My Beautiful Nieces

So call me a little biast, but I believe I have the most beautiful nieces in the world...here are some pics of them with different family members. Most of these are pics of Madelyn (Gabe and Jenna's daughter), and the other is Kailey with grandma Bobbi Jo. Madelyn is getting so big, and now she has a little brother or sister (I have a feeling it's a boy) on the way. That's right, Jenna is pregnant again, due June 2, 2007!!!

A California Christmas

Here are some of the pics from Christmas at my brothers in California....it was a lot warmer than home. First is Brody with Madisson, she is the happiest kid, always smiling with those cute little dimples. Then is Audrey, Madisson, and I before church on Christmas eve, and then Brody and the girls the same time. Last is all of my nieces that were there in a box.. it was a tight fit, but a cute pic. Of all the gifts, the big empty boxes seemed to keep them the most satisfied.

We Survived

Well, we made it safely home, and managed to keep our sanity!! We got back home on Christmas night at about 11:30 (poor Brody had to work the next day). The flight went just fine, we were delayed only 35 min leaving LAX. However, I was extremely sad leaving my nieces. It was sad leaving my brothers also, but we get to talk on the phone as much as we want. The girls, especially Audrey and Madelyn, don't really like to talk on the phone. The remember people by seeing them. Although, Audrey seemed to remember me...yeah!!! Anyhow, there were about 22 people at my brother and sister-in-law's. It was quiete chaotic, but turned out alright. Even with all of the people there, Trevor and Linds (who were not able to go) were missed, especially the girls missed not being able to see their cousins. No big family brawls or anything that exciting to gossip about suprisingly enough. We had a few nights that we played games, battle of the sexes (of course us girls won...the boys swear the game is "rigged") and cranium (Brody had to act out Martha Stewart...it was great). I had a blast...and Brody (Mr. Shy personality) did so well...I was very happy. The girls of course LOVED their uncle Brody...and he was whipped- you see it in his eyes in a lot of the pics. Speaking of which...I will post them as soon as I get a chance..hopefully in the next couple of days. So overall, Christmas was a success. It has been a very long time since that many of us has been together at once without somebody getting married or dying. (how sad..we'll have to work on that) I hope you all had a very merry christmas, and have a safe and happy new year this Sunday. If I didn't get to talk to you on Christmas...I'm sorry, traveling on a holiday is a little hectic. Feel free to call me anytime. So, to sum it up, Christmas was very good for Brody and I this year, many blessings to be thankful for, mostly the chance to be able to spend it with our family.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Sorry it has been so long since I have posted anything on here- I've been super busy mailing Christmas cards and packages (there are 9 birthdays in our family in December), and getting ready for the upcoming holidays. On top of that I've been working nights- which makes finding time to shop a little hectic...thank God for online shopping!! As many of you already know, Brody and I are going to California to spend Christmas with my family this year. We leave on the 21st and will be home on Christmas day..in the afternoon. I'm looking forward to spending time with my family...who I don't get to see very often anymore. But, like all of my family gatherings....it tends to get a little stressful...so wish us all luck!! We are especially excited to spend time with our beautiful neices!! They haven't got to see their uncle Brody since our wedding in 2005. I love to watch him with the girls...on the outside he appears so composed and "tough" but when one of the girls smiles at him, his heart melts and he is completely whipped...I LOVE IT!!! Besides all of the holiday busyness, Brody and I have been busy with work and home stuff. Brody's business has really picked up this year..and he hasn't had a lot of down time. Everybody needs the work done right away. He gets a little stressed sometimes, but overall we are very thankful for the business!! Work has been a little slow for me, but thats the way it goes in OB..it's either feast or famine. I love my job, it is amazing to share such a wonderful experience with the families...although it does get stressful at times. The other night I had to deliver the baby because the doctor didn't make it...it, like every time that happens, is such an adreneline rush. Thank God I work with a wonderful nurse.. who I think makes a great teammate. The baby was beautiful and the family was especially thankful to me...I thank God every day that I have such a rewarding job. So...other than all this, 2006 has been a good year for Brody and I with many blessings and reasons to be thankful. We are happy and healthy!!

More Pics

Here are some more pics to share with you that I found when I was looking through my pics that are on my computer. The one of Brody and the salmon is from last October when we went to the Oregon Coast with a bunch of my family. The guys and I went out crabbing on one day and maxed out on the amt of crab we could catch at 76. Later that evening we had a huge fresh crab feast...mmmm. The next day Brody went fishing with my dad and brothers and cousin and caught his first salmon..which weighed about 30lbs...way to go Brod!! The other picture is of my nephew Levi. I had gone over to my brother's house to see the boys and found him sound asleep in the living room just like he is...I couldn't resist taking the pic. Anyhow, it's been a while since I've put any pics up. I'll have to take some new ones..so you don't get stuck looking at all my old pics. Have a wonderful thanksgiving this Thursday...remember what the holiday is really about and let your loved ones know how thankful you are!! I'll be working.. but want you all to know how thankful I am to have such a wonderful group of family and friends, and a wonderful husband to share my life with!!

Trick or Treat

So I went out and bought a bunch of candy, excited to see all of the trick or treater's, and we ended up only having two groups of kids come by the house, one on which were my niece and nephews. Here are pics of them, they had a lot of fun. Jaycee was a balerina; Wyatt was a superhero from the Incredibles and Levi was a ninja!!

Little Cowboy-Big Dreams

So I wanted to have one of my nephews dress up in uncle Brody's boots for a certain picture frame that I have. Levi was not cooperating, so Wyatt (the little ham) agreed. He had so much fun getting in different poses. Everytime I tried to tell him that we were done, he was like "wait, take one of me like this!" (and would do a new pose). So here are a couple of the pics. Isn't he so cute. And the one I chose for the frame is the one without the hat...I love it!! It was perfect.

Fall- I love this time of year!!

So this last week my nephew Wyatt and I spent a lot of time together. My brother and sister-in-law were at elk camp, as was Brody. We had a lot of fun doing various activities. Wyatt's highlight was when we raked leaves and then played in them. He is such a little ham for the camera. We also walked to the park, walked to the library, and walked to school. Wyatt loves to walk everywhere- it makes him feel like such a big boy. I love fall- the colors are so beautiful!!. I will post more pics from our eventful week as soon as I get them downloaded! Enjoy

My First Buck

The Great Hunter!!!

Well, I finally killed my first buck...yeah!! Call me the great hunter, OK so not so much. Brody took me out on 10/7/06 after I had worked all night. It was a long day, hiking up and down the mountainside, but finally after about 3 1/2 hours of searching, I found the buck bedded down near some brush. Brody said it was a hard shot since he was facing me and bedded down, but I didn't know the difference. I was pretty nervous right before I pulled the trigger, but not before then. I watched him for about an hour before I shot, trying to get up the nerve to actually pull the trigger. One shot, that's all it took, and the poor little buck died right where he had bedded down for an afternoon nap!!! Brody had to convince me that I really killed it because I just couldn't believe it!! Good Job Ar!! That was the easy part, I forgot about cleaning it and dragging it off the dang mountain. I am soooo sore today from all the hiking, not to mention the fact that I had no sleep. I have such a wonderful husband that when we got back he let me go sleep and took care of all the dirty work...thanks Brod!!!

Home Sweet Home

Here is a picture I took as I was driving home from the airport today- Nothing feels as good as getting back home, and dropping down into the valley!! I LOVE OREGON

Welcome Mykaia

I spent this last weekend in Bozeman, MT visiting my best friend from high school, Cassidy, who decided to have her baby a month early. Mykaia Shea was born 9/27/06. She weighed only 5# 3oz. Tiny little thing. She is so sweet. I'm so proud of Cassidy- she now has two beautiful children!! I love being an "aunt." Kaia and I spent lots of time "bonding" while I let Cass get as much sleep as possible. She was a little jaundice, so I had her sun-bathing in front of the window- she seemed to love it, and was pretty kicked back as you can see in the last pic.

Happy 1st Birthday Madelyn!!

Happy 1st birthday to my beautiful niece Madelyn Paige on September 9!! Isn't she so cute. These pictures are from when I was there the week before her birthday on 9/1/06.

Happy 1yr Anniversery!!!

One year ago today we were in Oahu, Hawaii on our honeymoon!! It was a lot of fun, beautiful weather as you can see. We were there for a week total, and although it was a nice vacation, we were both more than ready to get back home to our "country" lifestyle!

The Ranch

Here is a picture that I took this summer when my nephews Levi (left) and Wyatt (right) spent the day with Aunt Arlee and Uncle Brody at the ranch...we took then riding on the 4-wheeler, they got to ride in the tractor with Uncle Brody, and then finished the day off petting our bottle fed calf "Hank the Tank" and the twin calves "Shrek and Fiona".

California Trip

Here are some pictures from my California trip that I took at the end of August. Top is a picture of Audrey when we went out to eat at Red Lobster. Next is a pic of my brother Gabe and I with the girls; after that is Audrey (left) and Madelyn, my two youngest nieces. Last is a pic of Kailey (middle), Maddison (left), and I at Red Lobster..it was delicious! Aren't my nieces beautiful...I miss them so much and can't wait until they move to Oregon!!