has blessed us every day since! We Love you Carsten! Happy Birthday, even if you are a little creep sometimes! Love, Dad, Mom, Cheylah and Braden and Grandma Rose!

Bradens First Day of Pre School

Hard to believe my little man is going to Pre School. He was super excited and Dad took him to school. I remember my dad taking me and thought it would be a special moment for both of them. I'm not ready for him to grow up, at least I still have Carsten at home with grandma and I.

Fun at the Western Idaho Fair

The kids reward for a great summer, a trip to the Western Idaho Fair. They had a lot of fun! Hard to believe summer is over.

Where Owyhee County Gets Together--The Fair

Cheylah had a super fantasitic First Year at the fair....OK so her lamb died, but we salvaged it and she still had a rockin' fair, she got 2nd in Horse showmanship, fourth in her favorite Reining. In Goats she got Grand Junior I showman and got to go to small animal round robin where she showed a Cat, Dog, Rabbit, Pygmy Goat and learned about a Cavy and Chicken. She got 3rd over all. WE ARE SO PROUD OF HER! She is quite the little showman. She also got to go to the dance, mom and dad on the sidelines and had a good time. Here comes the gray hair.

Hot and Cold, for the Horse part of the Fair it was 100+ degrees for the rest of the fair it was in the 70's. Only in Idaho.

Camping at SilverCreek

Every year we make a camping trip to Silver Creek, Id. This year was a lot of fun, we got a great spot right by the creek. It was relaxing and the kids had a blast!

Cheylah and Cover Girl

Cheylah has become quite the horsewoman, she logged many hours getting ready for fair this year.

Swimming at Laney's House

We have some crazy water children! Laney, Cheylah and Braden are little fish. Carsten likes to stick his toe in. It's always fun hanging out at Laney's house.

Fourth of July in Cascade

We went to Cascade this July 4th with the O'Dell's, Brisbins, and Wilsons, my brother and his wife even joined us for a night there too. It was a lot of fun.

Our day outting to the lake would not have been complete with out the Law showing up. They weren't there for us thankfully.

Fun at the parade in Cascade. Love the one of Sandi and her boys.

Fathers Day 2009

JJ wanted to go see Shoshone Falls for Fathers Day 2009 so we took a little road trip. It was a lot of fun and quite a sight!

Volkers Family Reunion 2009

JJ's Dad, John, was the host for the 2009 Volkers Family Reunion this year he has 4 brothers and 3 sisters, and most of them made it to the reunion this year.

Swimming Lessons at Givens

Braden is a little fish, he passed swimming with flying colors, Hannah and Keylee weren't as sure about the water as Braden but they all had a lot of fun. Cheylah and Kate took lessons the next week, but I didn't get any pictures because I was busy chasing the little boys. Sorry Girls!

Celebrating 12 Years

Sunday, June 14, 2009 we celebrated 12 year of wedded bliss. 12 years, 3 kids and too many memories to count! I am truely blessed. We took the kids to Celebration Park and had a wonderful picnic and walk. The kids had a great time exploring and chasing lizards, we had a wonderful time walking, holding hands and enjoying our gifts. Later that night we went to dinner by ourselves. It was a beautiful day. I look forward to another wonderful 12 years. I love you guys!

Family Birthday Party

We went to a BBQ for my Nieces and Nephew, Jessica, Hana and Jared's Birthday.

Sandi's 29+++ Birthday

Our impromptu party for Sandi, within' a minutes times, JJ dropped a bag of Ice, Alli dumped the cupcakes and Steph tried to cut the end of her toe off with tongs, it was a wierd time in the kitchen. But a fun Birthday! Happy Birthday Grandma Sandi!

Cheylah's Piano Recital

Cheylah had her third Piano Recital, she is getting really good, she had quite an audience. The little kids liked the Chocolate covered Strawberries the best! Good Job Cheylah!

My Pretty Flower

We snapped some photo's of Cheylah and my roses at the front of our house. They are all Beautiful, but not as Beautiful as the little girl smelling them!

County Demo's

Right after school got out, Kate stayed the night, instead of veggin' the next day mom put them to work on their 4-H Demonstrations. The two competed June 5 at County and did a fantastic job! Way to go girls. We are still waiting for the results, so check back to see how these two did.

My Secret Talent

For some reason, I've always loved to decorate cakes and bake. I got this wonderful book this year at the school book fair, called Hello Cupcake, and have had a lot of fun with some of the designs. The biggest challenge seems to be finding some of the odd decorations that the cupcakes require. Who would know the Panda has a Cocoa Puff frosted uner his noes, or the nails of the croc needed to be banana runts? The Horse cupcakes called for White Circus Peanuts?? White...they make them in orange, but some specialty store online sells white ones...needless to say orange didn't look that bad. Some creations are my own. Looking forward to making many many more birthday cupcakes, or just for fun!

Fishing at CJ Strike

May 31st we took a day trip to CJ Strike, near Grand View, with our friends the Wilsons. We had a picnic and fished from the dam and caught about 40 crappie. My dad would have been proud.