Election Saturday

It finally warmed a little (Wednesday we had snow) and I got my kids and husband together last night and snapped a few family photos. Now I don't know if I go with the color or the black and white. Also I welcome any opinions on which one you like. I have my favorites but I always seem to pick the wrong one. So like I said....Opinions are VERY welcome....

Number ONE

Number TWO Number THREE Number FOUR
Number FIVE
Number SIX Number SEVEN Number EIGHT
Number NINE
And of course the Funny Face shot to keep the kids happy.

Katanya's four month pictures

4 months

14 pound 11 ounces

23 inches

I finally had Katanya's pictures taken. I couldn't get her to smile at all. She doesn't look like our "preemie" baby anymore. She was four months old a week ago. She also had her doctor's appointment on Friday, along with the shots. She is our little miracle....
...and is such a blessing.

Spooky Jack-O-Lanterns

Last night for F.H.E. we carved our pumpkins. The older girls drew their faces on with markers and Jake and I cut them out. I cut Cruz's pumpkin just the way the knife went. The kids enjoyed pulling out the "slimey" stuff inside. Kirsten must have washed her hands five times though. Here we go....Mckay and her goofy smile.The family shot.....The "smile" photo with the pumpkins.... And now the "silly" shot....
The final "glowing" product. In order from left to right, Kirsten's, McKay's, and Cruz's.

I SPY WITH MY LITTLE EYE......

FIRST, Jake saw this..................NEXT, he saw this.........................
EXCEPT it was ALIVE when he saw it. We had been out next to it all afternoon and LUCKILY not been sprayed. This FURRY LITTLE PEST had a den next to our horses. Jake saw it and went running for the shot gun......
THEN, we had a little fun and did a little target practice with some old flower pots.

I had one snapped of my kids and this was it. I didn't want to have them in a bad mood for the rest of the day all for a picture. It didn't turn out that bad. 

While we were in Utah we had my side of the grandkids pictures taken. This was the first and only good picture. There are 6 kids seven and under. 

More house, more hair, and more travel

Here are the last pictures of the house for a long time.... I promise. We also went down to Utah this past weekend and visited with family while Jake did some work. We enjoyed seeing Erika, her family, and Hannah. We miss being so close to everyone. Now it's back to cold Idaho, school, and work, yet still I love it.

Here are some more pictures of the house. Here is the kitchen. The wires on the floors underneath the pendant lights are where the bar / island will be. It will curve with the lights. The cabinets are made but the outside isn't. Also the wood covering underneath the sink is still trying to be found.  

Here is our dining room. There are still a few things left to do. The "Ikea artichoke" lamp needs to be centered but we will do that after the bar is finished so that we know exactly where the table will sit. Also we have yet to find can can lights for the fireplace that are silver. We finally got our chairs and table though (yesterday). It's nice to eat somewhere but the floor. The fireplace was existing. It's really nice in the cold weather and keeps the house warm.
 

This is the view from the kitchen to the dining room to the hall. I love the color and the lights.

Here is the view from the kitchen to the living room. It goes from the green to the blue. We are also waiting to get new furniture when IKEA comes to SLC (like I said before). So for now, a futon and a slip cover for the old couch will have to do. 

Here are some more pictures of the living room and hallway. The living room is a light blue and the hall and doorway are a light purple. The floor is bamboo. There will be an open bookcase in the future that separates the living room and doorway. Also sometime in the long future, there will be a built in entertainment center and one day a flat screen T.V. (LOOONNNGG future).

You can see where the cut out will be to the bookcase will be by the dip in the carpet (by the car seat). 

Jake has always wanted to see me with long hair. I don't have the patience to grow it out. This last trip to Utah, my friend gave me a steal on extensions. Jake loves it. It feels like a mop to me, although I do like it. It is rather painful though. Hopefully I can get thru the grow out stage with these.  

Another view of "the hair". 

On the way back to Idaho, Cruz road with Jake in the dump truck. It's really cute to see his little head look out. You know what they say, like father....like son..... 

Grandpa took Kirsten to collect some rocks (as a late birthday present.) Both girls like to collect rocks. Kirsten can tell you what all the rocks are. I was impressed. 

Cruz followed Grandpa around all weekend. 

Turbo Jam Update

Day 60 was Saturday. I am still going strong. I have only taken Sunday (one day a week) off. Here are the numbers: I have lost 12 pounds. Between the chest, waist, and hips I have lost 14 inches. Yeah!!!! I am a FIRM believer of Turbo Jam.

Katanya's blessing!

Today was a special day. Katanya was blessed, Ella was baptized, and it was Erika's birthday. We enjoyed having the friends and family that could make it with us. We had her blessing and then family and close friends came over for a small luncheon. We love her very much and are glad that she is a part of our family!

Our family after the blessing.