Ethan Playing Drums

Hopefully he doesn't want to play the drums for real when he's older. Other instruments would be a lot quieter.

Mount Borah

I hiked Mount Borah yesterday with Spencer's best friend Ryan and his wife Lacy. We got to the trail head at 6am and started hiking. It took us 6 hours to hike to the top and 4 1/2 to hike/run down. Mount Borah is Idaho's highest mountain at 12662 feet in elevation and we hiked about 5500 feet in elevation over 3.8 miles. It was a hard hike. I can say I never want to do it again. Once was enough and I am proud of my accomplishment. Spencer had a pistol shooting match and Ethan stayed with my sister-in-law, Jolene. Enjoy the pictures!

Me, Lacy, and Ryan at the beginning. Started hiking at 6am

Starting to get lighter

Along the trail as sun was rising

Still hiking up

Us before "Chicken out ridge"

Almost to the beginning of "chicken out ridge"

During "Chicken out ridge"

Looking back at the last part of "chicken out ridge"

Other side, pass "chicken out ridge"

All the hikers behind us still on "chicken out ridge". There were lots of people hiking this day.

Made it to the top!

All of us at the top

View from the top

View of the top. We counted 40 people at the top with us.

More view from the top

Another view from the top

Crawling across the snow. It was slushy on the way back down. Some guy actually tried to run across it and fell 500 feet and broke his ankle. We didn't see it happen. Other hikers told us about it.

Hiking down. Lots of loose and sharp rock.

Hiking down some more

A cool looking tree along the way

We did it! taken after 10 1/2 hours of hiking

Family Reunions and Fourth of July

We had two reunions for my mother's family in Blackfoot over fourth of July weekend and both of my sisters and their families stayed at my house. I had 10 extra people staying in the basement. Thank goodness I have the extra room. It was fun to have the company and Ethan enjoyed playing with his cousins. I didn't get out my camera so sorry no pictures. I think Kathryn and Lisa took lots of pictures. Check out their blogs listed under brothers and sisters to the right.

Saturday from 10am-6pm we were at reunions and then we went to my Grandparents house and did fireworks. My sister shared some pictures. Uncle Nathan was helping. Spencer was working all weekend. :( This was Ethan's 1st time ever seeing or doing fireworks. He sure liked it!

Ethan's 2nd Birthday

Well Ethan did have croup so we postponed his party till the following Wednesday. Spencer and I did take him birthday shopping on his actual birthday. Ethan was coughing but seemed to be in a good mood. Ethan picked out a wagon with blocks, a swimming pool, a beginner golf set, a "choo-choo" flashlight, and a Cars potty.

I think the potty was more for me. I want to begin potty training with him soon. I'm not going to push it but Ethan seems interested in the potty and tells me "poo-poo" and "pee-pee" alot.

For his birthday we went to Leo's Place. It's a pizza place with a playground and some coin operated rides and a little arcade. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

Afterwards we came home and played in the pool, had cake and ice-cream, and opened presents.

A new outfit from Jolene and Jeremy's family, a dart gun from Hilary and Bryan's family, and a little train set from Cook Grandparents.

He got board books, puzzles, clothes, a push airplane, building blocks and buckets, and other toys from Gale grandparents the beginning of June.

My child is BLESSED! Thank you all for the birthday presents and birthday wishes.

2 year Stats

Ethan had his two year appointment today. His new stats are 23lbs 4 oz (5 percentile) He doubled his percentile but this is because at 2 years the kid is weighed with his clothes on verses only a diaper on. Height 33 1/2 inches (35 percentile) and head is 25 percentile.

The doctor said he's growing fine and FINALLY said not to worry about his weight! Hurray no more stress. No more monthly weight checks! She finally admitted that he is just going to be a small kid like his parents. I knew this all along but it was a relief to finally hear the doctor say his weight is fine.

Other news...Ethan starting a barky cough this morning...here we go again. As if we haven't been sick enough lately! Doctor said his throat was a little red but only a virus so no medicine could help; doesn't look like strep and if he starts wheezing they will give him steroid again for croup.

Tomorrow Ethan turns two and its going to be a low key birthday party because I'm still sick and tired. Out for pizza with Spencer's brothers and their families and then cake, ice cream, and presents at our house afterwards. Maybe next year we'll invite friends and do a little party.

David's Graduation

The beginning on June we went home to WA to attend my little brother's high school graduation. Congrats David! You did it! We stayed a couple days afterwards and had fun with all the family. Spencer, Ethan, and I all had colds but we enjoyed playing and hanging out with all the cousins and siblings. Sorry I didn't take any more pictures. We did get professional family picture done. Here's the whole gang.

And it begins...

Spencer recently bought a paintball gun and Ethan wanted a turn.

Here's the result:

Notice Ethan's pulling the trigger and he has a big smile!

There was orange paint on the back fence,

but I guess the camera didn't get it.

Boys will be boys.

Our 5th Anniversary

I am married to a wonderful man.

I am so thankful that he is in my life.

I know it's so "high school"

but I made him a candy-gram.

Take a look:

I love you, Spencer!

23 Months

Ethan is 23 months old! He has already entered the "terrible two" stage, but I'm managing. He has continued to grow. He gained another 7 ounces this month after having the flu for a couple of days earlier in the month. Hurray! His feet grew too. Size 6-7 (with room to grow). Looks like he's working on outgrowing his crib too! He took off his socks, threw them on the floor along with his toy car, wrapped himself up in his pillow, and took a great nap.

I Love My Hair!

I got my hair done (cut and color) and here's a before and after picture. I was a little afraid to go short, especially with bangs, because I think it makes me look really young but what do you think?

I also bought a belt ($10) that I love. It my new accessory.

My Baby LOVES Outside

I think this picture says it all:

With part of our tax return we updated the backyard a bit with window well covers and a playset for Ethan. Building the playset is quite the process though....

Sorting 3 boxes of wood and parts

Sorting the hardware

Ethan helping with "me turn" with the tools. He loves to help us.

Still hard at work. Sierra has been good to sit by and supervise.

The playset looking more like a playset. Still need to build the roof, rock wall, windows, and mini bar with two stools

Heres a few pictures of Ethan enjoying the progress

going down the slide

and swinging in his swing

He also likes to throw, dump, or roll his cars down the slide