Our adventure out West and our visit in BOISE!

Our roadtrip out west went really well considering we have a 3 year old and a 1 year old. It was a total of 4 days in the car with the first day being the longest and getting progressively less each day - Thank goodness.

Here we are at the very beginning of our trip. Vienna and Giraffe all strapped in and ready to go!

Lincoln getting all strapped in :)

My Mom and Dad were there for a visit and we actually left them at our place alone for a few days, but here we are saying goodbye - who knows the next time we'll see them. 

While saying goodbye my mom put her phone on the hood of our van. We left and while at a red light on Belvoir and Mayfield someone beside us pointed it out, so of course my Mom was very grateful because who knows where it would have fallen off or how far we would have gotten and we had no idea it was there. Oh Mommy! we got to say goodbye again!

So don't tell the police but if we were going absolutely stir crazy we would get out of our seats and have a little play time. It was the only thing that kept us sane.

 

 

Originally we were going to stay at our friends parents place because they have lots of room, but after day 1 Laura asked if we would just want to go stay at their place and so that is what we did. We had a blast and this way we got to see much more of each other. It probably was too much for Laura with a little 3 Month old baby on top of company but at least Jack, Luke and Vienna played super well together. Like any kids, near the end of the week they kind of got sick of each other, but we had an amazing time. 

Going to visit Cowboy ElRay was a real treat. Depsite the sprinkles we still rode some horses. Vienna was a total natural and from the very beginning wanted to ride all by herself and when it was other peoples turn she was not too happy about that.

Lincoln on the other hand was shaking when I first brought him close to the horse and then after having him sit with Vienna - well his face says it all.

Once he watched Mommy a bit, he was ok to get on with me and did really well. 

Vienna conceded to ride with me for a few minutes before demanding to go on by herself again.

Mike - my business casual cowboy

Vienna and her Daddy for one last ride

 

We spent most of our days with the Johnsons and with the amazing Boise weather it looked a lot like this...

Sprinkler fun

Walks with friends to the river (Vienna holding hands with Rylan Pooly - finally  a little girl that wanted to hold hands)

Absolutely loving the refreshing water on this super hot day

What a little stud man, just loving the sand

Vienna and I got to go to the aquarium with Jack's playschool group, which was a lot of fun!

 

Our week in Boise was marvelous and more than anything, Mike had a great experience doing his externship with Dr. Hathaway. His confidence level went way up, he learned lots and was able to work on me, and did a great job. Perhaps we will be able to go back there and buy in with him, but only time will tell. We sure love and miss Boise though! 

Our time with Mema and Papa!

There is no rhyme or reason to these photos. Pictures are the best way to capture the moments we had while Mema and Papa visited us.

We got to see Daffodil hill in full bloom, which is gorgeous!

Trying to get them to both look at the same time is a real task.

That tree at the top of the hill was so neat looking.

what a cutie pie!

Hanging out with Papa!

Buddies!

Mema with her little man

We ran a marathon relay at the zoo and my Dad being the He-man that he is decided to do a Full marathon. For those of you that know, the hills at the zoo are tough but to do them over and over again was a killer. My dad climbed over 5000ft during his race. What a stud!!!

Here was our team. We each did a quarter of a marathon. It was lots of fun!

I love my Dad's shirt. He got it specially made!

The dinosaur exhibit was out just for us to get a sneak peak at and honestly with their roars sometimes I got startled.

Could you really outrun him in real life dad???

Sorry hun, because you ran last and it was dark we didn't get any picks of you :(

The rest of the pics are just random activities

Lincoln was still getting his balance down and would walk everywhere with his left hand up, and Papa wanted to be just like him.

working with Vienna to help her ride her bike.

Enjoying the fresh air.

We sure love our backyard

The swing set is the best!

Vienna has really been into having long hair. She picked these out at the dollar store. So cute!

She sure loves her papa!

Spending time with Mema!

What a handsome little boy!

Crazy curls and loving her dandelions

Story time is the best!

turning the pages is the best part for Lincoln

looks comfy...NOT

Love the yukata hello kitty outfit from Japan

Lincoln pushing his own stroller, what a big helper!

such a grown up little girl

 Above: Vienna wearing her shirt that she made with Mema!

We had a great visit with Mema and Papa and were sad to leave them a few days early, but they helped with so many things around our house those few days it was worth it. Thanks Mom and Dad. Come again, sooner than later!

LINCOLN's FIRST BIRTHDAY, almost 1.5 Months late :(

It's true...I've been home for over 2 weeks and so in theory I have no good excuse for not having posted about all of our adventures since late April. There is so much that life requires and in complete honesty I have been overwhelmed by that task of going through and organizing photos, but alas I have found a moment (or at least I am taking a moment to start the catch-up process) I will begin with a very momentous time for all of us...LINCOLN"S FIRST BIRTHDAY!!!

This is the Handsome Birthday Boy at Daffodil. What a little stud!

 

Some of the honored Party guests. We were lucky to have Mema and Papa with us!

 

All of his cards from family and friends. He is well loved!

 

How many presents does a 1 year old need???

 

Should I say spoiled!

 

A little slide for outside in the back yard to keep him away from the big ones...here's to hoping!

Vienna being the big helper and gladly opening all of his gifts for him! He got a sweet instrument set!

We love music time!

His yummy B-day cupcakes.

He ate the whole thing

And the floor ate about half of it. What can I say, he is a good sharer!

Playing on the newly assembled Birthday gift. 

Our little Linc's man has brought such a fun dynamic to our family and we have enjoyed having him around so much this past year. His little personality is really starting to shine through and it's only going to get brighter. Despite not being as vocal as his sister was at this age he is way more motor functionally advanced. He has great balance and climbing skills. It is clearly a right brain, left brain thing. He understands so much and definitely has some words; ball, bubble, balloon, Mama and Dada sometimes. He still communicates really well with gestures and noises. He has some of the funniest faces and quite the sense of humor. Right now he loves to eat, take baths, be outside, go for walks in his little car, play with balloons and balls. He knows the car sound and drives cars all around (how does he know that, we never taught him???) climbing on things and being a boy. He sure loves him Mama and likes to be with me. He also loves his sister tons! (I know its 1.5 Months since his B-day so I am only writing the things he did at that time and not his other milestones)

WE LOVE YOU LINCOLN!