Anneke's Baby Shower

My friend Anneke is expecting her 3 rd child. She's following our pattern:  girl, girl, boy. Katlyn (Summer's previous boss at Crepé Diem) threw her a beautiful shower. Her catering expertise really came shining through. My kids helped us assemble the delicious food. It was a hit. 

*As a side note, Anneke's husband owns the asphalt business Jason will be working for this summer while we make our move to SoCal!!!  Finally!!!  :)

Spring Sports

Swim Season ended, although Summer is teaching group swim lessons 3 days a week with the occasional private lesson. Now Ty is back in soccer and Syd followed up volleyball with track.

Ty's really got the hang of scoring. Tonight, alone, he scored a hat trick!!!

Syd started out in hurdles, long jump, and the 800. She isn't crazy about hurdles, but is sticking it out anyway.

I love cheering them on. Sports are awesome!!! As you can see, Summer is their biggest fan! ;)

Cowboy Up in Palm Springs!

 As a special treat, my dad found

a fun Covered Wagon Tour for us

to go on in Palm Springs 

the day after Easter. 

 We took up almost the entire wagon.

One other family of 4 joined us,

but for the most part, it was a

Foster Fest!

 Unfortunately, Brad and Mark had to get

back to work, so we were strong in the

female persuasion.  This was the cutest

of the whole lot.  :)  

 The tour led us to a dry oasis.  The water

level was just under the surface, but many 

times throughout the year, the water flows.

 Our guide introduced us to a plant

she called 'The Potato Chip Plant'.

We all got to try some and Ty spent

the rest of the week hunting for more.

It was pretty darn salty and tasted 

like...well, a potato chip.  ;)

 At the top of the oasis, we got to pose

with our mules.  Here's the Stewart bunch...

 The Openshaw bunch,

 Grammy and Pops,

 and the Macbeth bunch.

 We headed back to the 'corrals'

and feasted on cowboy grub.  We 

followed my dad's lead and added

non-dairy creamer to our hot chocolate.

Some of the best I've ever had...even

without marshallows.  Yum!

 Can you believe that we got that entire

crew up and line-dancing!?!  It was a

blast.  Sydney even went on to teach them

some she's learned here in Montana.

See, a little Montana has rubbed off.  HaHa

 After the sun had already set, the

teenagers headed out to do some

roping.  Porter looks like a natural.

 Tanner wasn't too bad, either.

 For the finale, we got to roast marshmallows

in the tent.  The wind was pretty fierce,

so we were happy to stay inside.  Guess

they have those windmills in Palm

Springs for a reason.  ;)

Little Max stole the show at the

end when the wagonmaster gave

him a cute cowboy hat.  I love that kid!

Ty's Baptism

 We were so blessed to 

be able to have Ty's baptism

in Las Vegas with EVERY 

member of our families able to

attend (except Brady, who is

on a mission).  

 Ty was so darn handsome!  

He truly looked like a young

man and we were so proud.

 When it was time for the baptism,

Ty nearly ran into the water, he

was so excited.  He made everyone

smile from ear-to-ear.  There's something

about that boy that brings out

the best in all of us!

 Here's the Foster side of the 

group.  We appreciate them all driving

there to be with us on Ty's special day.

Once we reached Gary & Marie's, the 

race was on to get get lunch ready for

all of those hungry mouths.  This picture

of the Stewart side was after lunch.  

Marie planned a beautiful meal and 

with the help of my fabulous

sisters-in-law, it was a huge success!

Thank you everyone!!!

Where were you 16 years ago???

16 years ago, I spend 16 miserable hours in labor...it was soooo worth it! Summer entered the world and changed it for the better. Are we lucky, or what!?!

Eight is Great!

Sugar, sugar, and more sugar. :)

Ty's day started off bright and early when we picked up our special order of donuts at the grocery store. They were huge! After school, I took him and Parker to Baskin Robbins for an ice cream. Jason surprised Ty and they headed to Chuck E. Cheese to play games. Then, per Ty's request, we headed to Red Lobster for dinner. It was a first for all of them...and a last. Since Ty loves the fish they catch and cook at the cabin, he assumed he would like all fish. Not so much. :) His napkin was quite full by the end of the evening. Even daddy's lobster ended up in Ty's napkin. Guess we'll stick with our fresh fish. I guess he follows in his moms footsteps on that one.

All in all, it was a great birthday. Now, the baptism in a few weeks will put the finishing touches on his 8th birthday.

Almost Sweet 16!!!!

It will be here before we know it. Crazy!!!