October 16-18 we were able to take a fun, quick trip to Yellowstone.
We went with my brother and his family and my parents. I love going on trips even if they are quick ones.
Of course, we didn't see one bear. I never have seen one all the times I have been there. I am pretty sure bears don't really live there.
Nonetheless, we had LOTS of fun!
We had so much fun vacationing with family, but we missed my other brother's and their families. Maybe next time.
A couple weekends ago my sweet Ry gave me:
these:
and this:
and took me here:
All just because he's cool like that. I love surprises, and I love him!
Praying Mantis.
This summer I seriously saw more praying mantis' than I think I have my whole life.
Eli can spot these things a mile away.
Anyone else notice a lot of these critters this summer?
This has become one of the kids new favorite traditions. I love it too.
Eli is so indecisive and it took him forever to pick "the perfect one."
Hallie is impatient and easily persuaded and picked basically the first one she saw.
I love their totally opposite personalities.
Eli does not like cleaning his room, playroom, or making his bed. It seems everyday it was a huge fight to get him to do his chores.
One day I decided to make a chore chart, but decided to put a spin on it. This is Eli's new "chore chart":
I took a bunch of magazines and let him cut out pictures that would remind him to do certain chores. (ie.. make his bed, clean his room, pick up his stuff around the house, brush his teeth, etc.)He then glued the pictures to paper, put them in sheet protectors, and put them in his book. 
I put stars on a couple of his chores and told him if he did the chores with the stars as soon as he woke up and before I woke up he would get a little treat first thing in the morning. The other chores I just put a box on that he could check off. At the end of the day I go through his book and if everything has a check in the box he gets another treat. (I know I am a terrible mom for bribing him with so many treats, but hey, whatever works).
And we start all over the next day.
It has been WONDERFUL!! Almost everyday since we started, he has his bed made, room cleaned, and playroom cleaned before I am out of bed. Then he separates the laundry, makes sure to remind me to brush his teeth and comb his hair, and will run through the house and pick up his stuff on the floor. No more fighting him to clean his room. I LOVE it.
This little book is my new best friend!
This is what our tub looked like this morning after the kids had been in it for about 5 minutes.
Eli turned on the jets and it made bubbles. Every time he turned them on it made more and more bubbles and they got bigger and bigger.
They thought it was so funny. They were laughing and having so much fun.
We were so lucky to be able to spend a few days in Boise with my aunt Sandra, uncle Kevin, and their kids.
It was a fun, action packed week.
The first day we the boys went golfing. They even took Eli and he golfed his first game. Ryan said he did pretty good. The first couple holes he played, but once he discovered the ball washer he was a little more intrigued by that. By the end everyone had very clean golf balls. The girls ran errands and got ready to go to the cabin.
Wednesday thru Saturday we were able to stay in a cute little cabin in Round Valley that my aunt and uncle's friends let us all stay at.
The road to the canyon was quite windy. Hallie and I both realized our lunch and the windy road didn't quite agree and we both lost our lunches. Hallie spewed on the way up there. I didn't get sick until the second time we went up the windy road.
Thursday we went to some of their other friend's "cabin" for the day. The "cabin" was quite large. I said something to Eli about the cabin, and he said, "mom, this isn't a cabin, this is a house." I had to agree with him.
It is right on the Peyette Lake. The "cabin" is more like a little resort. They have their own private dock, they brought in sand so that they have a little beach, and they have all kinds of fun water toys. Eli loved the wave runners. I am pretty sure he could have stayed on those all day. We also wake surfed, jumped on the water trampoline, and just swam in the water. Eli had a blast. I am pretty sure I could have stayed there for at least another week. It was so peaceful and relaxing.
Friday we took it pretty easy and went exploring and hiking. Eli spent most the time trying to find the most perfect walking stick and planting pinecone seeds so that more pine trees would grow, and Hallie just followed him around, idolizing him.
That night we went to a fun little outdoor theater in Garden Valley and watched 7 Brides for 7 Brothers. It was very entertaining and a PERFECT night for an outdoor show. My kids were even pretty darn good.
On the way home from the play is when I decided I would need to toss my cookies. I was able to make it back to the cabin, and jump out of the car, and go behind a pine tree, but as I was giving the wildlife a midnight snack in the bushes everyone went inside and locked all the doors. Locking me out and leaving me alone in the dark. Thanks, Kevin.:)
And every night at the cabin was packed with some crazy games of Nertz! I have to say that is one of my all time favorite games. It definitely brings out the best in all of us! Haha.
Saturday we came home from the cabin took naps, the boys did some more golfing and then we all went to the pool.
It was a fun filled week and a great vacation. I am so glad that I have extended family that treat Ryan and I like their own kids and treat my kids like their own grandkids. Eli and Hallie loved all the attention Sandra and Kevin gave them, and I loved how patient they were with my kids. One time Hallie cried when Ryan and Kevin left. I picked her up and said, "It's ok. Daddy will be back soon." And Hallie said, "No. I want Kevin." They are definitely like extra grandparents to my kids.
Thanks again Sandra and Kevin. We always have a great time and love hanging out with you guys. We owe you.
