Emily's 1st Food

Emily had her first taste of real food (rice cereal) on July 31st. I usually introduce solid food between 4-5 months, and I could tell that she was definitely ready! She's been wanting to eat much more frequently, and I knew the milk alone wasn't doing it anymore.

My mom fed her and I took the pictures. Emily didn't know quite what to think at first. It's always funny to watch their reactions to food. She managed to get some of it down, and a lot more went on her hands and face. I don't think she loved it much, but I think she'll do better as she gets older. I can't believe she's already old enough to eat baby food.

Random July

A few random photos from the month of July

(Taken by Amanda at her Skidmore family reunion, they were kind enough to let us join the group one afternoon. She has a fun family and we enjoyed visiting with them)

Matthew with Carly, these two are best friends. Taken by Caleb- our budding photographer. He is always asking if he can use the camera to take pictures.

Right after we got into our new apartment. I was trying to get things unpacked and let the boys watch a movie on the little dvd player. I found the boys like this. I love it when they're best friends.

Just because we think she's cute.

Emily and her awesome Aunt Nettie

Another one taken by Caleb

Eagle Wildfire

I left Scott & Amanda's to head up to my parents home on Wednesday morning. As we were driving up state highway 55, Jacob pointed out some smoke on the ridge. When I looked over, I could tell there was a big fire, although it looked like it had just started. We drove up the Emmett highway leading to my parents house, and stopped at the pull-off area to watch for a minute. The fire really had just started, we saw the first policemen going zooming by fast, but I could tell it was moving quickly. I had my camera with me and got a couple shots- you can even see the flames start to come over the hill, but I didn't want to stay too long. I knew there would be firemen and officers coming in, so we drove up to my parents house & just watched the smoke and airplanes from there.

(Fire not too long after it started)

(Zoom in on this one-you can see the flames start to come over the ridge)

It was crazy! The pictures really don't even do justice to how big the smoke clouds really were. It was actually pretty scary! I knew my parents house was fine, because the fire was a ways away across the highway and the wind was blowing it the opposite direction but I was a little concerned about my Uncle Kenny, Aunt Mari and their family (where we played a couple weeks previously) because it looked like the fire was going that way. As we came to find out later, it was very close to their home- just across the street. In fact, the helicopters were pulling water from their ponds. Kenny took some absolutely amazing photos!

(The view from my parents back yard.

You can imagine how bad it must have looked up close)

Kenny's Photo: Helicopter taking water from their pond

Isnt' this one amazing?! Kenny took it right near their home.

Everything ended up being okay, not great, there were 4 homes that went up in the fire, but it really could have been a huge disaster had everyone not responded and moved as quickly as they had. Mom and Lacey couldn't even get home the normal way because all the roads were blocked off. I was glad I had come when I did, I really did go past just minutes after the fire started. The fire burned a huge area across the entire area, and the hills were left completely black. It wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been though thanks to the firemen and especially pilots who flew the airplanes- they saved many homes! It was such a crazy thing and it really makes you grateful for people who do these jobs!

Weekend with the Fam

The wedding was definitely the main event for the weekend, but we kept the activities and fun going for a few days.

On Friday afternoon, after everyone came into town, we were able to meet up at the park and play some tennis. Stevens/Forman get togethers wouldn't be complete without tennis! The kid enjoyed playing at the park, and the men went out to play a game of golf afterwards. I was bummed, I forgot to charge our camera so I only got about 2 pictures before the battery died, but we had lots of fun and some intense games even if I don't have the pictures to prove it.

We were lucky enough to stay with the Scott & Amanda along with a few others, so we constantly had a party going. I love the family time together, even if it's managing the chaos. The kids loved being together and I know the adults did as well. We definitely had some late nights, and we probably all could have used a little more sleep, but I think we're all just trying to get as much time together as possible because it doesn't happen as often as we'd like.

Sunday we enjoyed church and spending time together before most people had to take off. Tony & Lisa, Chris, and Grandma Forman had to take off early Sunday morning- we sure missed them after they left. They bring so much fun to the group. Sunday afternoon was spent enjoying a yummy dinner, talking, playing games, enjoying the outdoors, having a family scripture study outside, and one of my favorites- a girl's evening walk. We let the dads put the kids to bed and went for a walk together. We ended up making a stop at Mom & Dad's place and enjoyed a smoothie and played a game together(with Joseph Forman too). A couple of us had fun climbing the tree in the front yard. It really was fun to have a little time with the girls. But don't feel too bad for the husbands, they were going for their 2nd game of golf in the morning. Once again, no pictures, but it was an enjoyable night.

I thought this picture was pretty funny. Matthew really wasn't doing any 'boy' business, his pants just wouldn't stay up. We need to fatten him up a bit. :)

Monday we took advantage of an offer from one of Amanda's friends and went swimming. Her friend has quiet the setup. She has an absolutely beautiful home that looks like it came right out of the Pottery Barn magazine, and an absolutely amazing backyard. The kids enjoyed the playhouse and tramp, but mostly the pool complete with a slide, diving slab, and rope swing/climbing rope. It was a blast!
Jacob and Caleb had fun on the slide and playing in the water. Emily was actually pretty good, although you wouldn't guess it from the pictures- she looks a little upset in most of them, probably because she wanted to be IN the water! She loves being in the pool.

Matthew was funny to watch. He actually doesn't enjoy swimming as much as the other kids, it takes some prodding to get him in the water. He'd rather play in the water on the side of the pool. It made me laugh to watch him- he put on a helmet and had a water noodle, I think he was 'fishing' in the pool. He's a funny boy.

I loved watching the cool tricks- mostly by the kids- and cheering everyone on as they climbed the rope to the top. I think almost everyone climbed to the top. Jeff was the champ- he climbed the rope a few times including the last time using only his arms, no feet. What can I say? He's awesome! (and pretty hot ;) ha ha

Yes, I did make it to the top despite the pathetic picture taken at the bottom.

Monday night we had dinner at Mom and Dad Stevens place. Sadly for me, Jeff had to leave after dinner to head back home for work. Before the trip, I had been feeling a little bummed about only being able to stay for a couple days and then heading back. We ended up deciding that the kids and I would stay in Boise while Jeff went back to work for the rest of the week, then he would come back down Friday night and we'd stay for the weekend. Anyway, it was sad to say goodbye to him. Monday night, the rest of the adults went to a musical at the Starlight Mountain Theater and we left the kids with a babysitter. Jeff took Matthew and Emily up to my parents for the evening, but Jacob and Caleb stayed with the rest of the kids. We saw the musical, "The Scarlet Pimpernel." It was a little corny, very different from the movie, but still a lot of fun. I think the best part was just sitting near Tami and CJ who kept the whole night very entertaining! It was fun to spend an evening with the adults, I was just missing Jeff.

We had a couple more days with everyone. Tami & CJ left early Tuesday morning for a trip to DC. Tuesday was spent at home trying to re-coup from from the all the weekend activities. We played games, and let the kids run around and play outside. Tuesday night after getting kids into bed, a few of us were thinking we hadn't quite had our fill of tennis, so Mom Stevens, Nettie, Kimber, Amanda and I went to go play at a nearby park. Scott was sweet enough to volunteer to keep an eye on the kids at home. We did take Emily with us, and she was an angel the whole time; she really loves being outdoors. We went to some tennis courts right across the street and played until we couldn't see anymore. Amanda and I were on a roll and went undefeated while we were there! When it got too dark to see, I brought along some glow sticks with the idea that we could break them open and pour the liquid on the tennis balls. It was pretty cool- it was still a little hard to see, but it was fun for a while! Then Mom had the idea to go to the courts at BSU, we lucked out! There was an open court and lights on, so we ended up playing until about midnight. Emily fell asleep for a while, but woke up for about the last hour. She was perfect though, and never even uttered a peep. Four of us would play, and the other would hold Emily and watch. It worked out great and we had a blast! There were some really fun games and we loved playing. We didn't get home until after midnight, then we got talking, taking personality tests, and playing games. We're definitely crazy. I don't know how, but the time really just got away from us. We didn't realize how late it really was until Kimber realized it was 4am and time for her to leave for the airport. We paid for it a little the next morning when kids were up and ready to eat at 8am, but we had fun. :) I love having such a fun and crazy family. Next time I think we'll shoot for earlier bedtimes, but we had a great week together!

Greg & Amy's Wedding

On the 24th of July, we had the exciting opportunity to celebrate the wedding of Greg & Amy! I'm pretty sure I can speak for the whole family when I say how excited we were. Greg waited a long time to find the right girl, and Amy is everything (and more) we hoped for! They make an absolutely remarkable couple and really are just perfect for each other. They met earlier this year, and after not too long, knew they wanted to spend the rest of the lives together. Greg proposed in a plane while flying over the Boise Temple and plans were made for a wedding on the 24th of July.
The wedding on Saturday was beautiful. It was such a neat experience to be gathered with our family in the temple. Greg and Amy looked so happy together, we were so grateful to be there. Lacey was such a great help and came up to watch our kids for us at the temple-we couldn't have done it without her. Of course it wouldn't be tradition without a minor setback, Jonnny's airplane was delayed in Salt Lake and he ended up missing the sealing ceremony, but he was there by the time Greg & Amy came out.

Stevens Girls

(Tami, Ang, Gina, Nettie, Kimber, Mandy)

As it goes, after the ceremony there were plenty of pictures taken with everyone. I was impressed with how well the kids did in the hot sun, there were only a couple meltdowns. :) Afterwards, we headed back to the house were the kids had a lunch party together while the adults went to the wedding luncheon at a nearby cafe. That night there was a reception at the chapel. Amy's family did a wonderful job and the place looked beautiful. I should have taken more pictures that night, but we were all too busy talking with each other, enjoying the food, and dancing! They had a great DJ, and we spent a lot of time dancing with everyone. That was definitely another favorite memory of the wedding. We've got some family members who can really bust a move. All in all, it was a great day and we were glad we could share in the fun. (More to come & more pictures from the weekend fun)

4 Months Old

Emily turned 4 months old on July 19th

4 Month Stats

23.75 Inches (18th percentile)

11.5 pounds (5th percentile)

- Emily was finally blessed at 3.5 months. We wanted to wait so we could do it with family. It was fun that she could actually smile for the pictures.

- She is really starting to love to play with toys.

-She loves to take baths and play in the water. She also loves swimming pools.

- She laughs, smiles, and 'talks' and giggles a lot. We love her sweet little voice.

-She likes to play with her hair. Sometimes she just rubs the back of her head, other times she'll actually grab it and pull on it a little.

-She is definitely teething. She slobbers and drools and is always looking for something to chew on. Her favorite is mommy or daddy's fingers.

-She likes to stick her tongue out constantly. Not sure why, but it is cute.

- I can already tell she will be a good shopping buddy. Unlike the boys who seemed born to know to cry the moment we walked in the door of a store, she actually can be pretty content and sweet through the shopping trip.

-She's now wearing size 2 diapers.

- She likes to sleep the same way I did as a baby, on her tummy with her legs curled under her and her bum up in the air.

- She is still a mover and can be found rolling all over the floor. So much for keeping her on a blanket.

- Still loves her brothers, I think they're pretty entertaining to watch

-She is such a good and fun baby. She does pretty well at keeping on a schedule and really brings a lot of joy to our home. We're sure grateful for this sweet little girl.