OK! I know it's been awhile but no excuses. Here it is a nutshell.

(hang in there-it's a little longer post)

Taylor started her first year of preschool. She is loving it! She has made soo many friends and is finally catching on to her letters.

    Kelton started his second year of kindergarten. (total parents decision) He is loving it as well tho needs a little bit more challenge. I guess that's up to me. He has also made a lot of friends. One special one named Adee. She's a cutie.

Kelton started soccer. He was very good, sometimes got a little bored, but his team went undefeated. They're only six but they were good.

Ryan was able to come home at the end of August before his next rotation in New Mexico. He hadn't seen the kids for 3 months! They looked huge to him especially Crew. He took the kids each out on their own Daddy date. Kelton went to the skate park and had lunch there, then off to do laser tag which I think he killed Ryan.

Taylor went to the park and had a picnic basket lunch with chocolate milk to play tea party. She loved it. Then Ryan took her to this cute spa for kids called Pasley Punch where she got a mani & pedi. The story behind picture #2: Ryan asks Taylor to see her pretty leopard nails. She takes a look at them & decides to put this beautiful finger up for the camera. Of course she has no idea but she uses it to point at things and show things on pages. 

Taylor also started riding without training wheels. Ryan asked me to wait to take them off until he came home because he felt like he was missing everything. Can't blame him. But, she took off! She was definitely ready. 

After Ryan left, I took the kids to Boise for a long weekend. We went to Bounce for about 3 hours. The had a blast.

Crew needed a little break!

BFF's

We also went to Linder Farms where we did the corn maze, pumpkin patch, and rode the tractor wagon where I almost cut my finger off with my stroller.

When we got home for baths this night I found popcorn kernels in the diaper!

So that about sums it up. Here are some pictures around the house.

It was very quiet so I knew I needed to look for Crew. I found him playing tea party. He's so cute. I love this kid.

This is Drew one of our neighbors which we have loved having. We had a huge dirt pile out back and almost everyday the kids would come in covered with it.

In a skirt no less!

And... this is what happens when dirt and water mix!!!

Roastin' some mallows with the Rasmussen cousins.

Jack

Paje

Jenny and Preston

Wash it down with a little DDP and we're all good!

Having fun on the trampoline!

It has definitely been hard without Ryan around and we've had our share of hard times. But without these kids my life wouldn't be complete.  You each bring something different to my life. I love you all so so much!

Atlanta Anniversary

Well it looks like I'm stuck updating the blog again. I'm in Atlanta and the rest of the family is in Idaho, but I'm heading home soon to see those great blond headed kids. I haven't seen them in three months. Terrible I know. Natalie did come and visit me the beginning of the month to celebrate a belated eighth anniversary. I love that woman. We had a great time seeing the sights and just hanging out. Hereare a couple pictures of our adventure.

We met in Detroit, and then drove down to Atlanta (pretty drive). When we got there we checked into a nice hotel in downtown.

Got ready and headed out on the town. It was all a surprise. Dinner at the Melting Pot and tickets to the Sound of Music at the Fox Theatre. The hotel was awesome. They pulled out all the stops for us. We had chocolate dipped strawberries and they even decided to leave us a little champagne (of course we didn't drink any, but it was a nice thought).

We spent a day at Stone

Mountain. I giant mountain of granite. We hiked the mountain took some pictures, it was

hot and humid but a lot of fun. We really had a great time together, like we always do. This year has been maybe a little more difficult than we had expected,

but the traveling around is half way over with. I'm looking forward to getting back to see them for a couple days. Talk to you again soon I'm sure.

Ryan

A Message from Detroit

I don't know why exactly, but I felt like doing a little blogging. Natalie and the kids have been really busy, and she hasn't had access to all our pictures, because they're on my computer. So she hasn't updated the blog for awhile. The other day I was feeling a little home sick and decided to check out some familiar faces on the blog. It was nice to read what everyone had been doing, but it didn't help with the home sickness bit.

I have been in Detroit since the end of May. For my fourth year of podiatry school, I will be traveling around the country externing at different spots that offer residency training programs. I'll be in Detroit through August, then to Atlanta, then to Albuquerque,

then to Seattle, then to LaCrosse (that's in Wisconsin), and then back to Detroit. Natalie and I knew it would be tough, but it is really TOUGH! I miss them like crazy.

Well just for fun here are a couple of pictures of the place we're staying here in Detroit. It is a bachelor pad for married med students, just keep that in mind.

Here is the house. We live upstairs.

Then there's the kitchen, and yes there are usually dishes in the

sink, and no I haven't taken up drinking coffee. Then my bedroom.

It's nice. Our front room, which is totally empty, so you're not missing much. The place is an older place and the wooden

floors squeak like a million mice. Th

e people we sublet the place from were nice enough to leave behind some basic furniture. All in all it has been a nice place. I'm grateful that Dave, a classmate of mine was able to be here with me. Someone to hang out with on the weekends, and a familiar face to see after work.

You might be surprised to hear this but I actually really like the area. There are huge parks with pools and tennis courts, mature trees all over, and close to Lake St. Claire. There is a lot of money in this particular spot. The ward here is actually a small branch but every

one is super nice and very welcoming. Natalie comes in a couple days and I'm excited to show her around.

Natalie and the kids are up in McCall Idaho with the rest of her brothers and sisters, and then the week after they are heading up to Redfish. I hate missing those two vacations. Jealousy is starting to build. I don't like to miss the party.

The last time I saw my kids was the fourth of July. Those kids are the best. I was able to golf with Kelton, who is a total stud muffin.

He is so talented, and exciting.

I was able to play dolls and ride bikes with Tayla Bayla, my little princess. She melts my heart and I love all her hugs and kisses. Crew has grown up the most, and I feel terrible that I'm missing so many firsts

for that kid. To tell you the truth, I'm just glad he remembered me. He is always smiling and getting into whatever. I mean look at that face....

I miss them all dearly and as much as I love to Skype with them, it just doesn't cut it. When this year is over I'll be grateful.

My kids make me proud and bring joy to my life. Natalie makes it all happen. What a strong, hard working, caring mom she is. As an extra bonus, she is gorgeous. I love her with all my heart. She is one of a kind, and irreplaceable. So honey, if you end up reading this sermon... I love and miss you more than you know. I cannot wait to see you. I love the hellos and hate the goodbyes. To everyone else, PEACE. I can't say I'll do this again soon, but hopefully we will keep you posted on the upcoming events of the Kemp 5. Thanks for your friendships and support.

Ryan