Trip to Tennessee, out yonder!

So, how many of y'all knew I went to Tennessee last week? Yeah, with my lack of bloggering, there's a good chance most of you were in the dark about that trip. But let me tell you, it was so much fun! My mom and I went to visit my Aunt Kathy and Uncle Trent and their family, in Nashville. I took Spencer, and left Sammie with family and friends... and Brian. :) 
The main event was to watch my cousins perform in a community play, Anne of Green Gables. Since I used to live with Aunt Kathy and Uncle Trent, way back when, I was especially excited to see my little cousins (who are NOT so little!!) up on the stage as star performers! My cousin Julie (18 yrs old) was cast as Anne, and did a fabulous job. She was so cute, even though she said the wig was so tight it made it hard for her to get some of her expressions right. ha!
Kallie and Chris were also in the play, Kallie (14) as one of the school girls, and Chris (16) as Jerry Boute -- the hired hand who helps Matthew. They both did a great job and looked so cute.
Here's the whole family... Mark and Jenni sat behind me, and laughed -- as siblings do -- every time their brother, Chris, was on stage. They later said they were laughing just because Chris was sooo "in character" it was surpising to them. ha!
Here's Spence. He didn't enjoy the play as much as the rest of us. But he managed to be fairly quiet through most of it.
During the days, Aunt Kathy and the kids took us out to see some of the gorgeous Tennessee countryside. I wish I would have thought to take pictures of some of the lovely country estates we saw. It was all so pretty and green and ... country! I could see myself loving Tennessee. I've got lots of ancestors from there. Whatever possessed them to leave, I wonder?! 

We drove along the old Natchez Trace (a Southern trade route, comparable to the Oregon Trail), and visited the memorial for Meriwether Lewis, you know -- of Lewis & Clark. I've always loved that part of American history, ever since studying about it in fourth grade. Here's the memorial, where Meriwether Lewis was buried. The history books say he committed suicide in a lodge near this site, but that's debatable. Read on wikipedia, if you're interested in the details. I personally think there's no way he killed himself. But who knows?
Here I am, posing for a Southern Glamour shot, in front of the replica lodge where he died. It used to have a lot of displays telling about the L&C expedition, etc, but was lacking when we visited.
We also did a stroller-worthy hike to a beautiful little waterfall on the Natchez Trace. It was so peaceful and beautiful.

Spence loved the attention and did some good posing for the camera.


Our last day there, we went downtown to see Nashville. We saw some of the fun little guitar shops, drove by the Parthanon (didn't go in to see the nudie statues this time), saw the famous Ryman Auditorium, and visited the amazing Opryland Hotel. It's like a small oasis city, complete with waterfalls, rivers, and gorgeous floral displays throughout the grounds.

I got a little carried away capturing artsy shots of the foliage...

But can you blame me?! Perfect greeting card photo material, oh yes, I have plans for these lovely ladies...
Spencer loved the waterfalls, and posed so nicely!
I have to include this shot of my very "smart" looking cousins, Mark and Chris. They both got new suits while we were there, and tried them on for us. Aren't they handsome?! They are 8 years apart in age, but I think they look so much alike. In fact, when Chris came with Kathy to pick us up at the airport, I mistakenly thought he was Mark for a second! How do these kids grow up so fast!? (I know, I'm sounding old now.)
And one last picture... the Yard Sale. My dad told my mom, if she made it to a yard sale, he'd know she'd done it all!!! ha! Not only did we find a yard sale, but we also went to a great thrift store, and a flee market in the Amish country nearby -- all things my mom loves. 
So yes, we really did do it all! And it was a great time!

Back-bloggin'

First, Happy late Easter. In case I don't ever get our Easter pictures up, here's my shout out about the very lovely Easter we celebrated. It was lovely. We sang in the choir at church, talked a lot about the resurrection and Atonement of Christ, painted Easter eggs, and gorged on candy for a solid week. It was wonderful. Now, on to back-logging this blog...
Yes, I'm waaaaaay overdue on the blogging front, I know. I have many reasons and excuses this time. But none of them seem worth dwelling on. So, let's just say, I've had a case of grumpyness, loneliness, irritability, busyness, sleepyness and general slumpyness, all rolled into one. (I know, that sounds like a pregnancy annoucement doesn't it? but I assure you, it is NOT.) Anyway, I'm afraid I may be losing the blogging bug. Maybe even permanently. hmm... So, instead of philosophizing for several paragraphs about the less-positive way I've been feeling lately (yawn) I'm just going to put my limited blogging energy into uploading and organizing some pictures for y'all. 

From last month, here are some of the fun shots from when we celebrated my mom's and grandma's birthdays. Samantha was VERY excited about both grandmas' presents!
She also loved the HUGE balloons that Grandma Karen had for her party!
Ryan and Tristan quickly turned them into swords... Boys!
Festive celebratory dinner for the birthday girls... We missed Blaine and Lisa, who weren't able to make it this time. 
Cousin Sara was really excited about holding Spencer. It doesn't look like Spence was as excited, as it turns out...
At the kids table... Funny, I used to sit there, for many, many years. I remember the punch mustaches, olives, the whole bit!
Next occurance... Well, we've been spending time in our yard, or garden as we still prefer to call it. We bought fruit trees and planted them in the back garden for Family Night a few weeks back. Samantha has wanted to plant something every day since then. She goes out to the empty lot next to us, picks dandelions and purple weed. Then she digs holes in our yard and "plants" her flowers. Cutie. Here's the shots from our tree planting...

It looks darker than it was, just because of the flash. 
Spencer was not too thrilled, because he hated the grass. He cried and pulled his hands up under him, and got really frustrated every time I tried to sit him down. But he's getting used to it now.

Here's another picture, from before Spencer got used to the grass. Brian had the kids one afternoon while I was running some errands. He was working outside, so he strapped Spencer into his car seat to watch, which was the only way Spence was happy!
More back yard play... Here's Samantha, playing "hide and seek" with Daddy... I love, love, love watching her play. She makes Daddy count in the middle of the back yard, while she finds some corner to hide in, where she scrunches down and puts her hands over her eyes, peeking through her fingers, like so...

I just love this little picture of Samantha and her cousin, Seth, "dancing" together at Grandma and Grandpa's house. What cuties!! We've seen a lot of Seth lately, and it's been very fun to watch him and Sam figure out a friendship pattern that works for them. Last night, Sam told us (and Seth) repeatedly, "I am Seth's very good friend." 
And a few more shots of our little mischief makers... Yes, the plants are still a favorite food source for Spencer. He attacked Mark and Dalana's freshly watered plants last night (sorry for the mess!)

He loves his bath, and his puppy hoodie towel, and has a fascination with our big soaker tub, especially now that he's figured out how to turn the tap on!
Spencer's favorite place to be... the fridge!
Sam joins him, not to be outdone by her little bro...

His second favorite place... the freezer! (These are all separate days, but notice the look of excitement on his face each time. Sooooo fun!!)

One of Spencer's other loves... the dishwasher! I open it, and he comes crawling as fast as he can.I think he must have a six sense to know when the dw is opened, even if I'm trying to do a "silent" unload. He always finds out and comes over to "help."

Two cuties going for "rides" in the laundry basket. They love having me push them around the room, but man, they're getting heavy for that game!

That's about as many pictures as one post should have, dontcha think? And I still have many more I could add. I guess I should start posting more often so I wouldn't be so behind. Baby steps. Little bitty baby steps. One post with way too many pictures is still a start, right?

G'night, y'all!

trying to make a comeback

Once you stop blogging, man, it's soooo hard to start again. I think this may be a false start, as I only have about 5 mins before our goal bedtime. But it's at least SOMETHING, as opposed to the many NOTHINGS I've been NOT writing the past few weeks. Our latest quick list:

-- we bought a new camera, a Canon Elph. we love it. we hope we don't lose it as quickly as the last three.

-- we celebrated my mom's and grandma's birthdays, and I made a most amazing lasagna.

-- I started taking a yoga class 2-3 times a week. Three weeks in, and my abs are still sore, not to mention my legs and arms. Tomorrow I'm trying pilates, just to spice things up a bit.

-- Spencer started using consonants... ba, da, ka, ga. This is big new, in the speech department.

-- He also stood up by himself three times yesterday, and once today. I feel walking is on the way (fingers crossed for this timid little guy!)

-- We're planting a family garden at Brian's parents' house this year. This means I get to be out in the sun, in the country, in the dirt. These are all good things, trust me.

I'm sure there's more to say, but I'm out of time, unfortunately. So, I'll leave you with a few lovely pictures from today and yesterday. Nothing like an Idaho Sunset, for me.

A strange butte (below), called Lizard Rock, because it looks like a lizard, climbing up the hillside. This is about 20 mins drive from our house. I love it.
Sunset at Lake Lowell, about 10 mins from our house.
Bridge on the Snake River, in Marsing.

Drain ditch on the farm at Brian's parents, at sunset.
Across the street from Brian's parents, the little private pond of their neighbor who has yet to build anything on his lovely little plot...
Watching conference at Grandma's.

Smiling, striking a pose for the camera. He loves the attention!
Sammie helping Grandma and Grandpa in the garden.
Yes, I'm verrrrry happy it's finally spring here.