New Family Pictures

2 weeks ago a young gal that we know took us to Catherine Albertson's park in downtown Boise to take our family pictures. This was the first time that we have ever had anyone take our pictures outside! We had a blast, the weather was perfect and she did a great job. Most of all, Brayden cooperated!

We look forward to getting them taken in October when the leaves turn beautiful colors. I think that I happen to have a very beautiful family!

Training in Progress...

For the past couple of days Brayden has come to me and said that he needs to go potty! YEA!! I hope that this continues to to the point where we are officially out of diapers. I am a little sad because he is my last one, but let's face it... diapers and wipes are EXPENSIVE and a hassle! I took him to Bi-Mart today here in Emmett to pick out his first pack of candy for going potty.

I have nothing against bribery when it is the first time.. afterall, we all do better with postive motivation!! His candy he picked out was Salt Water Taffy.. pretty good choice! Anyway, I am just excited about our progress!

Move over Van Gogh...

And you thought he painted the above picture...

I really didn't want a picture of me this morning... Raelene got one anyway...

Miss Rae is hard at work...

The soon to be famous Artist.. Brayden von Stevens... will take orders if you would like yours for Christmas gifts..LOL!


And the finished Masterpiece is...

Brayden had a fun time, although he wanted Raelene and I to paint more than he did. He handed us the foam after he dipped it in paint. It was fun to participate with him and feel like a kid again!

Our first BSU game!

A special thanks to Ross' brother for getting us tickets to Saturday Night's BSU game, Ross and I were able to attend our first game ever! It was such a fun experience for us both. We sat above the 25 yard line and 17 rows up on the second story. WE had a wonderful view. The only thing I didn't like about the experience was listening to the people behind us talk with a very foul mouth and then others complaining about the way the players were playing. I thought to myself"then if you are so good why aren't you out there instead of them?" But I figured that wouldn't go over too well.

The sun was on us through part of the game and then finally went behind the stadium. All of it was quite the eye opener for me. To see that many people all gathered together. To see all the tail gate parties. I am not good in large crowds but did well considering.

It was a fun date for Ross and I and am very grateful for the experience thanks to his brother and wife.

Oh yeah, the score was 48-0 Boise over Miami of Ohio. They played great, especially the defense!

Who needs bread and jam? /butterfingers!

My little boy just loves peanut butter, but loves to eat it right out of the jar!! Forget the bread and jam, just use my hand is what he is saying! I finally decided to take a picture before washing him up... It is sad when you look for reasons to take a picture so you have something cute to post or save for future bribes!?



I am still getting fuzzy pictures, who hired that photographer anyway!? But just loved the expression on his face.. what a ham!

Santa in September

Santa has made his appearance at our home just the other day! Or should I say Santa's helper... I thought this was too cute to not take a picture. He loves whip cream just like his daddy! Just right out of the container is his favorite way to eat it. Who needs anything with it when it is yummy all by itself?!

Back to School and lots of New!

It is so hard for me to believe that my once "little boy" has now started Jr. High this year. This year things are very different for him at the new school. He now has a locker, classes upstairs, outside and downstairs. He gets up an hour earlier( my favorite part!) and also gets home almost an hour earlier. I so remember my years in jr high and I wouldn't go back in a million years. Am grateful for the experience but was a learning curve and hard years. As I look back over the years , I still remember holding him in my arms and saying to myself"I hope time passes slowly." Now he is 12 years old, the last of being a child and will soon be on to his teen years. I feel like he should just be starting Kindergarten, not Jr High! He is a great kid and we are so blessed to have him in our home!
Raelene has started the 6th grade this year. Wasn't I just walking her down to the bus stop and seeing her off to her very first day of school, yesterday??? Now she is among the oldest of her school mates and is not sure if she likes it yet... give her time and I think she will change her mind. I can't believe she will be starting Jr High next year! She was just crawling yesterday, walking today and now running tomorrow! She starts a new chapter in her life, one that is both exciting and a little nerve racking for both of us! It is a joy to watch them grow up into mature young adults, yet sad for how time flies by so fast. I like to enjoy every minute I can with my children. I love all 3 of them dearly!

These are bitter sweet moments for me... it is nice to have some one on one time with Brayden and I enjoyed it when I had it with my other 2, but is sometimes hard to send them off for 8 hours a day..