Zoo Boise

Last week was Spring Break. To do something officially "FUN", we went to the Boise Zoo with our friends, the Stokers.

The kids took turns on the giraffe slide.







Six little birdies in their nest.










Emylie proudly posing on the big lion.








Rylee and Blayke almost too cool to be pictured. (Izak must have been WAY too cool, because I missed taking his picture completely.)










Treyson giving the gorilla a big ape hug.











Jonas, so cute and so proud.











Kassidy and Taylee with the elephant.










Abree and Emylie hugging the seal.

The new African exhibit was really neat. I think the giraffes were everyone's favorite stop.

Because of the cool and breezy weather, we decided to take our picnic lunch to the Stoker's and eat it on their living room floor. After lunch, we hung out and played. It was a FUN afternoon.

Friendly Dinner

Last Wednesday, we had 2 family friends over for dinner, the Blaisdells and the Larsens. The Larsens are headed back to California, for a job. We wanted to get together one last time before they left.
We had Hawaiian Haystacks, Hawaiian sweet rolls and delicious desserts. Games were in the original plan, but talking and hanging out became Plan B. While the adults talked, the kids played... fun was had by all.

Abree

Isabel & Landon Larsen

Ryan & Mia Larsen

Cutie-pa-tootie!

Josh Blaisdell & Treyson

Avery Blaisdell

Little Ryan Blaisdell

Jaime, Craig & Camden Blaisdell

Look at that cute face!

Mandy, I'm so sorry I didn't get a close-up of you! I'm sure your so very disappointed. We'll miss you and your family. Keep in touch and come back soon!

A New Do

While I was away, Tawnya took scissors to Abree's hair and gave her a new do!

After an initial learning curve, I've figured out how to make it look cute.

She has Arrived!

Josh and Tawnya's baby girl, finally arrived:

March 22, 2009
Maliah Dawn Clawson

9 pounds

22 inches long

I think she looks a lot like her big brother Kyrick, especially around her eyes/eyebrows.

Two days old
So glad to have her finally here! Welcome to the family Maliah.

Amber's Baby Girl Shower

On Friday, we had Amber's baby shower. We did it at her new house, so she could give tours and let everyone know where her new residence was.

(I know the decor looks familiar, but if it ain't broke, why fix it?!) :o)
Amber's good friend Amy, made these little petite fore cakes. They were so cute and tasty.
Aubree (Amy's daughter), Taylee and Rylee got the privilege of coming to the "big girl party". Rylee told me later, "Mom, I wasn't sure if a Baby Shower would be that much fun and didn't think I really wanted to go... but it WAS really fun! I'm glad I got to go." Silly girl, big girl parties are always fun!

Karen, Deon (Brinton's mom), Amber, Candice, and Aunt Jana.

Candice, Aunt Jana, Rylee, Tawnya (still pregnant!), Jayma (Amber's friend), Grandma Ison, Kortney (Brinton's sister), Mom/Grandma McKinley with Baby Sydney.

Amy was in charge of the game, Baby Concentration. Some of us were really, really good, others (like myself) were very, very bad at the memory thing! We all helped one another and earned candy bar prizes for each match. Example: Umbilical Cord = red rope licorice, Conception = Skor, Grandparents = Sugar Daddy, Delivery = Push pop, etc.

We also wrote down baby advice for Amber. She's probably heard all of my advice time and time again, but I told her not to feel too guilty about letting the baby swing for as long as she needs...even if it's several hours during the night. :o)
Amber received some really nice gifts. We ooo-ed and ahhh-ed over the cute outfits and loved the homemade taggy and flannel strip blanket, made by her good friends, Jayma and Amy.
Gifts galore!

In FULL Bloom

Last week, we celebrated our dad's birthday, by getting together for banana cream pie (his favorite). I took the opportunity to get some pictures of my sister's with their cute pregnant tummies.
Tawnya's due date was March 3rd (and this was March 19th!). Amber's due date April 15th.

Tawnya's other due date was March 15th. After an another ultrasound/exam, her midwife thinks that the later due date is more accurate...but still overdue!

These baby girl cousins, along with Tim and Karen's Sydney, will be so close and will probably have so much fun growing up together.