A Nice Quiet Weekend.... LITERALLY!!!

The Fort that LOVE BUILT!

About 5 weeks ago, Ben and I came to an agreeance that wooden play sets are FAR TOO OVERPRICED!!! We felt that we could easily build something equally nice for half the price of what the stores were charging for a kit. When did I become SOO frugal?... I don't know! But, that's beside the point... We did some internet surfing and printed off a picture of a swing set that was about what we wanted. (Fun and simple was ALL we were really going for! Some of these kits are OVER THE TOP UNNECESSARY!)

So with a picture and a FEW (and I mean FEW!) measurements, we got to it! We figured that this project would easily just take a Saturday and maybe a few trips to Home Depot to complete. Boy, were we wrong! But, I have to say- We had SO much fun putting this together and figuring it all out! I think that Ben and I BOTH surprised each other on our knowledge of building. (Don't let the pictures fool you, we were 50/50 on building this puppy!) And about 3 quarters of the way through it, we did wonder if this really was for Mason or for the two of US! :D All in all, we reached our goal to build a less expensive, yet equally beautiful play set and as a BONUS... We got all kinds of GREAT MEMORIES to go with it! PENNY PINCHING WINS AGAIN!!!! :D

It's Official...

Yes, Travis is Married! YEAH!! I knew when they started dating that this was the LAST girlfriend of his that I would have to meet. I remember telling Travis ..."that if you screw this relationship up- I'm done! Don't bring any more girls around!" No one could be as nice, darling and beautiful as Ericka. The road, as it always is, was a little rocky. But, they looked inside themselves and realized that together is where their true strength was. Welcome to the family, Ericka- although we inducted you long ago! :D Congratulations to you both and all our LOVE! Thanks for letting us be apart of your Glamorous day!!

And They Lived Happily Ever After!

Ben and I just celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary! We went out to the Melting Pot ( a fondue restaurant) in downtown Boise. While it was super fun, I couldn't help but think as we were boiling our meat dishes in the yummy broth...."Here we are for a night on the town- and we're COOKING our meal?!?!" Still it was a night to remember- (the dessert tray alone will always have a special place in my heart! :D)

I can't believe that it has been 5 years already... although looking back on the pictures, all I see are two baby faced kids!! :D We have had our share of adventures, heartbreak and days that I could smother him with a pillow in his sleep... He has been patient and my best friend! And through it all, I've come to respect and adore my husband more than I could EVER express! I am truly grateful to my Heavenly Father for the lessons that we have learned together and for the road that is yet to be traveled...

Mason and His LADIES!!

Mason has two little lady friends that he just loves to play with and the feeling is mutual! The three of them will just spot each other across sacrament meeting and go "nuts", jumping on the pews (sp???) with totally jubilee having found each other! Today there was a chorus of "MASON!" "MASON!" during sacrament from Chloe and Sydney who did the first spotting. The three of them are just ADORABLE! Last week we, the mom's and the three musketeers, ventured on an outing to Roaring springs- A super cool water park! Mason dug it with a BIG 'ol shovel! Chloe was FEARLESS on the tube slides, Sydney conquered the lazy river after her mom nearly DROWNED in the under tow of the water fall! :D--- and Mason couldn't get enough of the wave pool!!! We had so much fun that I believe a season pass, for next year, is in order. Heres some cute pics of the three of them!!!

Girls Camp 2008

I had the opportunity to go to girls camp this year- I lept at the chance to hang out with the girls/leaders again since I am now in Primary. It was a blast! (Probably due to the fact that I didn't have to do much of the planning! I likened it to me being the "cool" Aunt who swoops in to play with the kids after the Mom does ALL the hard work for them! :D) Nikki did a FANTASTIC job as GC Director. She planned an Army Boot Camp theme this year with the motto "BE all that you can BE!" and modeled EVERYTHING after Pres. Hinckley's talk on the seven "BE's". It was a HUGE success! There was a physical obstacle course one day and then a mental one the next! We even had an Spiritual AIR-RAID at 2:30 in the morning!...The girls jumped out their beds with joy for that one- NOT! They were able to have a spiritual reflectiveness as they walked through the woods. And the stars in the sky were enough to take your breath away!

We had some great laughs and shed a few tears....BUT MOSTLY LAUGHED! I'm so amazed at the youth- Their true colors shined that week and WHAT A RAINBOW IT MADE!! I will never forget the memories made there and I hope they know how much I look up to them!!! Thanks for letting me TAG ALONG!!