Locks of Love, etc., etc.

Eva has been patiently waiting for her hair to get long enough to donate to Locks of Love. We both got our hair cut on 8/31/13 and sent it in!

Eva's haircut makes her look way older! Brian told her he missed her long hair and she said, "It's okay, Daddy. It will grow back."

It took me awhile to get used to my short hair, but I like it!

Eva started Kindergarten in August!! She says it is grrrrrrrreeeaaattttttt!!!! She really looks forward to going and asks how many days until she gets to go again. One of her favorite things is that she gets to drink chocolate at every lunch!

My dad took Eva and Ely to see Planes. It was in 3D, that's why Grandpa and Boe have on the cool glasses!

We picked some yummy sweet corn at my parents house, too, with some help from the Walkers.

A rainbow outside our house after one of our recent rainstorms.

Brian and I did another 10K on 9/14/13. He really didn't want to. but he loves me so much that he did it anyway!! He is such a great husband!!

My parents are going on a mission to Riverside, California!! They will only be gone six months, but we will miss them SO much!! We are excited for them and so happy they get to go and serve.

Boe is 6 Months Old!!!

Well, actually he is about 6 1/2 months now...I'm kinda slow.

Boe is such a happy baby! He is very easy going.

He will smile at anyone...and he has a great smile!

Boe starting crawling at 6 months and he is all over the place!! He does what I call the pushup crawl, but yesterday started actually doing the real crawl (alternating hands and knees).

We still swaddle Boe up tight with his arms by his sides to put him to sleep. He still typically wakes up once at night to nurse, but the nights where he sleeps clear through are becoming more common.

Eva loves Boe so much! She is always telling me how much she loves him. And she'll say something like, "I love Boe one million, and I love Ely one." Kind of sad for Ely, but he is a rough and tough two year old little brother! They do get along really well most of the time.

Ely also loves Boe a lot! He has started calling him "Boe-ee" and I think it's so cute. I don't know where he got it from because Brian and I don't say that. He still loves to get in Boe's face and talk to him. If Boe whines even a little, Ely will tell me, "Mom, Boe needs you," or, "Mom, Boe needs to feed you."

Boe just started eating baby food last week. So far he has had oatmeal baby cereal, squash, and carrots. He seems to like it alright. He is working on getting the food to stay in his mouth instead of come right out!

Boe had his 6 month checkup on Monday.

He weighed 14 lbs 12 ounces and is only in the 5th percentile for weight.

He was 26 inches tall and is in the 26th percentile for height.

 

Boe is such a joy in our family and we feel very, very blessed to have a happy, healthy little boy!

Rush Triathlon 2013

Here are some pictures from Brian's triathlon in Rexburg last month. He did great!

 Eva and Ely at Rainbow Lake for Brian's swim.

 After the swim, on to the bike.

 And finishing the run!!

 Thanks to Brian's cousin Kaylene for letting us stay the night at their apartment and helping me with kids!

Eva showing off her cast. She broke her arm when we were in Colorado and had to wear this cast for a month.

Brian turned 30!!

My amazing husband turned 30 years old this month!! Brian is the love of my life and I am so grateful for him. I am proud to be his wife! Brian is still working hard in school and will graduate with his Bachelors in Dietetics in May. Yippee!! This year, along with going to school, he will be teaching seminary part time (in hopes that he might be hired full time to make it a career). He is also applying to the Pharmacy Program at ISU, so we will see where the Lord leads us...

 I made Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies for Brian's cake.

 My cousin Staci and Eva.

 Brian's parents with Brian and Boe.

 Lindsay and Brian.

 Boe loves his daddy!

 On August 10th we ran in the City 10K. My friend Lindsay came and did the 5K. It is always so fun to see her!!

 I'm so glad Brian likes to run with me!!

Boe is starting to learn about elk hunting. And now Eva says she wants a pink bow!

Anderson Reunion - Beaver Mountain/Bear Lake

We had the Raymond and Verletta Anderson Reunion at the Beaver Mountain Ski Lodge, by Bear Lake. It was really fun. I just love family reunions! Even if its the only time I see some of my cousins, we still love getting together and catching up and having fun!  

 Ely and I walked to the top of the ski hill...and when I say we walked I mean I walked and gave him a piggy back ride most of the way. What a workout!! I wish the ski lift would have been on!

 My cousin Tracy, me, and my sister Becky at the top of the hill.

 The view in the other direction.

 We went down to play at Bear Lake for awhile. The water is so pretty there.

 Of course, Ely didn't want to go in the water, but at least I got him to the "beach."

This is everyone that was at the Anderson Reunion.

Knoeppel Reunion - Estes Park, Colorado

This summer we had our Knoeppel Family Reunion. We only have it every three years, so it is a pretty big deal! It was so fun. All of my siblings and their families were able to go (minus two brothers-in-law and a niece). We drove to Estes Park, Colorado.

 Taking a break during our long drive!

 Great Grandma got to meet Boe for the first time.

 Brian and Eva made an awesome "Wacky Wocket"

 Some of the kids on the hiking trail around the property we stayed at.

 The Anderson Family.

 Grandma with all her great grandkids. She looks so happy!! Ely...not so much!

 The big Knoeppel bunch.

 My mom and dad, brothers and sisters.

 Abby and Kierra were so good at taking care of Boe and Alice at the reunion. Thank you!!

 Brian cooking with Uncle David.

 Ely discovered he loved climbing rocks at Estes Park.

 We road a tram to the top of the mountain. At the top we were able to climb the rocks and feed the chipmunks.

 Then we went to play at Lake Estes.

 Aunt Marcy and Boe.

 Aunt McKenzie and Boe.

 Abby and Eva at Lake Estes.

 We saw some elk up close on the way back to the cabins.

 These pictures make it look like they were fenced in, but they weren't.

 I love my Grandma!! She is turning 90 this year!

 Of course we had to stop at Little America for ice cream cones.

Ely and Grandpa at Little America.

Farmer - A Video for Our Dad

My sister made this awesome video for my Dad's birthday this year. He is a wonderful man and I am so grateful that I was able to grow up as a farmer's daughter. He taught me to work hard, have fun, and not sweat the small stuff. He is all the things Paul Harvey says and more! My Mom and Dad have always been great examples to me and I love them both so much!!!