Preschool!!

 A few moms got together to do a little pre-school/playdate.  The kids were adorable.  Piper Redd, Bodie Palmer, Archer Darrington, Shadlee Palmer, Olivia Acton, and Mason.  They were all very nervous as you can see!  Not sure of my new found freedom, I went home and sat on the couch until it was time to pick Mason up!

Benita Visits/Apple Orchard

Benita decided to come spend the weekend so we could sew a quilt together.  I love doing this and I wasn't opposed at all.  We had a lot of fun.  She insisted that she make cookies.  It's more of a tradition now for her to do with with my kids.  I pretty much never make cookies.  Terrible right? I know.  I will work on that.  But at least Benita will step in and do the job.

I made this quilt for JoLynne.  It was going to be her Christmas gift.  It probably is my favorite quilt I have ever made.

Benita made this gorgeous blue one.  We had a lot of fun spending time together.  Close to us we caught wind they were selling apples by the pound so we headed up there with all the kids.  Oh man, the apples were divine.  Taking pictures in an orchard is amazing.  I love taking pictures but I am by no means a photographer but even I couldn't get enough shots. These are just a few of the millions I took!

Luke wanted to sample every apple in the bag!  It was a super fun visit and we got a ton of delicious apples!

Baby Chicks!

 The anticipation was growing as we were awaiting the arrival of baby chickens!  Well, I guess I should clarify that I wasn't anticipating them.  Jeremy and the kids were.  So the call came from the Post office and we headed to collect our new critters.  We were all excited about the eggs we would collect.  Jeremy, Taylor, Jeremy R, and his dad all worked to build a chicken coop.  I am not sure how Jed and Candice always end up getting the brunt end of our ideas but that just seemed like the best place.

 For the first 6 weeks the chicks have to be under a warm light.  We would have to assume that a few would die with in the six weeks and a few did.  Eventually they grew up and gave us Blue Eggs!  The birds were called Easter Eggers.

 Lucky for them, Benita and Luke were visiting at the time and were able to join in the festivities!

Taking Care of Elway

 One way that Olivia could do that she felt like she was helping Noelle's family after the house fire was watching over Elway, Noelle's family dog.  I let Elway stay at our house for a while and Livvy loved it.  When he finally moved to Grandma's house he got out in the middle of the night and somehow made it back to our house.  Olivia couldn't believe it.  It made her so happy.

Tending in Castledale/ Noelle's fire

Olivia and I got the chance to tend Holly's kids in Castledale!  Olivia was amazing!  She did so good helping out with the kids, going to the park, and just playing all day... Mason and Colt were...well, let's just say they were getting used to each other!  By the time we were leaving they were getting to be little buddies.  

Early the last morning, we got information that Noelle's house was on fire.  No words can describe the sickening feeling that came over us.  Tears just came.  I felt helpless.  I wanted to be there so bad but knew I couldn't help at this point.  She had excellent friends and neighbors that really came to her rescue.  I called a few of my friends down the street and they brought some clothes, hair stuff anything they thought they could help with.  I couldn't be more grateful to them for helping Noelle when I couldn't.  On our way home from Castledale, Livvy begged to turn the opposite direction so she could go find Scout and be with her.  We decided it wasn't a good idea and she cried for a good hour.  It is hard to watch loved ones suffer this much.  

 To say this was devastating is an understatement.  I can't pretend to know how Noelle felt waking up in the night, getting her family out and having her house burn to the ground all within a short period of time.  I remember just breaking down, desperate to call Noelle and talk but knew she was busy and no point in calling her.  Checking in frequently with Candice and feeling helpless, I couldn't help but feel devastated myself.  Noelle's home was our home away from home.  She opened it freely to us. We are just so happy her family was safe.  Stuff is stuff.

Weekend with Livvy

 We wanted to come to Taeya's baptism so we decided to make a weekend of it!  We called our besties Avery and Joy and spent the day together.  We couldn't decide what to do at first, but then it hit Joy to head up and do the Alpine Slide.  We called and they were going to close in 45 minutes and we were about that far away.  Desperately, after our nails were done we drove fast and Joy dropped us off at the entrance.  We ran all the way through the resort which was jammed packed with some kind of Festival going on.  It was too late.  It was closed.  Joy wasn't about to take no for an answer, and went to the window and pleaded our case.  WE WON!  They called up to keep the lift going so we could take a ride.  They were so kind.  A few of the workers were not very happy with us though.  We had to do some fast talking!  Joy and I went first, then Liv and Aves.  When Livvy got to the bottom, a worker came in fast behind her and couldn't stop in time and slammed into Livvy pretty hard.  It scared the crap out of me!  He felt so, so bad.  After Livvy's tears were gone, we decided to eat and enjoy the beautiful views.  It is so fun to be with friends you love.

On the way down from Brighton Ski Resort, we noticed we were empty.  We were freaking out that there was no way we would make it.  ha ha!  Such a fun, laugh filled night.  We miss these friends.

Taeya's baptism was so great.  She is absolutely adorable and we are proud of the choices she makes in her life to be good and be baptized.  Brandalyn always tries to make it to our big events so I was so happy I could be there for her.  We love them like family.

Brandalyn, me an Rebecca