That's "Normal"

Memorial Day Weekend

Just wanted to show you some "normal" stuff you will see going on in our camp at the St. Joe:

10 and under driving 4 wheelers full of even younger kids

Little boys with bb guns and 22's shooting misc. animals

(not to mention gutting and skinning them)

Kids hanging off the side of Nana's car "watching the rafters" at 30 mph
Babies sleeping in tents in May
("Just throw a hat on 'em....they're fine.")

Your kid barfs the night you get there (has the flu) and everyone says,
"He's fine. Heal here or heal at home...it's all the same. Tough it out." Poor Cade.

Whitewater rafting in 45 degree water....even on the rainy, cold years.

(LtoR: Steve, Brett, Rick C., Missy, Tyler, Benji, Dan R., Jon, A.J.)
(Below: Jon is back right)

(below: A.J., Steve, Mikin, Ben, Jon and Brynne)

(Below: A.J. saves Brynne and Casey Fowler saves Jannalee after we nailed a big hole)

(below: Jon and Brynne are in the front getting a face plant. BRAIN FREEZE!!!)

2 year olds rafting for their first time...

and they get soaked with a big wave in the face on the "kiddy run".

(remember, that's still 45 degree water)

Generations continuing to pass on the enjoyment, beauty, and majesty of the outdoors.

Growing Pains

Cade 2 yrs 4 mos

-watches bball with dad and points out every time they "made it!"

-started interrupting prayers to thank HF for Daddy and Mommy's basketball games

-points out every "BIG truck!" while driving

-always asking," where'd ___ go?" about everyone he knows Not as you are thinking, we are talking about the pain we feel knowing that our boys keep GROWING! It is hard to think that every time they go through a stage, it will be the last time we see them that way. We just keep talking about how we have to soak them up in every moment, but it is so easy to get wrapped up in the daily routine. We never want to forget these

cute little faces.

Jay 4 months

-discovered splashing in the tub

--wakes up super happy

-major barfer and blow-outer

-Cade makes him smile and laugh more than anyone else

Half Marathon? Check.

For some reason, I thought training to run 13.1 miles would be a good way to jump start me into shape after having Jay 4 months ago! It was my first time running 13 miles alone without walking at all. (I did a half ironman where I ran/walked the 13 mi. run leg.) I also started training a couple of weeks late, so I was happy with a time of 2:30!

The run was gorgeous...right along the Spokane River the whole way to end in River Front Park. It was so fun!

I couldn't have done it without:

A GREAT running partner to motivate me for those long, Saturday runs and run the race with.

My sister Mikin

An awesome circle of motivation:

(My sis in law Lizzy got Mikin to do it who got me to do it ;) We also had a few other family members and friends who did it.)

And the very best support crew out there!

Jon, Cade and Jay.

Especially you, babe. Thanks for your endless support when I do these things!

Mikin and I ran with this 70-something man from Laos for a while. It was his first half marathon, too. It always inspires me when I see these older people still so active! I was chatting with him, and asked him to take a picture of our family, and he thought I wanted a picture of HIM WITH my family. Cute. :)

All of the above, thanks for helping me FINISH!(LtoR: Mikin and Brynne sprinting to the finish line!)

Mothers Day

This weekend:

-We completed our back yard with something for Cade (and Jay) to play in besides dirt! Brynne's parents get this for each family when the kids get old enough to play on it. Thanks Nana and Papa Gatten!!

- went to dinner and a movie with Brynne's parents. First time since Jay with NO KIDS. I thought I wouldn't like star trek, and I came out....a TREKKIE!! I know, right?

-On actual Mother's Day I got to sing with the church primary in a short little cameo as the "mother voice" in it. In the short couple of weeks I have been in primary (which I also thought I wouldn't like) I have grown to love those kids.

-talked to our moms

-Talked to Brynne's little brother Spike in Brazil. He has 6 mos left on his mission and sounds like a Brazilian local!! (accent, perfect portuguese etc.) His letters are so inspirational and he has grown immensely. Spike and I have always been close, but for the first time ever, I REALLY had an in depth, spiritual, adult conversation with him about this life and what is important to us. It was awesome, and we all love him so much.

Here is a short exerpt from one of his weekly emails. It will give you a small taste of how inspiring he is:

"I have been reading the book written by President Joseph F. Smith, Doctrines of Salvation. It talks about the great blessing of being born under the covenant and I think, wow, I am a recipient of it. Thank you to such awesome parents, and my Heavenly Father. I think about the many experiences that I have had in my life, the people I have met, the reunions, the birthdays, the laughs, and the sorrows, and I feel so fortunate that I have been the whole journey with each of you. Thank you and I love you all so much, each one of you. Parents, brothers, sister, bro in laws, sis in laws, and nieces and nephews. Grandparents also. The list is so long, and I'll always forget someone, but you all know who you are. I love you all dearly, and am so appreciative for you, who you are, and what you mean to mean. As you can tell I have really been reflecting on my life, and the countless blessings that my Heavenly Father has bestowed upon me in my short time here upon the earth. They are many, they are great, they were pre-ordained, and all of which I have received for obedience in this life. My heart is full, and my emotions budding, I love life. I have learned on the mission to smile at everything. Smile at those who despise me, those who persecute me, those of other faiths, the neighbor who is catholic, and the garbage man that doesn’t like us because his wife left him to be baptized into the church of the Mormons. I need to be an example of the believers. We have to learn, like president Monson taught us, to find "joy in the journey". Sit and think that this day may be your last, take advantage of it and be who you know you can be. Represent Christ, and be his disciple. Share the gospel, be a good friend, keep secrets, work a little harder, and walk the extra mile. If we do this we will feel, as ours days upon this earth come to a close, that we have lived a full life, and look back with no regrets!"

Happy Mother's Day!

I am SO grateful for the chance to be a mother. There is no better job. I also appreciate our own mothers for putting up with us all of these years. :)

Working Mom?! Hardly!

Well, it's true. A job fell into my lap. I am now employed by...

PEAK HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER

(previously Ironwood) in the child care center!

The perks:

-only 10 hours a week on average

-free gym membership for my family

-free childcare when I want to use the gym

-I can bring my kids

-free tanning

-discounts on the store, food, etc.

-can use Peak in Hayden and Post Falls, too

-get paid on top of all this!

This facility is SUPER nice (tennis, racquetball, basketball, pool, etc. etc). So I feel blessed to have this little side job (of course my #1 is my boys!). Thanks, Allison, for hooking me up when I wasn't even looking!

Bedtime with the Boys

Bedtime is always a good time around our house.

Whenever we say it is time to get ready for bed Cade always says,

"Pj's, brushy fruity, night moon, song, prayers."

(brushy fruity b/c he has fruity toothpaste and goodnight moon is the nightly staple book he reads with Dad). As you can tell, he knows the routine. :)

He looks forward to the time, also, on the weekends when we get in our P.J.'s, make "papone" (popcorn) and "snuggle with Daddy in the blanket".
Here are a couple clips of Cade singing some of the songs he loves. Make sure you pause the music to the right and down before you watch them. :)

" I Am Like A Star"

"I Am A Child Of God"

We are sad (and happy...I guess) to announce that Jay has had his first 2 nights in his BIG, much too big for him crib, in his own big boy room. He is doing great.

My Beautiful Blue Eyed Baby Boy

Jay Marshall at 3 months

around 50th percentile on everything

-giggling

-"talking"

-eating your hands all the time

-rolling over

-sleeping through the night

-bringing joy and light into our lives!

We love our happy, happy baby.