BatesBabble

Jeanne & Dick's wedding 8/16/09

2009-08-29T11:14:00.000-07:00

Trish, Colleen and Ken.

Yummy cake and cupcakes.
It was almost painful to eat them because they were so pretty.

Carrie LOVED Emily. Tried to get her to come home to CA with her because "I live next to Disneyland". Emily wasn't buying any of it!! :)

Lovely girl with lovely flowers.

Tim wrote a beautiful song for Jeanne and Dick.

Jeanne & Dick's wedding 8/16/09

2009-08-29T11:09:00.001-07:00

Melissa and Carrie having fun!
Carrie is so full of energy and enthusiasm, it is hard not to smile around her!!

Hannah and Olivia helped with the guest sign in.

Dick and Jeanne Leathers! Beautiful couple.

Colleen, maid of honor, and Phillip, ring bearer (well really carrier of birdsnest with rings!).

Mother and son. Jeanne looked gorgeous!!!

Camping Redfish Lake July 2009

2009-07-31T16:33:00.000-07:00

We were invited to go camping with our friends, the Bostons, at Redfish Lake.
This would be our VERT FIRST FAMILY camping trip!!
As you can see, the minute we got there, our kids became fish.
We had a wonderful time and can't wait for our next camping adventure.

Our kiddos at Little Redfish Lake.

It doesn't get much cuter than this!! :)

Enjoying God's creation!

Mom: "Emily, just go in the water up to the bottom of your shorts."
Emily: "Okay mom. This is fun." throws sticks over and over into the water
Mom, shaking head: "Apparently her definition of bottom and mine are NOT the same!"

Camping Redfish Lake July 2009

2009-07-31T16:30:00.000-07:00

Wading in the water of the little lake.

The boys thought it was fun to throw water from a bucket at each other.

Can't really play catch with water though.

Aaron.

Camping Redfish Lake July 2009

2009-07-31T16:28:00.000-07:00

Pam.

The little girls playing in the sand at the big lake.

Bathing beauties. Glad they are such good friends.

No he doesn't wear the hat to bed.

Camping Redfish Lake July 2009

2009-07-31T16:25:00.000-07:00

The boys making their sand cave on the beach at Redfish Lake.

Jordan splitting logs for the campfire. Nice job!!

Marshmallow perfection.

Toasted to perfection!!

Where is Allison?

Camping Redfish Lake July 2009

2009-07-31T16:23:00.000-07:00

Precious girl!

Bring on the adventure!!

Hot chocolate with marshmallows every morning. Yumm!!

Waking up and deciding what to do today.

Friends enjoying each other and the beautiful view.

Camping Redfish Lake July 2009

2009-07-31T16:20:00.000-07:00

Zachary taught Phillip how to play cribbage. They played A LOT.

Mr. Boston cooking our 18 eggs for breakfast. We were feeding 12 people.

Nothing like a cup of joe in the morning.

Digging......again.

For some reason the kids liked to hang out in the tent trailer a lot.
Guess they could only take so much fresh air.

Camping Redfish Lake July 2009

2009-07-31T16:17:00.000-07:00

The tent trailer from our private trail to the beach.

Mr. Boston and Emily pondering.

Emily found a bird's eggshell.
However, it didn't survive for long and is now dust in the wind.

Phillip showing off at the fish hatchery.

Somehow throwing sand into the water became a favorite pastime.
Phillip good pretty good at skipping rocks too.

Camping Redfish Lake July 2009

2009-07-31T16:13:00.000-07:00

Emily in all her cuteness!

Ken admiring the lake.

Phillip and Zachary enjoyed making ponds with their buckets.

All the kiddos loved being in the water.

One of my new all time favorite photos. It doesn't get much sweeter than this for me!

Camping Redfish Lake July 2009

2009-07-31T16:10:00.000-07:00

Pam and Olivia enjoying the campfire and of course, s'mores.

Two friends running on a log.

Who knew Junior birdman went camping??

Chipmunk?

Sweethearts......tired, but enjoying themselves.

Camping Redfish Lake July 2009

2009-07-31T14:31:00.000-07:00

Little Redfish Lake at night with the moon reflecting off the water.

Life was so hard in the wilderness camping. There was nothing spectacular to look at!

Majestic!!

One of our camping sites. The girls got the tent trailer while the guys did the tent thing.

Yummy pancakes for breakfast!!

Camping Redfish Lake July 2009

2009-07-31T14:27:00.000-07:00

This is how Emily spent the weekend if not in the water. She was a digging fool!!!

Ashley & Natalie tried for a while to get this right and here is their final outcome. Olivia is cheering them on!

Emily's state most of the trip....dirt from head to toe!

Can you believe we had to look at this ALL weekend??

Washer, rinser, drier.......we were a cleaning machine.

Thanks so much to the Bostons for a truly wonderful time!!!

FCBC Family Camp June 26-28, 2009 Cascade, ID

2009-07-03T11:37:00.000-07:00

This little guy came and visited us Sunday morning outside our cabin window. He actually posed for quite a few photos!

Heading down to breakfast.

Skipping down the hill. Look at the air she's got!

All 111 of us after breakfast. What a weekend it was!!

FCBC Family Camp June 26-28, 2009 Cascade, ID

2009-07-03T11:29:00.000-07:00

Our youth group, Thirst, was asked to teach the kids on Saturday night. We threw a parade to emphasize worshiping Jesus. Ashley was an Olympic Athlete and Olivia was Darth Vader.

Mom was the MC.

More zip line fun.

They just couldn't get enough of it!!

We had s'mores both nights.....yummmm.....

FCBC Family Camp June 26-28, 2009 Cascade, ID

2009-07-03T11:25:00.000-07:00

More of Phillip on the zip line.

Mom had this crazy idea that she could paddle the canoe with Ashley while Olivia, Emily and our friend Emily H. could ride along. So NOT a good idea. Next year Dad is helping paddle. We got completely turned around and almost got stuck in a shallow part of the river. Emily did NOT like the "boat" at all. Hopefully next time will go smoother.

Ken and Emily taken by Phillip.

FCBC Family Camp June 26-28, 2009 Cascade, ID

2009-07-03T11:19:00.000-07:00

There was a zip line for the kids that was constantly busy! Phillip loved it!!

Emily loved the zip line too!!

Olivia enjoyed the zip line, but had to be careful not to drag her feet.

Zippeeee!!!

Flying by!

FCBC Family Camp June 26-28, 2009 Cascade, ID

2009-07-03T11:09:00.000-07:00

Phillip and Ryan doing some youth team building.

The kids had a chance to do a rope swing as a team builder.

Olivia on the rope swing.

After the kids did the rope swing, they let the adults come up and do it as well. It was a race to see if the adults could beat the kids time. However, some of the rules were changed,
unbeknownst to the adults. The kids won!

The group of boys managed to find sticks everywhere they went!

FCBC Family Camp June 26-28, 2009 Cascade, ID

2009-07-03T10:23:00.001-07:00

Olivia and Carolyn doing some youth team building. They were strapped together with 2 ropes and had to figure out how to get apart. The solution was really to cheat, but they didn't figure that out!

This was the cabin we stayed in....Bogus Basin. It was nice. We had our own bathroom and 2 sets of bunkbeds plus a queen bed. Pretty cozy setup.

The "girls" always had their own table at meals. It was nice they got to hang out so much.

Phillip showing off one of the views from camp.

Miss Emily hiking up the trail towards the main building.

Still more photos from family camp........

FCBC Family Camp June 26-28, 2009 Cascade, ID

2009-07-03T09:57:00.000-07:00

This was from the first night campfire. Phillip and his friend David got a stick burning pretty good and Ken captured the sparks flying off when Phillip blew on it! Cool!

Emily LOVED the campfire. She was cold so she took off her sweatshirt to stand closer to the fire. She enjoyed roasting marshmallows, not to eat them, but just to roast them.

Emily enjoying her roasted marshmallows. I think she roasted about a dozen and ate 2.

I guess Phillip likes his a little burnt? :)

Olivia, me and Ashley waiting for the singing to begin around the campfire.

Olivia 5th grader

2009-05-23T20:21:00.000-07:00

Here is Olivia around 3 or 4 years old. Hard to believe she is now 11 1/2 and about to finish elementary school and move on to middle school/junior high! On June 3rd, she will graduate from elementary school with a formal ceremony. It will be a proud day as a parent. She has grown into a beautiful young woman who we are very proud of. She has a compassionate heart, a quick wit and a clever mind. Try not to grow up too fast please. We love you Olivia Jane!!

Our beautiful girls growing up so fast! This is one of my new all time favorite photos!

Emilyism

2009-02-18T20:41:00.000-08:00

Today for our dinner, I served Emily some applesauce. Up until a few months ago, she seemed to enjoy applesauce and ate every bite. Somehow her palate has changed and she really doesn't like it anymore. She asked me if she could be done with her applesauce and I told her to take some more bites. After a few seconds of silence this is what she says..."Mom, I'm allergic to applesauce". Of course I tell her she certainly is NOT allergic to it and she needs to eat it now. Ashley then puts her two cents in by telling me that actually that was a pretty smart strategy. Thanks for encouraging your sister Ashley!

My baby is almost 5!!

2009-02-01T11:56:00.000-08:00

This was her birth announcement photo.

We call her our little ladybug so naturally she had to have a ladybug blanket.

Here she is right after they pulled her out!

Life is so bright, she's gotta wear shades.

In her bed sleeping with the pillow of her siblings handprints.

My littlest one will be 5 on Tuesday. It seems like only yesterday she was our precious babe who we could hold in our arms while she slept. It is bittersweet having her turn 5 and preparing to start school in the fall. I miss the baby stage, but love watching her grow and learn and just be filled with joy about life. She never fails to make us smile and those she comes in contact with say they will never forget her. She is darling and funny and knows how to make you laugh. She is sweet and compassionate and willing to help. She is independent and daring and eager to try. We love her to pieces and can't wait to see what God has in store for her.
Happy Birthday sweet Emily Kathleen!!

Emilyism

2009-01-17T21:39:00.000-08:00

Today while serving lunch, I gave Emily a cup of milk to drink. Olivia came and sat down and Emily told her "I've got your cup." I thought I had given Emily Ashley's cup, but I had given her Olivia's. I told Olivia I was sorry, that was not what I had meant to do. She just shrugged her shoulders while Emily proceeded to point out to me that "it was a mistake."

Kindergarten request

2009-01-11T22:00:00.001-08:00

Emily and I were at school the other day and she saw the principal walk by. She asked me if she could "go and talk to the principal". I said sure and off she went down the hallway wearing her backpack. After a few minutes she returned to the hallway where I was working and informed me, "I told the principal that I wanted to have room number one for kindergarten next year and she said okay." So I asked her if she was wanting Miss Huebert for a teacher next year (who is in room one) and Emily said," No, I just want room number one!". It was hard not to chuckle at this. Later I talked to Mrs. Prince, the principal and she was quite amused at Emily's request and said "whatever the princess wants, she may have!". Our custodian keeps teasing Emily that she will be in room two. She told him "No, I am going to be in room one, Mrs. Prince said so. I'm going to get a shirt that says "I am in room number one", I'm serious!". She is WAY too funny!

New Year, new posts

2009-01-03T18:33:00.000-08:00

Well since it is now 2009, I am hoping to be better at posting here! We went to WA for Christmas and were met with lots and lots of snow!! Ken's mom had purchased tickets for us all to go to Seattle and see the Pacific Northwest Ballet's the Nutcracker, but due to the snow we were unable to attend. Here is what we did instead......

Hagerman stop

2008-09-01T14:04:00.000-07:00

Our last stop before coming home was in Hagerman to see the Hagerman Horse fossil, Idaho's state fossil.

Ashley didn't like looking at the snake skin or touching it.
Digging in the sand for fossils.
Phillip liked looking at all the animal pelts.

Shoshone Falls

2008-09-01T13:34:00.000-07:00

We visited Shoshone Falls outside of Twin Falls. What a beautiful site! It is 36' higher than Niagra Falls. We'd love to come back in the spring and see it in its full force.

The kids found this steep hiking path that they thought was fun to run down. However, it was very dusty and they were covered in dirt dust. Phillip even had a handprint on the front of his jacket.

Ice caves

2008-09-01T13:24:00.000-07:00

The Shoshone Ice Caves were very cool, in two ways! It was only 26 degrees inside. Glad we brought our jackets. Walking down to get into the cave. It is actually a lava tube.
The door leading into the ice cave. It was amazing to feel the temperature drop so fast.
Emily and Mom entering into the cave.
The ice inside the cave. The guide actually walked onto it. It is very thick.
Ashley in front of part of the lava tube that has collapsed.

Pool time!

2008-09-01T13:14:00.000-07:00

The kids truly enjoyed the hotel pool. I wish we could take them swimming more often.

They just love the water.

They all stopped to pose for dad.

Emily loved the hot tub. It wasn't too hot and the jets tickled her biskeez!
Phillip did the funniest jumps into the water.
Ashley doing her best Shamu impression.
Olivia jumping in backwards.

Family Adventure

2008-09-01T12:29:00.000-07:00

Well, we decided to go on a family adventure exploring parts of Idaho we've never been to. We chose Craters of the Moon, Shoshone Ice Caves, Shoshone Falls, and the Hagerman Museum. It was fun for the kids, especially the older girls, to get out and see the sites they've studied during Idaho History in school. We had a great time and everyone seemed to have fun, even while learning.

We stopped in Fairfield, Id and ate at the Wrangler Drive-In, home of the roadkill pattymelt (Ken tried it). Typical rundown drive in with pretty good food. This is a huge tree in the middle of town.

One of the cinder cones at Craters of the Moon. We hiked up it, over 6,000 feet elevation. The rocks of the cone were super sparkly in the sun. It was very windy, but what a view!
This is Emily coming down the cinder cone. Ken carried her up. It was quite the trek and oxygen levels were low.
Olivia posing by one of the mountains of lava. It was pretty amazing to see the lava flows and mountains.
Phillip checking out the lava path. It was really neat to see the different levels of lava flows.

Anniversary trip

2008-08-09T13:24:00.000-07:00

I surprised Ken one weekend in July with an overnight getaway to celebrate our 16th anniversary(early). We went up to Cascade, ID and stayed at a very "girly/frilly" hotel and rode on the Thundermountain Railroad. On the train we enjoyed a mystery dinner where we got to eat a very delicious meal and be entertained by a mystery play with a baseball theme. It was fabulous especially because I pulled it all off and Ken was very surprised!

Everyday Emilyism

2008-08-09T13:23:00.001-07:00

The girls were in the craft room organizing all their school supplies and Emily told them that mom has a lot of "crap books". I guess she won't be much of a scrap booker...breaks my heart.

Everyday Emilyism

2008-08-09T13:20:00.000-07:00

The other day the kids and I were talking about growing up and we said they were growing up fast. Ashley commented that Ken and I weren't growing up we were really on the down hill slope to dying. Emily agreed with her, " Yea, you and dad are dying." I asked her what we were dying of or from and she replied " You are dying from growing down."

Everyday Emilyism

2008-07-17T22:41:00.000-07:00

Today Ashley was making breakfast for Emily. Emily wanted her usual oatmeal, but Ashley told her she didn't know how to make it. Emily asked her if she knew how to make cereal. Ashley told her yes she did, but offered to make waffles for her instead. Emily raised her hand up in the air and shouted "Waffles! I call dibs! Waffles!".

Everyday Emilyism

2008-07-15T14:09:00.000-07:00

A while ago Emily was at Mrs. Laidlaws house and Mrs. Laidlaw asked her what her mom's name was. Emily looked at Mrs. L like she had gone mad. Her mom's name was mom of course. Mrs. L asked her what her mom's first name was and Emily told her "my mom's name is sweetie". Since this is what Ken and I call each other, it is natural for her to think that would be my name.
Yesterday she was sounding out words and I asked her what letter mom started with. She said M. I asked her what dad started with and she said D. Ashley asked her what Ken started with and she thought for a moment and said "Shh, I am trying to spell sweetie!" Guess her parents are sweetie and sweetie.

Bummer.....

2008-07-14T19:24:00.000-07:00

Ashley purchased a really cool mountain bike at Target yesterday with birthday and Christmas gift cards and money and some $$ from her savings account. She rode it around with her sister and friend today and this afternoon they decided to ride to Sonic and get something cool to drink. I had them take the cell phone and check in A LOT! They were done at Sonic and asked if they could go over to Walgreens (right next door) to get some water. They were in the store for less than 10 minutes and when they came out, Ashley's bike was g o n e. Someone decided to "trade" bikes with her. We say that because there is a ratty green mountain bike left at the bike rack. Ken was doing some undercover work this afternoon (sitting in his truck watching the bike rack and driving around the neighborhoods looking for her bike). I have filed a police report, but we didn't even record the serial number from the bike. She only had it 24 hours. Next time we will buy a bike and a bike lock.
I have to tell you that she has a wonderful attitude about it. She has been without a bike for so long that she says it is okay, she won't miss it that much. She also said since all the money was given to her that it isn't that hard to think about losing it. She is so mature for her age and I am very proud of her. I hope we can find her bike or she can get another one sometime soon.

Some older favorite photos to share...

2008-07-13T21:22:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to share some of my favorite photos of my kiddos. They are precious to me (photos and especially the kids) and I thought you might enjoy them as well.

Funny Emily

2008-07-13T21:18:00.000-07:00

Emily loves to wear this hat. She even wears it to the park. She always wears it when she is taking her babies for a walk in their strollers and always when she is "doing her show". I love the expression on her face. Looks like she is telling us to "get outta here!". Thanks to the Carns girls for leaving behind the hat for us when they moved on to California. It has been well loved!!

Science experiment

2008-07-11T09:11:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when you let your "big kid" choose the youth group activity.

Mentos and Diet cola

Visit

2008-07-10T19:51:00.000-07:00

Today, Aunt Lisa and cousins Nate and Mark, came over to visit us. Emily had fun showing off all of her Webkinz animals as did Phillip. It was very funny to watch Phillip drag out all his Lego and Star Wars stuff to show Nate....kinda like Nate used to do to Ken. Funny how what goes around comes around.

Craigslist to the rescue!

2008-07-09T15:57:00.000-07:00

We had 16 rolls of sod left over (pretty good estimating by my hubby) and Ken posted them on Craigslist for $20 and within an hour he had them not only sold, pending pickup, but had about 6 people in line to come get it! Gotta love it!!!

Everyday Emilyism

2008-07-09T15:56:00.001-07:00

Yesterday Emily was playing on the computer and she told Ashley that she "found a hineena on the laughtop" which translated means she found a hyena on the laptop.

Sod is in!!

2008-07-08T09:46:00.001-07:00

My awesome sweetie got the sod all put in and he did it all by his lonesome. He is such a hard worker and he labored all day Friday even missing a delicious 4th of July meal at Kevin and Gayle's (I saved him a plate) to finish it all up. It looks wonderful (photos to come soon) and will look even better when the grass gets settled and gets lush. He planted up a bunch of flowers in pots and in the flower bed and now our front entry looks so beautiful! Can't wait to see how our yard looks next year. Way to go Ken!!

Life can be fun!

2008-07-08T09:41:00.000-07:00

Don't you wish life was always this fun for us all!! :)

God & Country Rally July 2008

2008-07-07T11:26:00.000-07:00

Emily and her cute little wrinkled up nose.

Ashley and her friend Taylor enjoying the music of Mark Shultz.
Mom, Olivia and the ham, Emily.
Aawww....does he love her or what.....sweetheart Phillip.

God & Country

2008-07-03T10:11:00.000-07:00

We went to the God & Country Rally last night and it was such an awesome experience! Mark Schultz performed and the girls were excited to hear him, especially since they sang "Walking Her Home" at church last June. He played for about an hour and a half and it was incredible to hear several thousand people singing along with songs that praise our God. Several times I was overcome with emotion. When the fireworks went off and KTSY played popular Christian songs, it was a joy to sing along and celebrate the freedom we have in our lives. I am so proud to be an American and to salute our beloved country. God Bless the USA!!!

Loving craigslist!

2008-07-01T22:23:00.000-07:00

Can I just say how much I LOVE craigslist. I just posted our outdoor plastic play thingy and within a few hours I had 4 people email me and today someone came and looked at it and paid me cash for it!! Yippeeee! Gotta love it.

Professor Pippin??

2008-06-30T18:43:00.000-07:00

Can you believe our dog can do Algebra? Neither can we. Doubt if Ashley's teachers would be convinced--only of him eating it.

Never ending yard project....

2008-06-30T07:51:00.000-07:00

This is the latest project at Bates Central. Ken is putting in sod on Friday! It will be the best yard on the block soon!! He has worked so hard and I am so proud of him.

Everyday Emilyism

2008-06-29T13:55:00.000-07:00

Today while getting ready to make something for lunch, Emily turns to me, hands on hips and asks "Are you going to make good food that I like for lunch?".

Everyday Emilyism

2008-06-28T08:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Emily got mad at Ashley for something and put her hands on her hips, put her hip out to the side and in a loud voice said " You girl!". Guess she thought that sounded pretty tough and mean.....for a four year old!

Today's Emilyism

2008-06-27T09:14:00.000-07:00

Emily was playing a Star Wars game on a gameboy and Ashley and Mom were watching her (she was making really cute faces and noises while she played). She knew she was being watched and looked up at us and said " Why are you both scaring at me?". Quite often someone is scaring at her. Can we help it if she is too cute??!!

2008-06-26T11:18:00.000-07:00

Emilyisms:

Emily, age 4, has her own way of describing things.....

At school one day, she asked if she could get a drink. I went to go get her a cup to get some water from the sink and she shook her head no. She asked if she could go get it from the "drinking mountain".

Ask her what the name of someone who might live in an igloo is and she'll tell you an "eksimo".

Playing with her Little People with Phillip one morning, she had the rooster and was making him crow "cluck cluck a doo!".

Again playing with her Little People with Phillip, they had the dollhouse out and Emily told Phillip she was going to push the "ring door" (door bell).

WAY TOO CUTE!!

2008-01-01T01:05:00.000-08:00

We spent New Year's Eve with our kiddos watching old home movies. What a treat to see Big Papa and Great-Grandma Pat enjoy their family and to see family together at holidays and special occasions. Ken is working hard to preserve all of our videos on DVD and the computer. I am sure we will be seeing some of the clips soon in his creative videos.

2008-01-01T01:03:00.000-08:00

Happy 12th Birthday to our sweetheart girl, Ashley. Hard to believe that you are well on your way to being so grown up. We love you Ashley and hope that this year will be a wonderful journey in your life.
Mom & Dad

2007-12-30T20:02:00.001-08:00

Emily and Phillip were playing "Timber" ( they fall backwards off the arm of the couch onto the pillows) and we heard crying. Emily came in to us and pointed to her eyebrow and said "I think it is "cracking".

2007-12-30T11:29:00.000-08:00

While laying on the couch with Emily this morning, she started talking about her "office". She told me she needed to go to her office, so I asked her where her office was. She pointed to the floor and said "at Walmart". Then she got down off the couch and picked something up off the floor. She climbed back up with me and starting looking through her "office" which turned out to be her wallet.

2007-12-28T16:28:00.000-08:00

This is our new blog site where we will post funny things and moments in our lives for your enjoyment!