new style for learning

Eric's science class is learning about animal classification. The teacher let the kids bring in family pets so they could compare how they are different and the same. I admit I was nervous about taking a 4 month old puppy into a classroom with over 20 kids but the dog did great with the leash and some dog treats. Eric really loved being able to share about his pet and have everyone in class pet her and ask us all kinds of questions. Later, Amy

Do you remember when.....

I remember spending hours outside in the snow as a little girl just running and playing, but I do not spend time outside now. I hate the cold and the snow is everywhere in my house melting on my floors and getting my socks wet! Lol! After we got some Christmas decorations up my kiddos got dressed up warm and the puppy and them headed outside for some fun. As you can see there was no shortage of fun even though Trevor didnt like his new "tow truck" pants (like Dad's) to get dirty with the snow. It was great to see them out and about having fun like I remember having as a kid. Later, Amy

We put up our tree.

I love putting up the Christmas tree! It makes the season fee offically kicked off and running now. I have never went overboard with the decorations for my house but the tree is big and new every year. This year the theme is Nascar racing and the guys in my house are loving it; my Mom made a Dale Sr. tree skirt for us and we went crazy with the cars and drivers. I have a "fake" tree this year with a four month old puppy I was not crazy enough to get a real tree and have it on the floor. I look at having the puppy almost like having a new baby so my tree went back up on the end table this year; I think out of sight out of mind and so far that has worked for me. I hope everyone has this much family fun putting up their tree this year! Later, Amy

Parade of Lights

We once again this year decorated a simple float and walked behind handing out candy canes to kick off the holiday season. I love being in the parade rather than sitting in the very cold air watching it; that way I stay warm and busy and the kids dont have to be tied down. We love having the opurtinity to represent Denny's Wrecker and be able to spend time together as a family while we work. This is a beautiful parade that has been going on for many years where floats are all covered in lights and decked out for the Holiday season. Later, Amy

Our new car

A blue two door with heated leather seats and a sun roof! My boys, and yes that includes my husband, loves it even more than I do! LOL! I am just grateful to have a car that drives and so far it has been good in the snow for me. Just an update on that for everyone. Later, Amy

City of Rocks

Okay so I have lived in Idaho my whole life and never been to the City of Rocks until my Mom and Husband decided we needed to take a day trip on 11/7/09 and go there. We had a ton of fun hiking and climbing up on some rocks and even just driving around and finding funny shapes or faces in all the rocks. We also hit Lake Cleveland, which if you have never been is an expeirance for sure! It is so high up that in early November there was snow on the ground and the lake was frozen over. We almost froze and the road is long, windy and curvy; not great for someone who gets motion sickness! Lol! It is like driving on the top of the world to get there; it was a truly scary (I am not afraid of heights but I did not like to look down and see miles of mountain staring back up at me) and amazing ride up to Lake Cleveland and I will never forget it. I guess if you go in June or July when it is really hot here in the valley the weather is just right at Lake Cleveland at about 75 to 85 degrees. Later, Amy

I am here

I am soooo behind everyone, I am still doing my blog but everything has been so crazy lately. i just wanted to come on and update some info really quick and I promise I will do better. We had a really great Halloween and lots of stuff to spoil us! Thank you for everyone who shared it with us. We got to see a lot of family this Halloween as always. Later, Amy

Halloween!

Hi Mom and I were lucky enough to be able to go to the Halloween party for our Chubbuck Lions Club last night and I had a ton of fun, although I missed my hubby who was home with the sick kiddo. Trevor had the flu but seems to be doing much better now. My Mom went as a scare crow and I went as a Hippie; we both won prizes for our costumes and I won for most original food when I made my "kittie litter" cake and took it for everyone to enjoy. It is great cake, really moist but it looks like a litter box, poop and all, I loved it! Later, Amy

Beauty abounds

Hi, the kids and I took a stroll around our block on Saturday and I took my camera. I am so grateful to live where I do; we are five minutes away from a store and on a dead end street full of mature trees and shrubs. We even have pheasants on our street most of the time. I really had a good time and even managed to get the kids out of the house for thirty minutes! Lol! Later, Amy

new shelves

My husband was kind enough to hang two new shelves in the kitchen, this is the space the washer and dryer used to be in and it will eventually be closed behind doors. Later, Amy

Home improvements continue

Ok so we were caught a little off gaurd by the cold weather and I have been running around like a chicken trying to get some things taken care of with the house to help winterize a little more. I got new curtins up over the big window in the kitchen finally under my valance that has been up for a while. I was very excited over having them up to help cut down on the cold coming in from the huge window. Also Travis made the mistake of showing me that the previous owners of the house had left us a big, heavy and beautiful screen door in the back shed so I convinced him we should put it up. He and his friend Terry installed it last night in the freezing cold but it looks really great and I am so excited to have it up to help keep out some of the cold and be able to still get great light in the living room in the afternoon on the rare warm days left! They did a great job and Travis has been a great sport helping me with some of the "taller" projects I get us into. Lol! Later, Amy

Winter is here!

Ok some of you may not know it but winter is here! We woke up to snow that actually stuck on the ground and it was still snowing yesterday morning for hours into our work day. Sometimes I really hate being where it is cold so much out of the year but then I remember that not more than 15 minutes away is beautiful spot for a family outing no matter what direction I go in. Later, Amy

Work it!

Lol, my Mom thought this was the cutest thing and just had to ask my when Trevor started doing it and I had to tell her I had never seen him do it before! He was doing push ups both front and back, then he would lie on his back and lift his legs up high. It was very cute but proves that he can't be mine or Travis' and was switched at birth with someone's family! Lol! Just kidding, we love this kid and he keeps us on our toes. Later, Amy

City Creek, Pocatello, Idaho

Who know this was here? I have lived in Pocatello for 11 years and didn't know we had huge trails and roads (if you can call it that!) right in town practically! My friend Jenni say a post on a blog for some photos taken here so Travis and I packed up the kids and the puppy last night and went for an evening drive. The road was a bit rough but after about 2 miles it has lots of pretty trees and a little creek running along the side of the road. It was a good night out with the family. Later, Amy

Ice man!

This just proves every parents thoughts, kids don't care how cold it is outside as long as they don't have school they will be outside playing! Lol! Eric was out of school this Thursday and Friday and yesterday when I walked out my back door to check on him it took me a minute to figure out what I could see on the trampoline with him. It was ice that he had broke up jumping on it. It has been very cold here and we even got a little snow Wednesday night that melted off by morning. Later, Amy

POW-MIA

What a great thing these guys do and since Travis got his Harley he has decided to join and ride with them. They do great things, like rides for funds for cw hog and toys for tots, as well as riding for returning military men and women in our local area. It is great and I am glad to see him enjoying it so much! Later, Amy

Nap time

This it the cutest thing! We took a road trip today to Tincup, Idaho outside of Thayne, WY to vistit my dad. It was fun and a lot of work with a small puppy! The boys loved it because they could play outside in the dirt without getting in trouble. The yellow jackets and hornets were very bad up there and Trevor got stung right on the nose! Adam and his girlfriend Sunnie were there with her three girls and one of them got stung right on the lip! Ouch! We had a lot of fun and it is beautiful with the leaves turning colors now. Later, Amy

New house memeber!

Travis with Tinker!

Eric and Tinker!

Travis' friend Jeff's huge 7 month old dog Riddick; Tinker didn't like him much!

Ok all, you convinced me! Ok, not really but how can you pass by those adorable little puppies in the window at the pet store; so yes we got a puppy today! The kids are so excited and I am so terrified of the little thing howling all night long until she is old enough to go outside for the night. Her name is Tinker and she is a six week old yellow lab. Trevor was upset at first that we didn't get him a chocolate lab like he wanted but he has warmed up the her really fast. We are very excited about the new house member and hope to have lots of fun with her. Later, Amy

Pets?

Ok, if any of you know we are debating the pet situation. We have a huge yard and two very energetic boys but I am still hesitent due to the #2 being all over my yard and someone having to clean it (I am betting that someone will be me) I also am not a fan of pet hair which comes with the #2 in the yard. We were at my sister's house today and she has two cats and just seeing little Trevor wanting to love the kitty broke my heart. Trevor tortured the cat but he took it all in stride and was very good with Trevor tormenting him. So Sandi's neighbor has a dog that she really has to get rid of since her son is gone now and we are looking at taking the dog. I do hesitate since the dog is about 10 months old and a little high strung since right now it is confined to a very small back yard and a very little kennel most of the time. So any advice on that would be appreciated. Later, Amy

House work!

It is not pretty folks but there used to be two large holes right here that are now large mismatched drywall! I hope it looks better after tape and mud.

This is a very ugly and generic light cover but it works and came with the seal for the shower. Travis could do nothing but laugh at my great concern over the ugliness of this light cover!

Ok, I thought I would post and let everyone know what we are doing. I am just keeping busy with work, two kids, a husband and a big house and yard, no biggie! Lol! Travis and I finally got the light covers on the shower lights; they are not my favorite but are functional and the only "shower" light covers for a cam in all of Lowe's. Also i have been busy doing repairs and fixes as well as trying to control the wasp population at our house. I finally put the dry wall back into place and repaired the holes from moving the washer and dryer downstairs and capping off the water lines in the kitchen wall, so I don't have to see pipelines in my kitchen when I cook now! Yah! We have a friend coming over in the next few days to tape and mud the repairs I just did. I also torn out the caulk from around the bathtub upstairs and re-caulked it and since I had my upstairs bathroom all torn apart, I did a deep cleaning of the floors and base boards. So not a lot of fun but I hope I can keep up with this house. We are starting to rearrange the kitchen for the pantry to be put in place and doors put up to cover up the mess but I have a feeling that it is still a few months out, lol! Later, Amy

Hi

I was just online really quick tonight will Travis is working late and thought I would post. Fyi for everyone I am now on facebook as well but very slow at it still and don't really get it, but I am there and it is nice seeing old friends from high school and what is going on in their lives. Later, Amy

Fair time!

We went to the fair last Tuesday and rode some rides but mostly we went through the farm areas and petting zoo. The kids loved all the animals, even the stinky pigs that Trevor wanted to visit again and again. McKee's was there with the petting zoo and we love all their friendly animals. We also seen animals racing, yes folks, pigs, ducks, goats and chickens racing each other. It was very funny!

Later, Amy

My little explorer!

So Trevor brought me his cute little plastic ice cream cone and then told me he brought me a present. I, as a mother, accept all presents offered no matter what it turns out to be; even grasshoppers! Yes, he had a grasshopper hiding inside of his plastic ice cream cone and was so very careful and gentle with it that you just couldnt be upset over it. It was very sweet of him to bring it in and share it with him mom, who obviously doesnt get outside as much. Later, Amy

Larry is home

I am sure most of you know, since I am way behind in posting but Larry came home on August 25th and was very excited to do so. He is looking really great and doing well. We all went out to dinner together tonight and really enjoyed sitting around and visting with each other. We are very grateful to have him around a little bit longer. P.S. Don't say anything about that messy hair in the hospital! Lol! Later, Amy

Posting pic finally

Hi, I am finally getting some pics up from the Brownlee family Reunion the first weekend in August and the next week in August we went to Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City, Utah while we were down there. It's not a lot of pics but I am still trying to get all caught up on everything. Later, Amy

quick update

Ok so I am skipping work to even have time to post this but just a quick update, not a lot of new news though. Larry is doing much better but still having some issues. Larry is off the ventilator now but still not on solid food (not even liquids) he is on a feeding tube still and has some sores in his throat from the tube. He is not happy about not being able to eat and when we visited on Sunday was sad the kids couldnt go see him also, he even asked about little Trevor. He was talking about 8 foot watermelons and fish legs; so the sooner he can get on some foods the better. Lol! He has not had any complications from all the surgeries in the tummy areas so that is great that no infection has gotten in there. Juanita said it will be another 2 or 3 weeks before they will talk about letting him come home from Salt Lake City but we are just happy to see him up and about. We appreciate all the help from Juanita's family and especially her sisters staying with her and helping us have some more peace of mind about her being so far away from us; and for their families making sacrifices so they can be away from home. Later, Amy

all is well

Ok, I am still alive! Lol! I am super busy, we had the family reunion on the Brownlee side and then Larry, Travis' step-dad had surgery on Tuesday and was taken by life flight to Salt Lake City (that was a week ago) So as you can imagine we have not been home much and still are trying to work. We drove to Salt Lake City last Tuesday and waited hours for him to get out of surgery, he made it thru some how. We all had to work the next day so we drove home very late Wednesday morning. He went back into surgery Friday and surprised even the doctors with his fighting strength and they said he was holding his own. Juanita's sisters were able to stay with her from Tuesday thru yesterday. We went back down and stayed Saturday and Sunday in Salt Lake with the kids and took them to Hogle Zoo since a hospital is a hard place to hang out in for two little ones. We drove back Sunday night and I worked half a day yesterday but I couldnt stand Juanita being up there alone on Monday when he had another surgery so my Mom drove me back down yesterday afternoon and I stayed the night there with Juanita. Larry did well in the surgery yesterday, they closed the muscle to his stomach back up but not the skin yet as they are worried about infection. He is still on a ventalator tube and Juanita came home with me today to take care of some bills and paper work at her job then she will go back to Salt Lake City tomarrow afternoon and stay there probably until they release Larry. We hope to have him out of ICU within four or five days but he is not out of the woods so we are not sure when they will even remove the breathing tube yet. Just an update for everyone and an fyi that I will post as much as possible but probably be in SLC this weekend. Later, Amy

Memorial baseball tournament

Ok so once again this year (yes it is already here) we spent this weekend at NOP Park in Pocatello with 18 baseball teams for the Brad Jones/ Bob Prescott Memorial baseball tournament. It is a great tournament and teams come from all over to join; the money raised goes to the Lions Club and is used for charities. This is something that Travis' nephew Kory has started to really run with Laeloni, his mom and Travis' sister. They do a great job and it is a lot of work but come Sunday evening we are mostly in tears. Kory's team placed 3rd this year which was really exciting and the 2nd place went to a team from Arco and the 1st place to a team right here in Pocatello. Travis and I were really able to relax and enjoy oursleves because my mom and dad had the boys for a camping trip over the weekend. It was very hot outside and we sat under the portable canopy Travis and I bought this year (I still managed a great sunburn!) Kory's team donated the plaque to Brad's mom (aka Travis' Mom) at the awards ceromony and it was really worth the two days in the sun. Later, Amy

trimming

Trim around the door to rest of basement.

Beautiful storage cabinet at amazing price!

Our corner trim pieces.

Our custom painted light and outlet covers.

The trim around the shower door.

I am so excited to be getting some of the finishing details up in the bathroom downstairs. Travis and I put up the trim around the floor and the doors. My dad Larry also helped us put together this very beautiful cabinet today and got it in the bathroom, so now I can have my towels downstairs in my bathroom! We also finally got the cover on the light/vent/heater on the ceiling; not that we need a heater in this 100 degree weather! We still have a few little things to see to but we are in the last stretch for the bathroom to be called done for good. Later, Amy

Our national bird

Travis sent this beautiful picture to me from Alaska while he was there and since he didnt take many photos this year I thought this one was note worthy. Later, Amy

working men

We visited Grandma Margaret at her work and the boys thought it was soooooo funny to wear her hair net. These pics. just crack me up and they were so proud to be like Grandma. The things that entertain kids remind me to keep things simple and enjoy life more for what it is, the little moments that make you smile. Later, Amy