Camping at Horsethief Reservior

We went camping with the Steed family,and had a blast. Swimming, hiking, fishing and playing with the cousins. What more could anyone ask for?

We both caught our limit at Tripod Reservior

Hiking up the steep hill.

We made it up and the view was amazing.

Looking down into the river.

Caitlyn

Brian

Brian, Abbey, Madison, Becca, Nadia, Allie and Elizabeth playing on the dock.

A hiking he will go

Today Brian is leaving for his first overnight hike and camp out with the 12 year old scouts. He is going to Craters of the Moon. He has all his gear on his back for a 4 mile hike into where they are camping.

He looks so cute.

I sat through an entire baseball game!

Allie had her team party at a Boise Hawks game. I think this is the first time I've ever sat through an entire baseball game. I think they should make baseball only 7 innings. 9 innings is just too long. I started getting restless around the 6th. All in all it was pretty fun. It's fun to see the action plays that I haven't been able to see going to Allie's baseball games.

Allie brought her BFF Sidney

They got to play catch on the field

Allie got her trophy

And an autograph

Time for the game

My super brave super star!

Today during Allie's baseball game, she did so well. She started as catcher, and her throwing improved so much just during the game. She would have caught better on her left if her glasses would have fit with the helmet and face mask on. (She has a lazy eye, and can barely see without her glasses in that eye.) She hit the ball and ran in and scored a point, and even caught the ball to get someone out when she was on first base. The game was almost over when she was up to bat, and the ball was a little high. It hit her helmet (thank goodness for the helmet) then hit her right in the lip and nose. She paused for a moment and then realized what had happened and the pain quickly followed. I ran down to comfort her along with her dad. I thought maybe her nose was broken, but it turns out she took the brunt of the hit on her lip. She got a chipped lower tooth, a heck of a brush on her inner lip and outer nose are. I think the amount of blood scared her so much. She was so brave though. It turned out her getting to walk to base (someone filled in for her) made it so the team one the game. My brave little super star! I'm so proud of her. She even stayed to shake the hands of the other team. They were concerned for her too. It was definitely a game to remember.

Nadia's 13th Birthday

I can't believe she is now 13! Wow how the time flies. It seems just like yesterday I was changing her diapers and chasing her all over the house.

Maiden Voyage

Our first outing with our pop up trailer on Memorial Day Weekend was interesting.

The temperature on our way there hit a low of 39 degrees, but that didn't stop us, we had a pop up trailer.

I give camping in the cold a thumbs down. It was so freezing cold, I had 3 layers on and I was still cold.

Brian took out his boredom on a poor piece of wood.

and Nadia wanted a turn too.

Allie likes to carve sticks. She eventually made a shank that looked like a pencil. Great if she were planning on doing prison time.

We rode bikes...for a short time, cause it was coooold!

Pants on the ground, pants on the ground.....

looking like a fool with your pants on the ground. Silly boy!

The only time it was mildly warm was when we cooked, so I looked for any opportunity to cook something. Gotta love Jiffy Pop!

Yum! Before microwaves, back in the olden days, this is how we enjoyed popcorn.

Brian showed me how to shoot a gun.

Just a bee bee gun, but it's hard to hit the target. It took me like 5 tries to hit a can off a fence only 12 feet away.

Brian hit it every time. I think boys are born with that gene.

I love Caitlyn's hat.

It looks so different in May then in July.

I love the cat tails though.

We lasted for 2 nights and I couldn't stand it anymore. Tooooo coooold! Even with our trailer, I think I'll wait til summer really starts.

Put me in coach, I'm ready to play!

Allie started her first season of baseball today. She has been looking forward to this for some time now. Watching her brother last year sparked an interest in the sport, so she went to a summer camp where she learned a little more about the game. She did great! She scored one point for the team during this game and even got someone out by catching the ball at 2nd base. I'm looking forward to more of her game.

A very blessed day!

I'm truly lucky to have such an amazing life. If you knew me several years ago, you would have never guessed that this would have all happened. It's truly a fairytale and I am so thankful. Today my son was ordained a deacon and received the Aaronic Priesthood. I am so proud of him and the commitments he has made in his life.

How wonderful it is to have such strong men in our family for Brian to look up to.
From left: Chet Abbott, Brian Owings, Jim Owings, B-Mike, Paul Arnett, Chris Steed, and Rob Morton. Front: Brycen Morton


The Abbott, Owings, Arnett, Steed & Morton families.

Happy Birthday, Brian Michael!

Brian always has something chocolaty and this year was no exception. Chocolate layer cake with chocolate frosting and I even put chocolate chips in the batter.

Make a wish!

We teased him by giving him a sleeping bag.(He already got one for Christmas. He was so sweet, he just said thanks and had a big smile. Later we gave him the real gift of football gloves, and a football tie. He was much happier with that.)

Susan Marie Meyer 7/1/1966-5/17/2010

My Dear Aunt Suzi,
I can't believe you are gone. I know you have another job to do now, but you will be so missed here on earth. I am so thankful that you have been a part of my life. You taught me so much and also gave me so much support when I was all alone. You were so full of love and would do anything for anyone. You would literally give the shirt off your back. But you also didn't take any crap from anyone, especially if it involved your family. Let's just say, I'd never want to tick you off. You were a women with spunk, one who could kick butt with your hands tied behind your back. Oh pity on the people who messed with your family.
You were so loyal. You were the glue that kept us all together. I'm not sure what will be without you there to knock some sense into us.
I remember so many good times we shared. When I was a little girl and you came to stay with me and my dad. I remember your room decorated with Marilyn Monroe pictures. I remember you playing lincoln logs with me. I remember you finding and cleaning up cereal bowls with sour milk in my bedroom and top ramen under my bed. As a young teen, I remember you picking me up and taking me to the mall to find a bomber jacket, introducing me to UB40. Later, I remember going to your house for Christmas when Jessie was a baby. In adulthood, I remember the crazy snow storm we had in Vancouver when we got stuck in our houses for several days and Jessie stayed the night at my house before it hit and I couldn't get her back home. Remember the big fight we had? Silly to look back now, but I'm glad we got through that quickly. I remember you being at my wedding in 2005. If it weren't for you we'd be lacking in so many pictures. I'm so glad you brought your camera. I remember going camping with you, the kids, and Dave, it was so much fun. Crazy, but fun! I remember spending 4th of July 2006 with you up at your friends house on the Lewis River. The very last time I saw you was Christmas time 2009. We had already done so much driving around from Boise to Portland to Longview to see my dad and grandma. We were so tired of being in the car and just wanted to relax for the night. You wanted me to visit so badly. You promised me that you would come visit us this summer in Boise if I would just come up for a little while to see your new house and barn. You even tempted me with horse riding. I am so glad that I did because, although I didn't know it at the time, it would be the last time I'd ever see you. I remember you telling me that looking out your window and having all your family there was such an amazing moment for you. I'm thankful to have spent time with you, Dave and the girls. I can't believe how much they've grown. They are so beautiful, just like their mom.
I always looked up to you. Even when you went through your struggles in life, I looked up to you because you pulled yourself out of the darkest of places and became such an amazing women. There's not too many people in the world that can do that. You have such a forgiving heart. The love you have for your kids, and your family is truly how I want to be. I know you will never be able to read this, but I'm hoping you can feel the love I have for you through my thoughts. I love you so much, and I will miss you. I know I will see you again. Until then my dear sweet Aunt Suzi.
Your niece,
Jenn

End of the Track season

Brian threw the shot put 24' 9'' which is a huge improvement from his first meet.
Brian threw 73' 2'' in the discus. The coach invited him to the district meet to watch. I think he sees great potential in Brian. Can't wait to see what he does next year.