Banbury Hot Springs

Alturas Lake

Table Rock

Our little hike up Table Rock in Boise was well worth the effort.  More work for Michael than me, with Mackers strapped to his back.  But the view was beautiful and we had a fun time.  Mack fell asleep on the way down.  He had his little hands holding on to the pack and his little head kept swaying back and forth with every step Michael took.  Hope to go on more hikes very soon.  

Memorial Day Weekend

This Memorial Day Weekend we took the opportunity to go camping for the first time with our little one.  We camped at Lake Walcott State Park in Minidoka, Idaho.  Some of the fun things to do their include frisbee disc golf, biking, bird watching, fishing, and boating.  We managed to do a few of these.  I really enjoyed our little bike rides on the paved paths throughout the campgrounds.  Michael pulled Mack around in the bike trailer and it was fun to watch him smile back at me... or fall completely over to one side when he would fall asleep. We saw snakes, all sorts of birds, and yes, a raccoon (he stole my travel size package of tissues and headed up a tree).  Our campsite was right near the lake and it was awesome listening to the waves as we were falling asleep.  We also had a few other visitors other than the raccoon.  Michael's Dad and sister Megan came to visit us for lunch on Friday and Friday night my family came to visit and join us for some s'mores.  We camped for two nights and then packed up and spent the rest of the time in Burley.  Monday morning we took a trip to the cemetery to show Mack the grave sites of his Grandma Holly, uncle Benjamin and other family members that we dearly love and miss each day.  Here are pictures from our weekend.    

The Nursery

Getting the nursery prepped and ready has been a fun and challenging.  Some of the nursery came together after baby came, which is fine, because he sleeps in our room for now anyway.  Here is a photo tour of the room.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! We celebrated the wonderful past year and welcomed in the New Year to come at the Snake River Bowl.  We had a fun time and Michael won us these party hats by bowling a strike in a contest!

Mack slept through the entire party.  He is a good baby and so sweet.  I am sad to welcome the new year, because that means I have to go back to work.  

Peace on Earth!

We hope you had a very Merry Christmas.  This Christmas was extra special for our family as we celebrated Mackay's first Christmas together.  Our tree has a few new ornaments to represent this special year for us.  For me this year I especially felt a greater connection to the beauty and miracle of the Nativity Story.  The miracle of carrying and delivering a precious new life into the world is one of God's greatest blessings.  It was wonderful having maternity leave during the holiday season.  We enjoyed driving around to watch Christmas light shows, attending holiday parties, and spending lots of time with family.  Here are some photos of the best Christmas season yet.

Mack bathed in Chelsi's sink.  He barely fit, but it worked and like always he was adorable. 

 Our Christmas tree was gorgeous this year.  Michael picked it out and put the lights on so we could decorate it together.  This is my favorite tree yet.  Michael's Grandpa Jack made Mack a toy box.  We were so surprised Grandpa made him one, since he had said previously that the boxes were too heavy for him to make anymore.  He also gave him a wooden toy truck.

Pillows & personalized pillow cases we gave to the girls for Christmas.

 Grandpa stuffed Mack in a stocking, it was a tight squeeze.  Dad has a picture of me as a baby in a stocking too.

 Michael made me this entryway table and the Mack sign for Mackay's nursery.  Grandpa Funk made the alligator pull-toy for Mack.

 We were so lucky this Christmas to be able to spend so much time with both of our families.  We hope you had a very Merry Christmas and were able to spend the season with friends and family.