Grandma and Grandpa's 50th Anniversary Party

So my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary isn't until October... but since my uncle and cousins are visiting from Alaska, we decided to have a surprise party for them today. They were so surprised! I made them a video slideshow dvd with pictures throughout their life. They loved it and it was a lot of fun to make... to go through all of the old photos and think back on the great relationship we have. They have created such a beautiful family and I hope to be able to have beautiful children and grandchildren like they do.

Me with Grandma and Grandpa... with the beautiful mountains in the background

Me and my sister Jennifer. She's due in 3 weeks! So excited to have another nephew!

The beautiful cake that my mom had made. I think it turned out perfect! And it was delicious!

Cutting the cake

Cutting the cake at their wedding back in 1962. This is one of my favorite pictures from their wedding.

My Uncle Bob and my cousins from Alaska

My mom and her entire family: Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Bob and Uncle Bret

Trip to Disneyland 2011

Austin and I went to southern California for a week over Christmas break last December. We had such a good time! Our main purpose for going was to go to Disneyland. They say it's "The Happiest Place on Earth"... but it REALLY is the happiest place on earth!! I would go with my family when we were growing up and it's something that I plan on doing with my own children. We also went to Universal Studios and the Los Angeles temple, which was beautiful. It was such a fun trip and I can't wait to go next year!

We also went to a dinner show called Medieval Times. It was a lot of fun! They had knights that jousted on horses. And you had to eat your food with your hands. Plus we got these awesome hats! Haha! We gave them to the nephews when we got home and they were super excited.

New Years Eve we decided to go to the temple. It was probably the prettiest temple that I have been in. So glad that we were able to go.

Austin with Lucy from "I Love Lucy" at Universal Studios

Waiting in line at Disneyland for the Indiana Jones ride. That's my "scared" face. Haha!

Eeyore! I'm such a kid. I get so excited to get my picture taken with the characters.

Tigger... he's my favorite

Standing in front of one of our favorite rides, Splash Mountain!

Alice in Wonderland

And of course, we had to get a picture with Mater. Tried to convince the nephews when we got home that they were real. Clayten didn't believe me but Lane was 100% convinced that we had met the REAL mater.

My Birthday Party

Last month Austin threw me a surprise birthday party at our house. Well, it was kind of a surprise... I knew he was up to something! It was really nice though. Both of our families were there. This is the first birthday I have spent with my entire family in the last four years. It was a great time!

Austin had an awesome owl cake made for me! Owls are my favorite!

Singing happy birthday

Our adorable nephew Levi enjoying his cake and ice cream

My grandma and niece Korra. She was wearing a special dress for my birthday. Such a cutie!

Austin's sister Moriah, her husband Jared, and my Uncle Bret enjoying some good food!

Just love this guy! He spoiled me with such a good party.

Our nephews Clayten and Lane dressed up in Austin's camo hoodies. Too cute!

Austin's sister Clarisse and my sister Jennifer

Everyone hanging out and having a good time

Jared holding Ramsey (Clarisse's son) and his son Ross

Austin's sister Chelsea watching Levi and Lane play

Hiking up St. Mary's Peak

Today Austin went hiking with a good friend of his up St. Mary's Peak. He took the dogs with him and he said they had a great time. St. Mary's is the second highest peak in the Bitterroot Valley. The trailhead is about a 20 minute drive from our house.

The dogs playing in the horse trough. They love the water!

Austin with Max at the top of the mountain

With Max and Abby at the top of the mountain

The view of the valley from the top of the mountain

Huckleberries!!!Austin was so excited and ate tons on the way down.

Hiking with Grandpa up Sweeney's Ridge

Grandpa, Uncle Bob (who is visiting from Alaska) and me all went hiking today up Sweeney's Ridge, which is about ten minutes from our house. It was a beautiful day today and you could see the entire valley once we were on top of the ridge. We saw a chipmunk and lots of beautiful flowers. It was great to get to spend some time out in nature and with family.

Me and Grandpa :)

This was taken at the first checkpoint along the trail. Such a beautiful view!



A view looking to the west, about 2 1/2 mile back in

Sapphire Club Quilt Show

A couple of days ago Tina's (Austin's mom) quilt club had a quilt show at the Stevensville high school. They each displayed different quilts and projects that they had made. And there were vendors, which was great because I was able to find some cute fabric for future projects. So here are some pictures of me and Austin with his mom. The projects in the background are all things that she has made. 

 She is such a talented sewer and quilter! One of my favorites is the rainbow colored piece. I have a tablecloth that she made me that is like that one to the left of her.

I love the placemats that she makes too! She makes them out of fun food fabrics! We have several that she had made for us. It was nice to see everything that she had on display and has worked so hard on.

Hiking up Kootenai Creek

Austin and I went hiking with Clarisse, Josh and Ramsey for her birthday. It was our first hike of the summer and it was a lot of fun. The dogs had an especially good time playing in the water. We were all pretty tired once we were finished. And sore the next day! But it was a good time. It's nice to get out and enjoy nature.

Fourth of July

This year we had a huge fourth of July party at our house with all of our extended family. For the past four years we have lived in Alaska, so we've missed out on spending the fourth of July with our families. So we wanted to make sure it was the best this year! We had a barbeque with tons of food, which is always great. And then we played games together until it was dark enough to light off fireworks. And then we lit up the sky! Austin was so excited! We couldn't light off fireworks in Alaska because it is light all day everyday in the summer. So he was overdue for lighting off some fireworks! It was a great time!

Austin with our four year old nephew Lane, just before we started lighting off fireworks.

Me and Austin's sister Clarisse. She and my sister went through school together and are still good friends. And now I married her brother, so now we are sisters!

Austin's mom and dad.

Me with my grandma. I call her my "second mother" because we have such a close relationship. She and my grandpa and uncle live right down the road so we get to see them a lot, which is great.

Austin's sister Chelsea, her husband John and our nephew Levi. He's almost two and is such a cutie! The fireworks scared him at first but them he really started to like them.

Fun times in Louisiana

In April we were able to go to Lafayette Louisiana for a training class for Austin's work. On his off days we took in some of the local sites and attractions. We went on a swamp tour, which was an awesome! I love nature but the nature down there is a whole lot different than what we know in montana. But it was still amazing! I even got to see an owl in the swamp. I love owls, by the way :)

 Austin acting goofy in the gift shop after our swamp tour. He always makes me laugh :)

Dill pickle potato chips!! I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I love pickles... and you put that on a potato chip = divine!

We also went to the tabasco factory. I got to try some jalapeno ice cream... which doesn't sound that appetizing but it was quite delicious. It was fun to see how they make the sauce.

Me goofing around in the swamp tour gift shop. Austin and I are one in the same. We love to have fun together.

This is the airboat that we took on our swamp tour. It was very fast and could go over anything! Land or water! It's the only way to travel in the swamp. Overall the trip was a lot of fun. Plus Austin and I got to take time away from our busy schedules and spend some quality time together.

Us in front of the Baton Rouge temple. So glad we were able to go!