Brand New!

This morning I had to wake up early to make breakfast for the guests. I was pretty lucky because it just so happened that I was able to watch this little guy take his first steps. He is a friendly colt with a pretty protective mommy (aren't we all).
We spent a good part of the morning watching him play around. He even started trotting a bit!

I am really glad that we were able to be here when he decided to show up. We are still waiting on one more. I think it will be neat if it is a girl, then we have both. This guy looks a lot like his dad, but his mom was a Paint as well. It will be interesting to see if the next one, who's mother is a dark Sorrell, will be a paint as well.

Well if anyone wants to see a few animals or just wants to meet this little guy,

come on out!

We are pretty active around here with animals these days!

Oh and he needs a name by the way.

First Boise.

Hailee and I made a trip down to Boise to visit my mom last week. My step-sister Christine came with us and spent the week.

We went to the Discovery Center, which was a little too big for Hailee, but she did a lot of fun things there. Her favorite was the big bubble machine!

We had a blast going to the zoo, where we fed the giraffes, rode on a boat, listened to the monkeys, and fed the sheep and goats.

Curt and AJ came over for the weekend and to pick us up. We all went to Roaring Springs on a beautiful sunny and oh too windy day. It really wasn't too bad, but Hailee was cold and VERY tired. She played a little and went down a few slides. Curt and AJ hit all the big slides and had a great time!

Kind of Gross

Hailee is potty training. She has been ready since Christmas, but due to my working and whatever, she has had to wait. She is really good about telling me and even just going by herself. She has been doing awesome and even tries to "take care of the mess" all by herself when she is finished. It is really funny. One time I caught her spraying her seat down with Lysol. She looked at me and said, "EWWW, Germies." I have hidden the Lysol, but she still asks for it. I can't wait for the day when I won't have ANY diapers or pull-ups. I am thinking about a week, but I need to work on my training. Isn't that how it goes? The parent has to get trained as well? Anyway, it is a very exciting, messy, proud moment in our lives.

Fun Times.

This is just a bunch of the fun things we have been up to as of this last week. Of course I didn't capture them all, and they are not in the right order, but oh well :) A bicycle built for two? Actually just one, but these inventive toddlers decided to use the storage bin as a chair. Berrick did a great job of pulling Hailee around all over!

These wild kids ran out into the horse pasture so their dads had to run in after them. It is crazy how quick these guys have gotten. They are going to keep their parents in shape!

We checked in on the ducks, geese, and chickens. Hailee as you know thinks they are cool, but totally doesn't need to touch them. Berrick on the other hand went crazy wild in there. He cornered the huge geese and would grab them. This is him carrying one around as his dad is trying to get him to let go! I got a side-ache from laughing so hard on this one!

Curt made some AMAZINGLY delicious dutch oven potatoes this past weekend. Hailee tried to help as much as possible. She really wants and needs a pair of gloves, but it might be another year before we can get a pair to fit her hands. Oh and notice the shorts. This was one of the few moments that was actually "summerish," and we couldn't waste it!

I also saw my first sundog this last weekend. It is a complete ring around the sun. Actually it is totally a rainbow. This is the best shot I could get of the really amazing natural art. I was told that when this occurs, a major rain storm will hit. Well it did and I was impressed.

Curtis and Christina came up and visited this past weekend. It is always so much fun when they are here. Hailee loves being with Nic and Trudy. She plays hard, and sleeps well. She does everything Nic does and Aunt Cathy knows it. She bought them both a chocolate milk. They were pretty cute walking around taking breaks and drinking their milk. They are pretty much awesome!

Curt and I were spliting our time between a Family Reunion in Island Park and helping out at home with Curtis and Christina. I had to dress Hailee in layers of her "work" clothes to stay warm at the reunion. She was initially wearing her overalls too, but it was too warm at Aunt Cathy's. We thought it was pretty crazy that the girls matched so well in their camo. It was really fun watching them play. Hailee is so good and loving with Trudy. She is learning how to share and how to be soft. We love Trudy and her sweet giggles. She was way fun, and Hailee points out all of the toys Trudy plays with.

The Hill Reunion is always on Memorial Day Weekend. I have been to several where it is warm and fun. I have also been to some where it was freezing cold/snowing/raining. This was a cold one. We still had fun and ate some good food, but it was cold. Curt and Hailee spent some time catching snow with their mouths. It was fun, but hopefully next year is a warm one!

We went to the cemetary on Saturday. Hailee loves visiting Heidi, Grandma Trudy, and Baby Crystal. She knows where they are and likes looking at the headstones. Hailee was named after my sister and she talks about her all of the time. I'm sure Hailee will learn much more over the years about these special people who passed before her.

Speaking of Hailee. She is growing up so fast! I couldn't believe how big she looked with her hair in braids and a backpack on. I can't imagine sending her off to kindergarten, but this picture sort of reminded me that it is not far off.