Happy Birthday, Princess Emily!

My baby is ONE!!!!! This is unreal to me and continues to leave me speechless just how quickly time flies by.

Take us back to California!

We planned our vacation at the right time this year, because I seriously could not take one more day of freezing, grey skied, inversion weather here in Boise. As the big day approached, I think I was getting more excited than Spencer to head to the Happiest Place on Earth...Disneyland, of course. I was a little nervous taking an almost one year old with us, but she had a fabulous time people watching and going on rides!

And of course this guy was in 7th Heaven...

We made some trips to the beach as well. If we lived down there, this kid would be a beach bum for sure. He absolutely loves it.

We tried and tried for that iconic Disneyland shot in front of the flower Mickey at the entrance, but we failed at nearly every attempt.

I think we all shed a tear as we boarded the plane to leave the sunshine and come home to buckets of snow, but we had a big first birthday party to get ready for. :-)

Merry Christmas to All!

What a whirlwind Christmas was this year! Spencer was definitely into presents this year and waiting for Santa. I have no idea what we will use as a threat for good behavior now. But of course the most important part of Christmas is family, and here is all of us (on my dad's side) on Christmas Eve at my Grandparent's house.

Our cute boys and girls...

Christmas morning was a hit. Spencer has been asking for this "Doc McStuffin's thing" for MONTHS and was so happy Santa delivered.

Happy girl on her first Christmas!

School Picture Day

Wow, no posts in over a month. And I don't really have any photos to show for that month either. Bad, mommy! Our preschool/daycare had its annual picture day at the beginning of November. Such cute lil monkeys!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

What a great Halloween we had this year. Batman and Poodle Woodle got a ridiculous amount of candy that mommy has been eating non-stop and now Christmas is just two months away!

Happy Birthday, Rocco!

It's hard to believe that my nephew is already four years old! I love having boys so close together, as these cousins have become the best of friends and it makes my heart so happy. We hit Big Al's for bowling on the big day and as usual, these two goofballs had a great time.

Scarecrow Stroll at the Idaho Botanical Garden

Spencer's first ever field trip was to the Botanical Garden's for the Scarecrow stroll, and we have enjoyed going each year since then! Each trip ends with a trip into the pumpkin patch to find the perfect pumpkin!

Spirit of Boise

Labor Day weekend brings the Spirit of Boise balloon classic to town and it is always a great time to see old friends. It also marked Emily's first balloon rally! Exciting stuff in this family. Here she is taking a lay of the land with Grampa.

Forget that Grampa flies Mickey Mouse...this kid's favorite is the ROCKET SHIP! He was SO EXCITED to see it. Not excited enough to climb in the basket (it's too loud...hence the ear defenders) but definitely needed a photo.

Six months old

My name is Emily and I am six months old. I love my solid foods, am teething (but have no teeth), refuse to sit on my own because I want to stand up and mom is making me wait six hours before I can eat at night.

Siblings

These two just warm my heart. I love that they are so in love!

Island Park

Every August we make a trip to Island Park in Eastern Idaho. It is so much fun to get away for an entire week and unplug. The views aren't bad either:

We have a top secret huckleberry spot that I am completely obsessed with. I spent three days picking and was lamenting all the berries I didn't get to.

No trip is complete without me seeing a moose, so I am glad on the next to last day, this momma and calf showed up:

And this little girl was a TROOPER! The six hour car ride didn't even phase her!

I am sad I didn't get a family picture under the Stonehocker sign in front of the cabin, but it was raining when we left. At least the rain made it easier to leave!

Someone is excited to be FIVE months old!

Emily's Baptism

Last Sunday was a big day in our family, as it was Emily's baptism. I love this little girl so much my heart could explode and I was so happy to have her "reborn" on this special day. The boys were good little church goers too! I think it is funny that Lesley and I often dress the boys the same...without planning it!

Family Swim

It is HOT here in Boise. Luckily, my grandparents have a pool where we can cool off! This was Emily's first time in the water and she really liked it (what's not to like when it is 100 degrees out?!??!)

Meanwhile, Spencer is becoming quite the fish...

It goes by fast...

I think because this is my last baby, there is a part of me that wants her to stay a baby for longer. When Chris suggested we get out the exersaucer thingy, I was like, no way, she isn't big enough. Well, actually mom, she is...

HAPPY 4th of JULY

We spent the long holiday weekend in New Meadows at the family cabin. Boy, are we getting our use out of this place - how did we ever live without it? While I do kinda miss our old school camping trips, with an infant, this is the only way to go and the best of both worlds. Chris took us to Lost Creek Res, which I have somehow never been too, despite going to New Meadows for the last 20+ years of my life. Spencer had a great time tossing rocks in the water and Emily had fun watching him.

I had to take some shots of my Fergie Ferg as well. Only five years old, but she is starting to look old. Luckily, she doesn't act like it though, but she sure has had a lot of grey hairs pop up in the three years since we have added kids to our happy family.

Rock throwing is great, but the highlight of any trip to cabin is the 4 wheelers...now personalized!