not much

We haven't been too exciting around here. Ben has been on and off missions and in 1 hour notice, so it's limited what we can do. He was able to go to England for the first time and see one of our friends from college (Ben actually met him on his mission in the Czech).

We have mostly been staying close to home. We been working on the yard and house. Hopefully when it warms up, everything is still alive. Rhone loves being outside, so he is happy these days. We bought a new wagon to haul rocks in. We put it together late one night and Rhone insisted on a ride. So we loaded him up in his jammies with his pillow, dog, and blanket. One lap around the neighborhood and he was sleeping like an angel. We went bowling one night for family night with some of our friends. It was wild, I mean fun :) with 3 little boys. We had a great time and Rhone has been asking to "throw ball" ever since.

Speaking of Rhone he is saying such fun things these days. Last night on our way upstairs for bed he said, "mom stairs too big, need ride". He has been saying, "yes siree" too. I have no idea where he gets these things from- makes me scared for when he gets bigger and hears all sorts of things. Tonight Rhone and I went to chick fil a for dinner. He was in the play area and I heard an older boys say, "have you seen carson?" Rhone thought for a second and said, "uhh, no" like he knew who the kid was. He's growing up so fast!

Hauling the rocks and Rhone to the backyard


Rhone was in heaven with all the rocks! We got a load last week and he has been asking for more rocks ever since. He was actually helpful (see the rocks landing in the wagon).

We've been squeezing a little art here and there. Rhone loves glitter, because he likes the shaking it out. You gotta watch him with the salt a pepper :)

Rhone giving Wyatt kisses at dinner after bowling.

Our family
Teaching little boys to take turns is hard, but they were pretty good by the end. There were no smashed toes, so we consider that a success.

Victory dance!
Rhone is my little puddle monster. I have to admit that I like me some puddle jumping too. Ben, not so much. Rhone and I spent one rainy afternoon jumping in puddles and throwing rocks in the pond. It's moments like those when I am so grateful that I get to be with Rhone all day. I would hate to miss out on these adventures together. We even had to head back out in the dark when Ben got home, who still didn't jump in the puddles.

so lucky

Ben was on crew rest for St. Patty's Day, so we had him with us all day. We sure did feel lucky. We had shamrock pancakes for breakfast and saw what little leprechauns left behind.

Aren't these little leprechaun pants adorable.


We did some yard work since it was a little bit warmer. Rhone loved the rocks!

We did a little shamrock stamping in the afternoon.

Made a rainbow by sorting and gluing marshmallows.


Corned Beef and Cabbage for dinner

Rhone got to stay up late and make a fruit rainbow...

...and run around the front yard like a wild man with his shamrock glow stick.

around here

I haven't been too great about blogging, but that doesn't mean that big things are happening around here. The first big news is that Rhone started "school". He goes once a week for 3 hours. I picked the program because it's more about open play and social interaction than letters, numbers, colors, ect. Social skills and learning how to be happy without his mom near by are the things I think Rhone really needs. The first day went OK. There were no tears at good bye because we had talked about that fact that mom couldn't stay at school. The second day was really really terrible, but by the 3rd day he wasn't crying as much and he even started participating in more of the activities. I am so happy that my little man is learning new skills, but a tiny bit sad to see him looking so grown up.

Speaking of growing up, we took the big plunge and started potty training. That's mostly why I haven't be blogging. Every minute was spent thinking about what I was doing right or wrong, or weather it was time for a potty break (potty training sure was an emotional roller coaster for me- I hated feeling like there were set backs). We quit diapers cold turkey, no pull ups-not even at night. We got out a trash bag in the morning and went on a hunt to find all the diapers and "throw them away". He's wore big boy underwear since then. It's been a little over 2 weeks and he is doing pretty good both day and night.

Ben has been working on training on the C-5M. It is the new upgraded model of his old plane. He's worked really really long days and logging some hours on his masters. I haven been busy worrying about making all these transitions with little Rhone go smoothly and putting together projects for my church calling and a few projects around the house.

Rhone walking into his first day at school.

Rhone heading into his classroom.

Onesies that I made
I made our little family into silhouettes
We celebrated mardi gras-well by celebrate I mean made masks and ate some southern food (no beads and booze here).

Eating our Cajun chicken and okra

After months of being stored in our friends garage (thanks Amy and Barrett!), we finally managed to get Ben's monster grill that he got for Christmas to our house. We did a trial run with Brats, but we can't wait to see what yummy things we can get off the cast iron grates and off the rotisserie.

Rhone was kind enough to plant and water this pot for me. He is such a sweet helper :)

what we love the most

Hands down the best part of Idaho is being with our family! I love being with our little family in Idaho too. It is so nice to just have time together and time to do the things we love. I know we don't look great in this photo, but it's just all of us together and truly happy. We couldn't want anything more.

My brother and me Rhone and Nan snuggling up to a movie Not a great picture but one with Granny Great. Rhone hamming it up with Grandma and Grandpa Ro-ro Spending quality time with Ace. Rhone and Olin supporting the Colts. Rhone and Olin are so much fun together Rhone loves following his cousin Kaleigh everywhere. He even had to have a doughnut just like hers. Papa and his boys Rhone and I flew back to DE on Valentine's Day. Rhone got a heart doughnut for his treat. We celebrated Valentines Day with Ben a little late. We enjoyed these YUMMY brownie covered oreos.

outdoor idaho

Even though it was especially cold while we were home, we still did our best to get outside. It really is one of our favorite things about Idaho. We did lots of chores and saw lots of animals. We shoveled and played in a little bit of snow. Most nights we went on a deer drive. Rhone loved spotting the deer and then looking through the binoculars for a better view.

Rhone helped Brock feed the cows, which happens to involve a tractor and cows, 2 of Rhone's favorites. He really likes Brock too.

Rhone was very serious about driving the back hoe

This little guy really likes snow.

Sledding with Papa

Feeding the horses their oats.

We got in 1 hunting trip before Ben left town. Ace and I are taking a break from the steep climb of the chukar hunt.
Papa was nice enough to carry Rhone for us. Even though is was around 20 degrees Rhone never complained about being cold. One chukar got up, that neither Ben nor I shot at and Rhone was yelling. "shoot bird, shoot". He really pays attention to what's going on. My dad thought it was especially funny.

Saying hi to a brand new calf.

Checking on the cows with Papa.


That is a LOT of free range chickens!

Rhone helped sort the eggs and put them into the carton. I think we only ended up with 1 or 2 broken ones.