Givens!

Growing up every spring break we took our annual trip to Givens Hot Springs in Marsing, Idaho. Many memories have been made at Givens-- from the lizards grave, the old train, riding in the back of the truck on the way there, Kirk's dominos, licorice ropes and our chicken dinner that mom always made. I hadn't been here since high school so I felt pretty nostalgic when I walked in. I love things that remind me of my childhood and even though this hot springs is pretty old I want to make it a spring break tradition for my kids too.

All the grandkids that were there--Brynlee, Skylee, Carson, Brielle, Jace, Alexa, Tristan, Brecka

"Lizard's grave" in marsing

We went into Marsing afterwards so the boys could go fishing whiile we relaxed and the kids played near the river. It turned out to be a perfect day!

Makeup Geek

So I have this makeup fetish---I love to try out new makeup products, watch tutorials online, and Ulta is my second home (haha). I love Ulta more than Sephora because they have coupons frequently and they do the point system like Sephora for products bought but their gifts with the points redeemed are much better and there are more options. Anyway.... so I found this site through pinterest that I love! I love it because she does tutorials and not only has posts about the high end makeup but also her favorite drugstore makeup and she even has her own makeup store. I still buy from Ulta though because it's like five minutes from my apartment, I don't have to pay shipping and I always have a coupon on hand with me so I save like $3.50-$5.00 every time I go. I've tried several of her drugstore recommendations including her favorite NYX blush (peach)-- which is found at Ulta and I love everything I've tried that she's recommended. So take a look at her site if you're looking to try some new makeup products.

One more thing...just wanted to rave about BB cream! I love it! I got a sample of L'Oreal's BB Cream from Ulta and I loved it so I had to buy some! I switch off between that and my foundation but I use the BB Cream more because it's so quick to apply and I love anything quick these days. I know almost every brand has a BB Cream out it seems and I want to try more of them but for now I'll stick with L'Oreal.

Life Lately.....

February was full of birthday parties, a funeral, getting sick, getting a haircut, shopping, trips to the library, cousin playdates and sleepovers, Valentine's Day (without my hubby :( but with my little man), craft nights, movie nights with my bro and his girlfriend (the only names carson says repeatedly besides mommy and daddy are Kirk and Holly), trying new recipes from pinterest, the weather finally warming up and a long trip to Spanish Fork to visit my brother and his family, then Rexburg, then finally to Bozeman, MT. Here's a few pics of our February fun.

Here's a pic of my new hair---just trimmed it and added layers. Best part of the haircut--it was free with all my Ulta points! I was going to post a before pic but I decided against it because my hair looked pretty scary/frizzy since it wasn't straightened yet.

Kirk and Brecka at Pizza Hut. We took three of my sis's kids out to Wahooz Fun Zone, then Pizza Hut, then over to another sister's house for a movie night with banana splits then had a sleepover!

Kirk and his girlyfriend Holly

Alexa and Holly

Kirk Brecka, Tristan enjoyin their drinks

Waitin' for out pizza

Sleepover with the cousins

Visting Carson's cousins Hailey and Katy in Spanish Fork

Checking out Blickenstaff's in Provo

Hailey and Katy in their mini cooper

Carson wasn't happy about taking pictures

some random pics....I got a new decal I put above our bed and I love it!

Craft night with Holly....made this for my sis for her birthday in February

Although March always seems like one of the longest months to me and it's never warm enough I'm just excited for Spring to be around the corner!

One of the many reasons why I love Keith!

So for Valentine's Day we weren't able to be together since Keith is in MT right now (but Carson and I are going to SLC then MT next week to finally be with Keith!) Anyway....so Keith surprised me with a VITAMIX!! AH!!! One of the many things that I love about Keith is when he knows I want something he will surprise me with it no matter the cost....just like with my headboard I got last Mother's Day. I'm not a girl that has to be spoiled by gifts by any means but when there's something I really want but won't buy it for myself...Keith will.

 I've been wanting one of these very amazing but very expensive blenders for awhile. Everytime I'd go to Costco I'd see the demos and try the smoothies and want one so bad...and smoothies aren't the only things you can make in them you can also make things like homemade ice cream, peanut butter, soups, dough and many more things. These are used by Jamba Juice...so now I can recreate my favorite Jambas! And nowI can try so many green smoothies which is my favorite way to get my greens in. Thanks babe.

 

 

 

 

 

TWO!

I seriously can't believe our little guy is two already! Tuesday the 29th was Carson's actual birthday and I celebrated with my little guy by having dinner with my sis and her family then we attemped to go see Rise of the Guardians but Carson lasted about 30 min. so we went home but my sis and her family came over afterwards for cake.
Today Keith flew in to celebrate Carson's birthday with us & some of his cousins. We went to Planet Kid which is Idaho's largest indoor soft playground that is full of tunnels, ballpits, slides, rope climbs, cargo nets, and zip lines. Carson and his cousins had so much fun. They even allow the adults to go in with the kids and play with them. I was in heaven in the ball pit...haha it was pretty sweet.
Then we had pizza, cake, and ice cream & opened presents at our place after. What a busy but super fun day! Thanks to all who were able to come and celebrate with us!

the birthday boy on his big day!

he loooves books!

Let's see this boy is all--books, dvds, cookie monster "coookie" is what he calls him, elmo, daniel tiger's neighborhood, loves the water especially taking baths, loves to do things on his own now and insists eating with a fork or spoon, loves looking at pictures, loves bebes (babies) and goggies (doggies), loves doing his vocab words and knows about 20 of them, loves nanas (bananas), oranges, pasta, cheese, mini wheats, pb & J and grilled cheese. loves giving kisses and hugs, sleeping next to mommy and daddy, of you in his language means "love you", loves playing with his cousins and in nursery, loves to carry around ddds (dvds) and the "keys." We sure are lucky to have this little boy. :).

burying myself.

Brielle and Brynlee

little tyson was too tired to play



Keith and Zach had fun in the ball pit with the kids



skylee and brielle

opening presents

Carson, Brynlee, Skylee, Brielle and Jace

2012 Recap!

January- Carson's first birthday! We celebrated this wonderful day twice- once with my family, making it a combined birthday party with my dad, and twice with all our friends in Rexburg by swimming at the Marriott hotel we were staying at for work there in Rexburg.
We also had our weekend getaway to McCall where we went to Gold Fork hotsprings, the McCall Winter Festival, hot tubbed, watched movies and hung out.

March- I didn't quite like the fact that Keith left this month to go work out in Michigan and Indiana. He didn't get to come back until May.

May- My parents got their mission call to the Northwest Area South America Mission!
Keith came home and we went camping with family over Memorial Day weekend then headed out to Kalispell, MT.

June- We celebrated Keith's 31st birthday in the lovely Kalispell, MT--just the three of us :)
Carson and I headed to Boise for two weeks for Misti's mission homecoming from Paraguay, we also went camping with my family at Silver Creek for the annual Lewis Family Reunion.

July- We spent most of this month in Missoula, MT just exploring a new town together as a family. I probably made too many trips to TJ Maxx, Ross, and Costco since they were right by the hotel. Oh and those delicious Holiday Inn cinnamon rolls for breakfast....I had one too many.

August- Carson and I took another trip to Boise to spend time with my parents before they left for their mission on the 13th.
We also spent a weekend in Rexburg since Keith's mom and little sis were in town spending time with his siblings and doing things for the wedding in Dec.
We made two trips to Glacier National Park- once just us, and twice with Catherine (Keith's sister) and her now husband Kolton.

September- Our long awaited departure from Kalispell finally came and we were able to surprise Misti for her 23rd birthday in Rexburg on our way down to SLC.

October- We spent three weeks in SLC and went on many dates since we had Keith's family to babysit!
I spent my big 25 with Keith and his extended family in SLC and got to spend some time with the bestie Kathryn, we even took a trip back to Boise together.
The 20th was our annual Lewis Halloween Party and it was a hit!
Trick-or-treating on Harrison Blvd was quite the experience especially since it was a first for both Carson and I but we sure missed daddy.

November- Our trip to NJ for Thanksgiving was fabulous but seeing the island destroyed by Hurricane Sandy was not.

December- This month was full of traveling--Boise to Rexburg, Rexburg to Billings, Billings to Rexburg, Rexburg to SLC, SLC to Rexburg, Rexburg to Billings.
We had a lot of fun spending time with Catherine and Keith's family before the wedding.
Catherine's bridal shower and wedding were oh so fun! Dancing is always my favorite part of the wedding :)
Christmas Eve and Day were full of food, family, laughs, presents, lights, and fun. Keith sure spoiled me and I'm so grateful!
Our anniversary was low-key but nice just the two of us.
New Years was even more low-key with a good dinner, snacks, candy, a hotel room, and a bottle of martinellis.

2012 was a great year! Can't wait to see where 2013 takes us and what it brings us! (It's already brought us a cute lil' new nephew Tyson)

Hope you had a wonderful 2012 and an even better 2013!