Regularly posting to our blog is proving to be quite a job. For some reason I can’t seem to “get it together” and post what’s going on in our lives. It may have something to do with being hugely pregnant, helping Shaun to run the business, homeschooling Brandon, chasing SUPER MONKEY Tyler, the list goes on.. But whatever the reason, this post is a bit on the slow side. (as far as when it happened vs. when it is posted.) Sorry. I’ll try to do better. But I don’t hold much hope. haha

We did it again. 7 moths pregnant and we drove to CA. It was a bit of a tough trip, but we all made it. I took Brandon and Tyler and my niece Jordyn (15) along for the ride. Brandon and Jordyn were dropped off in Reno w/ Brandon’s mom, to continue the trip to Vacaville. And Tyler and I headed to Paradise to visit with my Grandma and Grandpa.

The visit with them was awesome! I loved hanging out with them and Tyler enjoyed playing with Great Grandma and Great Grandpa. Here is Tyler posing in Grandpa Phil’s hat. (my dad)

Great Grandma had Lincoln logs and a building set that Tyler played with.

Somewhere in the playing fun, I didn’t notice that Tyler grabbed and broke my camera. So here are the last pictures I managed to get.

From Paradise, we headed down to Vacaville. My aunt threw me a beautiful baby shower and all of my CA friends and family were there. Unfortunately there are no pictures from that day. It was wonderful! Even my little bro showed up with my niece and nephew. I enjoyed seeing everyone and celebrating the upcoming arrival of our little boy.

We left for home about 4am. Brandon and Jordyn were back with me at this time. So Brandon, Jordyn, Tyler and I hit the road for home. We made pretty good time if you figure in all the potty breaks. I loved the trip but I couldn’t wait to get home to Shaun. I always miss him so much when I am gone. I would say with 9 weeks left in this pregnancy, we probably won’t be making the trip out there anytime soon. So we made the most of it while we were there!

Today is the day! My husband is officially old - or as he would call it, distinguished. It’s funny how you remember back to being a kid and 30 was THE age when you thought of people being old. Now, here we are approaching thirty. I have had a lot of fun teasing Shaun about this birthday. But in all reality, it really isn’t old. (Unless you ask Brandon.)

Shaun got to do anything he wanted all day. So that pretty much meant that we stayed home and he hung out in his pj’s. He played a computer game and a board game with Brandon. I made him dinner He made dinner for the family.. I would have cooked for him, but he had to try something he saw on Diners, Drive Inn’s and Dives. We had really yummy prime rib sandwiches.

He and I went on the day after his b-day to see Terminator. I will have to say that I was skeptical. I have never seen any of the terminator movies and I didn’t have any intentions of seeing any. But - the things you do for love Actually, I liked it. Shaun loved it. And it was a date with just he and I. I couldn’t ask for anything more.

Well my love, I hope that your birthday has been a blessed celebration. I love you and I am so thankful to share in your birthday with you. You are a wonderful husband and a super wonderful daddy to our boys. Happy 30th Birthday!!!

xoxo, Me

My niece Jordyn turned 15 this year. She had an all girls party so the babies and Jacob came over to our house for the evening. We had such a great time. For the most part, we didn’t see Brandon and Jake all evening. They were off playing by themselves. I didn’t manage to snap a picture that included him. Sorry Jake! The babies all played downstairs together. They had such a great time. I love it when our kids get together! Cousins rock!

A few weeks back I took the boys to the duck pond near the zoo. We brought bread and crackers to feed the ducks. When we got there, most of the ducks were on the other side of the pond. Being pretty pregnant, I didn’t want to walk over there. She the boys and I began feeding the few ducks located on our side of the pond. Well, the rest of the ducks saw what was going on and came flying, swimming and waddling over as fast as possible. Soon we were surrounded. It was getting pretty scary. So we finished up the bread and crackers we had and got out of there. The funny thing was, some of the ducks eve followed us out to the parking lot.

All in all we had a good time. Tyler didn’t want to go because he really loved feeding the ducks. It was a nice day out with my kiddos

Brandon turned 13. I know! I can’t believe it either! I have been a lagger about posting, but he had a WONDERFUL birthday!  We planned a surprise overnight birthday party for him. Brandon and Shaun went to see Star Trek and all of his friends came over. The boys were so excited to surprise Brandon! When Shaun and Brandon came in the house, Tyler jumped out and yelled surprise 1st. About 10 seconds later, all the boys jumped out too. Brandon literally jumped into the air. He was so surprised! They ate pizza and played video games all night. Literally. They didn’t go to sleep. I am not sure that Brandon stopped smiling all evening. He had a blast!

I hope you had a very happy thirteenth birthday Brandon!  I can’t believe you’re a teenager - already. You are growing into a very fine young man. You have chosen for yourself very good friends. My prayer for you this coming year is that you are grounded in your faith. I pray that you fear the Lord. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. “To fear the LORD is to hate evil;I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.” pv 8:13

“Now then, my sons, listen to me;
blessed are those who keep my ways.

Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not ignore it.

Blessed is the man who listens to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.

For whoever finds me finds life
and receives favor from the LORD.

But whoever fails to find me harms himself;
all who hate me love death.” Pv 8:32-36

Brandon, your Daddy and I love you so much! We pray that your thirteenth year finds you always seeking wisdom from our Lord. Happy birthday kiddo. We all love you!

We were lucky enough to have Shaun’s dad and step mom - Jacie come and stay with us for a whole week in April. They planned their trip and were able to share Easter with us. Carly was here to visit too. She stayed with the Hussey’s, but we got to visit with her too. We had such a nice visit! Here are a few of the highlights..

Tyler and Grandma Jacie reading a book

Carpet Skating

Shaun, Brandon, Dad and Jacie even went to a ice hockey game Easter evening. They had great seats - thanks to a friend of mine for sharing her season passes

Hockey Game

Papa, Grandma and Brandon

Daddy and Brandon

Getting Ready

We had a nice time visiting with them all. If all goes according to planned (the Buck’s plan - that is) we will have Carly moved out here by the end of the year.. Here’s hoping!

With all of the excitment of company and pregnancy, we almost didn’t get to dying Easter eggs this year. Luckily, I happened to see eggs for sale at Winco and remembered to buy them. We ended up dying them Easter eve. Better late than never, right?

The Easter Bunny has a special tradition at our house.. Each year when he comes, he brings Easter baskets for the kids BUT he hids them. So the kids have to go “Basket hunting” to find their goodies each year. As the kids get older, the hiding spots get harder. Needless to say - Brandon’s hiding spot was pretty hard this year

Tyler hunting for his basket

Brandon Hunting

See it in the corner?

Found it!

Candy :)

And later in the day we did a mini Easter egg hunt. Brandon hunted eggs too, but mainly to help Tyler. He’s getting too old and too cool for that kind of thing..

Found one!

Another one!

I love them all!

Look Brother!!

After hunting eggs, counting them and hugging them all; Tyler wanted to do it all over again. And again. And again..

Tyler and I have been joining a friend each Wednesday morning for story-time at the Nampa Library. Tyler loves it. They alternate reading a kids book and singing a song. Then they read, then they sing. It is a great mix for the active boys that my friend Natalie and I have..

Today, after story-time, Tyler and I were walking to our car and saw a firetruck parked outside of the fire station. Ty asked if we could go look at it. There was no one inside of the truck and they didn’t appear to be leaving, so I said yes. I guess that I underestimated the awesomeness of the Nampa Fire department. It was almost like they were waiting for us to walk up.. About 6 firemen came out of the station before we made it to the truck. I asked if it was ok for us to look at the truck, to which they responded, “Of course!”

They opened the truck up for Tyler and pulled out a plastic fireman’s hat to give to him. They gave him a sticker badge to wear on his shirt. They let him climb into the back of the truck to check out the hoses. He got to try on a pair of firefighter boots, sit in the drivers seat, put on the headphones and even turn on the lights and sirens! Tyler was in paradise!!

He has been telling Shaun and I that he wants to be a police man when he “grows so big,” but after today’s experience; he told me that now he wants to be a fireman when he grow so big

The Nampa Fire Department Rocks!!!