Root Beer Tasting

 My brother and my husband LOVE root beer. My brother bought a bunch of unique and hard to find root beer in California at a Root Beer shop and had the idea of having a root beer tasting contest to see which root beer tasted the best. It was pretty fun. My Sister in Law poured the root beer in small cups so we didn't know what they were and we rated them on several different categories. I don't think we ever got through all the root beer and therefore didn't come to a conclusion as to what root beer we liked the best. haha My brother and husband have their favorites though.

Jared bringing out the mystery root beer to taste

Kyle and Bill

At the end, they brought out all the root beers so we could see what score went with which root beer. Not the greatest picture. But it was fun.

Last Visit to Yellowstone

 I had a long list of things I wanted to do before we left Idaho. I didn't get to most of them but we did make it to Yellowstone one last time. Our tradition has been to go in May when they have Free National Park Day. I am sure most National Parks are pretty packed that day but not Yellowstone because it is just opening for the season and some of the main roads are still closed. I love it because there aren't the huge crowds that you find in summer. You aren't fighting for a parking spot or being pushed out of the way to look at a mud pot, hot spring, or wildlife. 

We managed to find a hotel and drove up Saturday afternoon. Saturday we walked around West Yellowstone and looked in the shops around town. We got up Early Sunday morning and headed into the park.

You can't really tell from this picture but the black spot by Jared's head is a Grizzly Bear. It's the first time we've seen one in the park.

We spotted some Elk.

I love all the amazing colors the hot springs and I guess I like the two kids in the picture too.

Yellowstone finally finished the construction of the walkway and parking area for this waterfall which I believe is Gibbon Falls.

The kids watching Old Faithful

The visitors center at Old Faithful is pretty cool. My kids love exploring the interactive exhibits. I always have to pry them away.

Pretty decent picture of Bill and I.

More amazing geological features

Gibbon Falls with my Ellie Belly

Ellie getting kisses

My family showing their true colors.

I believe this is Tower Falls. Gorgeous!!

Kyle and Alysa were able to go with us.

We managed to come across snow, there actually was still quit a bit.

Alysa caught a picture of Jared taking a picture of a buffalo. I love it!

Mammoth Hot Springs, A picture of the whole family! I couldn't believe how different the area was compared to this time last year.

We saw a ton of Bison. At one point we were driving along the road and a bunch were crossing the road. My brother opened the van door and took a picture. Crazy...glad he's alive to tell the tale.

For our last trip to Yellowstone in who knows how long it didn't disappoint.

I'm a graduate!

 I have FINALLY earned my Bachelor's degree. I have a Bachelor's of Science in Health Science and an emphasis in Public Health. This has probably been the hardest 3 years for me personally. I chose to go back to school at this time because I knew I couldn't pass up an opportunity to finish my degree when we lived only a few miles from a University. Not just any University, BYU-I. It is amazing getting an education where you can be taught both secular knowledge and have the Spirit present. I will always be grateful for my education I received at Brigham Young University Idaho. I debated on whether or not to walk, I'm so glad I did. It was put an end and closure to my college journey and adventure.

I'm so grateful for my family. I couldn't have done it without their support and sacrifice. I hope my kids will understand that I wanted to finish my degree for them. To be an example to them, to show them how important an education is.

 
Walking...

Me and my mom. I so grateful that my parents came up to see me graduate. It meant so much to have their support.

My hubby and me!

My sister in law graduated too.

My Grandpa Crook is going to 85 in August. He drove all the way from Lander, Wyoming to come to my graduation.

It wasn't easy. At first I struggled because I really wanted to get into the nursing program. It was too competitive and I would have had to retake too many classes. Plus, my husband was in a demanding program and we both couldn't be in programs that required so much at the same time. But prayers are answered and I found a major that I absolutely love and have a passion for. I went through personal trials with losing 4 pregnancies while going through school. My last semester was the only semester I wasn't pregnant and sick from morning sickness or going through a miscarriage. My husband was gone a lot this past year with him being in the paramedic program and going to Oklahoma for his internship.  But the hardest part about going to school was being away from my kids. I know that this college experience is going to make me a better mom and a better person. It's been a goal for a long time to get my Bachelor's. Another chapter closed. Looking forward to the next adventure!

Easter 2012

 This Easter was so crazy and so hectic, I don't know if I'll remember much about it. We crammed so much into this weekend, it's hard to remember what was what and who did what. My parents, my sister Chelsea & her baby, and my Grandpa Crook came for the weekend. Friday the kids got to dye Easter eggs. My parents brought up lots of plastic eggs and candy, Saturday we did an Easter egg hunt with my nephew Gratton with all the goodies they brought up. Sunday, the Easter bunny hid some more eggs. We went to church in my brother's ward, and then had an early Easter dinner so my parents could get on the road to head back home.

The kids hands were stained green from dying the Easter eggs. It took a good 5 minutes of scrubbing to wash it off.

All the pretty eggs

Finding the goodies from the Easter bunny

The older the kids get, the more creative the Easter bunny has to get.

My sister and my newest nephew Rhodri

Rhodri, 4 weeks old

I forgot to take pictures of the Easter egg hunt on Saturday and my kids dressed up in their Easter outfits. This week we even had our lesson on the Savior and the resurrection because I felt like we rushed through Easter and didn't really reflect on the reason we celebrate it. I'm so grateful for our Savior, for His sacrifice for each of us, and for the miracle that He overcame death, and made it possible for us to live again.

Ellie's 6th Birthday!!

My little Ellie bug. I really can't believe how fast time has flown by. She is quite the little young lady. She thinks she is 6 going on 16. Ellie is my most unpredictable child. She is sweet, beautiful, creative, kind, and especially helpful. On the other hand she can be sassy, independent, and stubborn. She lights up a room when she smiles, her eyes just sparkle. I love this little girl so much. She truly is a blessing from our Heavenly Father. I love the dynamic she brings to our family. I am so thankful Heavenly Father has entrusted me to come to our family and I'm so blessed to be her mom.

I can't believe my baby girl turned 6 this year. She has to count on two hands to show how old she is.

I put balloons all over her room and put this over her door so she would have to bust out of it in the morning when she woke up. But she loved it so much she figured out how to crawl out the bottom so she wouldn't break it.

Homemade treats aren't allowed at school anymore, I didn't want to do the traditional cupcakes, there had been a lot of birthday's recently. So we made little butterflies to hand out to her kindergarten class for her birthday.

She wanted a princess cake.

Feeding the Ducks

 This was a little while back but we always have fun going and feeding the ducks at the Nature Park.

I know that the older my kids get, the less they'll want to hang out with their mom and go on these family outings. So, I just love these moments with my kids.

The pond was still frozen. You can see some duck walking on the frozen water.

Jared kept trying to pet the ducks. They weren't very happy.

Play Day!

We finally had a day to go and play! I haven't seen my friend Liz in a while, we've both been busy and its just harder to get together when we live farther a part. Monday was the first day in a long time we didn't have a ton going on. We've had a pretty mild winter and so we planned a day to go out and visit. Literally as we were packing up, it started to snow. Normally, it wouldn't bother me but we need new tires on our car and I really didn't feel like getting stuck or sliding off the road. We almost didn't go, but I knew it might be a while before we could go out again. So, I said what the heck and got in the car. I'm so glad we did because the kids had such a good time and I got to visit with Liz. She's been such a great and much needed friend this past year.  The kids got to ride horses and play in the snow, which they haven't done much of this winter because there hasn't been much snow to play in. As you can tell the kids loved riding the horses. Sometimes I think my kids were made for country life, that is until the work begins. haha Despite the wind and snow, I'm so glad we got to go out and have a play day!

Rachel (It's hard to tell with all the snow clothes on)

Jared

Ellie and Rachel

Paislie and Jared

Rachel and Ellie playing with Liz's dog

Ellie trying to get Purdy to pull her on the sled.