“working”

on a walk a few days ago adam showed me the diversion dam just a bit down the greenbelt from our house.  it was FULL of amazing driftwood.  i had to wait three whole days to go back…that’s like 49 years in driftwood hunter years.  it was a b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l morning.

eli caught this snake all by his little self…

lyla spent most of the time in her shelter picking bark off logs to use as fire starter. thanks Man Woman Wild, for teaching my 5 year old how to survive on her own… 

the hunt was an uber success…

oh, the fair

in the middle of winter inevitably we will hear, “WHEN’S the FAIR C-O-M-I-N-G!!!”  it’s one of those look-forward-to kinda events around here.  this year was no exception.  we rode LOTS of rides, petted some furry four legged friends, ate a pound of french fries and called it a day.  the rides, of course, were the main event...

until this picture, i had NEVER seen lyla raise her hands on a ride.  she usually has the white knuckle grip of death, yay her!

a new  swing they had this year, it was pretty fun

my sweet lady and me…

put your hands up!!!!

there was a new water ride this year.  the kiddos loved it, which means we went on it about 15 times.

notice the hip bend so she can keep as far away from them as possible while still enjoying the experience.  love this girl.

babby farms

there is an amazing petting zoo in caldwell that we visited with our homeschool co-op last month.  we were able to pet all kinds of exotic animals…but first, we MUST play on the playground…

i this was the best part, baby goats are the second cutest baby animals, right behind kitties…just incase you didn’t know:)

who knew kangaroos had magical, eye closing powers?…neither one of our kiddos could withstand their spell.

eli liked the camels and the zonkey…

half zebra and half donkey… 

lyla with lacee the sloth…

we (and by we, i totally mean me. the kiddos were not about it) got to hold a lamer!  it was so cute. it is WAY out in caldwell, but totally worth the drive.

a full house

my kiddos are really lucky to have such a great papa...

we have had a very busy few weeks.  grandma and grandpa hobb and my cousin kylee and her hubby brian and their baby came to visit.  yes, they all stayed here.  yes, there were people sleeping in almost every room in our house. and yes, it was good to see them.  lyla, avalee and grandma hobb chillin' on the couch...

lyla has been a bit of a spunk in pictures lately...

my kiddos are really lucky to have such a great papa...

 and daddy...:)

eli, twylla and grandpa hobb checking out the swing at the botanical gardens...

oh. the. silliness.

  us...

the scholars

miss avalee...

morning walk...

i know you can't tell, but that's my little lyla in her frilly little pink skirt scooting along on her little pink bike.  i'm overusing "little" because i'm only going to be able to use it for a little while longer.  she is growing up like crazy these days.  our walk this morning...loved.every.second.

bug day

the botanical gardens has a bug day every year. the kids usually go with my parents, but they were out of town this year.
eli got one!

success!

haha

Lyla wanted to take a picture of me:)

5!

lyla’s birthday was on the 31st. she is excited to be 5. 

i asked what she thought would be the best part about being five: “i'll be bigger.” 

i asked what she thought was the best part about being four: “i was smaller.” 

talk about a glass half full kind of girl:)  that is one of the (MANY!)  things we love about lyla; her easy, go with the flow, “give me some peace and quiet” personality.  

she is also the cuddle queen of the universe.  

a thinker. 

a sweetheart in the truest sense.  i marvel at her compassion and forethought. 

a good little sister. 

a helper. 

a comedian. 

a lover of God. 

a blessing. 

a genuine generous spirit.  she likes to share her good things, not so that she will be repaid, but because it brings her joy. 

…and so much more. 

when we were planning her party she said, “i don’t want a big party, i don’t like all of that chaos.”  ha!  so little party it was, with just a few friends.

we also celebrated with family.  our cousins, kris and lori, were in town with their kiddos.  between them and the family that lives here, it was quite the bash.

happy birthday sweet girl!!!