Livin' Life N' Lovin' it

3RD CAMPING TRIP

2012-08-16T05:39:00.002+02:00

THE THIRD AND LAST CAMPING TRIP OF THE SUMMER (UNLESS WE GET A CHANCE TO GO AGAIN) WAS A FAMILY REUNION ON THAD'S MOM'S SIDE. IT WAS SO FUN TO MEET THAD'S RELATIVES, MANY OF THEM FOR THE FIRST TIME.

THIS TIME, THE LOCATION WAS LAKE WALCOTT- CLOSE TO BURLEY, IDAHO.THERE WAS PLENTY OF ROOM AND EVEN FLUSH-ABLE TOILETS, NOT TO MENTION SHOWERS. THERE WAS ONE BIG DOWN SIDE THOUGH; THERE WERE SPIDERS (NASTY BIG ONES) ALL OVER!

HERE ARE A FEW PICTURES (NONE OF THE SPIDERS.........I STOLE THESE PICS FROM AVERY'S CAMERA).

2ND CAMPING TRIP

2012-08-16T05:13:00.004+02:00

OUR SECOND CAMPING TRIP WAS WITH AVERY AND HER FAMILY. WE WENT UP TO SCOUT MOUNTAIN LIKE WE DID IN 2010. THE PLACE IS AWESOME. IT IS NOT EXPENSIVE, THERE WAS PLENTY OF SHADE AND PRIVACY, AND THERE IS A PICNIC TABLE AS WELL AS A PREPARED PLACE TO PUT YOUR TENT. IT IS ALSO QUITE CLOSE MAKING IT CONVENIENT FOR SPONTANEOUS CAMPING TRIPS. WE ALSO HIT UP LAVA HOT SPRINGS. WE WERE ABLE TO BORROW PAXIE-LOU FROM HER NEW OWNER. IT WAS GREAT TO SPEND TIME WITH HER. ALL AROUND, IT WAS A GREAT CAMPING TRIP DESPITE ME WAKING UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND SLIGHTLY FREAKING OUT :) ENJOY THE EVIDENCE:

UPDATE

2012-08-16T04:31:00.002+02:00

A FEW FUN THINGS HAVE HAPPENED THIS SUMMER. FOR STARTERS, WE WENT ON THREE CAMPING TRIPS. THE FIRST ONE WAS WITH KELLIE AND HER FAMILY. WE WENT UP TO THE KELLY CANYON AREA CLOSE TO REXBURG AND STAYED IN THE MOUNTAINS.THEY BROUGHT TWO OF THEIR HORSES AND IT WAS A BLAST RIDING. UNFORTUNATELY I FORGOT OUR CAMERA AND THE TRIP WAS NOT DOCUMENTED VERY WELL. I HAVE ONE PICTURE FROM KELLIE'S PHONE AND THAT'S IT!

HERE IT IS

2012-05-25T05:19:00.001+02:00

A few exciting things have happened this last semester. First of all, Elsa turned 9 and Kajsa turned 7. We all finished the school year with great achievements. Elsa was chosen as the "Young Author" in her class and was able to attend a workshop. She was also at the top (or very nearly at the top) in all areas of her ISAT testing. We are very proud of her. Kajsa has done extremely well with her IRI, she is a fast and accurate reader. She will not start ISAT testing until the 3rd grade. She, like Elsa, is advanced for her grade ;)

Thaddeus made it through his MUCH dreaded music history and choral conducting classes just fine. I was impressed when he stayed up until 3 in the morning completing his 10 page paper. I managed to pull off another 4.0 this semester. This is the fourth one in a row! Next semester I am going to attempt to juggle a part-time job and a little over full-time credits. We will see if the 4.0 will be possible. I absolutely LOVE my new job so far. It is fun and challenging, the perfect mix. I recently took the licensing exam to sell insurance in Idaho and passed. The rest of the summer I will be training full-time.

There is also another accomplishment worth bragging about. Thaddeus and I made it to our 10 year mark! Tomorrow is the big day. Ten years ago(TOMORROW)we said our vows. Despite a bit of turbulence on the way, we have endured and enjoyed the ride. We are excited to get away for just a day or two to celebrate. We have two fantastic children who are beautiful, smart, and spunky. How lucky I am to have a husband who listens to me, cleans, cooks, and is a fantastic father. Through all the years we have grown closer to each other as we have gone through major changes in our lives. I am looking forward to the next ten years. Thanks for putting up with me Thaddeus M. Ferrin.

Here we are right before we got married 2001

Here we are (almost) ten years down the road!

Spring is here, and summer nearly upon us

2012-05-04T22:45:00.001+02:00

AND I just finished taking finals yesterday afternoon. Grades have not been posted (as of this minute) and I am just a tad worried that I may get my first "bad grade." There may be an A- awarded to me this semester. After working hard to keep up my 4.0, I believe I have reached the threshold of despair. I am sick of school, and sick of studying. I want a break. Today is my first day of freedom from school. I donated plasma. Booooo! I am also sick of donating plasma. The scars on my arms don't even look like scars, they resemble craters! Big, Fat, Nasty, Craters. However, I have FABULOUS (to be read with a flamboyant gay mans voice) news. I was hired at the new Allstate Insurance facility in Chubbuck. I will be starting om May 11th (Yes, on Kajsa's birthday). I will be working full time during the summer and then part time during the school year. YAY for a pay check! SAD FACE for not getting more than a week of summer break. I guess I have a week to catch up on blogging before I start work. I know, I am pathetic. If you were me, you'd be pathetic too, cause you'd be me, and you see: I'm pathetic.

smart phone

2012-01-29T21:55:00.002+01:00

So I got a smart phone this week. It's so smart I can actually make this post FROM MY PHONE! I'm sure this is old news to all you high tech people, but for me this is a BIG deal. It's been tons of fun watching you tube on my phone. I introduced Elsa and Kajsa to Michael Jackson via you tube on my phone. I swear my phone is 10 times faster than my lap top. The best part is that the new HTC Arrive will only cost us $6 more a month than the old Samsung seek. Woohoo!

Cute kids, & Camping

2012-01-28T19:53:00.003+01:00

We have a tradition to go camping with our cousins. We always have a blast.
We sleep in tents, and rough it old-school style.
This past year (2011) we went to Utah.
It was WAY up in the mountains, there was even snow in some places and it was cold.
Some of these pics were taken by Avery, some buy me.
Basically the nicer quality ones Avery took with her fancy pantsy camera.
The other ones I took.
I'm excited for this years camping trip already.
I wonder where we'll go.

Quick Update!

2012-01-28T19:01:00.003+01:00

Please excuse the horrible picture quality. These pics are from my old phone. Since I can't possibly go back and catch up on everything that happened since July, you'll get the quick version :0) WARNING: They are not in chronological order.

We made deliscious Christmas candy with Grandma Ferrin (after Christmas)

Road trip to CA to visit Matt, Sarah, and ADORABLE Maja in my tiny Honda. It was crowded with four people and Paxie-Lou, our dog, who lives with Mom in Rexburg.

I made a bajillion hair bows during Christmas break. Here is one set I made to match one of Kajsa's new outfits she got for Christmas.

Matt and Maja cuddling on the couch. Again, sorry about the crappy picture quality. My old phone didn't do so well in dark (or light) environments. We also picked oranges on Christmas Eve! But I forgot to take a picture.

Elsa and Kajsa, beautiful as can be.

I got a new Yamaha Xeno trumpet! This is the first, nice trumpet I've ever owned :) I love it!

On our way home from CA, we drove down the strip in Las Vegas to show the girls the lights.
My Honda overheated.

Chelsey Gale got married this summer to Austin Warr. I had a bit to drink and we stayed up late. It was fun :)

Here are some hot shoes I bought for Idaho State Civic Symphony concerts. I just like them a lot and I'm also very excited to play in the orchestra.

Here's Chelsey on her special day. What a hottie!

Our Paxie-Lou forever ago. I think this is from June or something. We were taking her for a walk. She is our third baby, I think she looks a lot like Kajsa because of her beautiful red hair. Thad says this is what happens when "you do it doggy style." He actually said that.........whoahahaha, he never checks my blog anyway. He'll never see I shared that.

Elsa Ferrin, future (current) musician, right after her Christmas choir concert.
So grown up.

High School Days

2011-07-19T07:45:00.003+02:00

It has been 10 years since I graduated high school and it was time for THAT reunion. I helped track people down for the class president. It turned out to be more work than I anticipated, but it was also fun. I got to see a lot of familiar faces. It was a fun evening, with great entertainment and the food was good too.

It actually says class of 2001, not 200.
I'm old, but not THAT old :)

Me and my hubby!

I have to tell a funny story about us at the reunion. So towards the end of it Thad and I (plus Kiirstin and Michelle and their hubbies) went to the band room to check out the new amazing place and say hi to Mr.North. We end up talking for quite a while. Kiirstin and Michelle go back to the party and I am recruiting David Waters for the ISU Bengal Marching Band while Thaddeus is talking to Mr.North about the upcoming leadership camp at ISU.

When we finally got back to the reunion, the awards/nomination-ceremony-thing was already over. So I get there and find out I won an Idaho spud bar (super) and was nominated to help Michelle plan the next reunion. More work, but okay. Anyway, then two separate friends ask me where we had been for such a long time and if we hadn't sneaked to the band room to have sex!

WHAT? ! ? ! ? ! ?

Thaddeus and I? We would never do such a thing. Actually we probably would, but let me clarify for those who thought we did, that WE DID NOT.

I guess we were just a HOT couple that night :)

Hannah, Zach, and Me

Jodie, Kellie, and me
I've been friends with Kellie since the 2nd grade and Jodie sine the 3rd!

Michelle, Kiirstin, Mr.North (the band director), and me,
I've been friends with Michelle and Kiirstin since the sixth grade!

DCI show in SLC

2011-07-18T05:58:00.004+02:00

I love drum corps.
After being aged out for a long time, I still wish I could go on tour in the summer time. It's not the same being in the stands, but the shows are great. Personally, I thought the Cadets were amazing. Here are a few pics I caught!
Enjoy

Just like last year I got to meet up with Robyn. We marched together in Troopers 2000. This past week she came up and visited. It was lots of fun. I tried recruiting her for the ISU marching band. She politely abstained :) She did hang out at our leadership camp a little and had a blast spinning the flag for the first time in a LONG TIME.

Of course, the only reason we were able to go to the show was thanks to our
FAVORITE COUSIN (in-law for me) Avery and her man Joe. They are the best and met us at the U, took the kids on the train to the planitarium AND had popcorn AND split a twix AND had a mud fight........the girls had a blast while we did.
Thanks Avery!

Happy Fourth

2011-07-18T05:16:00.004+02:00

Yes, I'm a bit late

I had such a hard time picking photos out because there were so many great ones, so I decided to make a collage, or two or three.

We went to the park on 8th street. I'm not sure what it's called, maybe it's centennial. There we waited for the parade to start. It started to rain and blow, but the parade seemed to be delayed. That, or they had advertised the wrong time on line. Either way, we got lots of great pics and we had fun sitting on the side walk throwing pops and acting goofy. Then 11:30 rolled around and we had to take off to make it to great grandpa and grandma Ferrin's for a luncheon. As we crossed the street to get to the car, we could see very faint lights from the police cars who were finally heading the parade. The girls were a bit sad, but we promised to buy them candy and they cheered up.

Then we headed over to see family in Blackfoot. It is always fun and something I look forward to on the fourth. The "usuals" were there. Great grandma and grandpa (I somehow did not get any pictures of them). Sally and Jerry, Shirley and Rick. Cole, Chelsea, and beautiful Cori, us (Thad, Me, Elsa and Kajsa), Matt, and Rochelle with her adorable baby boy Trexton. We had a delicious lunch and then Matt and we went over to check Cole and Chelsea's new crib out. Crib, as in a house not a baby bed.......just in case anyone was confused.
After that, we headed back to Poky, dropped stuff off at home and then drove to the fair grounds. We had heard it advertised on the radio that the fireworks show here in town was supposed to be the "BIGGEST SHOW IN IDAHOOOOOOOO." (The man who did the commercial had a huge booming voice analogous to my upper case typing).
So we paid to get in!!!!!!!!!!!
Then the kids started playing on the blow up toys. Thad and I laid in grass on a blanket and then it started to rain, and rain and Rain. It RAINED some more and then we ran to the car, then it began to hail! It was nasty, we probably sat in the car for at least a half an hour. we debated leaving, but we HAD paid to get in. So we waited out the rain. It finally stopped and we went back in, bought some food. Mmmmm, nothing like fatty food for the fourth. Then we waited for the fireworks to start. It seemed like hours and I'm pretty sure it's because it really was.
All that waiting was worth it though. The Pocatello Fireworks show was hands down the best fireworks show I've ever been to. The girls were mesmerized the whole time and it seemed like the whole crowd was too. It was a great fourth. Hope yours was as fabulous as ours!

Agnes - Release Me [Official Video]

2011-06-28T06:19:00.001+02:00

This is ridiculous. I keep listening to this song OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN. Can't get enough! Perfect club music, it makes me want to go out dancing all night. Speaking of which, Thad and I have not been out to the club dancing in a long time. I think we're due for a date.

Mini-Family gathering!

2011-06-28T05:54:00.004+02:00

For mom's birthday a few of us siblings
were able to get together and have a birthday dinner for her.
It was nice to finally get to see Mike and Leah and their kids,
it had been a while.

Glad Midsommar i Idaho

2011-06-27T07:33:00.006+02:00

This years Midsommar Celebration turned out great.
We had lots of people show up, a lot of fun dancing, and great food.
Here are some pictures to prove it

our Maypole (Majstång) was beautiful
There was blue and yellow everywhere
Elsa and Kajsa with their baby cousin Maja.
The dresses took quite a while to sew.
They were harder than I expected and it was difficult
to find the right shade of blue in a decent material.
Härligt kort
Mormors bärkorg från 1930 talet var med på festen
Real musicians, PLUS they were good!
Nästan alla dansade
Fint folk i fina kläder
Två Dalkullor
Maja skrattar så härligt
Vackra Elsa i dansen
Kajsa gumman

You Will Make It Through - Jem

2011-06-10T03:41:00.001+02:00

Every time I listen to this song it makes me cry and remember how much I miss my mother-in-law, Jo. I can't help but think of just how different my girls lives would be had she still been here. But we'll make it through!

Midsommar in Idaho

2011-06-09T16:42:00.003+02:00

SWEDISH MIDSOMMAR POTLUCK

When: June 24th 2011
@
4:30 P.M.

Where: Ingrid's House
1741 West 6000 South
Rexburg, Idaho 83440

What: Join us for
Swedish midsommar-music,
dancing, maypole raising,
door prizes,
"tipspromenad,"
and food.

Flowers for dressing
the maypole
are welcomed.
Please bring a
potluck dish
and
picnic blanket
or something else
to sit on.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Call Ingrid
(208)356-0610
with questions

Thad and Mia 9 years!

2011-06-08T08:39:00.003+02:00

It really doesn't feel like it has been nine whole years since Thad and I were married WAYYYY back in 2002, but that's who long it has been. Since then we've moved across the ocean TWICE, become parents to two beautiful and precious daughters, and learned more about ourselves and each other than we though was possible.

We have both returned to school and kicking trash at it too. Thaddeus is working for Blackfoot and Century high school in their music program this summer. He is currently taking a few classes this summer in hopes of graduating a bit faster, along side with writing another show for Göteborgs Drum Corps.

I am working about 20 hours a week for ISU in the music department. This fall I will be one of the drum majors for the ISU Bengal Marching Band. This is great for many different reasons. First, I LOVE marching band (I know I'm a nerd, but I just can't help loving it). Second, the drum major position carries a pretty decent scholarship which is GREATLY appreciated. And thirdly, repeat the first and second reasons combined.

A lot of great things have been happening around here lately.

For instance, today we FINALLY got the internet at home. Woooohooooo for staying up late and updating my blog.

Also, I won money for an essay contest. I posted a research paper on this blog some time back just for fun because I was very proud of my work. The paper was entitled: "Forsaken doctrine in the hidden past." I removed the paper from my blog since I don't want anyone stealing my hard work, but anyway, my teacher recommended I enter the essay for a contest so I did. I was not expecting to win, at all! But, turns out I won the English 1102 section. It was not a big monetary amount, but the acknowledgment was worth a lot to me since I by no means consider myself a great writer. It helps to write well when you have a topic you really care about.

And since this post was originally a congratulation to Thaddeus and myself for nine years of marriage I'll end with a little blurb about our get away. Now, I realize many people take off for Hawaii or Las Vegas or even Europe for their anniversaries but we're poor, really poor right now. SO, we ventured to the very exotic destination.......................wait for it.............................................. Salt Lake City. Hey, it was practically Hawaii after not having a get away (away from home) for two years! Thaddeus found a great little hotel for a good price with super awesome breakfast. Here is the link if you need a place to stay the next time you're in SLC.

We spent the majority of our time walking and window shopping. We did, however, make a few small purchases. Our favorite one was an awesome drink-mixer-glass-thingy that we found at the gateway mall. Thaddeus loves it and he has started practicing to be a bar tender (not really, I just have to say that to raise some eyebrows! LOL) We ate at this awesome restaurant called Squatters, I had the best jambalaya of my life there! Our artichoke cheese dip appetizer was outrageously good to top it off. Next time you're in SLC, seriously, go get some of that stuff!

In short, it was a much needed and great get away.

Tack till Mamma för barnpassningen, det var VERKLIGEN uppskattad!

Kajsa Bajsa fyller år!

2011-06-08T08:24:00.002+02:00

In our family we carry on the Blomquist and partly Swedish tradition of waking the birthday kid (or adult) early in the morning with song and presents. (Plus breakfast in bed....however, we usually fall short in that area due to bad planning and a mother who likes her sleep)

May 11th Kajsa turned six. So in we came, early early in the morning, to sing for her. She must have been tired cause she barely stirred.
She began to open her presents with her eyes still closed!
But then she started to wake up...
....Awake....
and happy!

The Diva!

2011-05-10T01:01:00.003+02:00

Elsa auditioned for the ISU childrens choir in January and made it
(of course, she's amazing)

(Top left: Tiffany (Elsa's friend) Center: Kajsa putting on Mormors lipstick at the concert)

Here is a collection of photos from three different concerts.
In the last concert she was chosen (after auditioning)
to sing a solo piece along with about
6 other children who also qualified.
I will be posting a video of it here soon.
I was TREMENDOUSLY proud of her.
There was quite a crowd there and she sang it perfect.
She has been amazing, working so hard.
I can't believe what a great ear and range she has
(I'm a bit jealous if you want to hear the truth).

(The choir was asked to sing at the inauguration for the
Portneuf Medical Center. It was cold that morning)

Girls with the jitters!

2011-05-10T00:52:00.002+02:00

It was really hard to get three girls, one of which is only (almost) 5 months old, to cooperate with picture taking. Elsa and Kajsa could not hold still or consent to normal poses despite bribing. We have officially entered uncharted territory, usually they will flash gorgeous smiles for candy, but NOPE this is twice now. Maja was having a really hard time not eating her
hand and the very few smiles we got were
accompanied by my anti-photo-shoot-mood-girls making strange faces.
But here is the best we could do.
Maja + Kajsa + Elsa = Cuteness!

Easter at the Ferrins!

2011-05-10T00:46:00.002+02:00

It is getting really hard to get any smiling-posing faces out of my little girls. They just want to be a clown in front of the camera lately. So, here are our two silly and beautiful little Easter girls.
P.S. Elsa was born on Easter Sunday, which makes Easter a bit more special to us :)

Shout out to the new couple!

2011-05-10T00:44:00.001+02:00

Congrats to Stacie and her Jason!
They were married on
April 1st 2011

Gamelan

2011-05-10T00:41:00.003+02:00

This was a really cool concert! The dancing was awesome. I wish I had a better camera. My 7 pixels and no flash was NOT optimal. Take my word for it though the colors were awesome.

Elsa is Eight!

2011-05-10T00:28:00.004+02:00

Elsa turned 8 on April 20th!
Yes, it's true, I have an 8 year old.
She had a great birthday.
She woke up to the traditional song and presents
in bed and then raced off to school.
To celebrate her we went to Deleta where
she rocked her new roller blades.

Lily Allen

2011-03-28T19:25:00.005+02:00

Avery and her family were up during spring break.
We also made a trip down to Utah and stayed with them.
We celebrated her birthday and she shared a little song with me I quite enjoy.
Warning, it has the "F" word in it!