Random pictures

For Jake's Birthday we had Chad and Katie over for dinner and presents. The boys like when we have family over and get really excited. We had finger foods and better than anything cake. Jake got a tent, a Boise State shirt, and one of our boys knitted him a blue and orange beanie.

 My parents and siblings came for a visit over conference weekend. They were able to stop by my house for about an hour. It  was nice to be able to see them for a little bit. This is my dad with my niece Oakley.

 Jake and I got to go on a Family Teachers retreat. It was nice to get away. We went to Eden for three days of training. This picture was taken right before we left.

 Jake decided to grow a beard for while... luckily that phase has ended :)

 The start of one of the pumpkins we carved.

Jake and I went to Twin Falls for a few days. It was a rushed trip but it was so fun. We stayed at his parents house. It was a blast! The adults went to a Haunted Maze. I was freaked out the entire time. I had a sore throat for the next couple days but it was so fun. We laughed a lot after the fact. The girls had a girls night at Shari's. We promised Katie we would not go while she was on her mission. So it was our first time back. We usually go one time while we are together. On Saturday morning we went to Burly for the craft fair. I bought a few things. I will have to post pictures soon. Overall the weekend was so much fun. We did a lot of fun activities but it was great to be with the family. 

 Jake watching movies with our nieces and nephews. 

 Teri's little boy Cade. He is getting so big and is always smiling. What a cute kid!

Caramel apples I made. Our job can get so stressful and busy at times and my stress reliever is to bake. The boys enjoy it, and so do our neighbors.

A quick update...

Jake and I have been extremely busy with work. Here are a few things that we have done.
-Jake had a birthday.
-I stayed the night at the hospital, while one of our boys got his appendix out.
-Jake and I both got head colds.
-I have been working out and eating healthier, and so far have lost 21 pounds.
-I scrapbooked McKenzie's wedding.
-Jake has been running with the boys, they want to run a marathon.
-I saw Plain White T's in concert.
-McKenzie and Brett came down over Conference weekend, and we had a blast! Hopefully they will come down again!
-Jake has planted grass in our yard, and has been obsessed with it. Its so fun to see it grow.
-My parents brought us down raspberry plants.
-Jake and the boys have been clearing me a garden spot spot so next spring I can plant a garden.
-I saw Matt Nathanson in concert.
-We found a new entertainment center on clearance at the RC Willey Outlet store.
-We decorated the house for Halloween.
-We carved pumpkins, and make shrunken heads our of apples, while we drank egg nog.
-I taught the boys how to make Caramel Chocolate Pretzels.
-I made caramel chocolate apples
-We have had boys run away, break chairs, put holes in the walls. I feel like I know every police officer in Kearns.

Foster Parents of the Year

A couple weeks ago we were planning on taking all of our boys to go see the movie, Rise of the Planet of the Apes. We were running late and rushed out the door. We were half way there when one of our boys says, I think we are missing someone. I count heads, and we only have 7 boys. We hurry and turn the car around and rush back home to find him sitting on the front lawn for us. It made my heart melt, I can't believe we forgot him.

Homecoming, wedding, and baby blessings

Jake and I were able to go to Twin Falls this weekend. It was so much fun to be able to see everyone and be there for all the festivities. Katie got home from her mission on Thursday night. We were not able to be at the airport when she arrived. We left Utah at 11pm and arrived in Twin around 2:30am.We were exhausted but glad we made it. We had a great time Friday just hanging out and being with Jake's family. Saturday morning my little sister got married in the Twin Falls Temple. I am so glad that she found Brett. They are so cute and happy together. We do not know Brett very well but I know he will treat her amazing,and we are glad to have him in our family. Sunday my sister and her husband blessed their little one Oakley. Ryan and Teri also blessed Cade. It was a busy but wonderful weekend. We love being with family. 

Graduation Gift

I have wanted to get a nice camera for a LONG time. I told Jake's parents, my parents, and Jake that this is what I wanted to get for graduation. So they all gave me money and I have been shopping around for one. I found this one on Costco.com and it was delivered 2 days later. I am in LOVE! I now want to take some photography classes. All the pictures I have taken are of us with our foster boys, which can't be published, but soon I will post some pictures I have taken.

Wedding Cake

Jake and I told McKenzie and Brett that we would make their wedding cake and do the refreshments for the reception. We have never done a wedding cake but decided to try it out. We stayed up until 2 am making it, because we had to start over.