I haven't blogged in so long i thought i woudl just update you with a little of what we have done this summer.

Hunter went on his first fishing trip with his dad and caught his first fish! He was so excited, but i think i was more excited for him. Hunter also took swimming lessons for two weeks in June. He did an awesome job and can't wait to do it again.

One of the most exciting things this summer was Taylore and Roberts wedding! I am so glad me and the boys were able to be there and help Tay and Robert celebrate their big day. During the reception we were able to get a photo of my dad and all his kids. I think this is the first picture taken with all of us! I have the best family.

We have had a great summer thus far and are super excited to spend the end of our summer in washington and oregon. We can't wait!!

Summer time is on it way and the Stevens family is EXCITED. We have been waiting for nice weather for a very long time. The last three days have been wonderful. Playing outside, going for walks, parks and digging in the dirt. We are off to a great start! Hunter and Holden have had a blast playing with the dogs in the yard and helping their mommy with some yard work while daddy is away for work. I have a feeling this is going to be a great summer.

Happy Birthday Holden!!!

It's so hard to believe that my little man is now 1. This past year has gone by so fast. Holden is doing great and is such a BOY. He climbs on everything and always has a mess for me to clean up. Holden is constantly trying to keep up with his big brother and is doing a pretty good job at it. The fighting has started and i have a feeling it's only going to get worse. Right now the fighting makes Jimmy and i giggle a little, but i can only imagine what the future will bring. I am so thankful for my little guys and can't wait to see what the next year has in store for us.

Valentines treats

These are the treats Hunter and I made for his valentines party at preschool. We had a great time and they were super easy to make. Holden made it a little harder for us to make these, because all he wanted to do was eat them. He's my good eater. HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!

Firemen

He'll make a great fireman someday

Fireman Hunter

Driving the BIG firetruck

Firemen

Last week Jimmy and i took the boys on a tour of the new fire station in town. They LOVED it!! Hunter was so in love with all the fire trucks. The trucks were the last thing to see on the tour, so getting him to listen before seeing the trucks was a little challenging, but we got through it and it was definitely worth the wait. His eyes just got so big as soon as we walked into the huge garage. All three of these guys bring a smile to my face and it's little things like this that i will remember forever. I love my boys!

It's so hard for me to keep up on our blog these days. We have been so busy and it seems like things are going to get even busier.

We are enjoying our winter here in Kalispell. We have had a few storms but nothing to bad. Hunter has loved playing in the snow, while Holden would much rather play in the nice warm house. We all had a wonderful Christmas, but wish we could have been closer to family. It has been nice starting our own family traditions.

At the beginning of January jimmy, the boys and i took a quick trip to Idaho. It was a great visit, but wish we could have spent a little more time there. Jimmy and i really miss Idaho and all our friends and we hope to be back to Idaho falls in a year or two.

Jimmy grandma, Frances Tift passed away on the 14Th of January so we will be taking a trip to Oregon on Monday. Frances is going to be greatly missed and i am so thankful that i have gotten to know her these last four years.

Holden is 9 months old

Hunter on his first day of School

I took the little guy to the doctor yesterday for his 9 month check up and everything went well. He weighs 23 pounds and is 29 1/2 inches long. Holden has been walking for about a month now and is trying is hardest to keep up with his big brother. For the most part Hunter enjoys being able to play with Holden now, but some days it's just so hard for him to share his toys. Holdens doctor informed me that we no long have to give him formula. He eats like a champ and is getting most of the nutrients he needs through his food. I am so excited that i don't have to buy formula anymore. This next month i am going to attempt to take away the bottle. Holden uses his sippy cup through out the day, but at nap and bed time he gets rocked to sleep with a bottle. Wish me luck!

Hunter started preschool at the end of November and is loving every minute of it. For the first month he is only going to be going for an hour Monday and Wednesdays, but after Christmas he will start going for two hours. It's so nice to have him in school and it gives Holden and i some time together, just the two of us. Shopping with just one kid is heaven.

Happy 3rd Birthday Hunter

It seems like yesterday that i was holding my small little boy for the first time. He was so little and so sick, we had know idea if he was going to make it or not. Hunter is now three years old and doing GREAT. On November 17th we celebrated Hunters 3rd birthday by having a little party at our house. His first "friends" party. He was so excited to invite some of his friends over. Hunter loves Mickey Mouse Playhouse so we decide that would be the theme. When all the kids arrived we ate pizza and then decorated Mickey Mouse cookies and made Mickey Mouse necklace/nametags. After we got beads and frosting everywhere the kids played a quick little game of find plutos bones and then it was present time. Hunter received a lot of great gifts from all his friends. All in all i think it was a great party and am glad we only have to do this twice a year.

Family pictures and more to come

My handsome little men

Hunter loved taking the pictures at a barn

We finally got our family pictures taken. Stefanie did an awesome job and i am very very pleased with the results. She will definitaly be our photographer while we are in the flathead valley. Thanks Stefanie!!

Hunter and Holden did an awesome job. It is so hard for us to get a picture of Hunter smileing. It took the boys a couple of minutes to warm up to Stefanie, but when they did it was lots of fun. It is so nice to have a picture with all of our family in the picture. Usually it's Jimmy and the boys or me and the boys or just the boys.

I LOVE MY FAMILY!

I will post a few more pictures soon.

Halloween 2009

Here is a picture of my cute little trick or treaters. Hunter was so excited about his costume and Holden wasn't a big fan of his. The boys had a great time!!!

Now that Halloween is over it's time to plan Hunters 3rd birthday. I can't believe my little boy is turning three. So many things go through my mind when Hunters birthday comes around. It brings me right back into the delivery room and not knowing if our little boy was going to make it or not. Over three months of living in the Ronald McDonald house ( a great charity to give to by the way). It was a long hard three plus months, but we all made it though and made some great friends along the way (The Campbell's). A big thanks goes out to all of you that helped us when we needed it the most. I love you Hunter!!

My little pumpkins

Before Jimmy left for two weeks in Washington we took the boys to the local pumpkin patch. We had so much fun!!! I was still a little under the weather so we didn't stay as long as we would have liked. Hunter could have spent all day and night there. Holden was just along for the ride, but he did enjoy eating all the sticks he could find.

Me and my super cute boys



Hunter, Jimmy and Holden

Feeding the chickens

My sweet little pumpkins

Great Times At Grandma Reens

Me and my cute cute nephew Ryker @ Grandma and Grandpas 60th wedding anniversary

I hope i can make it to 60 years

Holden, Hunter and Ryker playing in grandma Reens bath tub

Holden wanting so bad to get in the bath tub with the big boys

Our cute little family at grandma Reens in Fargo




Jimmy, me and the boys took a trip to ND and MN for my grandmas 80th birthday and my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary. We all had such a great time. Hunter and Holden had a blast playing with cousins and grandmas and grandpas and great aunties and uncles. It was so nice to see my family. I miss them so much. Jimmy was a tropper and drove the whole way there (32 hours total) and back. He was a great babysitter so me and my mom and sister could get things done for the party. Thanks hunny!! I can't wait to go back again, but i think next time we are going to try the train and see how that goes.

Do they look alike????

So i've been told that Hunter and Holden look so much alike and i've also been told that they don't look alike at all. Just wondering what you all think. I think they look alike, but only a little. They both have the same Holden family ears and for some odd reason they both have blonde hair. I hoping it will darken up soon. I must say i have some pretty handsome little guys.

Holdens 6 months check up

Holden went into the dr. for his six month check up today and is doing wonderful. He has gained about three pounds and has grown 2 inches since his four month check up. He is by far our BIG baby, but i'm sure he's just normal to most people. I can't wait for the next six months with this little man. Holden has also start to crawl a little so now the baby gates must go up and everything must come off the floor.

Playing around

I was looking at Echos blog and she mentioned picnik to edit your photos. I love it. I'm not sure how to use everything yet, but i have a feeling this is going to be so much fun.

Salsa

This is the beginning of our first salsa canning experience.


Jimmy did and awesome job helping chop all the ingredients.



All the tomatos and oninons were fresh from our garden.




This is right before we started to cook the salsa. It's so yummy just to eat it this way.

Our finished product. We thought it was pretty good for our first try. I think next time we'll change the recipe up a little and make it a little spicier.

Holden is 6 months old today.

A few new pictures

Hunter and I waiting on line for the carousel.


Seaside Oregon



Hunter stopped watching the kites for a second so i could get a picture.

Holden and Hunter in a canoe at Cataldo Mission


Jimmy and Hunter outside of the Cataldo Mission Church.

Cataldo Mission

It's been so long..........i never seem to up date as much as i should. Jimmy, Hunter, Holden and i had a great summer. We just got home last week from a two week work/vacation trip to Oregon and Washington. We had so much fun. Hunter loves going to see his great grandparents and getting to roam free at their house. Holden was a joy on the trip. He is such a happy baby. I love it!! Hunter got pneumonia the last three days of our trip and Holden and i both returned home with colds. All is good now, but its never any fun when the kiddos are sick. We are now trying to get our life back on track. Summer is coming down to an end and our fall schedule is nearing. I hope everyone enjoyed their summer.