The Howells

Grandma Great Grace came to visit from Kentucky. Of course GGG always comes with Aunt Jennifer and the kids loved spending Thursday anf Friday with them. The kids had a great time at the homecoming football game. These pictures were taken just before we headed to the game.

More about the Messick weekend

Grandma Valerie plans a group birthday party when everyone comes town. The kids think it's great and love that all the kids have their own birthday cake complete with candles. We sing happy birthday and blow out the candles. This year, Sam and Ruby wanted to go camping. It seemed like an awfully lot of work to load everyone up and head to the cabin when the weather wasn't that great. Instead, we had a hot dog and marshmallow roast in Grandma's back yard. It met every one's needs and we didn't have the car ride or mud. Nathan and Jill come to Idaho at the same time each year, or at least that what it seems. I think they can't live without going to Spud Day. It must bring back memories of the first time Jill met the Messicks. The kids all get matching Halloween pajamas for their birthday present. It's fun. This year the kids were extra spoiled because they won all kinds of prizes for playing games like Bingo and Sorry.

Sam and Ruby

Here's a couple of cute pictures of Sam and Ruby during there visit to Idaho.

Spud Day Parade

If you like small town parades - the Spud Day Parade, I'm sure ranks somewhere. The kids had a great time collecting candy and looking for more horses. We had all kinds of weather at the parade. It switched back and forth from sunshine to rain, but we came prepared with umbrellas and jackets. Gabe hates overalls, but Madi wanted Gabe to be dressed like her. He seemed to be okay with them after a while. Madi stuffed her jacket pockets with candy.

The kids waited in anticipation for the parade to begin.

Gabe loved "Uncle Sam" and was so cute waiving his little hand.

Madi & Sam

Here are a few more pictures of Sam and Madi. Sam and Madi had a great time posing "crazy" for the camera.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday Mike. I hope you have a great day. I love these pictures and it's not what it looks like. The kids were helping Mike restock his bear bait site. They loaded it up with cookies, corn cobs and who knows what else in hopes to bring in a big bear. The kids were checking to see if any bears had been there. Madi was disappointed that she wasn't able to find any bears.

Crazy Cousins

Madi was so excited to have her cousins here from Arkansas. She had a blast playing with Sam and Ruby. Of course she was also glad that Claira and Olivia came to grandma Valerie's and played too. They had a weekend full of fun and I know that Madi is going to miss her Arkansas cousins. We don't get the opportunity to see Sam, Ruby, Jill and Nathan very often but it amazes me that Madi and Gabe feel right at home when they are here. The kids didn't skip a beat and started playing immediately. I'm so glad that my kids have the chance to have fun with their cousins and I hope their relationships continue to grow and they continue to like each other; look forward to seeing one another; and remember all the fun times they have.

Sam was crazy for the camera. He loved doing wild and fun things. What a big cheese.

Just messing around

Idaho....

You know you're from Idaho when your kids leave the house dressed like this. I'm not sure what bug jumped at them, but Madi woke up insisting that she have a hat and gloves to wear to grandmas.

A trip to the cabin .... and meet the Cheeto monstor

It's nice we have a place to get away from it all. Monday we went to the cabin not just for a night out, but so Mike could restock his bear bait sight.

I love these pictures of Madi up against the cabin.

Say cheese!!!

We had to take a quick potty break. This is our outhouse, we have great facilities at the cabin.

Gabe should advertise for Cheetos. He loves the things and I think could sustain solely on them if I would let him. We brought sandwiches for dinner, but once Gabe saw the Cheetos he had to have them and could not be seperated from them.

FritoLay -- if you need a cute boy for your Cheetos adds, I have a candidate. Gabe kept an eye out for bears why Madi used the facilities. I'm sure the rustling of the Cheetos bag was enough to keep the bears away. It was a quick trip but it was nice to get away for the evening.