Spring Is Here!!!

Corbin, Piper & JoAnna selling goodies at our huge garage sale we had last Saturday. The kids had a lot of fun and they were pretty excited about the money they made.
The kids and I went on a hike up Mink Creek last Sunday after church. Scott was gone on his road bike trip to Arizona and it was such a beautiful day that I had do something fun outside with my fam.
My mom, Linda, came with us. I was surprised at the amount of snow still left on the trail. It felt good to be outside. The trees were almost ready to bloom with leaves.
Jo, Stetson and Gram. I took my pack for Stetson, but he ended up walking almost the entire time. He loved it! He's my natural little hiker.
Houston, Stetson, Travis & JoAnna
EASTER SUNDAY! Scott & Rae
Easter Morning: Travis & HoustonStetson & JoAnna
Travis, Houston,Stetson & Jo Stetson loved his new bunny
Aunt Trish & Houston are best buddies
Stetson loved hunting for Easter eggs.
Our kids are growing up too fast! Travis, Riley, Alyssa
Houston
JoAnna is always so happy!
All the Briscoe cousins had a great time together looking for eggs.
Everyone Pile on top of Brandon, Trisha and Grandpa Terry!
Coloring Easter Eggs!
Houston & JoAnna
Travis
A week before Easter, Houston was riding his motorcycle with his full-face helmet on. His foot peg dug into the grass and he slammed down so hard that some how his tooth was shoved strait up into his gum. There was blood allover and we thought that his tooth had been busted out. Poor guy! The dentist thought that his tooth would come down on its own, but it hasn't, so he has to go into the orthodontist this week to see what needs to be done. He's had such a positive attitude about it all. He just keeps on smiling!
All 5 of the Phippen kids were able to spend a couple days with us while Lori and JD got to spend some R&R time together. Here we all are doing a craft. The kids had a BLAST being together. 9 kids can be a little crazy at times, but it was all worth it! I love these kids!
Ashlynn & Stetson loved to color.
Here's a rare moment when Stetson is not running from Ashlynn. (smile.)
JoAnna & Britton
These are my SPECIAL nephews and niece: Britton, Alyssa & Daxon
Dax, Hou - dog, Riley & Travis
Lets Cook! On this particular Saturday it was yucky weather and the kids were bored to death. So - we decided to have a cooking contest. I got out all the different ingredients and let them create whatever they wanted.
They had a BLAST! I was amazed at their awesome cooking skills. Everything they made turned out pretty darn good. I have a feeling I some future chefs on my hands!

Bear Lake Feb. 2010

Shawna & Shannon invited Scott and I and our kids up to Bear Lake for a fun weekend. Shannon's parents have a home that overlooks the lake and it is beautiful. We had such a fun time.
We would ride the sleds down the road (about 300 yds. or so) from the cabin. It was a long way down and we would go so fast. It was a blast! Here's a pic of Scott and Stetson. Scott is trying really hard not to crash into a snowbank. Stets thought it was way fun!
JoAnna
Hunter
Corbin & Jo
Shawna
At the bottom we would pile into the truck and ride back up to the top. Getting a ride was much better than hiking forever back up to the cabin.
Houston
Travis
Scott & JoAnna
Shawna & I went snowshoeing through the mountains. It was the first time I tried snowshoes. I really liked it. Plus we felt good about burning some calories from all the chocolate chip cookies we had been eating. ha ha
Here are all the kids with the super fast torpedo sleds we raced down the mountain. We felt like we were in the Olympics doing the SKELETON.

Island Park!

We spent the week after Christmas in Island Park. We rented a cabin in the Shotgun area. We ate a lot of good food, played in the snow, played games, rode snowmachines, and had fun together. My cousin Shawna and Shannon and their kids, My Aunt Barb and My parents came up for a few days too. It was a blast to have them there. The kids really had a good time. This has become one of my kids favorite traditions that we do every Winter. Houston, Stetson, Me, Travis and JoAnna.

JoAnna - after getting white washed by her brothers. She loved it. ha ha.

The boys got a snow board from their Grandpa Terry. They loved trying them out while we were in Island Park. I think they are pretty handsome boys!

Houston!

Trav and Houston wanted me to get a pic of them jumping. But as you can see, they are mainly crashing! It was great.

Travis!

Travis, JoAnna, Stetson, Houston and Scott

Stetson loved being outside in the snow. The cold didn't bother him at all. His favorite was going on the snowmachine with Scott. He fits into our family perfectly. In this pic he's yelling at his brothers as they go down the hill. He thought it was great.

Houston, Scott and Stetson going down the hill on the sleigh.

JoAnna's 6th Birthday!

Trisha spoiled JoAnna and Piper at her salon. I think going here was Jo's favorite birthday gift.

JoAnna had a big smile on the whole time we were there. Every now and then the girls would burst out clapping out of pure joy. It was soooo cute!

The girls got full pedicures, their nails painted and their hair done up in curles and glitter. Every girls dream.

JoAnna and Piper had such a great time. Trish gave them each cookie, cocktail and gift cups filled with cute socks, files and lip gloss. Aren't the beautiful!

We celebrated JoAnn's birthday while we were in Island Park. We made a princess sprinkle cake and had a great time. I can't believe she's 6!

Christmas Time!

My parents gave JoAnna a new doll that she just loves. Maybe she'll leave Stetson alone for a while (you'll understand when you reach the bottom of this post.) It was a wonderful Christmas.

These are the creations that the big boys built. Houston's is a Lava Roller Coaster and Trav's is a Douple Farris Wheel. They are sooo cool!

Stetson got this Rocking horse, which I knew he would just LOVE. But no - he was scared to death of it and wouldn't go near it for a week. Houston and Jo finally got him to sit on it, but not for too long.

The boys also got a new KNEX building set that they were pretty excited about. They mainly like building it with their Dad. And I think Scott likes building it with them just as much or more.

Stetson loved it all. He was so much fun this year. He just went from one thing to the next as fast as he could. His favorite things are his books and hot wheel cars.

Christmas morning was wonderful. My parents came over at 6:00 a.m. to open gifts with us. My kids were so excited to see what Santa brought them. Trav and Houston each got a rip stick and JoAnna got a beautiful Christmas dress and craft stuff.

After the big family party, we came home and all the kids got to open their Christmas PJs. This is also the time we read about the birth of Baby Jesus out of the Scriptures. It is so important to me for my children to know and understand the true reason we have Christmas. We are truly blessed.

Christmas Eve is always one of my favorite things about Christmas. We went to Jeremy and Lacey's house for a yummy dinner, program and gifts. It's always a little crazy with 20 kids, but most of all a lot of fun. Jana made each kid a t-shirt with the number of grandchild they are. It was such a cute idea. It wasn't so easy getting them all sat down for a picture (I think I got them all.)

A couple days before Christmas, my Mom and I got together and baked goodies for some friends and neighbors. We always end up doing more than we should and it tunred into a marithon!!! My kitchen was a dissaster and we were exhausted, BUT - we had fun and it helped us get into the Christmas Spirit.

JoAnna loves to dress-up Stetson. He is her own play doll. At least he's a good sport about it (most of the time. ha ha)