Madness Around Here!!

Poor Guy!!

2013-08-14T21:15:00.005-07:00

Just as one adventure ended for Mac another one began today. Mac and Kode met me for lunch at Pizza Hut. The three of us had a good lunch with each other. (Bry wanted to hang with his buddy. So it was just Kode, Mac and I) We finished up and it was time for me to go back to work. Mac and I walked outside and chatted for a minute and Kode went to use the restroom. A few minutes later Kode came walking outside where he was holding his hand on his forehead. We asked him if he was ok and he said "yea the door just hit me on the head when I was walking out." I asked him to remove his hand and that is when we realized he was bleeding. You know how head wounds bleed! It frightened me but Mac was all cool and collected. Mac took a look at Kode's head and said he needed stitches. So they were off to the Emergency room.

Kode had to have 4 stitches. He said that it really didn't hurt. It was just a little uncomfortable when they numbed the area to stitch it up! I have to say he is one tuff cookie!

So all in all Mac was ready to go home and chill! He said it was one exciting day and he was done playing!

Kode is doing good tonight! He is just laying low and taking it easy!

Oooh Goodness!!

2013-08-14T20:48:00.002-07:00

Well Mac and one of his co-workers decided to take Mac's jeep for an off road adventure today and well lets just say they found themselves in quite the predicament! Mac said that they were driving along in a canal and the road became very narrow. So Mac decided to turn around. Well they ended up just getting stuck!

this picture was taken from the top of the canal.

(I wasn't there to take pictures of the scene but I have to say that the co-worker did a great job of taking them for me)

So the boys knew that they were not going to be able to get the Jeep out of the canal so the co-worker called one of his neighbors and he brought over his backhoe to pull the Jeep out! Looks crazy to me!

The backhoe had to dig a path to make a road so that they could pull the Jeep out of the hole it was in. This is the backhoe that a neighbor had that came to the boy's rescue today!

and this is how they were able to pull the Jeep out of the ditch. Needless to say the front axle is broken, the front fender on the Jeep is bent up and there are lots of scratches all over the it. I guess all of that can be fixed. I am glad that no one was hurt over all of this!

meeting up with my sister!

2013-07-23T18:19:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago we met up with my sister and went to dinner and then the boys wanted to go and get some ice cream afterwards. It was nice to see her and spend some time with her. Our trip was a quick one! Just up there and then back home again!

Orthodontist Check - Up

2013-07-21T17:33:00.001-07:00

The boys orthodontist appointments went good! The doctor was very happy with the progress that both boys are making.

Bry choose orange lite blue and dark blue as his colors of choice! Bry has a long way to go but he is making good progress!

Kode choose orange and green for his bands at this visit!

Not much longer and Kode will be getting his braces off. The doctor said his teeth are looking great!

Last Night/Packing up!

2013-07-13T16:43:00.000-07:00

Our last night camping was a great night. We sat around the fire and chatted with everyone! Shawn's uncle brought out his guitar and we all sang.

Then next morning after breakfast we started loading up! It was hard to believe that our 10 day camping trip was over with. The days went by so fast!

Mac enjoying some coffee before he loaded up the 4-wheelers on the trailer!

Mac is in charge of putting all of the out door stuff away and I am in charge of making sure all of the stuff that goes into the cab-over is organized and ready to travel!

Just before we left for our 6 hour drive we decided to take a walk up to the caves.

Bry and some of the cousins hiking up the rocks!

and Bry at the top of one of the highest rocks!

Our drive home was a good one! It was long and everyone was ready to be home but we made it safe! Now the real work begins. Like unloading the trailer, truck and cab over. The LAUNDRY! Wow we had so much laundry! All in all we had a great time!

Family Reunion

2013-07-09T17:38:00.000-07:00

So we finally made it to Paris Idaho to where the rest of the extended family was camping. Every 4th of July all of Shawn's family and extended family meet in Paris Idaho for a family reunion. We all bring up our campers/tents and tons of food and our toys and just enjoy each others company.

(So my camera died the last day at Magic Mountain so the rest of the pictures that I took from here on out I took pictures on my cell phone! Something I have never done before but it worked out well)

Max was able to fit 5 four wheelers on our trailer. Its amazing that he can do that! I didn't realize that he could fit that many four wheelers on our trailer!

Those that had easy ups set them up and then we put all of the stoves under them so for those that were cooking could cook in the shade and out of the rain. (it rained every day while we were there)

two of the best cooks I know! Dave (Rebecca's husband) and Mac

Time to eat!!

Bry and Uncle Ken chatting with each other! It is so much fun being able to listen to his stories!

the kids enjoying some breakfast!

So the morning of the 4th of July we all went to town to see the parade! Paris has a great parade and we all enjoy going to it!

The kids love going to the parade because they throw out so much candy, and trinkets!

Kode was having a problem with his four wheeler not wanting to start. So him and Mac worked on it!

Bry wanted to drive Mac's four wheeler. So Mac decided he would teach him!

Just a bunch of us sitting in the shade chatting!

Someone set up a treasure hunt for all of the kids. At the end of the hunt there was a great treasure for all the kids to pick out several items that they wanted out! Hannah going through all of her loot!

After a couple of hours of sitting around camp we all decided to go for a ride. Mac got us temporarily delayed with my four wheeler. Luckily Dave saw us and he came to our rescue!

Then it was time for us to get back to camp so that we could cook dinner. Did I mention that cooking in the Dutch Oven is so good!! The food is wonderful!

Kode being a goober!!

So it started to rain just as we finished up with dinner. So Bry and I took refuge in our cab-over! He wanted to take funny pictures of himself! So of course I had to blog about them!

Anyway we are having a great time camping!

Magic Mountain

2013-07-07T17:14:00.000-07:00

Our first leg of our camping adventure was to Magic Mountain. This is where we met up with Shawn's brother and his family, his mom, and both of his sisters and their families. We had a blast riding our four wheelers, exploring, looking for wild life and enjoying time with everyone!

we all enjoyed being able to cook with each other! Dutch oven dinners are so good!

Our cooks did an AMAZING job cooking for all of us! The food was wonderful!

After breakfast it was time to go on a ride. Between all of us we had 9 ATV's. All of the family members were able to ride on a four wheeler. That was nice that no one had to stay back at camp. We

all could go riding!

Chris and Shawn making a plan on where we were going to ride! There were so many trails to ride on that we had to have someone or someone's to be the leader!!

So when we were not riding, cooking or looking for wild life the kids wanted to shoot their guns. When the other kids got wind of the boys shooting they wanted to give it a try. Shawn was a great sport and made sure everyone got a chance to shoot!

Ashlee and Christine

Kode and Bry

Lydia

Jordan

Mac calls him I

(really his name is Isaac)

Laura

Mac cooking our favorite ham fried rice! Its so good!!

the kids did a great job entertaining themselves all day long!

Just taking a break from riding on our four wheelers!

Just pictures of all of our ATV's. Once Shawn's aunt and uncle met up with us we ended up having 10 ATV's in total. We were quite the train of ATV's

The first evening we went riding I ended up getting a flat on my four wheeler. It was a bummer but it was fixed the next morning. Mac and I went to town the next morning and got two new tires for my four wheeler and some groceries and then we went back to camp. We were ready to go for a ride!

Kode had some minor problems with his four wheeler but Mac and him were able to get it fixed!

Mac teaching Kode how to make prepare jalapeño peppers.

Preparing the peppers!

Before we knew it, it was time to pack up our camp at Magic Mountain and drive ourselves to our next camping place! Paris Idaho was our next stop! This is where we were going to meet the extended family!

Kode and Abbey crashed out in the back seat!

Bry wanted to ride with Aunt Rebecca! He just talked her ear off the hole time!

This was our pilot! He does such a great time driving us everywhere with that LARGE load we have!

More to come on our camping adventure!!

the wagon

2013-06-13T07:36:00.000-07:00

This poor wagon has been through a lot over the years that we have had it! Well the other day the boys decided that they wanted to paint it camouflage. So they took it apart and sanded down the old paint and got it ready for some new paint! Then they went to town on painting it!

Mac gave them a few pointers on how to paint it camo! Then they were spraying away!

Kode made sure they covered every inch with paint!

The finished product! They are so proud of their new wagon!

receiving an award

2013-06-12T07:33:00.000-07:00

Just before school got out Kode received an award for his young authors book. Everyone in the 5th grade had to write and illustrate their own book. Kode said this was not his favorite thing that he did in 5th grade but they said he had to do it. I really enjoyed being able to go to his school and see him receive his award!

Kode just waiting in line for his name to be called!

receiving his award and metal

having the opportunity to shake Mr. Bryson's hand (Flagview's principal)

Great Job Kode!

Soccer

2013-06-12T05:43:00.000-07:00

Bry played soccer this past spring! He loved it. The coach was amazing. He made sure that all of the kids had a opportunity to play all of the positions. Bry really wanted to be the goalie. After playing that position he decided it wasn't what it was cracked up to be. He said it was a boring position. At the beginning of the season the coach told them if they were a undefeated team throughout the season he would treat them to ice cream. So the boys didn't forget about that and made it happen all season!

So after the season was over they didn't loose one game. They won every game so he treated them to ice cream after there last game! Bry had a great season in soccer!

The Mining Expo!

2013-06-11T18:09:00.000-07:00

The mining expo was a huge success again this year! We all enjoy going to the expo every year!

Here we are walking in to see all the booths!

Bry thought he was pretty cool driving one of the big busses. he said he thinks he would be a great bus driver!

Kode showing me that he is just a little taller than the tire on this machine!

Mac showing the boys what all the handles are and what they do on this machine!

Bry pretending that he was driving this fork lift!

this mini backhoe Bry wanted a picture taken by it!

another machine that Bry wanted a picture taken of him in!

(Kode was over taking pictures)

all in all the mining expo was a great success! The boys loved going and climbing all over the equipment!

getting everything out

2013-06-11T08:45:00.000-07:00

The other day Kode asked if he could get the yard décor out of the shed. Sure I said! Its time to get everything out and start enjoying it! So he was on a mission to get all of the patio stuff out and then all of the yard décor out.

Thanks Kode for all of your help! Our yard looks so nice now!

Hanging Out!!

2013-06-10T08:02:00.000-07:00

A couple of months ago I met up with my mom and sister in Salt Lake! We did some shopping, ate out at some good restaurants and just enjoyed hanging out together!

gift

2013-06-08T15:25:00.000-07:00

This is one of the gifts that I received from one of my little students. I just love it! Its nice to know that you are appreciated for all of the hard work that you do as a teacher!

Thanks Aiden for this great gift!

Hummingbird Teaching Team!

2013-06-08T07:56:00.000-07:00

The Hummingbird Teaching Team for 2012-2013 School Year!!

Thanks to a wonderful year this year ladies!! This past school year was a great one! I really enjoyed teaching with these two amazing ladies! In a lot of ways I hate to see this school year end. I learned so much from them!

Tammy, Heather and I

Best of luck in all that you do girls!

* Heather I wish you the very best in teaching 2nd grade next year.

* Tammy good luck on continuing your education and returning to teach at the center next year!

* As for me I am thinking that I am going to change my path as far as a new career. I am not sure teaching is for me anymore. I have topped out on wages at the center and the incentives keep getting smaller and smaller each year. So I think its time for me to spread my wings and try a new adventure! Not sure what yet but something new!

dress up like a miner

2013-06-07T17:54:00.000-07:00

The last week of school Bry's school had a dress up day each day! One of the days the kids could dress up as a profession that they were interested in doing when they grow up! Bry decided he wanted to dress up as a miner! Mac had all of the stuff for him to borrow! Bry though he was pretty cool to be able to dress up like his dad!

Air Planes

2013-06-07T05:19:00.000-07:00

Mac bought the boys these foam air planes the other day! They were so excited they had to take them in the back yard right away and play with them.

Kode just checking his plane just before he flies it into the air!

Bry telling Kode to stand at the edge of the yard. He is going to throw his plane up to him!

Each time the boys flew their planes they would fall apart. (they are made to do this) So they were always putting them back together!

Bry seeing if he throws it harder would it fly farther.

(no it went the same distance no matter how hard he threw it)

Winnemucca Sand Dunes!!

2013-06-06T06:58:00.000-07:00

A couple of weekends ago our little family loaded up our four-wheelers and the camper and drove to Winnemucca. To the Winnemucca dunes. We have been saying for a couple of years that we want to go to the dunes but we had never made it there. So we decided that it was time to load up and go see what the sand dunes were like! We had a great time! The sand dunes in Winnemucca were very soft so it made it very hard to control your four-wheeler, but after riding around for a while on the soft sand we all got used to it. Everyone had a great time!

relaxing just after we got ourselves set up! Nothing like being able to chill around the camp fire!

Mac made us tinfoil dinners! We have never had them before. I have to say they were pretty tasty!

We had chicken, pineapple, sweet potatoes and green beans!

Bry trying a tinfoil dinner for the first time!

Then next morning Kode and Mac made us breakfast burritos!

Then we jumped on our four-wheelers and went for a ride!

Mac, Kode and Bry having a great time in the sand!

Kode

Kode and Bry

Bry

Mac

Mac (he has no fear)

So I was trying to do something different while riding my four-wheeler. Well lets just say it didn't work out as I had planned and I ended up getting stuck in the sand! Luckily Mac was close to where I was and he came and helped me get unstuck!

He tired pulling my four-wheeler up the hill. Well that didn't work so well. It just made his four-wheeler move around.

So then he decided to try and pull my four-wheeler down the sand hill.

It seemed no matter what we did it would just burry my four-wheeler deeper into the sand.

But after a few minutes of pulling the four-wheeler down it came loose from the sand and unstuck. Then we were all on our way off and riding again!

Mac loved playing in this half pipe area!

Mac chasing Kode!

Mac circling Bry!

Bry

Kode!

Mac!

Mac

While we were out riding we came across this wind mill out in the middle of no where. It was pretty cool to see close up!

Mac decided he needed to climb up it! Silly boy!!

All in all we had a great time in Winnemucca playing in the sand!

Happy Anniversary!!

2013-06-05T06:14:00.000-07:00

Happy 14th Anniversary Mac!!

Yes that's right we have been married for 14 years!!

Our marriage is not perfect but we have been able to work through our hard times which has made us stronger! We have done so well for ourselves over the years! I would have never dreamed of being where we are now when we first got married! Thank You for being such a wonderful husband to me, and father to our two boys! We so appreciate everything you do for us. I look forward to spending many more years with you!

I LOVE YOU!!

Mac just before we got married!

Me and my two dads!

Mac and I just after we got married!

Gosh we were so young!

New Mechanic in the House!!

2013-06-04T20:14:00.001-07:00

Today at Bry's school was dress up as their favorite career day. So Bry choose to dress up as a mechanic like he was off to work at the mine! He wore Mac's hard hat (one of his extra ones) a safety vest, gloves and safety glasses. He was all geared up to work as a mechanic for the day.

Seeing the grandparents!

2013-06-04T16:25:00.000-07:00

Several months ago we met up with Mac's siblings at his mom's house and we all went and saw his grandparents. Grandpa is kind of having a hard time. So we all thought it would be a good idea to go and see them. It was a good visit.

Bry and Kode talking with Grandpa Miller!

Mac listening to Grandpa's stories! He always has the best stories to tell!

Grandma Miller

Grandma and Mac's mom (Peggy)

some of the kiddo's coloring. keeping them busy while the adults talk!

It's About Time!!

2013-06-03T20:10:00.003-07:00

Yea! It's about time that I start blogging again.

Now that school is over for the semester for me, the boys' sports are winding down for the season, and school is just about to let out for the summer for the boys. I think that I can somewhat function again. For the past few months I have felt like a chicken with its head cut off running around like a mad woman! Anyway, I have lots to catch up on so stay tuned!

Ortho Appointments

2013-04-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

So the boys had their 6 week orthodontist appointment check-ups again! Their appointments went well as usual. Bry could do a little better on wearing his night gear but he is still on track. As for Kode he is doing great! The doc said that his teeth are looking great! Hopefully he will be able to get his off early. Not sure exactly when but things are looking like December or so is when he is scheduled to get them off! So we will see! But all in all the doctor had great things to say about them both!

Bry playing the game-boy while he waits for his name to be called!

Bry choose the color Light Blue for his rubber bands!

Kode deciding on what color he is going to choose!

He choose lime green and black!

They are good to go for another 6 weeks!

Spoon Me!

2013-04-08T07:45:00.000-07:00

So we have this new frozen yogurt place in town called Spoon Me! It actually a pretty good place to get some frozen yogurt. First you choose your type of frozen yogurt, then you choose any toppings you want in it then you pay for your order. Its a pretty fun way to get what you want in your frozen yogurt!

Kode choosing his flavor of yogurt! Chocolate Chip was his choice in flavor!

Then Bry choosing his toppings! The yogurt he choose what cookie dough!

Kode and Mac choosing their toppings!

This is the first time that Mac and Bry had been to Spoon Me!

The enjoyed their experience!

Then it was time to enjoy!

This seemed to be a hit with everyone. I think we will be doing this again!

Quick Trip

2013-04-07T19:37:00.001-07:00

So couple of weeks ago the boys and I went to Salt Lake to have our taxes done. (Yea I know SL is far away to travel just to have our taxes done but there is a man that has done our taxes for ever and we really like him, he knows us and we know him. Anyway, we just trust him and what he does so I am willing to travel to SL to have our taxes done by him) Anyway, so we had our taxes done and man am I glad to have that over with for another year. I just dread having our taxes done. Its not like we pay anything each year. As a matter of fact, we usually get a little back but I just hate the fact that we even have to pay them. Anyway, enough of that!

So our thank goodness our taxes are done for another year!! YEA!

While we were in Salt Lake we stayed with Shawn's mom.

Our trip was a quick one. We just had our taxes done stayed 1 night then left the next morning for home. Before we went home we met up with Shawn's sister Rachel and her kids at a really fun park close to there house. The kids enjoyed playing, eating pizza and burning some energy before we had to make our long trek home!

It was nice to be able to see some cousins for a short amount of time. Thanks guys for hanging out with us for a little while! Thanks Peggy for letting us hang out at your house for the night!

The drive home was a very nice one because the boys slept just about the hole way home!