He is so much fun!

Sam is growing so fast! He walks all over the place and does his own thing. He is definitely a little love bug. I can't get enough smooches from this kid!

Update

So I really haven't taken any pics since Sam's b-day. Nothing extraordinary has happened and if it has I forgot my camera! We have been trucking along with life and to be honest I needed a change or I was going to continue to go crazy. I have taken the kids out of their extra curricular activities for a few months so we aren't driving all over and we can actually let the kids be kids and we can also be a family. I am so burnt out and Doug was way burnt out!
On the upside to that, we have actually had time for FHE and that is a huge blessing. Evenings are a bit happier because we are not rushed to get things done. Joe has been able to restart the training of his dogs since it is lighter later, so he is enjoying that. The kids stay out and play until 8 almost every night and I enjoy that!
I did receive some wonderful news from family. My little brother, Bobby, is reporting to the MTC in July and will serve his mission in the Buenos Aires, Argentina Mission. I was so touched to hear him read his mission call over the phone when he received it. It was wonderful to share in that experience with him. Two of my sisters will be getting married this summer and so my prayers of them finding love were answered. They will both be getting married back home so my search for an airlines job is on! Maybe we'll have to switch our yearly visit to July-Aug instead of Nov.? Joe's little sister will be moving in with us in a few weeks and so we are definitely excited to have family with us. Anyone with brothers who have already served missions are welcome to come over and hang out!!
So I guess that's about it. OH!!!!!!!! How could I forget! Douglas is turning 8 on May 4th and he will be getting baptized on May 31st. Our FHE will focus on baptism until then so we can prepare as much as possible.
I hope all is well with everyone. We love y'all so much and thank you for the continued prayers and encouragement!

Sam's 1st Birthday!!

Spring Break

So Spring Break was the last week of March and the last week of the kids track break. I was so ready for them to go back to school! We went to the Discovery Center which is the small equivilant to the Children's Museum in Houston. We had a big group from church go, so the kids had a blast. Luckily the rain let up and we were able to have a picnic at the park.

Black Bear Cub

A new Sportsman Warehouse opened in Nampa and yesterday they had black bear cubs there to take pics with. Well we didn't know they were taking pics, there was just promotions about bear cubs to look at so Joe thought it would be fun to take the kids. Well he has been super sick, so I took Doug, Ken, and Abby. Sam was asleep with Joe and Cheyenne decided it would be boring so she stayed with her friend across the street to play. So we get there and see signs on the floor to take a pic with the bear. So we follow and I thought maybe it was an option, like you can either take a pic or pet the bear. Nope the pic was $15, so to not upset the kids who had been pumped to get to see the bear we waited in line to take a pic. I got to the front paid and then got to thinking, crap if I have to pay 15 I want to have the whole family. So I asked the guy in charge if we could save our reciept so I could get the rest of my kids. He was nice and signed the paper. Of course at hearing that we had to go back home and pick up the others, Doug about died! Why do we have to go pick everyone up, they should have come with us, this isn't fair, why are you so mean to us! I was about to give in to avoid embaressment and then I thought dang it, I'm the freaking parent, I make the decisions. So off we went to pick up the rest of the gang, Doug was super mad. I called Joe and he got ready. So I'm getting the others ready and Cheyenne is outside cleaning up and Joe and I happen to be looking outside and BAM!, she meets the sidewalk. She comes crying across the street, knee bloody, wrist hurting, elbow scratched up. Joe of course blows up and demands that all wheels be taken out of their heelys. She then says she can't go take a pic because she will be crying the whole time. Anyway we finally get there and the line is now wrapped around 2 isles. Joe decides to take this opportunity to walk around the store while we wait in line. The dad in front of us a bit jealous because he wanted to do the same thing, but waited in line with his family. We finally get up to take our picture and it was so exciting! I got to hold the bear. He was so cuddly and warm, I want one! The kids got to pet the cub and 10 secs later we had our pic. I'm sure Joe was a bit sad not being able to hold the bear.

Sunday Trip

Last sunday after church we went on one of our exploring drives. Joe found an island that is in Idaho but the only way to get to it is through Oregon. So we ate some sandwiches and we were off. The kids watched a movie on the way, so they were pretty good. When we got to the island there were big signs that said "NO TRESPASSING", so I thought it would be a good idea to just call it good and go home. Well Joe thought if they didn't want us going in they would of locked the gate. We crossed the river onto Gamble Island on this one way bridge that could of fallen apart, I was a bit nervous. No one was visible all the houses were the same color, there was a horse racing area, farming area and if you crossed another bridge there was more to see. So that's when I strongly felt like we should leave to avoid being caught. Joe thought I was being silly, but it freaked my out. I was so freaked out I forgot to take pictures of the place. Since we still have Texas plates I decided if we did get pulled over we would just play stupid tourist. Joe said if I weren't with him, he would of gone on and even knocked on some doors until he met someone to talk to.
On our way home we stopped at a historical site, so the kids wouldn't get upset about not getting out. It was a replica of Fort Boise. The kids enjoyed peeking inside and running around for a few min. Then we enjoyed our ride home.

High School Musical Party

Cheyenne had her 9th b-day party today and some of her girlfriends came over to help celebrate. Of course Cheyenne had to have a HSM Party so we decorated in Wildcat colors and watched some of HSM. She got another webkinz and a lot of cool HSM stuff. She also got some yarn so she can make some scarfs. She got some $ from the Johnston's so she is busy plotting her big shopping adventure (thanks aunt christina and uncle john!!) The girly's ended the party with a "tea" party. They even used their british accents during their tea party! It was pretty cute.

Pot of Luck Meet at Mountain Home High

Kenny and Doug thought it would be fun to teach Sam how to play dinosaurs. They had a lot of fun playing together. Sam thought it was funny when they would make the dinosaurs fight.