Hard at work

This past weekend Brent's parents were in town to visit the little (and us) and to help us re-build a portion of our fence. We have been trying to get this fence building thing organized for some time now, over a year actually, but things never seem to fall into place. So finally, we just decided to do one side at a time. Our neighbors to the West (Tom and Lyla) were just waiting for the go ahead from us, and they were up and tearing down the old fence early Friday morning. I felt terrible (literally) because I couldn't help much, I was down and out with a bladder infection. But they were so quick, the fence was down in less than 3 hours. Tom got a little trigger happy with the chainsaw and buzzed the fence in half, making it easy to just lift the old slats out, and the posts were so rotten they were easily pushed right over. It was weird not having a fence on one side for a full day. Abby was super confused, not sure which yard she could pee in or why she could now go up front freely, I found her several times at the front door when she was supposed to be out back eating. Thank goodness she's never been one to run off. We are so thankful for all the help we had this weekend! The boys took over the fence job, while Beth and I had baby duty, and took on a couple other projects around the house, including re painting our front door (again) and putting new hardware on it, and also sprucing up the front of the house with some new numbers (finally!) that we have been meaning to put up for 2 years now... oops. It was a productive weekend, and we are so happy with our new fence and gate! 

A portion of the new fence already finished. and the old gate just hangin' out.

Jim, Brent, and Tom working hard on the fence, 3 2x4 rails meant lots of screws!

Isn't it pretty!!!

Stella had a blast watching the boys and chewing on her indestructible book

Lunch break! Tom and Lyla joined us also and we had a great time visiting with our neighbors

Abuela Beth napping with Stella after a hard days work

She had a rough weekend, lots of playing and snuggles, we had one tired baby

Thanks to Opa and Abuela for all their hard work and help this weekend!!! We had a wonderful weekend!!!

Camping on the Columbia River

This weekend we packed up the little and headed to the Columbia River for a little condo camping with Abuela Beth and Opa Jim. I say condo camping because we got to stay in their amazing 5th wheel, instead of our plain 'ol tent, we were pretty spoiled. We had an awesome trip, took several very long walks, a couple fun bike rides (my first in almost 2 years!) and played in the water a ton. Abby swam all over the place, even Beth and Jim's dog Mia went in the water past her paws, a big first for her! We stayed at the Boardman Marina Park, In Boardman Oregon, It was great! We lucked out by booking last minute and got an amazing spot right on the water, it was perfect. 

Abuela with Stella Wrapped on her, I got tired on our long walk and passed her off for more snuggles.

Loving this cup, It entertained her for a good half hour or so.

checkin' out the river with opa

Lovin's

Apparently it's never too early to learn how to tie on a fish hook

The view from our camp. Stunning.

Happy Fathers Day!

I want to wish all of the daddy's out there a wonderful and blessed fathers day!

And to my own husband, and new father, happy first fathers day hun! You have been amazing so far with Stella, I could not have asked for a better partner in life, and a better father to her and our future children. Watching you love her, and cuddle her, and make her smile over these past 3 1/2 months makes me so happy. I appreciate all that you do for us, and all that you are as a husband and father. Stella and I love you. 

And a very special happy fathers day to my dad. Thank you for all that you do for us. For being an awesome grandpa to Stella, and for loving Brent, Stell and I. You have always been an incredible dad to Pammy and I, and I love you so much for it! 

And to Brent's dad, Jim. Thank you for being so loving to Stella as well. And for raising Brent to be the loving and amazing father he is now. He gives all of his credit to you and Beth, you truly raised a remarkable man. 

Happy Fathers Day!

Flashback Friday

I was just reading up on Flashback Fridays and was sad to see that this will be the last week that Christopher and Tia host the event! I've unfortunately only joined up a few times... mostly because I forget, then realize when its too late... that's just how my brain works now. But today, I want to link up in honor of their last time hosting. This was one of the first fun blog hopping type events that I joined, many months ago, and I truly wish I had done more. So here is my flashback, circa 2004. Mexico with Brent and his parents. We had a wonderful time in Cancun and Tulum, and I really hope we can make it back there soon.

This was new years night, I could not believe how my camera captured this picture, and these fire dancers were incredible!

The cheesy bed pose, but this was a pretty sweet hotel room, it was a full circle! a totally round little condo!

My goodness we look young!!

On top of the tallest Myan ruin in the area, what a view!

Brent's parents on top of the ruin, Love the canopy views!

Happy Easter!

 Hope you all had a wonderful Easter! We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast at our favorite spot, Big City Coffee in downtown Boise. Stella was kinda a cranky pants this morning, so we got a late start, but still got a great seat and had a good time. She also celebrated the holiday by letting mommy and daddy sleep for 6.5 hours straight last night! I couldn't believe it when I work up at 6am to her just starting to cry, I always get so nervous when she sleeps that long, but she did great and didn't seem to starved right away. Thank you baby girl, mommy definitely needed the good night sleep. 

The sweet onesie from Abuela Norris, "Somebunny loves me" 

Easter kisses from daddy

This was on Saturday, she seemed so bored at our efforts to get a smile out of her and then....

A smile!! (sorry it's blurry) She has started responding to us with smiles over the past few days! They are adorable, full cheeky grins! Brent seems to get the best reaction out of her, he can get her to smile repeatedly for several minutes, it's so adorable! I cant wait to capture even bigger and less blurry smiles soon.

a kinda smile, she does this a lot

and blurry again, but how could I not share that happy face! She's so stinkin' cute!

She's over it, no more smiles for us

Now were being completely ignored. Get the hint mom and dad huh.

Our Weekend in Pictures

I thought I would post some of the pictures we've been taking while Abuela Norris is here this weekend visiting the little. We've not done much, only left the house a few times, but it's been nice to have company again and have an extra set of hands. I was finally able to catch a few extra zzz's this weekend, Brent and Beth took turns helping with the baby in the morning so I could sleep, Thank you Brent and Beth! So, Enjoy our weekend in pictures. 

Thank you Sharon Wells for the adorable onesie! 

Enjoying some napping in the swing

Bath Time! We usually do baths in the big tub on mommy's chest, she loves them normally, but in this little tub? Not so much... She screamed almost the whole time! Not to mention the first minute we had her in there, she pushed off the bottom wall and splashed water ALL OVER the counter/floor/ mom and dad... it was a mess! But, she got clean and smells nice, and we still got some pretty cute naked baby shots. 

My grandma, Stella's great-grandma Grisham, made her several of these adorable crocheted hats, they are perfect for chilly days like today, and finally fit her tiny head. We added a beautiful bow that a friend here in Boise made for Stella, its adorable on this hat!

Stella snuggling with Abuela Beth

So, thats our weekend :) It was wonderful having Beth here to visit and help out, I truly appreciate helpful visitors now, and Stella loves new people to cuddle with.