Abby's Luau Party

Abby turned 7 years old on Saturday.  Guys I have a 7 year old!!!

We celebrated by inviting a few of her friends from school to a Luau Party.

The invitations!

To be honest I was REALLY nervous about having a "friend" party.

I wasn't sure if they would like what I had planned and I'm not sure I could handle that!

And I definitely wasn't sure how I could take a bunch of giggly girls running wild throughout my house.

So I hired my mom and sister to come help, said a couple of prayers, and took some deep breaths.

When all was said and done, the party went better than I had expected.

With 10 seven year old's and one little sister, I just didn't know what to expect!

Here's how the party went down!

The main focus of the party was hula dancing.

I had a hired a professional (ha ha!) hula dancer to come teach the girls a few moves!

So to prepare for their hula lesson the girls needed to get dressed up for the occasion.

I started the party by having each girl make their our lei.

Then I gave each girl a grass skirt and turned the time over to the Hula instructor.

The girls ate it up!

I mean who can resist dancing to beautiful Hawaiian music.

The girls really took it quite seriously!

All the beautiful Hula girls.

After the hula lesson it was time for treats and presents.

Abby's birthday festivities carried over for two days so the two cakes were for the "family" party the next day.

There were cupcakes, flip flop cookies, and "Tahitian" coconut bread.

Singing to the Birthday Girl!

I LOVED eavesdropping on their sweet seven year old conversation.

The girls got along so well!

Time for presents.

It seriously lasted like two minutes.  I blinked and I missed half the presents!

After the presents were opened (I had definitely planned on it lasting a little longer) it was time for some games.

We started out with the Limbo. 

I was surprised at how many of the girls new about limbo.  I thought for sure it was going to be a new game for them.

After the limbo we played "pass the coconut".

The "Hawaiian" version of hot potato.

It's funny how much fun little girls can have with just a coconut and some Hawaiian music.

Abby had really wanted to do a Pinata, so after the games I had planned to do one.

I had bought a cute Hula girl one (it's the one on the dessert table) and everything.

Unfortunately, it rained all morning long so I decided not to do it (I didn't think it would make a great inside activity!).

However, it cleared up during the party so after the games the girls were able to run outside and play for a few minutes until their mom's came to pick them up.  Perfect Timing!

In the end, there was no complaints about being bored and Abby was smiling from ear to ear.

I'll take that as a sign that Abby and I had planned a pretty good party.

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl.  

I hope the party was every bit as fun as you had hoped!

29 years old! Yikes!

I turned 29 years old on my birthday this year!

Next year is 30!!!  Gasp!

I'm really not that old, am I?

What I wanted to do this year to celebrate was to spend the night at the cabin.

Mark is always so good to do whatever I want... mostly!

.....I would have loved to have driven to Portland and celebrated with you Lizzy!

But since Portland was a no go, the Cabin was the next best thing.

I'll take it!

We left after church on Sunday.

It was pretty cold and rainy.  Typical Labor Day weekend weather, am I right?

This was the temperature at about 2:00 that day!  Brrrr!

Once we arrived Mark started a fire and it soon was nice and cozy inside the cabin!

I'm starting to really love the warmth of a wood burning stove!

I was prepared for the chilly weather and knew we would be spending most of our time indoors.

But that didn't stop us from having fun.

I packed plenty of movies, games, warm clothes, and MY all time favorite cabin treats and snacks.

I literally packed probably a weeks worth of snacks, and we didn't even get to most of them.

The kids pulled out all of my dad's old toys that are stored up there and had a hay day with them.

There is also an old school desk upstairs and the girls played school for quite awhile.

They got tired of Sam "interrupting class" so this is how they took care of the problem!

Threw a bunch of toys at him and blocked the stairs.  Aww, poor Sammy!

We also taught the girls how to play Chicken Foot.  A family favorite!

A shameless selfie with my handsome little guy!

And watched a movie or two!

It was pretty much a perfect night!

I loved everything about it!

I loved hearing the crackling of the fire.

I loved snuggling under my blanket watching some classic kid movies.

I loved hearing the rain beating against the tin roof.

I loved being surrounded by my most favorite people in one of my most favorite places!

I loved recreating these happy memories of my childhood with my little family.

I loved.... I just loved being at the cabin!

When we woke up the next day it was sunny and beautiful.

We decided to take a walk down to the river.

What is it with kids and water!  They just HAVE to throw stuff in it!

We enjoyed the next few hours and headed back home after lunch.

Like with everything else the time went by way too fast.

I am grateful for the time we did get to spend there.

It made for a fabulous birthday!

1st Day of School

I was in complete denial about school starting.  And definitely not willing to admit that summer was ending.

I tend to believe once school starts the snow flies and I'm totally not ready for winter!

I just love our summers!

They're flexible and warm and we have the freedom to do whatever we want when we want - ish!

We have had a pretty wet and cool summer this year, which was kind of disappointing.

But hey, my grass was REALLY green and my garden was a huge success!

Inevitably, despite my objections,  the new school year began.

Hannah in Kindergarten.  Abby in 1st Grade.

It's just me, Lucy, and Sam at home in the mornings.

It's kind of weird!  And I'm not gonna lie, just a little bit nice!

The girls love school so far.

Here's to hoping their love continues for the next 12 years!

We made happy face pancakes for breakfast their first day.

A sure sign its going to be a great year!

1st day of School!  Yipee!  At least they were excited!

I got these pictures when I picked the girls up from school.  

And at the end of the day this little guy was so happy to see his sistersl.

Grandpa Sheep

Like I mentioned in my last post my Grandpa passed away a few weeks ago.

He had been fighting cancer for over two years and it finally got the better of him.

It was hard to see him go, but it's comforting to know he's not suffering anymore!

Times like this makes me really appreciate the Gospel and the knowledge I have of eternal families!

I dedicate this post you Grandpa!

Here are a few things I want to remember about my Grandpa Blanchard.
The "Fonz" had some serious competition with this handsome fella!

Grandpa was born in the same house (and even bedroom) he died in.  Not too many people can say that!
Besides a few years for a mission and a couple of summers for school he lived right here on this little piece of heaven!

 After his mission he met and married my grandma.
My grandma was quite the hottie, wasn't she?

They had five kids, one of them being my mom.

While my mom was young, Grandpa tried his hand in farming and raised pigs, cows, chickens, and sheep.
He was partial to the sheep and eventually stuck with them. Which is why my kids call him Grandpa Sheep.
I remember many summers helping out with the sheep.  I always looked forward to the days we could help.
Grandpa always made us feel so important when he gave each of us a shepherds crook and a job.
I'm sure it would have been a lot easier without us,
but he always made us feel like he couldn't have gotten the job done if we hadn't of been there to help.

Besides farming, Grandpa was a teacher and eventually became a principal.
I love that Mark has that in common with him.

I got to live with my grandma and grandpa for a few months after I was born.
My grandpa was even the one that blessed me at church as baby.
I obviously don't remember that time but I have always felt a special connection with them.

I spent a lot of time at Grandpa and Grandma's house.
Their house was a sacred place to me and I would often use it as an escape from school and life back home.
I felt safe and protected while I was there and I didn't want anyone to know about it.
Just ask Mark!

Family was the most important thing for Grandpa.
He worked so hard to provide and create special memories for all of us.
One thing he did every summer was take us to Lagoon in Utah.
He'd insist on going and paying for us- despite our protests, and yet never rode a single ride.
His joy was watching us kids having fun on all the rides.  He would honestly do anything for his family. 
This picture was taken one summer there.

My grandpa also LOVED picnics.

There was always a picnic waiting for us once the work was done, 

and even when there wasn't any work to do.

Heck, we went on picnics just for the sake of having a picnic.

He had his favorite spots and he would find any excuse for a picnic.

The day of Grandpa's funeral was perfect.  Tough, but perfect!

As I listened to my mom and uncle talk about him and his life I felt so proud to be a part of his family.

He was such an amazing person and a great example.

Grandpa was selfless, honest, giving, hardworking, loyal, loving, supportive and kind.

There were a lot of tears shed that day.  We pretty much bawled like babies through our musical number.

But it was evidence to me of how important and special grandpa was to each member of his family.

Grandpa, you should be proud of what you have accomplished on this earth.

I hope we can honor your life and your example, so that you can have as much pride in us as we have of you!

Thank you for your listening ear, your kind words, your wisdom, and your love!

You will be missed, Grandpa!

Until we meet again....

Blanchard Family Reunion 2014

Our Annual Blanchard Family Reunion was scheduled for Sat. Aug 2nd.

So the day after we got back from California family started arriving.

Over the next few days we spent the time having fun and creating memories together.

One afternoon we spent at the Splash Park in Rexburg.

Carousel Rides and Water = A little kiddies heaven!

I got stuck watching the two littles splashing so I don't have any pictures of Abby and Hannah.  

But trust me they had just as much fun slipping and sliding as anyone! 

Sam was a maniac and absolutely LOVED the water!

The actual day of the reunion was spent at Grandma and Grandpas's house.

We have so many fond memories of Grandpa and Grandma's house, so it was the perfect location.

The whole day was dedicated to doing the things we have come to LOVE about Grandpa and Grandma's.

Grandpa rented the little train for the kids.  They loved it!

My Grandparents flood irrigate part of their lawn.  

Growing up we always loved playing in the gigantic puddles that accumulated on irrigation days.

I LOVED seeing the next generation enjoying some of the same things we did as little kids.

We also floated the river, swam in the river, went target shooting and paintballing.

The day went entirely too fast for my liking!

That night we roasted smore's!  Gotta have s'mores

 We ate lots, laughed much, and bonded more than ever!

It was so great to be ALL together as a family.

Happy Family Reunion Blanchard Bunch

Dear Grandpa and Grandma,

            I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to grow up near you.  And because we lived so close you both have been a big part of my life. I loved it that way.  I guess I've just always felt this special connection with you!  You've got to admit we've spent a lot of time together over the years.  If it wasn't driving with you to Canada to see Minnie Moo, it was sleeping over at your house to escape for the weekend.  There were project days, and work days, and cleaning days, and sewing days, and other days I came just to relax.  Thank you for always letting me spend that time with you.  I always felt welcomed and safe and loved.  Your home is filled with happy memories that I will cherish forever and I love that those memories are being shared with the next generation of grandkids.  Thank you for making it such a special place for me.  Thank you for always being there.  And thank you for being the wonderful people you are!  I love you and am truly honored to be part of your family!

                

                                                                        Yours forever,

                                                                              Widdy Woo

*My Grandpa passed away a few weeks after our reunion, so I'm feeling a bit sentimental these days! :) Can you tell?

California - Cousin Time!

The rest of our time in California was spent hanging out with the cousins!
Rachel and Mike's families arrived the day after we got back from Fort Bragg!

And Liz's family came in the day after that!

There were kids everywhere! 14 kids 8 and under to be exact!

It was fabulous!

The cousins hit it off immediately, and there was plenty of things to do and memories to be made!
They had the opportunity to "work" with Grandpa!

As well as learn from Grandpa!
Grandpa is one of the smartest people I know.
I so am grateful that he takes time to share his knowledge with his grandkids!

There was lots of playing with the handsome guy!

And cuddling with this little cutie!

Notice the gloves?  Abby would only hold it (which is huge in and of itself) if she had the gloves on!

There was also A LOT of fresh fruits and vegetables to eat! 

Store peaches have nothing on grandpa's peaches!

These girls got caught "red-handed" in the berry bushes more then once!

And plenty of time to just play with each other!

And look cute!

Grandpa and Grandma's house in California is one of my ALL TIME favorite places to be.

I cherish the time we spend there and hold the memories near and dear to my heart.

Not to mention the love I have for the people we get to see.  Sappy I know, but absolutely true!!!

I am truly grateful for EVERY opportunity me and my kids get to visit.

I literally start planning our next visit before we have even gotten home from the last one. 

Thank you Grandpa and Grandma for making it such a special place for us!

We left a few days after everyone arrived....which was seriously one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.

But we had to, and I got over it.  Kind of.

Anyways, remember the little pop at the beginning of our trip.

Well, just outside of Rigby (so close to home) we heard another pop!

And found this! 

I was extra grateful Mark was with me again....and that it happened while he was driving!