Our Life

I've been called out....Breezi, this is for you....

2009-04-26T19:48:00.003-06:00

and not only because you left me a message...but because I truly have been meaning to update. It has been nearly 6 months since my last blog and that sucks...I wish I were better at this. We've been super busy...Kaylin is 6 months old and growing fast. Riley will be 3 in 2 weeks (crazy!!!) We've been remodeling our kitchen, painting the cabinets red, installing new countertops and new floors, but of course I forgot to take "before" pictures before we started working on it. But I will be sure to take "after" pictures. I actually may have "before" pictures from when we bought the house two years ago. And I hate to paint...it's taking forever and I hate to do it by myself. I get so bored. I have been working on a new quilt and plan on making a few more for friends and family for gifts this year. The kids and I have been enjoying the nice weather by working out in the yard, going to the park and taking walks. We enjoyed a fun trip to Lewiston at the beginning of the month for Easter and will be going again in August for my brother's wedding. I can hardly believe that he is getting married, but am excited that he's making responsible, adult-like decisions. And that he has found someone he wants to be with. We've considered getting rid of our 2 year old border collie Bella because we don't play with her as much as we should be, but I think I am going to wait the summer out. Plus Riley is getting older and can be outside without me for brief periods of time. She's also getting out of that puppy stage which I am very grateful for. She's a bit more quiet and toned down now. She doesn't chew on everything anymore and doesn't bark at every moving thing anymore. Carl is starting to get busy with work. The snow is almost completely melted up on the farm and he will be busy planting pretty soon. Here are a few pictures of the kids since I posted last....

Kaylin Wendy

2008-11-18T13:16:00.004-07:00

Ok, so I am a slacker...but here are some pictures of our beautiful baby girl Kaylin. She was born October 19 at 8:14 a.m, weighing 6 lbs 8 oz. She's perfect in every way! =)

We sure are lucky to have such a beautiful girl!

Unproductive two months??

2008-10-14T09:20:00.003-06:00

So where on earth have I been the last couple of months? Who knows. I know I have been home and online plenty, but I am just forgetful. As far as my last post goes, I did it! I became a Scentsy Consultant and am loving it so far. Baby girl is coming in a week! Are we ready yet? I guess we're as ready as we can be, but I guarantee Carl will be making several runs to the store for things we didn't think of once we get home from the hospital. It happens. We haven't really done a ton since the last post. Mostly just trying to get the house in order...preparing for another winter (already?)...and spending lots of time together.

Scentsy Business Opportunity

2008-08-25T13:13:00.003-06:00

So I am throwing around the idea of starting an at-home business called Scentsy. They are a wickless candle, scent company and I love love love their products! Anyway, what I really like about the business is that I don't have to have a huge inventory of products like some other companies require. I just have to have samples of all the scents, catalogs, and that's about it! And fall is such a great time to start a business like this because people are coming indoors more and wanting that cozy feeling in their home with the cooler temperatures. What a better way to do that than with candles! Carl and I debated whether I should start before or after the baby gets here and I kind of figured I should start now. Once she gets here, I'll find all sorts of excuses not to do it! Plus, I can get the hang of it now, so that when I get back into it I won't be so overwhelmed! Tell me what you think!

Bathroom remodel

2008-08-11T10:24:00.004-06:00

We are almost completely done remodeling our bathroom! My dad came down for a week in July and did all of our tiling and more for us! Thanks dad! The bathroom looks great. You can go here to see the before pictures! Here are some in progress and completed pictures.

The finished project! Tell me what you think!

July 4th Festivities

2008-08-11T09:46:00.007-06:00

We had a very fun and eventful 4th of July weekend. My dad's side of the family had a reunion in Ontario, Oregon and it was pack full of visiting, food, water and fun.

Jalyn, Carl and Cailtlin on the slip-n-slide!

Kids in the pool

Carl pushing Riley down the slip-n-slide.

Whoa, that was fun!

Milkshake mustache at Denny's!

Grandkids and Great-Grandkids

Dad and Carl (Mom in the background)

Riley going down the slide. The pool was a big thing for Riley. We had a really hard time getting him in the water because it was really cold. Once he was in, it was pretty much impossible to get him back out. We got him dried and dressed for dinner, and before we knew it he was back in the pool fully clothed!

Riley and his cousin Jalyn Riley dancing during the concert

My Aunt Amy and I singing.

Such a slacker I am!

2008-08-11T09:32:00.003-06:00

I haven't blogged in a couple of months...even though I had every intention of doing so. We have been so busy and Riley and I were gone for most of July (at least it felt that way.) Things are finally starting to slow down. I have a few pregnant pictures to show my progress...only 10 more weeks!

21 Weeks

24 Weeks

29 Weeks

We still don't have a name for this little girl...oh the options!

Father's Day

2008-06-16T17:04:00.002-06:00

We had a fun and eventful Father's Day! We spent the afternoon out at Carl's parents house and the weather was beautiful! We had a wonderful meal of lamb, cheesy potatoes, homemade rolls, watermelon, olives, and pickles. We topped it all off with angel food cake, strawberries and ice cream! Yummy! Riley and I gave Carl a $50 gift card to Sportsman's Warehouse so he can find a new toy!

I have a few pictures, but they won't upload due to some internal error, so I will add them later!

Swim Party!

2008-06-16T16:28:00.003-06:00

Carl's sister Carolyn was in town this weekend and she invited us over to her in-laws house to go swimming! The water was 80 degrees but still felt FREEZING!! Poor little Riley was saying, "I fweez, I fweez," the entire time he was in the water! I guess there just isn't enough fat on his little bones to keep him warm!!

In for a quick dip!

And quickly back out to warm up again!

The Bathroom Project and Playing with Dad!

2008-06-16T16:19:00.004-06:00

We finally got the bathroom torn up. (mostly) And we haven't done anything else with it for a week. I have a feeling we're in for a long summer with no upstairs bathroom. Carl just works all the time so finding time to get it done will be hard. Anyway, here is a demo pic!

He loves playing with his dad! Carl is such a good dad! Riley loves to jump on him and wrestle! He is getting to big and it is so fun to watch him grow and learn new things!

Getting ready to jump!

By the fruit of their labors!

2008-06-16T15:39:00.004-06:00

Here are some of those pictures of Carl and Riley working in the garden last week! Riley had so much fun digging in the dirt, but kept wanting to dig the plants back up after we put them in! Silly boy! We planted corn, raspberries, onions, pumpkins, watermelon, cantaloupe, basil, oregano, peas, and artichokes. Tonight we're going to finish by planting zuchini, sunflowers, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and lettuce!

Yucky weather this week!

2008-06-12T17:49:00.002-06:00

The weather has just been so terrible for June. I hate it! It's been windy and rainy and cold. Riley and I haven't even been able to go outside because it's so yucky! Besides the weather, we've had a pretty productive week! I finally enjoyed some shaved ice. Yesterday we went to my in-laws for the day and I worked on a sewing project. I made some burp cloths that I read about through my friend, Sandy's blog. I left my camera up at their house, though, so I will have to post pictures another day! Anywho, we got our garden started (but not finished because it started to rain on us! Go figure.) I have some really cute pics of Riley digging in the dirt, but they are still on the camera. They will be up soon though!

I have been browsing blogs all day today it seems. I just love finding fun projects to do, or yummy recipes to try!

2008-06-07T15:10:00.003-06:00

So Riley and I went to the farmer's market today in hopes of finding some fresh produce and when I got there, I was a little let down...there was lettuce and tomatoes. And I suppose I shouldn't have expected wonders since it is only the beginning of June, but where is the fruit? I'm sure there will be lots of yummy peaches and strawberries and rasperries in a couple of months. The good news, though? I bought a loaf of Great Harvest Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread and a huge cinnamon roll!! Yum yum!

Riley's been such a good little boy lately! He has been taking his naps and going to bed like a pro! And then he wakes up so happy and ready to play. He is just turning into this sweet little boy. He loves to huggle and give kisses and talk on the phone to his grandmas and grandpas! He says 'please' and 'thank you' and 'bless you.' He is just so sweet and I am so blessed to call him mine!

Carl should be home soon and we are going to start the demo on our bathroom. Hopefully all goes well with that! If you scroll down to my January post, you can see the before pictures! YUCK!! I will post after pictures whenever we get it done. (It may be a while so don't hold your breath!)

Shaved ice?

2008-06-07T15:04:00.003-06:00

Does anyone know a shaved ice place in Pocatello that is actually open? I went to the two places that I know are usually open and they were both closed!! WHAT??? One had a sign that said, "Be back at 11:30" and it was already noon!! And the other had a sign that said, "Due to bad weather, we are closed for the day." Now normally I wouldn't complain, but that sign has been up for three days straight and the weather was nice today. Not muggy, maybe a bit windy...but sunny. So come on people! I want my stinkin' shaved ice! Is that too much to ask for? Open up already! =) I think I'll try again later!

Lots of New Stuff!

2008-06-05T10:51:00.007-06:00

Lots of fun things have been going on since my last post in March. Easter was an eventful fun time! Riley thoroughly enjoyed hunting for eggs and was exciting for days to re-hide all the eggs for him to find over and over again! We had a fun Easter party with the Loveland side of Carl's family in April (when the weather was a little nicer.)

We all got together in March for my mother-in-law's big 50 and had a fun time eating a yummy breakfast and visiting! It was good times all around.

Also some time in March (or was it April?) Riley and I went with Carl, Grandpa McNabb, Uncle Mark and Uncle Greg to Jackson Hole, Wyoming to check out a tractor that they ended up buying for a really great price! It was quick trip up and back but it was really fun! The guy they bought the tractor from was a multi-millionaire and just seeing his property was really neat! He owned somewhere around 20 snowmobiles and 15 four-wheelers! A little excessive for someone who only lives there two months out of the year, but I guess it's his money and he can do with it what he wants!!
Riley fit perfectly in the hub of the tractor wheel!

In front of the antler arches in the center of Jackson Hole.

We went down to Provo at the end of April for Aunt Carolyn's college graduation and it was a beautiful day! We had a nice lunch before heading home.

The biggest event over the last few months was Riley's 2nd Birthday! My grandparents were in town for the occasion and we had all of the family over for pizza and cake! It was a stressful weekend but successful. Entertaining is always exhausting. Why do we go through all the trouble for a party that they won't even remember? =)

The HUGE pile of presents!

Riley opening his big boy potty!

Using the new bubble gun with Uncle Cody!

Riley has been obsessed with the movie "Cars" the last few weeks. He watches it everyday and then plays with his cars the remainder of the day. Whatever keeps him happy I suppose.

We're getting ready to go to my family reunion over the 4th of July. My dad's entire side of the family will be there and we will be camping in Sumpter, Oregon (near Baker City). It's the place my dad and his family always went camping when they were kids so it will be very reminiscent!

Re-Resolution!!

2008-06-05T10:11:00.005-06:00

Okay, so to say that my blog is lacking would be a complete and total understatement. I always have these good intentions to blog, scrapbook, take more pictures, read my scriptures more, be more productive in general. So why aren't these things happening? It certainly isn't because of my lack of time! So why? I have absolutely no idea. My lack of organizing time, laziness, who knows. I really wish I was better. And I look at all these cute blogs, like my friends the Holloways, Sandy, and plenty of others! Kudos to you guys! You are awesome and I admire you for it!

So how can I be better at doing this? I definately need to take more pictures and organize my time and energy. Being pregnant kind of does that to ya, ya know? Oh yeah, since my last post, a pathetic three months ago, I get to announce that I am prego!! Twenty weeks and finally starting to show...not that it's my best look! ;)

So this is my June resolution to do better...at lots of things!!

I am still here!

2008-03-03T13:18:00.002-07:00

Okay, so I totally haven't blogged in forever! Like two months! Throw me a bone. I don't ever think about taking pictures of things I do during the day, but I wish I would. Plus, I have been very busy with my most recent obsession, the Twilight Series. I am on a forum everyday, trying to get the latest scoop on movie news. Anyway. Riley is getting so big. He is starting to talk so much and is very aware of the things going on around him. Such a big boy!

Carl and I are getting excited for a two day trip to Annaheim at the end of April. It is one of those freebie trips where you basically travel all the day the first and third day, but we will have one entire day at Disneyland, so we are kind of stoked.

Christmas 2007

2008-01-05T14:21:00.000-07:00

Christmas was a success, as usual. It went by to fast, as usual. And in a way I am glad life is somewhat back to normal, as usual. Not that I don't love the season, but it can throw such a cramp in daily living and it is hard to get back into the swing of things. I have officially decided that I am going to prepare for next Christmas starting now. Budget for it, get some shopping done early so that I don't have to step into a retail store after Thanksgiving unless I absolutely have to. Doesn't that sound wonderful?

My mom and dad were here for the holidays, which was great. We love having them here. We played lots of games and went to lots of parties and made lots of treats. Here are some highlights from our Christmas.

The New Year

2008-01-05T14:00:00.000-07:00

2008 is officially here and with the new year, comes the ill-termed "New Year Resolutions." There is something about that phrase that just screams failure to me. Mostly because it goes along with weight loss and other goals that are not attainable unless they become life time changes, not just goals for this year. So goals is a better word, I believe.So I have a few goals I want to work on this year.

First off, Carl and I are going to sit down and set out a budget so that we can better track our expenses and know exactly where our money is going. I took a finance class in college and should be able to make up a spreadsheet pretty easily. We just need to be better at setting limits for certain things we like to do, like eating out, shopping, even groceries can get out of hand sometime.

Second off, and along with our finances, we want to do some rennovating in our home. I want to gut the bathroom completely and Carl wants to finish the garage and get some shelving in there. The kitchen floor is also severely in need of a makeover. The entire basement could use an overhaul as well, but that will happen down the road sometime. We don't use it enough right now for it to be worth it.

This bathroom, although it may not look it in the pictures, is dreadful. It hasn't been redone since the house was built in the late seventies. Gross. It will be a total remodel. It's pretty small so it shouldn't break our bank. Hey maybe we can go on one of those remodeling shows on HGTV???? Anything they can do would make it look better than it does now. Anyone know how to apply.

This floor is so terrible. The previous owners put stick down lanoleum tiles on top of two other layers of lanoleum. So not does it only look awful (they have all shifted), but it's going to betorture trying to pull all those layers of lanoleum up to get some new tile down. The whole kitchen in fact needs a makeover, but the floor is the worst part. We can live with it for a while. At least it is functional.

What a Week

2007-12-12T17:42:00.000-07:00

We have been struck by the cold bug this week, not only the stuffy nose cold, but the "it's freakin' freezing" type of cold. Double whammy.

But besides that, it has been quite a productive week. I have finally started working on my quilt again that I started right after Riley was born. It has been quite the project. It is an oversized king size quilt that started out as a queen. I decided that I liked it to much to make it a guest bedroom quilt and made it bigger to put on our bed. I have a little more of the binding to finish and then it will be done!! Pictures will be forthcoming soon!!!

Riley was pretty funny today. After he woke up from his nap today I went in to get him out of his crib and asked him if he wanted to get out. He just looked at me and said "NO!" So I said, "Okay, have fun. Buh-bye." And then he said "Bye" and proceeded to entertain himself for another twenty minutes. He's getting quite the little attitude on him. He likes to say "NO!" a LOT!

Variety of moments and experiences over the last couple of months

2007-12-05T10:34:00.000-07:00

So after we got back from our cruise we took these cute pictures of Riley in his pajamas that we bought in Alaska. The one below was taken while he was throwing a fit. (It was the only way we could get the full picture.) (= One cute little boy if you ask me!!!

We woke up one morning early in October to the sight to the right!!!! The snow only lasted a day or so, but we haven't had anything like it yet, and it's December!! Come on White Christmas...where are you?? Oh, and by the way, Riley won't touch snow. We're not sure why, but he just won't.

Silly faces. Riley is just full of them these days. It brings a lot of joy and laughter to our house. To stinkin' cute!

We bought him a little missionary tag to wear on his Sunday clothes!!!

What a handsome...CHEESY little man!!!!

What a fun Halloween/Harvest activity. We went to a pumpkin patch north of Pocatello, with my friend Sandi, her husband Sterling and their little boy Mason!!! It was a fun day. Riley was pretty tentative about the pony, but he felt safer since I was right there.

Riley just loves to lounge around on our bed. Here he is drinking some milk and watching "Super Why" on PBS Kids!

Usually Riley doesn't care too much for the camera but he loved it on this day. He cheesed it right up and I got some great snapshots. I just love the close-ups.

5 Things

2007-12-04T15:02:00.000-07:00

5 Things I was Doing Five Years Ago

1. Finishing my first semester of college
2. Missing Ryan
3. Living on Vashon Island, off the coast of Seattle and Tacoma
4. Hanging out with Stape 24/7
5. Playing lots of night games

5 Things on my to-do list

1. Clean my house
2. Take a nap
3. Wrap Christmas gifts
4. Do laundry
5. Book our vacation

5 Foods I Enjoy

1. Pasta
2. Pizza
3. Chocolate
4. Popsicles
5. Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas

5 Bad Habits

1. Procrastination
2. Spending to much time on the computer
3. Snacking when I'm not hungry/bored
4. Placing piles of stuff around the house instead of putting them in their places
5. Watching too much tv

5 of my favorite toys

1. My computer
2. My iPod
3. My KitchenAid
4. xBox
5. My camera

2007-12-03T18:01:00.000-07:00

So...life is continuing...Riley is getting bigger. Pocatello is getting colder. And we are in the thick of the holiday season. We got our Christmas decorations a couple of weeks ago but I still haven't quite gotten into the spirit of the season. It usually hits me by Halloween, but for some reason not this year. I am excited to see how Riley reacts to Christmas morning. This will be the first year he will partly understand what is going on.

He is growing so fast. He is starting to understand language and how to use it to get what he wants. He responds to us in new ways and he's learning about his environment so quickly.

My parents were here for Thanksgiving and we thoroughly enjoyed their company. They hadn't seen Riley in three months and they mentioned how much he had grown. Of course we knew that, but it's not quite as obvious when you are around all the time. =) They are coming down again in a few weeks for Christmas so that should be fun.

Riley teaching Grandpa McConkey how to play
Guitar Hero!!

Wearing mommy's boots!

We hope everyone has a fun and safe Holiday!

Three months later

2007-10-16T14:54:00.000-06:00

My friend Sandi and I went to the Josh Turner/Wreckers concert at the Eastern Idaho State Fair in September and it was so much fun. It was Girl's Night Out and we had a blast!!!

I went to Rexburg with my in-laws a couple months ago and we visited their FREE spray park. Riley had so much fun playing in the water with his aunts and uncles. He is such a water baby!!

Riley loves his Aunt Anna SO MUCH!!

Ok, so I have been a total slacker. Three months it has been since I posted last. I blogged right before I left for Lewiston in July. While I was there, Riley and I went camping with my parents and some friends at Chief Timothy State Park in Washington. It was so hot, but we had a really wonderful time. We went boating and Riley had fun playing with the other children there. We had a family of skunks right in the middle of our campsight. They were so used to people that they would just walk right up to us. A little freaky if you ask me.

Another day

2007-07-11T17:12:00.000-06:00

So this week is so hot...I can hardly stand it. I can't wait for Fall, when everything is all cozy and the colors begin to change. Anyway, yesterday Riley and I went outside to play with Bella and it wasn't a disaster, fortunately. (She usually jumps all over him and scratches him and tries to bite his little toes and ears....it's like just because she's little she thinks she can pick on him.) He's surprisingly quite gentle with her. Unless she's biting or scratching him of course, then he pinches her. :-)

He doesn't like the grass on his skin, so he does the monkey crawl on all fours.

He actually enjoyed it and I got som great pics to scrapbook. Scrapbooking has kind of been my thing the last couple of weeks. It's my new hobby, but it is so expensive. I was at a scrapbook store here in Pocatello this morning and the owner told me that some women have INSURANCE POLICIES on their scrapbook stuff because they have so much. I just thought that was absolutely insane. Wow!!!

Tomorrow Riley and I are heading to Lewiston for a visit to Grandma and Grandpa. Unfortunately Carl can't come with us because summer is the busiest time for the farm. There is so much to do. But Riley and I are excited for a vacation. We are going camping, and going to the water park in Clarkston. But mostly we are just going to hang out with my family and friends. And see Harry Potter 5!!!!!

I couldn't believe the frenzy yesterday over the premier of Harry Potter. People who already had tickets were in line three days in advance, just because. Call me crazy, but standing in 100 degree heat for three days for no reason, but "just because" sounds a little insane.

A Year of Blessings: Our First Blog

2007-07-10T16:48:00.000-06:00

This whole blog thing is a new thing for me and might take some time getting used to. I figured it would be a good way to let all of our family and friends know what was going on in our lives.

We truly have been blessed this last year. We have accomplished a lot.

Carl and I both graduated from Brigham Young University-Idaho last April. Carl got his degree in Agricultural Business and I got mine in University Studies. I looked like an elephant, nine months pregnant. My family came from Lewiston and Arizona, and of course, Carl's family was there.

Shortly after graduation we greeted our first little arrival, Riley Chester McNabb. He was born on May 10, 2006 and came in at 6 lbs 15 oz and 21 1/2 inches long. He's been a joy since he arrived. He is the happiest, sweetest little guy in the world.

About five months ago we moved from Inkom, where we had been renting an apartment to Pocatello where we bought a cute little house. It has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a big back yard for Riley to run around.

This picture is after we pulled out a bunch of

ugly bushes in front of our house.

About one month ago we got a new puppy, Bella. She is a Border Collie and is a little ball of energy. She is already showing a dominant Border Collie trait...herding. She herds Riley all over the lawn. She's definately a working dog.