Thus Far...

Monday, for FHE, we helped my dad and older brother plant trees at their houses. When the work was finished we went for a treat at Dairy Queen. While waiting to order, I noticed that the MEN were holding the purses and not the women. I thought it was funny so I snapped a picture.

We were able to go to Twin Falls today and go to the temple while my parents watched Kinsley. After the temple we went to a Mexican Restaurant to celebrate Cinco de Mayo!

My dad took Kinsley over to my Grandma's house to see the cows. She thought they were pretty stinky. He tried to teach her to say "moo" but she would only wrinkle her nose.

Our Little Surprise!

With a title like that I feel like I need to clarify... No, I am NOT pregnant!

A few months ago, Eric found some tickets to fly home for less than 1/2 the price they usually are, so we decided to surprise our families for Mother's Day. Eric's family was nice to help us REALLY surprise my mom by picking us up at the airport, keeping our trip a secret, and letting us borrow their car to drive to Burley while they stayed awhile in Utah.

Knowing that my family had a wedding reception to attend at 7:00 PM Sat evening, I called my mom (on the house phone) just as we were taking the Burley exit (6:45 PM) and pretended I needed a recipe. After 15 minutes of stalling her, we finally arrived at the house. After parking the car in the tennis court (where they couldn't see) and sneaking Kinsley up to the garage porch in her carseat, Eric hid the camera on top of the carseat, knocked on the door, and then we both hid... (we apologize for the bad video but we couldn't redo it)

We really enjoyed surprising everyone and are grateful we were able to find such a good deal on tickets! It was also nice to visit with Eric's family in Utah--they haven't ALL been able to meet together very often the past few years so we felt very fortunate to visit with everyone! (Thanks, Patti, for planning the reunion and thanks to Al, Shel, Tanya, Ray and Joyce for being there!)

My dad was released as the Single Adults' Branch President so we were able to attend church with them and hear him and Mom share their testimonies. We feel spoiled for the bountious blessings we've received--especially the relationships we share with our families!

Hobson's, Barker's, Jones', Burges', Pincock's

Mommy's Little Stinker... I Mean "Helper"

Kinsley follows me around the house all day. It is sometimes weird having a little "shadow." I constantly have to watch my step because she is usually right beneath my feet. She is such a little stinker... I mean "helper".

While I am getting ready in the morning Kinsley will "help" me by stealing my mirror and makeup.

Kinsley "helps" me get the laundry out of the dryer and when I fold clothes on the couch she will "help" me unfold them.

Kinsley "helps" me cook by holding onto my leg so I don't fall over.

When I want to practice the piano Kinsley will "help" me hit all the wrong notes.

Clean or dirty- Kinsley will "help" me unload the dishwasher. (We've had to be really careful where we place the steak knives.)

After I pick up all of Kinsley's toys she will "help" me get them out again.

Ten Months!

Kinsley has been growing in leaps and bounds. We can't believe how big and smart she is getting. It is weird to think that in two months she will be one year old.

Kinsley can: wave bye, give high fives, make a bunny face, make a fish face, crawl really fast, dance, and walk a few steps at a time.

Kinsley loves: when her dad comes home, climbing stairs, flushing the toilet, unrolling toilet paper, taking all of her toys out of her toy basket, cell phones, showers, watching videos of herself, unloading the dishwasher, watching other kids, and following her mom around.

Kinsley hates: eating most foods, being thrown in the air by her dad, the blender, taking baths, the vacuum, and grass.

We tried to take pictures outside but, as you can tell, Kinsley didn't like touching the grass.

What does a fish say?

What does a bunny say?

First BABY Steps!

Eric and I have been betting about when Kinsley would start walking. She's been pulling herself along the couches, tables, and walls for the past 2 months, but anytime we would try to get her to walk (unassisted) she'd either squat down and crawl or attempt a step but fall on her face. Tonight, she finally made it! (Eric won the bet) She would not walk to Eric or myself but she did walk to her doll.

Eric's attempt at a 1/2 marathon

A few months ago, Eric's buddy, Raymond, convinced Eric to run a half-marathon with him in Jackson, TN. Raymond has been diligently training in preparation for today's event but Eric had only laced up his running shoes five times (4 of the 5 times he only lasted 15 minutes before he had to walk).

Yesterday, we decided not to go to Jackson (Eric didn't want to get up at 5:00 AM to drive there Saturday morning and I didn't want to spend $100+ in hotel, gas, food if we were to make it a weekend trip) so Eric found a trail at Shelby Farms that, if run 4 times, would be about the same distance as a half-marathon. As predicted by his classmates, the shin splints DID kick in within the first 10 minutes. However, he didn't puke, faint, or get any bad blisters.

Since he ended up walking half of it, his time was 19 minutes longer than planned and he HATED it, so, today officially ends his long-distance running career.

"And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength." ~King Benjamin

Kinsley's First Easter

One might ask, "What do you get a baby for Easter?" Don't worry I found enough stuff to fill Kinsley's Easter basket.

She was most interested in the grass at the bottom of her basket.

This may sound silly, but as a child I was always a tad sad when I never could find one of those cheap key chains with my name on it. Sometimes I would find, "Kylee" or "Kylie" but never Kiley. The other day I was walking past the dolls in Wal-Mart and I saw this tiny Cabbage Patch named "Kiley Alice." I shrieked at Eric "Look it is my name!!!" I immediately threw it in the shopping cart and bought it! Eric rolled his eyes at me but every little girl needs a doll right?

Thanks Mike and Mel for the lamb puppet and the ostrich rattle!

This is Kinsley's Easter dress. It is a little big but I love it! I wanted to take her pictures outside but after church she went down for a nap and when she woke up it was raining outside. So our photo shoot will have to wait until another day.

Mike and Mel's Visit

Eric and I have been very blessed to have extremely awesome friends. Mike and Mel are friends from elementary/high school. They are living in Kentucky, where Mike attends grad-school and Mel takes on the role as Mike's "sugar momma." They will be moving back west in a few months (lucky ducks) and decided to come and visit us over the Easter weekend.

Who is baby hungry? DEFINITELY not me (Kiley)!

If you ever are in our vicinity, you are welcome to sleep on our air mattress and we will give you a tour of the town. Chances are, we will take a stroll down Beale Street to listen to some live music and peruse through the shops.

If you look really carefully you can see her tooth.

You will probably see ridiculously old beater cars with HUGE lifts on them. Of course, you will want to stop and take a picture.

You can't come to the south without trying some finger-lickin' good Bar-B-Que.

Eric will most likely offer to give you a tour of his school. Three hours later, (if you're lucky) you'll finally be done with the "tour"--he'll have convinced you to be his guinea pig in the practice labs.

If you happen to visit us during a holiday (and if we really like you), I just might put my culinary skills to the test and make you an Idahoan home-cooked supper. Yes, that is a 10 pound ham--I sent Eric to the grocery store to get a small ham and he came home with this. Looks like he'll be packing lots of sandwiches to school this week!

Thanks, Mike and Mel, for coming! We love you guys!!

Climbing Stairs Is Fun To Do

Kinsley really enjoys climbing the stairs. When Eric tries to block off the stairs she manages to find a way (through her exersaucer, under the piano bench, over cases of water bottles, under the end table... places, I swear, only a CAT would fit). We hope she doesn't try to climb down the stairs anytime soon.

I FINISHED ONE!

For the past 7 months I have been working on some primitive stitchery's but I couldn't ever complete them in time for the appropriate holiday. (I finished my fall one in December, my Christmas one in January, and my Valentines one in March). I thought I would have to wait until next year to display all of my hard work:

But, I finished my Easter Bunny BEFORE Easter!!!!!

The final step after stitching is to chalk them, which I did while listening to conference this morning. Do you know what would make this look even better... a black picture frame (HINT-HINT Dad).

Can't turn my back for a second

Toys?! Who needs them?

Apparently I left the pantry door open a crack and while I was making my bed this is what Kinsley found. Did you know that it is extremely difficult to put 300 baggies back into their original box?