fear and fire

The absolute scariest moment of my mommy life happened this weekend.

Bryan had started a fire and had the boys collecting pine cones and other things to burn in the fire. I was in the trailer with two cups of hot coffee in my hand, I turned and saw him.
Elias
He was standing on unstable rocks surrounding the fire pit with the fire blazing higher than his head. I could not breathe. Bryan was no where to be seen. I knew if I screamed I'd scare Elias.

I put the coffee down and prayed as I dashed out of the trailer. I grabbed him without saying a word. I scared him. I didn't care. I just bear hugged him and told him he was NEVER allowed to be that close to the fire again. I was very firm, very mean, and then I just hugged him.

I will never get that image of him standing next to that towering fire out of my head. I was shaking, trying not to cry, and thanking the Lord for keeping Elias safe on those unstable rocks.

Wow. I was so scared.

cove palisades 2011

It was Cove Palisades time again, and this year, we stayed 3 days and 2 nights! Granted, we had Bryan's parent's trailer. Now, some may say that isn't "real" camping. I used to say that too. Then I had kids. Having a trailer for them to sleep in for a nap and at night while we stay up and talk around the fire is AMAZING.

That said, we had a blast. Rick and Leslie went with us too, which was so incredibly helpful. The Koch's brought the boat, so I'd go out with Bryan and the boys on the boat and Leslie and Rick would take care of Miss Rae for me.

It was hot, sunny, beautiful, and dirty. Ha. The boys just love playing in dirt and water. I think it's great that they can just play in dirt and sun all day with no agenda. We had a great time.

Raelynn did pretty good on her first camping trip. She loves to be outside, so she hung out in her pack-in-play or her papasan chair. She would lay there and talk and smile. Thursday was a little hot for her, so she was very restless all day. Raelynn went on her first boat ride on Saturday morning before we left! Brian and Beth had a baby life jacket that they let us use. Oh man, was she cute and she loved the boat ride.

So, in a nutshell, we camped, cooked s'mores, went tubing, got dirty, and played in the sunshine.

Good food. Good friends. Good times. 

Eating s'mores comfortably

 Isaiah enjoying his s'mores with Pops

Bath time

the boys after a day in the sun and dirt

Rae's first fire

 this creek was ice cold, but the boys had a blast

 cooling off in the ice cold creek

 the boys love the tube - they kept wanting to go faster

Rae's first boat ride

3 months

Raelynn at 3 months:

She's not been feeling great, so we didn't capture her happy face this time.

 Stats: 15ish pounds & 23 5/8 inches 

Little girl of mine, here's what you've been up to!

~ you took your first trip to Idaho and met family and friends for the first time
~ you took your first bath in a real tub and LOVED it
~ we put your monkey mirror in the car and you LOVE to look at yourself and smile (daddy thinks this is a girl thing - staring in mirrors)
~ you really started squeaking and cooing at about 10 weeks old
~ you started sleeping from 9pm to about 6am and made your mama very happy and rested
~ you outgrew the majority of your 0-3 month clothes around 10 weeks old
~ you now not only have your daddy wrapped around your little finger, but also Isaiah and Elias
~ you are so happy and content, as you can see from all your smiling pictures!

church best

just some adorable photos of Raelynn all dolled up for church today. 

man, i think she's just perfect.

and i wonder

 where this handsome boy gets his style

 oh that's right. from this handsome fellow.

 do you see those socks? oh dear. 

I love these boys.

4th of july 2011

We had a barbecue with the family. Bryan bought some fireworks, and we lit them before it was even dark. The boys had a great time, but I cannot wait until they are older and we can enjoy the fireworks in the dark! I am actually more excited for the pictures in the dark!
Here are a few pictures to capture our 4th. Good times.

These kiddos bring me great joy

 Love this picture (and love the choke hold)

 First family photo since the day Raelynn was born

 four generations!

 Grams & Gramps with the kids

 Raelynn hanging out with Grams

 Sparklers!

 teaching the art of pop its

 love their intensity

 handsome fellas

idaho

My mom moved back to Idaho, so we went to Idaho the last week of June/first week of July. My mom drove the Uhaul and I drove my car. Isaiah and Elias took turns riding with Grandma all the way there. The kids did GREAT. I am pretty sure it was the best road trip we've been on since having children.
Raelynn slept the entire time in the car, and only woke up when we stopped. The boys watched movies and talked all the way there.
Anyway, back to Idaho.
We played in the sun. We hung out with my awesome family. We hung out with dear friends.
So much fun. I already want to go back!