Brycen's Birthday Portraits

Such a handsome boy!

The Buzz

I thought I better let you know about something new in our back yard.  I have talked about it for a long time but finally got a Top Bar Hive and some bees and have been having fun getting to know the hobby and how it all works.  Needless to say, there is a lot to learn and I'm having fun getting to know these little critters.  Luckily, I have not been stung and truthfully, they are very gentle.  They will land on me or my bare hands and just sniff around but don't get angry unless I breath or blow on them.  That's an immediate aggressive reaction then.  Hoping for a little honey later this year and then if things go well, the second year should yield around 90 lbs or more.  Loving IDAHO!! 

 This is a "Package" of bees generally around 10,000 bees plus a queen.

 A Top Bar Hive is really pretty simple - resembling a hollow log but built to very tight specifications so that the hives will be built by the bees to specific dimensions that are easy to manage.  It has a viewing window in the front and 3 ports on the left side for them to come and go.  I'm usually out there at least once a week checking on them and expanding the containment as they do their build out for their brood and honey comb structures.  Look up Top Bar Hives on YouTube.  It's pretty interesting.

You just shake them out of the package, provide a good deal of sugar water and put the top down.  Not much more to it than that.  With this warmer weather they don't need any more sugar water since they are really enjoying all the blooming trees and flowers in the area.  I'm anxious to find out what "Real" local honey tastes like.  I'm told by what I read that store bought honey is pretty different with adders, dilutions, corn syrup additives and all kinds of things they do to maximize profit.

A Visit to Coeur d' Alene

After months of hard work studying for fire tests and working two jobs, Drew and I decided we needed a vacation.  So we called Matt and Kimbre and asked if we could come for a visit.  It was so nice to she them all.  Kimbre looks AMAZING with only 5 weeks left!

We arrived on Thursday night, and then went to Bounce on Friday.  The kids all had a blast playing on all the equipment.  There were bounce houses and catwalks and balls and cars.  Ava, Brycen, Riley and Carter never stopped moving.  

There was one slide that was super fast.  This was Ava zipping out of it!

 Back at Kimbre's house the kids played outside as much as possible.  The weather was cold and windy but it didn't seem to both them.  Carter liked to climb the retaining wall in the back yard and walk across the top. 

 On Saturday, Drew and I took the kids for a drive around the city of Coeur d' Alene.  Drew also toured the fire stations and in the process he found this awesome park.  On one side there was the play ground, and on the other there was a memorial for fallen firefighters and law enforcement for the state of Idaho.  There was also a tribute to 9/11.

 The playground was a huge fire fighter helmet with a single slide.  

 After our drive the Easter festivities commenced.  Kimbre invited Matt's brother Kevin and his family to join us to paint eggs.  I think we had over 4 dozen!

 Once the eggs her all done we drove to a neighbor's house for an egg hunt and potluck picnic.  They divided the big/little kids so it was really nice to be able to help our little ones with out getting run over!

All of the kids had so much fun finding eggs and cracking them open for the candy inside.  Ever Carter got the hang of it - eager for more treats.  

After the egg hunt we drove home to enjoy and delicious Easter dinner.  Kimbre prepared a glazed ham, devilled eggs and jello.  Kevin's wife, Lisa, brought funeral potatoes and rolls.  And I provided apple crisp for dessert.  It all tasted so good.

Thank you Kimbre and Matt for opening your home to my crazy family.  We had so much fun and it was so nice to get away and relax for a few days.

Brycen's 5th Birthday with Nana & Papa & GG

After the big birthday party with all of his friends, Nana, Papa and GG came over to celebrate with us.  Brycen opened some wonderful gifts and loved every bit of it!  After some big hugs - it was time for cupcakes - but NO ice cream for this kid - just CAKE!  

Carter especially like the cupcakes.

A big Thank You to Nana, Papa and GG for coming over to celebrate our Big Boy Brycen!  I can't believe 5 years has already come and gone for this kid.  He is so much fun and we are so thankful to have him with us!

Brycen's 5th Birthday Party

With mustaches ready - it's time for the best Mario Party ever!  

This year Brycen turned 5 so in our house, that means you get a party with friends!  Brycen decided he wanted to have a Mario Kart themed party, so for the last few months I have been scouring pinterest for ideas.  I found a few good ones and the crafting commenced!  I have to admit, the decorations for this party were so much fun to make.  

I started with a wall mural.  It turned out perfect!

Then of course there were gift bags.  Each guest went home with a mustache whistle, chocolate "coins" and other candy from the pinata.  

We started the festivities with " Pin the Mustache on Mario".  5 year olds love this because everyone misses and the giggles are contagious.

Then we went out into the glorious sun shine and did egg races.  The kids had to balance an egg on a spoon and race across the yard.  Well, this was easier said than done.  I thought it would be fairly simple but the kids didn't get it.  It was a good effort though.

Brycen's team were the winners! 

I think it would have been much easier for me had I just let all the kids play outside in the back yard instead of planning games for them to play.  They all had way more fun swinging and playing in the rocks!  Note to self: A huge play date works just as well, if not better, for a 5 year-old birthday party!

These sweet girls wanted to find all the "pretty" rocks in the back yard.  LOL!

This is Brycen and his best friend Elsie!  These two are joined at the hip and her mom and I have already begun planning their wedding!  JK!

After playing in the rocks, I attempted to round them all up for another game: a simple ring toss.  And once again - they tried, failed and went back to the playground.  At least they tried right?  

Soon we moved on to cupcakes - which were a hit, of course, and then to the pinata.  The kids all knew it was filled with candy so they were very eager to participate.   

Everyone got a try, but Brycen swung the winning hit!  

It was a lot of work - but soooo worth it for my big boy!  Love you Brycen!