December 2016

December began with our family tradition of decorating gingerbread houses.  This year we used graham crackers and homemade icing and it was great fun.  (From left to right- Andy, Mom, Grace, Dad, BethAnne and Joy).  So much fun!

 Then on December 7th, BethAnne sang at the Morrison Center (the nicest performing arts center in the region) as part of the Youth Chorus of the Treasure Valley Millennial Choirs and Orchestras.  It was a great concert and a great experience for BethAnne.  She loves being a part of that choir.

 Here's Andy playing in the snow.  We've had more snow in the last month than we've had in decades.  It's been fun but we're ready for it to melt.  You'll be happy to note that since this picture, we have finally purchased snow pants and boots for Andy that are not pink.  :)

 A highlight of the month was going sledding.  I think it was a first for Andy and he thought is was the funnest thing ever.  

I love this picture of Andy sledding with his eyes closed.  Sheer joy! 

We had a lovely Christmas this year, starting with Church and then going home for our devotional, presents and a yummy brunch.  It was a fun day though mom was pretty tired by the end of it.

 Andy got a new tool set and rocket tent.  He loves his new toys.

 Pretty Grace

  Happy Mark was so helpful as always, assembling toys and helping anyway he could.

 BethAnne got some great books from Grandma (about dogs and about writing short stories)

Andy insisted that I play with him in his new rocket tent.  It was a bit of a squeeze, but we had fun.

 Right before Christmas, Mark went to Utah to pick up our new car.  It's a 12-seater van.  I know it's a little crazy, but we felt impressed that it was something we should get and we searched and prayed long and hard until we found the right one.  It will help us have plenty of room once the new baby comes.

Speaking of the new baby, we are expecting a baby boy in May.  We are nervous after two late losses, but we are hopeful.  The baby looked healthy at my 19 week appointment, he was measuring over 20 weeks.  We pray that all will go well.

That's our latest update.  We hope you are all happy and healthy and have a fantastic 2017!

October and November 2016

 I'm doing some catch-up posts.  Here are some pictures from the fall.  The kids had fun in the leaves at the end of October.

 I got to take my girls to see Hilary weeks at the end of October.  She is one of their favorite artists and it was a great concert.  I am so grateful to have these sweet girls in my life and I look forward to many outings like this in our future.

 Here's Joy on Halloween.  She designed her own costume.  She's a Pokemon trainer.  So cute!

 Here's a very sweet poem written by Joy in November.  She is wise beyond her years

And here is a turkey made by Joy

And lastly, here is Andy in his new church outfit.  He's growing up so handsome.  

Joy's birthday and other pictures from August and September

 Here are some pictures from August and September. 

 We went to the Zoo right before school started, we had lots of fun and I love this picture of our kids. 

 Then the first weekend of September, we went to see the balloons at the Boise Hot Air balloon festival Nite Glow Spectacular.  My favorite part was seeing the sunset on the bridge by the park while we waited for the festivities to start.  

 Pretty balloons, crazy crowds.

Then the second weekend of September, we went to Utah.  We enjoyed staying with my friend Kyrenia and we got to see Temple Square and then we went to Lagoon the day after that.

Lagoon!

 Andy was so cute on the roller coasters. 

  Lagoon was fun, but near the end of that evening I got what we think was a terrible migraine which started a week long adventure with two trips the ER, a lumbar puncture, spinal headache, and another trip to the hospital for a blood patch (to repair the tear from the lumbar puncture).  After spending most of a week laying down in a dark room, I'm more grateful for the mediocre health I usually enjoy.

   

Then near the end of September, we got to celebrate Joy's 7th birthday. We are so blessed to have her in our family.  She is truly a joy.

Aunt Tena decorated this cake per Joy's instructions and it came out so well.  We love having Aunt Tena in the family!

  Yummy Cake

We had a fun party with lots of family.  That's my report for the last couple months.  I hope you are all well.  Love, Aubrey

Grace's 10th Birthday!

Grace got to celebrate her 10th birthday twice this year.  First we had a party at Chuck E. Cheese before the Bousquet cousins left town (about a week before her birthday). It was so much fun.  Then on Grace's actual birthday, we celebrated with a home made ice cream cake that actually turned out really yummy.  We love our Grace and we're so glad she joined our family 10 years ago.  They're growing up so fast!

 Grace and Eva

 BethAnne, Andy, and Aiden

 Andy loves Chuck E Cheese's

 Here's Grace on her real birthday with her homemade ice cream cake (with chocolate dipped strawberries on top).  Yum!

 And here's a cute picture of Joy I took the other day that I'm throwing in here because it's adorable and she wasn't really represented in the pictures above.  Grace and Joy start school in a little over a week, I'm not sure I'm ready for summer to be over.  It's been fun.  I hope you are all well and happy.

Love,

Aubrey 

Caleb and Tyler's Awesome Birthday Party!!!

Tonight we celebrated Caleb's 2nd birthday and Tyler's 13th birthday at an awesome party given by Chrissy.  I wish I had taken more pictures of the decorations and food, so cute.  The bouncy house was especially popular with all the cousins.  The food was great and it was a lovely time.  Here are some pictures.  Enjoy!

 Chrissy's stylish food!

 

 

Yay for the bouncy house! 

 I love Caleb and Lisa's faces in this one.  So funny and cute.

 Such a sweet little family!

 Blowing out the candles, first Caleb, then Tyler.

 Caleb, mid-clap.

Pretty Leeya likes to pose for the camera. 

 The kids got some great cards made by their cousins.

 So much fun!  Thank you Chrissy and everyone who helped.  Happy Birthday Caleb and Tyler!  We miss you Carl and Steph! 

Love,

Aubrey