FINALLY! News from IDAHO

Hello Dear Family and Friends! It has been much much too long since we've updated our blog and shared bits and pieces of our life's adventure with you all. I hope this note finds you well!

As many of you know we moved from Destin, Florida in April over a year ago. We made a short stop over in Front Royal, VA; living for 3 months with our generous and absolutely AWESOME brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Kristin Uhlenkott. Long enough there to get safely through the throws of serious morning sickness with our 4th pregnancy... Kristin was an angel, not exagerating! For all of you who have never met or for those of you who may remember her, my beautiful red-headed sister-in-law, Kristin... she really got me through those horrendous days, taking care of my kiddos and being there for me like none other! Dan worked with Paul for those months... and sadly saying good-bye to the East we packed our things and headed out to Idaho for yet another adventure.

We've been here now almost an entire year. On January 18(my Dad's birthday), our daughter, Evangeline Grace was born. She has been the most sweet, docile, happy, easy-going baby EVER! Thank GOD for that.

Gianna, now 6 1/2 is my big helper. Very thoughtful and compassionate. She's been loving all the outdoorsie things there are to do here... her favorite thing is fishing with Daddy... proudly catching more than he does at times ;) She's getting ready for 1st grade coming up and is learning to read pretty well.

Phoebe, 4 1/2, is the little mommy and quite the girlie-girl. Loves playing dress-up... and can be quite dramatic... Happy little bright-light always trying to make everyone smile... she does have that side to her that brings a little fear when thinking what it's going to be like when and if she reaches 16. It's scary when you have one just like yourself... ;)

Xavier is 2 1/2 and is growing super fast! He's almost as tall as Phoebe... He's into trains, boats, "pick-ips", tractors, jets... you know all that boy-stuff. Goes to work with Dan and is just Oh-so-tough! Favorite word: ME BIG... He's a teaser... and a charmer.

Dan's 30-something.. :) just kidding... He's been working in his father's Water Pump business. It's been steady this summer, which we are again extremely thankful! I've been so blessed in my marriage! He's such a hard worker, dedicated father, so loving... I'm just blessed to have him by my side!

Never in a million years would I have ever guessed IDAHO is where we'd be today! It is very DIFFERENT than the east, but not more beautiful... There are soooo many beautiful places in our country it's astounding. New England will always feel like home to me... I love the trees and the lakes and the easy mountains and rolling hills.... Idaho is more COUNTRY than anything I've ever experienced except for maybe some spots in WYOMING... It's wild and the mountains are breathtaking... Everything's BIGGER our here. The sky, the mountains... the vast prairie... There really are Wolves... and ELK... and rattlesnakes... Buffalo... Cowboys...Indians... ;) Everyone has a horse or two or twelve... Everyone wears cowboy hats, cowboy boots (can't wait to get me a pair ;) belt buckles... pick-up trucks... and my best Idaho friend lives in Greencreek, but that's pronounced "Greencrick" and if you say it any other way you feel like an idiot ;)

I remember Dad loving the West and always wanting to come back and visit... he used to tell us stories about it... and of course there were all those John Wayne movies with Grampy... that we LOVED watching growing up... When Dan and I are poking fun at each other over our "roots" I'll say to him "id don't matterrrr".... he just looks back at me and says "yer wicked Smaht" ...we get a good laugh at it all :)

There certainly has been a lot of sweat, blood and tears put into our life thus far, but the reward to date: a beautiful marriage, 4 gorgeous and happy kids, an amazing and supportive extended family on both sides and those friends that make life worth living.

I never thought I'd be in Idaho... and I don't know how long it'll last... but while we're here... We might as well "Live it Up" and Thank God for it all :)

Love you all~ Enjoy the Pictures

Mimi