7 Years!!!

Well yesterday was Brock and my 7 year anniversary. This was the first year Brock has ever surprised me. Man, it was awesome! I really didn't know my husband knew how to be romantic. He has been trying to plan something for 3 weeks. A couple of his ideas didn't work because he couldn't find anyone to watch the kids. So Friday night our wonderful neighbor Nancy came over. The kids just love her, so they were very excited too. He took me to our favorite seafood place here in McCall. Pricey, but very worth it!! Then we walked on the beach and talked while watching the sunset. Then he had booked a chalet (ski in ski out) in Tamarack(ski resort 20 mins from us). So we did the whole hot tub, strawberries and chocolate romantic thing. Which is not Brock at all by the way. We got laughing pretty hard when we were dipping Strawberries in chocolate because it is not really our romantic scene but it was fun. Then in the morning we walked around Tamarack ski resort and then came home. It was so nice to have the night to ourselves even though we were still in our same town we really felt like it was a real get away. It has been a great 7 years. And I really feel our marriage has gotten better with time. So I am excited for the years to come to spend with my wonderful husband. I feel so lucky because I know I have the perfect fit for me.

First Day of School!

Kamden started Kindergarten this year! She loves school and says the only bad thing about school is she has to wait all morning to go (she got afternoon kindergarten). I was worried about her shyness but she has proved me wrong. I am so glad I decided to put her in 2 years of preschool, it has helped her so much. She loves riding the bus too, has made lots of friends and her teacher said she is doing great. It probably helps she is almost a year older than a lot of the kids in the class but I kind of like it that way. The only thing that is hard for me is I can' t protect my soft hearted child any more. I am lucky though when she comes home she tells me everything about her day. We talk about situations that make her sad(it is usually other people that are getting their feelings hurt that bother her) and how to handle them. She is such a obedient, caring little girl. We are so lucky to have her a part of our family, she is a VERY good example to Aspen. The kindness doesn't come as easy to her! :) Aspen had to be in a picture because she started preschool!

PA Family Visit

The kids and I finally made it back to PA to visit family. It has been a year and 1/2 since I had been back. The longest ever I think. Brock couldn't come so I decided I could do it by myself. I don't really know if that was the best move but I did it. The plane ride out there I really thought I was physically going to die. It was hard! Cash does not sleep if he is not in a bed, so it makes it really tough. So I wrestled him the entire day. We left Boise at 3:00pm and got to my sisters house at 3:00 am. It was VERY LONG. We had a very packed week since I wanted to see so many people. But it all worked out. We got a Day with my Brother Brian and his family(not long enough), we got to see my grandparents and cousins, some of which I haven't seen in 4 or 5 years! My sister and I also got to go to the beach with my aunt and her friend gloria. The beach is most favorite place ever so I was so glad to go but my sister and I took 7 kids by ourselves. We tried to do the beach and boardwalk all day until 11pm at night. It was just a little CRAZY. Brittney, my sister wrote in detail about our trip on here blog www.pennhens.blogspot.com you can read it there! I kept asking my sister if it was worth all the money I paid to get there. I know it was really worth it, it was great seeing everyone. I guess it just wasn't the vacation I pictured in my head. It was more work than play. I was also realizing that it was the first time I went back east when my mom and dad weren't there to visit and help with the kids. Man I miss those 2! The kids had an awesome time and are still talking about it so I know it was worth every penny. 2 of my Brother Brian's boys, Curren and Slater. Brian, Stacy and their new little one Colton. (oh and Ainsley jumped in) My girls and Brittney's girls and my cousin Michele's little girl. They had such a great time together. Here is Brigham's little boy Tyler, he didn't want his picture taken so I told him he could pretend like he is shooting Kamden and then he was fine with it. Kamden didn't like it very much but she said "I guess it is okay mommy" She is a good little girl. Some more gun action from Tyler. The girl cousins in their night gowns! My grandparents were nice enough to work with our schedule and the best day that worked happened to be there anniversary as well as my cousin Matts Birthday that also came. The grown up cousins with grandma and grandpa. (We were missing 6) My grandparents with the some of their great grandkids!

Valley County Rodeo

In August we went to our Valley County Rodeo and Fair. I feel that summer is not complete without a fair or Rodeo. That feeling has come since I have been married to Brock. I never really went to Rodeo's before but now I am a big fan! Brock says that next year he is entering the Bull Riding competition. Not sure how I feel about this! It is so hard for him to watch and not ride. He misses it lots. But after the Rodeo was over we hung with our friends at the dance and then there was a mechanical Bull riding competition. Brock ran the mechanical bull last year at the fair and so this year he got our friends bull in for them to run. So he paid his entry and competed, I have to say he was by far the best. He still has it, very nice form! But I guess there was a tie for 1st place so they were going to re-ride for 1st and the guy saw Brock's name and said you are part owner of this bull(which we have nothing to do with) you can't win. I was pretty mad, we didn't even get our entry fee back. Now we know, but I am still not happy. Besides the bummer at the end of the night. We all had a great time! Kamden with one of her favorite babysitters ever, she is home from school until Jan. Kamden is going to so sad to have her leave again! Aspen being a model in Brittney's sunglasses! Just a picture of my very cute boy, who I have to say loves to watch bull riding as well. I am a little nervous if he decides he wants to ride like his daddy did! This is my good friend Eva and her little girl Aniston. They moved to McCall from Boise in Febuary and moved back to Boise in August. I am sad, we miss there family lots. Luckily they don't live too far!

Yellow Pine

The end of July Brock took his annual yellow pine fishing trip. This time it was Daddy Daughter overnight. He took both the girls and his friend Tony took his daughter Kaitlyn which turned out to be Brock's lifesaver. Cash and I stayed home, the reason for this was because I am not a big fan of camping with a baby. But the girls had such a good time. Brock was so thankful to Kaitlyn for being there because she was the one that helped Aspen go to the bathroom, entertain her etc. Tony, Kaitlyn, Brock and Kamden fishing; Aspen took the picture! This picture is the best. Brock was trying to hold the fish for Tony to take the picture and then Kaitlyn said I want in and jumped over and the fish got of Brock's hands. I love the girls faces! Wonderful memories made that weekend!

T-Ball

Okay, Okay I know I am such a slacker so I am going to try and catch everyone up on our lives. I have a lot to catch up but I will do what I can. :) This summer Kamden played T-Ball for the first time and LOVED it. She says that is her favorite sport now. I was worried she would be to shy to play so I signed Brock up to be the coach. I was a little worried about that too because everyone that knows him, knows he is extremely competitive. I have to say I am so proud of him. He had to bite his lip a few times but he did great. We were kind of bummed because there was really no structure to the T-Ball league at all but the kids still enjoyed themselves. Kamden improved lots, thank goodness! A big thing we had to work on was her running with the helmet on. I wish I would have gotten some video of that. Man did she ever run like a girl while having 2 hands on her helmet so it wouldn't move around while running. She says she definitely wants to play next year but as far as Brock being coach, I am not so sure. :) Kamden getting down to business, running hard. Brock with most of his team!