The JOYS of Vacation and then the not so joyous...

We took a little unexpected vacation this summer...meaning we hadn't really planned to do anything, but MOMMA needed a break so we decided to go visit my parents who live in Driggs.  Fortunately, there are MANY things to do in Idaho. Who knew they had more than just potato farming.

  We went to Teton National Park and visited Jenny Lake. We were able to hike around it. There were "Bear Warning" signs which made me a little nervous at first, but I think we made PLENTY of noise so no worries there.

 The kids had a good time despite the initial complaining of having to sit in a car to get there.

 Then another day we went to Craters of the Moon. There is a lovely jaunt through lava rock and caves to explore. It thoroughly wore out the kids (and my parents....and me).

Ty got tired of walking, so Jason carried him.

 After Craters of the Moon, we went fishing. This was the first time for alot of my kiddos. And they ALL caught a fish. Even Ty, but I didn't get a picture of it. Bug's splattered blood all over her face.

 Jason caught the biggest fish, although, Joshy and Parker both had big ones that escaped! We think it might have been the same fish and it was toying with us.

 Josh was all excited about catching his fish. Then we told him he had to have his picture taken with it. This face is priceless. It seriously makes me giggle every time I see it. Teehee

 Bella even caught one.  Later we found her petting the fish in the bag and commenting on how cute they are.  The kids were rather bummed to find out the fish DIE when you catch them and that they were expected to clean them and eat them. Oh the DRAMA!

Bryce had been fishing for four hours and hadn't caught a thing. Everyone was catching fish all around him.  The fish would just nibble at his worm and say "thank you" and be on its merry way. Well, Bryce was not happy about this. He gave up.  I told him to keep trying. So right as we were getting ready to leave he tried one last time, and as we were packing up, he caught one.  I could see how happy he was and he hugged me and thanked me.  Secretly I had said a little prayer that he could catch one so that this would be a good memory for him and not scar him for life resulting in years of therapy.  So thank you, Heavenly Father, for letting us dodge that bullet.

We also went swimming and to the movie Madagascar 3.
Grandpa and Ryan put up a tent in the yard so they could "camp". And we made smores.

 No vacation is complete without SMORES!

We also played many games. This is Rob's hand in Hand and Foot.  Notice the "Jack" before the Ace.  Nice Rob. :)
Then on Friday we went to Rob's family Reunion which was only an hour from my parents house. We played alot of Pinochle and ate lots of food, as is traditional at a Tolman family reunion. The kids had a great time.

NOW we jump right back into our routine and get ready for school to start. It was a great break, though, with lots of memories created.  The 20+ hour drive was worth it.
Thanks for stopping by!
Krissi

July 2012?

Yeah...I have taken a little break from blogging.  Who knew that being the mother of nine kids could take up so much time! So here is an update, in abbreviated form.

Life is good.
Twins are potty trained.
Jason is a sophomore and working to earn his own money and driving...He hangs out with his friends and loves to show off his piano skills for the ladies.
Emi is eighth grade, darling, musically talented, and very much into reading. She is an amazing Young Women with a heart of Gold. She is my friend.
Bryce is seventh grade, in middle school with Emi. He is so fun and adorable. Likes Scouting and is musically talented, as well. He has a great group of friends that are very creative and keep me entertained.
McKenna is growing so fast and is in fifth grade. She is dealing with heart complications, but they can't do anything until it gets worse. She loves life and has lots of friends that love her. I love her laugh and excitement.
Bug (aka Lizzie) is in fourth grade and is quite the flirt. She always manages to get the boys to chase her anytime we go to the park. She is very cuddly and loving and told me that she never wants to leave the house when she grows up...we'll see.
Parker is second grade already...is that true? Wow. He is learning how to break dance and is quite the gymnast. He does cartwheels all over the house and taught himself to do one-handed cartwheels. That boy is so stinkin' cute with his adorable little dimples. Watch out ladies.
Joshy is starting Kindergarten and has learned how to read. He is so much fun and his smile just warms my heart. The twins are going to miss him and I am too.
Bella, sings everywhere she goes (including the bathroom), is very passionate about things and loves to protect her brother, Ty. She talks like an adult and is persistent in the things she wants. She is so stinkin' cute and she knows it. :)
Ty, what to say about Ty. That kids is smart and aggressive. I'm glad he is potty trained, I'm glad he is out of the "dump all the food on the floor stage", and he is starting to talk all the time and talks with the most adorable lisp. I still want to kiss his cheeks, but he doesn't like it.

Me:  I have finally been released as the Ward Primary Pianist.  This was a bitter-sweet time.  I have felt that the Lord put me there to give me time to heal and to keep me safe.  SO when I got a different calling that takes me out of my comfort zone, I knew He thought I was ready to move on and learn some new things.  I am excited and nervous about it.  Not that it is anything BIG or that I can't handle, but it puts me out there and I have to talk to people and plan things. Not my strong suit.

I have changed so much over the past year or so.  I have been finding out who I really am and what I am capable of. I have been learning to love myself and be okay with my little quirks that make me unique.  I no longer give too much credence to what others think of me.  I can't control how people feel about me.  The only person's opinion that matters is my Heavenly Father's. If He is happy with me, then I am doing what is right and nothing else matters.

I found out that I have two herniated discs in my lower back that have been causing me more and more pain as time has gone by.  This is irritating. I like to play volleyball and exercise and be active and it has been hindering those things.  I am trying to get it fixed so, hopefully, I can pursue the things I want to. 

I am also getting LASIK done in January and am excited about the prospect of being able to SEE! 

Rob: Oh, how I LOVE THAT MAN!  He is an angel in my life.  He loves me for me. He knows the worst and focuses on the best. He tells me I am beautiful, he shows that he loves me in small, simple ways, and he is my best friend.  I miss him when he is gone and love to just snuggle up to him when he is home.  I thank God every day that He sent me Rob.  With his unconditional love I feel like I have been free to bloom and become the best I can be.  I feel beautiful because of his love for me.

That is it in a nutshell.
Thanks for stopping by!
Krissi