Mary at 10 months

Mary is 10 months old today.  I can't believe how fast this year is flying by.  She is the sweetest little thing.  She loves to crawl, play, laugh, baby talk, swim, eat, and sleep.  It isn't very often that you find this girl sad.  We are so lucky to have her in our family.  We love you Mary!!!

Ann Morrison Park

 Wednesday is park day.  We have had fun discovering different parks in the area.  The last one was at Ann Morrison Park.  It has a great big play ground and then an awesome fountain that you can play in.  The kids loved it!  Life is great!

I love my sisters!

 I have been able to have all of my sisters come and visit since living in Boise.  It has been so nice to be closer to family.  My sister Heather has been able to come and stay with us 3 times because she has had things that have brought her to Boise.  Her first time was the first night that we slept in our house.

Joelle is my 15 year old sister and my mom brought her to stay with us on a Wednesday and she stayed until Sunday.  We had a great time playing games, going to the zoo, painting our picnic table, eating Thai food, etc.  She is definitely a favorite when she is around.

On Friday of the week that Joelle was here, my sister, Holly, came with her 6 kids from Cove, Utah.  We had a great time going to Settlers Park.  Then when we came home, Caroline, my sister-in-law drop off their 4 kids and we had dinner, went to a parade on Friday night, and then we went swimming on Saturday.  We had so much fun being together and our glad that we have a house that can fit a big group.

 

Projects and Pinterest

 It has been fun to have a house to decorate and start using ideas that I have pinned to my boards on pinterest.  Here are just of the few things I have done so far.

 

 

Wreath on the pantry door

 Many people questioned why I would bring an old picnic table clear across the country.  I didn't think I would until the time came closer that I needed to give it up and I had this brilliant idea that I would just take it with us.  I love my old picnic table.  It holds so many memories and so many people.  Check out how the benches go clear around the table!  Awesome, right?  We gave it a nice bright blue coat of paint and it looks like new.  I love it!!!

BEFORE

AFTER

 When Teresa was in town we went to Tai Pan Trading to try to get things for our mantle.  I love how it turned out!

The 4th of July banner I made with a friend here.

Memorial Day Weekend

 We were so lucky to have Eric's parents come and visit us in our home 2 weeks after we moved in.  Before leaving for Mexico they visited each of their 9 children in their homes.  It was so nice that we could work it out for them to see us in Meridian. Now they will be able to picture were we are at for the next 3 years.

 

The kids had fun playing lots of games with grandma and grandpa.

 

Grandma had to get her regular glass fixed and so she had to wear her sun glasses when she needed to see something.  She was our "GROOVY GRANDMA" while she was here.

 Grandma and Grandpa in front of our new home.

 Playing Bocce Ball

 Every night when Grandma is around she gives a back tickle and sings nursery rhymes to the kids in their beds.  It is something they always look forward to.

We have an awesome garage!  It is really deep and has a lot of room.  It didn't have any shelves and so Eric and his dad built 2 big shelves on Saturday.  I LOVE THEM (the shelves and the guys that built them)!!!

We have a great neighborhood for riding bikes.  It is quiet and the kids have found lots of different routes to ride.

On Memorial day we went to the Hymas's house for a BBQ and swimming.  Eric's aunt and uncle just over a mile from us.  We love it.  They have been so good to help us with everything.  We love spending time at their house and their pool!

Natalie

 Our friend, Natalie (from Rochester), came and went to church with us and then spent the afternoon play with our kids.  They love her and so does everyone that meets her.  Thanks for coming to see us Natalie!!!

Grandma and Grandpa Christensen's house

 We had a great time the rest of the week at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  This was a very special week because Grandpa and Grandma are going to be Missionary President in Puebla, Mexico for the next 3 years.  We are very excited for them and the missionaries that they will work with, but we are sad because we just got back close enough to visit more often.

  The kids had a good time helping do projects that needed to be done.  They were very good workers and they earned an allowance at the end of the week.  They helped wash off the balconies, clean out the hot tub, clean the garage, and many more things.

  I enjoyed cooking and baking for Teresa.  We also went swimming 3 times and we were able to meet up with our friends, the O'Neils and McMurrays (both used to live in Rochester) at the pool.  It was great to catch up with them.

Eric returned from Rochester on Friday.  On Saturday we enjoyed a fun afternoon in a canyon close to grandma and grandpa's house.  It was fun to spend the weekend with Adam (Eric's brother) and Meghan as well.

On Sunday, Eric's parents spoke in church and did a wonderful job.  We are so glad that we could be there.