Happy 40th!!

HAPPY 40TH ANNIVERSARY TO THESE TWO SPECIAL PEOPLE!!

8.20.1974- Idaho Falls, Idaho Temple.


Love my parents, and so glad I got to be a part of the wonderful Lewis family!!! These two have been through sooooo much together, and I've only seen a little part of it. Raising 15 kids can definitely not be easy, I have one and I don't know how they did it most days. They both are truly an inspiration to me and have each taught me different things. Mom--your patience and spirituality is amazing, you are the MOST CHRIST-LIKE human being I know. Dad--your financial and budgeting skills are out of this world!! I'm glad I picked up on that. You are one of the hardest working individuals I know.

They've both seen a lot of heartbreak--my dad-- losing a wife and son, both of them losing a grandchild, but they've also seen a lot of happiness--temple marriages, 36 grand babies, graduations, baptisms, blessings etc etc. They've done a good job. Here's to 40 more....Love you two.

April 2009

1995 (I believe)

Wyoming State Fair

On Saturday we decided we'd better hit the fair since it was the last day. We headed to Douglas, WY where the state fair is held (since we missed Casper's before we moved here). We decided to eat lunch at KFC before we went in since we were all so hungry. I loved that the fair was only $1 admission for adults and free for kids. Who can beat that?!!

We headed over to a free magic show which was cute for the kids, afterwards we watched "dock dogs," dogs jumping off of docks into a huge pool and try to leap really far to catch what was thrown into the pool for them. Carson spotted some fish and poles that were set up for "catch and release fishing." So we gave Carson a pole and let him have at it. He didn't catch anything but loved holding the pole in hopes that he'd catch a fish. Next we headed to the carnival part where Keith and Carson rode a roller coaster and we let Carson ride a train and helicopter ride after that. Then we went and watched the rodeo for a bit. We decided to head back over for the circus show which was also free and way cute. Carson kept bugging us to go in these huge inflatable balls that where you can "walk on water." I didn't know how he would do but surprisingly he loved and it did well, after he was done just lying down in it he caught onto the idea of trying to walk in it. It was funny to see him try to walk and all the other kids, they didn't make it far before they would fall. After that we called it a day at the good ol' Wyoming State Fair.

I just had to throw in a few pics from FHE tonight. We went out to eat at a cute Southern/Louisana style restaurant called Sandford's. I loved all the gas station/old car decor, and who can forget the huge Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck. So random. We ordered wings and Carson loved them so much they ended up all over his face!

Oh and Friday we got Carson his first pet--three goldfish. One already died. Sad. I think Keith and I pay more attention to them then Little C. Oh well we tried. 

Our First Visitors!!

My brother Jared and his wife and three kids came to visit us last Monday-Wednesday. We were so excited to have some family visit us since we don't know many people here yet. Carson loved having his three cousins Hailey, Katy and Aiden to play with. We were sad to see them go Wednesday.

Monday we met them at Martin's Cove--about an hour outside of Casper. We toured Martin's Cove where the pioneers trekked on their way to SLC. It was so neat to experience that and to see what they had to go through and what they sacrificed. We also stopped at Independence Rock---a few miles from Martin's Cove. It was getting to be dinner time so we didn't stay too long there but I want to go back to find the pioneers names carved into the rock. It's really a special place. Afterwards we went out to dinner and were shocked to see the news of Robin Williams death, he was one of my favorite actors. Then we grabbed some chocolate satin pie and watched "Heaven is for Real." Love that movie.

Pushing the carts at Martin's Cove

Independence Rock

Tuesday we showed Jared and his family the waterfall in my last post. I love how short of a hike it is. We let the kids play near the waterfall for a bit then headed to Crossroads Adventure Playground--my favorite park here in Casper. We didn't stay too long though because it was soooooo hot out. So we grabbed some late lunch/early dinner at Golden Corral then headed to the National Historic Trails Museum here in Casper. It was a pretty cool museum that focused on the trails that went through Wyoming---Pony Express, Oregon Trail, Mormon Trail and more. The kids loved riding in the covered wagon  and "crossing the river." Afterwards we headed back home and the kids had a movie night complete with a huge popcorn mess! haha. I'm glad Carson was able to spend some time with his UT cousins. Now we just need his ID, TX, AK, and NJ cousins to visit!!!

Carson and Katy at Golden Corral. They asked me to take a picture.

We can't wait for more visitors! SO COME!!!!

This is WY

Yesterday we took a short hike to this beautiful waterfall literally 10 minutes from our townhouse. Carson had fun playing in the water and with all the rocks. We're still exploring, but I gotta say, Wyoming is definitely a beautiful state. There is wildlife everywhere. Yesterday at the park there were about 10 pronghorn just chillin near the playground where Carson and Keith were while I was at the gym. Keith is definitely excited about the hunting, camping and fishing here. I'm just excited that I can literally ride my bike to Hobby Lobby. 

NJ + ID = WY

So you know that good news I mentioned in an earlier post? Well..... I can finally share!!!

Most of you know that Keith left his job last September because of the constant travel, he was in Montana for over a year straight. It was a hard decision to leave such a great job, but it was what was best for our family, marriage, and church involvement. So.....he applied and applied and we took advantage of Keith's free time and took a couple vacations out East. We didn't hear anything back until June when Keith had an interview on his birthday with a company we've been hoping to get on with. Near the end of June he had a third interview and was offered the job. We were thrilled! We have never prayed so hard in the last ten months and have gained an even greater testimony of Faith and trusting in the Lord's timing.

So this Idaho girl and New Jersey boy are Wyoming residents now----Casper, Wyoming that is! It's not Boise, I really miss my family, Carson keeps asking to go to Brielle's, and I really miss Winco and having a Temple close, but we are adjusting after being here for six days and surprisingly I really like it, it reminds me of Boise in some ways. It also helps that my neighbor and I have become good friends and she has a little boy Carson's age.

We are excited for our new adventure and to explore places we've never been before like; Denver, Mt. Rushmore, church sites in Missouri and more. So we'll be calling the cowboy state our new home!!

Our 2014 Graduate!

Yesterday my family and I took a quick trip to Rexburg for my sister Misti's graduation from Byu-Idaho. We drove back home to Boise this morning so it was a super quick trip, but I'm so glad I was able to go and watch my little sis graduate from college!

Misti and I had some fun times at Byu-Idaho together. I was already married when she started school there so we never roomed together, but we have some cherished memories together. I'm so proud of her! She is going to make an amazing teacher!

She not only endured some intense semesters and strange dating experiences, but also survived the 2014 Rexburg flood!! Whoohoo!

Love this girl! So proud of you Misti!

Carson Crazy

Sometimes I call Carson, Carson Crazy because of the things he does. It fits him perfectly because his middle name is Carey (after his Grandpa Penrod), so instead of Carson Carey, in his crazy moments he's Carson Crazy.

These past few days Carson has said or done a few things that I just have to document because I don't want to forget these crazy/beautiful moments.

So my sister Misti was swinging Carson outside a little over a week ago, (around the time of Silver Creek) and this is the conversation they had...(Cole was a name we were thinking of using if it was a boy, Carson told us he wanted to name the baby Cole)

Carson: “Misti my mom lost her baby.”

Misti: “I know. It’s okay though, she’ll have another one.”

Carson: "Was it Cole?"

Misti: "Cole?"

Carson: "Yeah, like Cole and Carson."

Misti: "Yeah, maybe. He’s up in heaven waiting right now." 

Carson: "Why?"

Misti: "So you can be his brother and teach him."

Carson: "Teach him how to fold?"

Misti: "Fold?"

Carson: "Yeah, fold his arms." ( folded his arms to show her) 

Misti: "Oh, fold his arms and pray."

Carson: "Yeah, grandpa didn’t fold his arms at breakfast." 

The first part makes me want to cry and the last part cracks me up. What a character.

Last Saturday Keith and I went bike riding on the greenbelt with my sister and her husband, my Mom was kind enough to watch Carson for us. My mom said Carson was playing out front near the grass when he said 

"Cita, come here now!" He said it in a stern voice like it was very important. 

So my Mom went over to him and when she got there he said, "I Love you" in the sweetest voice. 

It  melted my heart when my Mom told me that story.

Then on Sunday I was downstairs getting ready and my Mom comes home from a Ward Council meeting and yells "disaster!!!" I thought she burnt the chicken we were going to have for dinner, but then she says, "grab your camera!" So I grab my camera knowing that it has to be something to do with Carson, but I wasn't expecting what I saw.....

The fridge was open and the whole outside and inside of the fridge was covered in chocolate frosting including food and some of the containers holding food. I mean covered, along with Carson's face and pajama's painted with chocolate. 

I asked Carson, "What in the world are you doing?"

His response was priceless...

"Mommy, I'm painting." 

It was too hard for me to be mad at this face....

This little guy definitely keeps us on our toes, but we sure love him. :)