The Bruneau Bunch

Mattresses and Motorcycles

2010-06-11T17:02:00.000-07:00

So one night I let the kids make beds on the living room floor with some mattresses. While they were putting them away I gave them the idea of sliding down them. They had great fun for 15 or 20 minutes.....cheap entertainment.

Analeise is always stealing my camera and taking pictures of herself. Here are some that I thought were pretty neat.

All of the kids and Chad bought motorcycles this spring. We finally took them out for a ride.

Kyla did not have much fun.

We drove though a spot that looked like old city remains. We named it Clay City.

I got the 4-wheeler and the 3 smaller kids. Needless to say my back was killing me by the time we got home from holding Eli. And Tessa fell asleep.

We even got to see a blow snake. YUCK!!!

Kyla always had trouble climbing the hills...so here are the other 3 helping coming to her rescue.

A view of the valley we live in.

Garden Planting

2010-05-18T13:59:00.001-07:00

Well it's that time of year again, time to plant the garden. With this brings a great big SIGH....such work. In the past we haven't had a lot of success with a garden. I know, one would think a farmer should be able to grow anything. Well I'm hoping this year is better. For starters I might be able to spend more time babying the garden as I won't be in the swather....as much. It's time to train Analeise to cut hay....but I'm sure I'll get a turn here and there. So far we have planted potatoes, corn, summer squash, buttercup squash, and zucchini. The kids actually helped Chad do most of it while I was taking care of Eli.

Eli, showing us the faintest of smiles. He smiles the best for his "twin" Dallin.

Enjoying the beautiful day

Whoose little ragamuffin is that??

We have the plowing and harrowing going on.

Dallin loves to operate anything with a motor and does quite well. He has taken over the lawn mowing as well, and I'm loving it.

Happy Harrowers

Analeise is cutting up the seed spuds. Open your eyes and you might be able to see a little better.

I love this pic. When I first put Eli in his seat, Paco came right over to check him out. We told Paco no and he just laid right down next to him. Seems as though he was protecting him.:)

Chad digging the holes for the spuds.

Eric Dodge-The Last Real Cowboy Live at the Utah State Fair 2009

2010-05-17T09:56:00.000-07:00

My Grandpa left this world last Tuesday, He would have been 92 on the 28th of this month. A friend sent me this link to this song, it totally describes my Grandpa.

BABY & BASEMENT

2010-03-26T11:07:00.000-07:00

Well it's been a longggg time since I've updated my blog. Alot has happened since Christmas so we just want to catch everybody up. The best thing that happened was the birth of our little boy. Eli Foch Mills was born On March 12th, 2010. He must have been anxious to join our little circus as he was 10 days early. Eli was just a wee thing weighing 5 lbs. 15.5 oz. and was 18 inches long. The Dr. was actually expecting him to be about 7 1/2 lbs, he was very surprised to see him so small. I wasn't complaining any, it was an easy delivery with him being so tiny. The umbilical cord actually had a knot in it and they may have attributed to him being smaller. Fortunately for us the cord was in good health so it wasn't able to tighten down. When that happens you can have a still birth. We are grateful and blessed to have him here with us. He is such a good baby, rarely crying, and only waking up twice at night. Some nights he has only woken up once. I couldn't ask for a better baby.

Analeise's birthday was on the 11th of March and she was turning 12. So we had planned a party for her on Fri. the 12th and she was having about 10 girls come to the house. Well when I went into labor that morning we debated back and forth wether to cancel the party or go ahead with it. Fortunately my parents were here and they were willing to take on the party. The girls had fun and didn't get a whole lot of sleep. Eli wasn't born till 9:49 p.m so they stayed up late waiting for news and pictures via the cell phone.

Here are some pictures of the kids and Eli, hope you enjoy them.

Dallin and Eli, the night we got home.

The Circus

Kyla and Eli, Kyla always lets me know when Eli is hungry and needs a diaper change. She has even changed him a few times.

Sissy Analeise and Eli. Tessa calls her Sissy.

Getting Eli dressed for the trip home.

This pic makes him look really chubby, which he is not.

This is the know that was in the umbilical cord. Gross, but I had to put the picture on.

Happy Mamma, after it was over.

Proud Papa

The next best thing that has happened since Christmas was the finishing of the basement. HOORAY!!! We got the basement completed about 2 weeks before Eli was born. It is so nice to have the extra room and it's been amazing that I've been able the keep the house cleaner. It doesn't hurt that the 4 big kids have moved downstairs. Here are some pics of the basement.

Kyla, Zane, Allie and Kassidee setting up Kyla's room.

My favorite room....The Laundry Room. Thanks to Rick for helping Chad move down my washer and dryer.

Living Room. Chad has to have the blue wall and I actually like it.

Tessa standing in the hallway.

Analeise's green and blue room.

Kyla's pink and brown room. We definately have an assortment of colors in our house.

Tessa helping mop the cement floor so the carpet could be laid.

Me and Tessa

Dallin and Zane's Boise State Football room. This was Chad's creation, but we still have a little work left to do on it.

Even though Chad is scared of heights he painted above the stairs for me.

Real men paint pink!!

Chad's mom, Kaylene, helping to paint her favorite color in the laundry room. Did I mention this is my favorite room. I have a big table on the far end where I can fold clothes.

Zane painting primer.

Tessa

Analeise

Dallin rolling on the primer

Kyla

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

2009-12-16T08:01:00.001-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas season this year. Here are some of the things we have been busy doing.

Analeise posing by our newly decorated Christmas Tree.

We got a little skiff of snow that the kids had to take advantage of. Thanks to Kyla, she got Tessa all bundled up to go out to sled.

She looks like ET!

Ready for some snow fun.

Decorating the tree.

This was the night of the kids School Christmas play. The production this year was Christmas In Oz. As always, Santa came to visit after the play.

Kyla

Tessa

Zane

Dallin

Waiting in line to see Santa.

Kyla, playing Toto, in the school play.

Analeise played the Head Elf.

Zane's class played the Munchkins.

Dallin's class were Elves.

1 UNHAPPY FARMER

2009-10-09T15:20:00.000-07:00

There's never a dull moment on the farm. The other day Chad called me from his cell phone. He said you need to bring the Backhoe down to the field, we have all 3 tractors stuck. I couldn't believe it, all 3!! Chad had cleared some sage brush this summer to turn the ground into farm ground. Well I don't know if water subs under this ground but it was a mess. This is the scene I saw as Tessa and I pulled into the field with the backhoe.

Chad was discing with the red tractor when he got stuck. Well they tried to pull it out with the John Deere only to get that stuck as well.

This is how we mud bog in Idaho.:)

The white case got stuck trying to roller harrow.

Chad tried to dig out in front of the tires with the backhoe.

It didn't work, the JD is still stuck. The backhoe was not much force in trying to pull it out.

In fact anywhere the backhoe went it got stuck. But Chad, being the great driver he is, can use the 2 buckets and push his way out. It kind of looks like a worm crawling across the ground.

digging his way back out of the field onto dryer ground

Chad and Marcelino accessing the situation. At this point I was glad I couldn't make out much of his vocabulary, I'm sure some of it was not very pleasant.

Pulling the JD free!!

Pulling the case free!!

They unhooked the disc from the red case so that they could pull the disc out backwards. This was quite the problem. The tires kept sinking so they kept having to dig out the tires with a shovel. The mud was wet clay and was hard shoveling. They finally got the disc out after breaking the chain 2 times. By this time I was ready to go home. I had been down there for 3 hours!! I didn't stick around to see them free the red tractor, Tessa and I had had enough.

If only we could look at problems through the eyes of a child. Tessa had a ball playing in the dirt and mud. When she needed a break she just sat down on the tongue of the disc.

Tessa even managed to make herself a little bed in one of the holes left by the backhoe.

what more could a kid ask for??

GOOFIN, UNDERWEAR, & RODEO

2009-09-21T17:09:00.000-07:00

Tessa modeling a pair of her brothers unders

Back view

The whole gang of Mutton Busters

Zane & buddy Mitchell, before "the ride"

Wrangler Butts

Tessa

4-H club workin the food booth

Fish Faces

Dallin and Kyla wrapped up Tessa in the laundry basket with blankets and pillows and then secured her in with bungee straps. They then proceeded to give her a carnival ride, shaking and rocking her back and forth. Things kids think up to do.

Kyla and Analeise

"In my pretty garden..."

Our friend came over and Tessa got a hole of his hat.
Now you see me.....

Now you don't...

This is a video of Zane mutton bustin. It's really short so watch it a few times to get the full effect.

BACK TO SCHOOL

2009-08-26T09:30:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's that time of the year again!! Summer went by soooo fast but we did have a fun busy one. Like always, you have to take "1st Day of School" pics. I can't believe how old my kids are getting. That only means one thing.....I'm also getting older!! AGHHHHHH. I wish I could freeze time right now and not let them get older. I have no desire to enter the teenage years, but alas it is quickly approaching.

Analeise- age 11, 6th grade

Kyla- age 10, 5th grade
Because of the size of our school we have several different classes in the same room. Kyla and Analeise are again in the same room together.

Dallin- age 8, 3rd grade

Zane- age almost 6, Kindergarten

He has kindergarten every day all day, yesterday he fell asleep on the couch after school. Poor Guy. The first morning of school he got dressed and came out to the living room. He looked at me and said, "I even look bigger." My thoughts exactly. Isn't it amazing how much older they look on the 1st day of school compared to the night before, when they go to bed.

2009-08-11T15:58:00.000-07:00

Owyhee County Fair
Corn Dogs, Snow Cones, Corn on the Cob, greasy Burgers and Fries, that's what I'm talking about. It's fair time again. On Tues, the 4th we headed to Homedale for the fair. We had a busy week but it was fun and the girls did great in all their projects. Kyla took a Market Lamb and sewing and Analeise kept busy with a Market Lamb and Breeding Heifer. It felt like I only had 3 girls because the boys were off playing with some other boys that are in our 4-H club. They kept themselves busy playing with their tractors in the sand pile and playing on the straw stack. Chad was even able to be there most of the time to help out. My mom came home with us from the reunion so she made it to the fair on Thurs. to watch the girls show. Dad brought us our pick-up back after it was fixed and drove all night on Wed. to make it in time to watch the girls also. Thanks Mom and Dad. Enjoy some of our pics from fair.

This is Kyla and her best frind Julianne at the fashion show. I helped them both with their pj's and they were so excited to model them. Kyla got Grand Champion in her division and won a trophy and a big rosette ribbon. I think the move that won it was her "Genie Move" at the end. When we were sewing her pj's she was showing me how she was going to model and did the "Genie Move" . I bet her $10 she wouldn't do it in the show, I lost $10. She had lots of fun modeling.

Kyla showing off her pajamas

Tessa and "Sissy" doing the chores.

Analeise and Lily got a blue ribbon in showmanship and a red ribbon in quality. The judge must have not minded that Lily got away from Analeise as they entered the arena. Some girl hit Lily on her back and made her jump out of Analeise's hands.

Kyla and Squirt also got a blue ribbon in showmanship and a red in quality. She got third in her showmanship class and the judge said she almost got second. Maybe next year.

Analeise and Precious did a good job, getting blues in both showmanship and quality. Showmanship class is based on how well you show your animal, how clean you and your animal are, how well your animal handles and how attentive you are to the judge. Analeise really enjoyed taking a heifer to fair and wants to do it next year.

SAVAGE REUNION

2009-08-10T17:19:00.000-07:00

It's that time again, Savage Family Reunion Time. We pulled out of Bruneau Idaho Tuesday night traveling as far as we wanted and then sleeping in the camper. It was a good thing we left Tues. because on Wed. we had nothing but trouble. We own a 2005 Ford pickup and we just got it out of the shop about a week ago. We made it to Belgrade Mt where we stopped for fuel. Our plan was to meet up with my Dad and Mom, eat lunch, and then head to Big Timber for the reunion. Well after we got fuel the pick-up would not start. Chad and Dad worked on it for awhile but didn't know what was wrong. After making several phone calls the decision was to get it towed back to Butte to get worked on and my brother, Grant, who hadn't left Drummond, was going to bring us a pick-up. What a mess for everyone involved. Mom and I and all the kids went on ahead with Dad and Moms pick-up and camper. The kids had to ride in the back of the camper cause there was no room in the pick-up. We made it to Big Timber and had a great reunion. Rance and Edie did an awesome job!!! The reunion included, fishing, hiking to the Natural Bridge Falls, foot races, rook tourney and much more. We made it home late Sat. night with Dads pick-up, cause ours wouldn't be ready until Tues. Dad brought our pick-up down when it was ready and got to see the kids at the fair, so I guess it all worked out.

working on the "lemon" truck

On the road, Kyla, Dallin, and Zane

The Falls

Aunt JoAnne and Aunt Berta
"Lookin good ladies!"

Kyla, Zane, Hyrum, Analeise, Lauren, Rebecca, Kimberly, and Erica at the falls bridge.

Chad and Amy

Tessa and Papa Charlie takin a rest on the hike

Dan winning the "young older men"foot race

Analeise and cousins in the Tug of War

Uncle Doug cookin up a storm

Analeise and Scott
Look at those beautiful blue eyes!!

Zane and Dallin fishing at the pond

Dan, Charlie and Eaf playing "patunk"

sorry about the spelling Phillip, but thanks for teaching us the fun game

Grammy eating a hot dog

The Brothers and Sisters minus Arlene

What a good lookin family!

Chopping Triticale

2009-06-24T20:50:00.000-07:00

Tis' the season for making silage. Chad grows this crop,triticale, every year. Triticale is a cross between wheat and rye. As you can tell it grows very tall, in some places it was over 6 feet tall. The triticale we grow, we use it as silage to feed to the dairy cows we custom feed for a dairy. If this is not making any sense it's because I'm very tired and my brain is not functioning properly, I should be in bed.:) Anyway this years harvest was very eventful. We hired the swathing, chopping, and packing done. During the harvest the swathers decided they needed to leave to go swathe on a different job, leaving ours unfinished. Didn't know you could just leave a job you said you would do. Luckily the man who drove the tractor that packed the silage pit had a rotary swather and brought it and finished the rest of the swathing. Well if that wasn't bad enough I was in Boise with Claudette, having a fun time and getting lots of errands ran. We didn't have any of the kids with us, most of them were at my house. Well the guy who has the chopper and the trucks to haul the silage decides he's leaving to go to a different job as well. What the heck is going on, doesn't anyone ever finish a job they say they will do. He said he was getting orders from hire up to go to a different job. Luckily the guy who usually does our chopping for us, but said he couldn't do it this year, bailed us out. He brought his chopper over along with the trucks and got it done the next day. Amongst all this nonsense we had a huge rainstorm that washed out the road the trucks needed to drive on, so we had to get gravel hauled in to fix that. Trucks were getting stuck in the field, so Chad was having to pull them out. And oh yeah, the day the chopper pulled out the pit packing tractor broke down. The guy brought over a little cat to spread the silage while one of our other good neighbors came with his tractor to pack the pit. Well the little cat broke down so that guy brought over a bigger cat, a D6. Now that thing could move the silage! So if I sound like I'm having a pity party, I'm not. Just sharing all the exciting things that go on in our lives. The moral of the story is, hire good help, and when the Lord closes one door, he opens a window, or something like that. Look at all the memories we'll have one day.

Chad, Dallin, Zane, and Tessa standing in front of the triticale
Dallin and Zane taking 5 in the row of triticale. You can't really tell by the picture but the rows were about 5 feet wide and 3 feet tall. We were blessed by a great yield.

The monster chooper filling up the semi trucks. That chopper could really chop!:)

MCDONALD'S MADNESS

2009-06-02T12:13:00.000-07:00

Dallin and Tessa

Kassi and Zane

Daphne, Analeise and a happy Ronald

2009-06-02T12:02:00.000-07:00

Derek and Kyla

Analeise picking her hose, Dallin being goofy, and Daphne

Cool man Derek loungin on Ronald

Ronald pickin his nose

2009-06-02T11:51:00.000-07:00

The gang

Kassidee pushing Tessa around in the high chair

"Watch out here I come!"

Kyla stuck in the slide, "help me, I can't get out."

2009-05-14T15:43:00.000-07:00

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

2009-05-14T15:34:00.000-07:00

BIG LIPS

BUCKY BEAVER

MONKEY GIRL

IT'S A BOY!!!

2009-05-14T15:22:00.000-07:00

We would love to announce the newest edition to our family. I know, nobody even knew we were expecting, we hid it so well. It all happened so quickly we just didn't get anyone told of our happy news. Yes, you guessed it we are the proud new parents of a healthy newborn baby bull calf. HAHAHA did I get ya.

Zane's cow and newborn calf

HAPPY "LATE" BIRTHDAY, KYLA!!!

2009-05-14T10:02:00.000-07:00

How could I forget to blog about Kyla's birthday, I'm such a horrible mother. Kyla's birthday was May 5th, Cinco De Mayo, but we didn't do her birthday cake until Mother's Day so we could celebrate with cousins. I can't believe my sweet Kyla is 10 years old already, she has grown up so fast. Kyla is such a great help to me. She loves to babysit Tessa for me and does a great job. She rarely complains when asked to do something for me and is turning into quite the good cook. Her and Analeise have made several dinners for us without any help from me. And it's good stuff like Easy Parmesan Chicken and One Skillet Spaghetti. Thanks girls. Kyla we love you and are blessed to have your sweet,caring,unselfish spirit in our home. Happy Late Birthday!!! She also got a bicycle and rides it everywhere, even to herd cows!

Kyla, Tessa, cousins, Kellsie and Kassie

Kyla loved the boots but they were a little too small. I took them back and of course they didn't have the right size so I got different ones. She loved the second pair even more.

"Really , you really got me these boots?"

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME...

2009-05-13T21:22:00.000-07:00

This is the first year that Bruneau has had baseball, and of couse Dallin just had to play. He loves baseball, actually he loves any sport. His team is the Bruneau Bobcats and he plays first base. The Bobcats haven't won any games this year but boy have they sure improved. It's fun to watch the little 7 & 8 year olds play, they're so cute.

sitting down on the job!!

ready to make the play at first

Lil' Slugger

roundin 1st, headin' to 2nd

TESSA JALENE

2009-05-13T20:47:00.000-07:00

These are just some snapshots of our little Tessa. I can't believe she will already be 2 in August. Time sure does fly. Tessa is such a joy to have in our home. She does some of the funniest things and we love to just sit and watch her. She's not spoiled at all!!!. This little calf just wandered into our hay field one day. We contacted the owners and the owners said we could have her. We named her "Lucky" or as Tessa calls her "Yucky". She is Tessa's calf and she loves to go feed her the bottle. Tessa loves to "ride"the 4-wheeler with whomever will take her and now can climb onto it herself. She is a little monkey.

CREATURE IN THE HOUSE PART 3

2009-05-13T19:48:00.000-07:00

It's at it again, running through the house stalking us. We've noticed this mouse is taking our Prophet's advice in getting a years supply of food. We began finding his food storage in our irrigating boots a couple of days ago. He had several different food groups stashed away. We set the mouse trap on the porch next to all of our boots. It didn't take long for it to be tripped. Seemed while I was in the kitchen doing dishes, Tessa found it and the trap found her fingers. I released her hand and reset it. The next morning sure enought the creature was captured. And guess what it was? A kangaroo rat!! Ya know the ones that kind of hop across the road at night. They have really long tails. Total Triumph is what we felt, but that was short lived. That night as Chad and I were in the bathroom brushing our teeth out ran another creature right under our bed. Dang it we've been invaded. So we went and got the trap and set it in our bathroom, but to no avail,the trap was still set today. We'll have to strategically place it in a different spot tonight and hopefully catch the kangaroo rats cousin. Wish us Luck!!

I LOVE MY FAMILY

2009-05-10T21:05:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Valarie for teaching me how to make a collage. I messed around with it late last night and this is what I came up with it. I think this picture thing could get addicting. Hope you enjoy!!!

2C FUNNY FARMS

2009-05-09T16:26:00.001-07:00

BRANDING 2009

CREATURE IN THE HOUSE PART 2

2009-04-25T08:48:00.000-07:00

So if you've been following our blog you know we had an episode with a "creature" in the house. Seems like the thing has struck again. This time in the kids' bathroom. Why do mice like bathrooms? Chad and I are sitting in the living room when he jumps up out of his chair and runs to the bathroom. I ask him, "Is it the mouse again?" He replies, "Watch the door I'm going to get the cat." I keep my eye on the opening under the door, but the mouse doesn't dare show his face. Chad comes into the house with the orange cat and enters the bathroom. He closes the door and puts towels on the floor in front of the door to barricade the mouse in. Evidently this orange cat is not much of a mouse chaser. The mouse runs back and forth in front of the cat and he just sits there. Chad opens the door a crack and tell me, "get the white cat." I go to the porch and get the mighty hunter. Don't you love how we don't name our cats? I bring the white cat back to the bathroom door and Chad opens it a crack and I throw the white cat into the bathroom. Those 3 are in the bathroom for quite awhile repeating the same ritual as 2 nights before. Chad can find nothing. The white cat is in the bathtub while the orange cat is just sitting on the floor. Chad figures the only place he hasn't looked is under the orange cat. He lifts it up and guess what runs out from under the cat. THE MOUSE!!! Stupid cat was sitting on the mouse. Well the mouse belines for the towels and gets out of the bathroom. He runs directly under the chair that I'm sitting in, of course. Chad runs out with white cat in tow and throws the cat at the mouse. The white cat chases the mouse over to the computer but the mouse escapes. We lift up the couch for the cat to look for the mouse but we never did see it again that night. Maybe we'll start having a house cat,the white one not the orange one. Check in later to see the latest adventure of "CREATURE IN THE HOUSE."

CREATURE IN THE HOUSE

2009-04-22T20:44:00.000-07:00

Okay so the other night as I was standing in the living room watching our baby chicks, yes we have chicks in the house, I saw out of the corner of my eye something run into our bedroom. I go into the kitchen where Chad is and tell him, "something just ran into our bedroom, go find it." He says, " what did it look like?" I tell him, "I don't know I just saw something out of the corner of my eye." He asks me, "was it big or small, was it a cat?" Once again I reply,"I don't know it was just something." So I finally convince him to go check it out and we commence in trying to find a flashlight. Seems the kids have packed them off again. We finally find one but the batteries are dead and we find new ones and put them into the flashlight. Then Chad cautiously enters our bedroom and I do not follow. I stand in the living room with my camera waiting to catch a picture of whatever creature has entered our room. Chad searches everywhere, under the bed and dressers. In the closets and in the bathroom. He cant' find anything and thinks I'm seeing things. So he decides he's going to take a shower so we can go to bed. It is about 10:30pm. He gets the water all going and then comes into the bedroom. I say,"what are you doing?" he replies, "I just saw it." Ahhh Haaa, I wasn't seeing things afterall. Chad puts on his tennis shoes and reenters the bathroom. As for me I stay on the bed which I got to from the living room by cautiously tiptoeing and then jumping onto the bed. Chad is in the bathroom quite awhile looking for this thing. He comes back out without any success and goes outside to the porch and gets one of the cats. He says, "if it's a mouse he will find it." This thing is pretty good size according to what Chad saw. So into the bathroom enters Chad and the cat. They close the door and continue the search. He unloads all the dirty clothes, the garbage can and looks in all the cupboards with no luck. This creature is nowhere to be found. Chad keeps wanting me to come in to help him but I told him no way. After about 45 minutes of his sleuthing he gave it up, obviously the thing is gone, nowhere to be seen. Now I'll think of that creature everynight as I walk to my bedroom to go to bed. Hopefully it's found a new abode, outside. Here are some pics from Chad's hunt, sorry they're not good, I wasn't about to get any closer.

searching the closet

looking under the bed

scratching his nose in bewilderment

ALIEN INVASION???

2009-04-20T12:20:00.000-07:00

Our family went back over to Glenns Ferry after church on Sunday for dinner. It seems whenever we get together the girls always want to spend the night with Allie or vise versa, today was no different. So it was decided upon that Dallin would stay with Derek and they would go out to G-Pa's in the morning to help get the water started. And Allie and Kassi would come home with us. Well on the way home they started putting make-up on each other. This is how they turned out. I think we have amongst us a bunch of purple people eaters.

Analeise, Kyla and Allie
Kassidee

I think that's Kyla

Bug-eyed Allie

YOU ROCK PICKERS, YOU!!!

2009-04-20T11:21:00.000-07:00

So we all had the opportunity to head to the original farm in King Hill, where Chad's parents live, and do some work. It was a great opportunity for these grandkids to help out G-Ma and G-Pa. It feels great to do a little manual labor now and again, doesn't it. Here our some photos from our day on the farm. Enjoy!!

Loaded up in G-Pa's pick-up and headin to the field

Coming

and Going

Little Leah was so cute in trying to find some rocks with her daddy, Tyler

Sandy and her boys, Levi and Landon, in their first rockin pickin experience

That is Chad's brother Shane in the bulldozer clearing some ground that G-Pa's new pivot will cover. Good Job Shane!!

The brawn of the bunch, Chad, Rick and Tyler

This is the end of the rock pickin, G-pa giving the kids a ride in the loader, this is not OSHA approved, don't tell anyone

Tired little feet

Time to unload, good job everyone! Time for a rice krispie treat

HAPPY DAY

2009-04-02T11:38:00.000-07:00

We're so pleased with the decision that Dallin has made to be baptized a member of the Church. He turned 8 on Friday March 20th and was baptized that night. Both of his sisters were also baptized on their birthdays. His father baptized him and then confirmed him a member along with Grandpa Mills and his Uncles Tyler, Rick, and KC. We're so blessed to have a worthy priesthood holder in our family, that he's able to do these special things. I loved seeing Dallin big smile as he was brought up out of the waters of baptism. When we told Dallin that the Primary Pres. and the Bishop would need to talk to him, he became a little worried. He hates being the center of attention and I think it just about killed him. Thanks to all the family members and friends that participated and came to share in his special day. We got together after for dinner and dessert and had a good time. Ty and Mary spent the weekend with us and we had a blast. We love all of you. We're blessed to have Dalllin in our home and the sweet, somewhat trying, spirit that he is. We love you Dallin.

Like Father Like Son

It was actually so sunny that day we had to squint into the sun.

I can't believe how fast the kids grow.

Happy Family

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANALEISE

2009-03-12T18:37:00.000-07:00

Wow I can't believe I am a mother of an 11 year old. Time flies when you're having fun I guess. I remember it like it was yesterday, the day Analiese was born. She was the cutest little thing. Here she is on the blanket that I cross-stitched for her. I feel bad that she didn't have the funest birthday, she was sick. In fact the whole family was sick and all the kids were home from school. I don't know what bug we have but it's a nasty one. I felt so terrible I didn't even make her peppermint dessert for her birthday. I told her I would make it later and we would celebrate. I did manage to make her favorite breakfast though, egg pancakes, and I even stuck a candle in it. Hope she knows how much we love her and are happy she's in our family. Love you Analeise and Happy Birthday

EGG PANCAKES

a ring she got from Grammy and Papa

a church bag that I made for her with help my friend.

KYLA'S CHICKEN DANCE

2009-03-07T08:25:00.000-08:00

The kids are responsible everyday to feed and take care of about 40 chickens. They also get to gather the eggs, wash them, and box them up and sell them. Their little business is called Eggs Express. Well it seems that the chickens antics are rubbing off onto the children. I believe we now have a chicken inhabiting our house.

SUNDAY TREAT

2009-03-03T09:13:00.000-08:00

So every Sunday afternoon Chad gets a craving for cake mix. He's gotten it down to an art. He puts a little dry cake mix in a bowl, adds some water and a little flour, so it's not so sweet, and mixes it up. He of course leaves out the eggs, so he doesn't get sick. He and the kids love it, they haven't quite convinced me, I'll stick to chocolate chips. So he gave Tessa a bowl this Sunday and when I went to check on her this is what I found, she was in heaven.

4 SQUARE

2009-03-03T08:52:00.000-08:00

The kids love to play 4 square at school and are quite good at it. So the other day we taped of a 4 square in the kitchen with duct tape and electrical tape and they had a blast. We don't have a 4 square ball so we used a basketball, works just as well, just don't get hit in the face. Chad and I even joined in the fun. It's interesting to see who is competitive and who just likes to have fun. Dallin sure gets into a lot more than the girls.

Will someone please play with me?

DOWN ON THE FARM

2009-02-25T19:47:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Kyla for watching Tessa, she is an excellent babysitter, the rest of us headed outside to ear tag the calves and one cow. The kids love doing this but were scared of the mom cows. They don't like it when you mess with their babies, just like humans. Some of the calves were small and we able to just hold them but one was a little larger and we had to get him in the chute. We have 11 head and then KC has a few that run with ours. Chad loves the cows.

"Mom we caught him good."

Oh please help me, what are they doing to me????

Chad and Amy putting in the ear tag

He's soooo cute and cuddly and was just born yesterday. He's a big bull calf.

2009-02-25T19:09:00.000-08:00

Jail Break

Off she goes

THE ESCAPEE

2009-02-25T19:07:00.000-08:00

Okay so we've had some pretty nice spring days her in Bruneau. Tessa loves to be outside. Today I was working on the farm books, yuck and Zane wanted to go outside to play. He got all ready to go. If anyone heads for the door Tessa is not far behind. So before Zane can get the door shut, out the door Tessa goes. Zane's yelling at me, "Mom come and get Tessa". I tell him to pick her up and bring her back in. Well when I get to the door Tessa is already down the stair and running across the driveway. She has no shoes on and is carrying one of Kyla's shoes. Tessa has a fettish for shoes, she's always wearing everybody's shoes around the house. I don't have any shoes or socks on and Zane says get some shoes on and come get her. I go into the house to get the camera, of course and slip on Chad's shoes. Then I proceed to walk across the yard after Tessa, who is running. I'm saying, "stop Tessa," and she just keeps on truckin across the yard to the shop. This is the picture of Zane saving her from the puppy, that jumped on her yesterday, and cut her lip. By the time I catch up to her she is clear over by the shop. I think we have an Olympic sprinter in the making.

2009-02-21T19:00:00.000-08:00

dallin taking a picture of himself

PAINT THE TOWN (or at least the house)

2009-02-17T17:27:00.000-08:00

Here is the low down on the house project. For those of you who don't know Chad's parents are adding a much needed addition onto the exsisting, small living room. These awesome parents raised 8 children in a small one bathroom house. Well 7 of those children are now married and parents themselves. So you can see the problem when we all get together, which we love. Love grows best in little places, so the song says, but it can grow well in larger areas also. The whole family has been helping in the addition process. We spent the last few days painting the room and putting up molding getting it ready for carpet. Here are a few pics from the painting days. Enjoy.

Claudette, Chad's sister, working on the fireplace, look how good it looks with a fresh coat of white paint. It even has Claudette dazed!!!

Shane, Chad's brother and his wife Sandy painting up the molding.

Chad's father, Doug, taking it easy after a week in the over the road truck. Glad you like the brown color.

Mother, Kaylene loving her painted walls. Notice the brown accent wall behind her, AWESOME

Rick, Claudette's husband, (and my uncle) figure that one out!!!

Chad's sister taping the windows. Great Job Angi!!!

For those of you who couldn't make it to the paint party, we missed you and knew you were there in spirit. And thanks to Chad. He stayed home and watched the kids for 3 days so I could go help. Love Ya. Kids and paint don't mix.

Valentine Boxes

2009-02-17T09:08:00.001-08:00

Duct tape comes in handy too.

Kyla decorated it pretty fantastic.

Dallin and his USA rocket

Diaper and wipe boxes come in handy, good thing we have lots.

Kyla and mom making her "mailbox"

So as we were making these boxes, we started two days before they had to be at school, One of the kids says,"What's up with mom she's going all out and making cool stuff." "Last year all she did was staple two papers together for our boxes." My reply was,"Well it helps when you give me more notice than the night before at bed time." I'm sure this has never happened to any of the rest of you.

Family Time

2009-02-11T12:03:00.001-08:00

Dallin and his cousin Spencer Parke, decorating sugar cookies

The 3 stooges???

I don't even know what Shane was doing!

The 3 Sisters

Great Grandma Mills and Tessa

watching basketball

Daddy's Little Girl

2009-02-11T11:50:00.001-08:00

Tessa loves her Daddy and he spoils her rotten. But I don't mind. With our other children Chad was gone all week driving logging truck and only home on the weekends. So he missed out on alot when the kids were small. He's taking full advantage of being able to work at home on the farm. I love to see him play with her and how excited she gets when he comes through the door. He's a very good dad and spends time with all the kids.

2009-02-11T11:41:00.000-08:00

Don't you remember the great times you had as a kid playing with cardboard boxes? We had this box left over that my internet sattelite came in. Dallin and Zane decided to take advantage of it. Of course they have to include Tessa too. Dallin is always playing and wrestling with her. He's a good big brother, but sometimes gets too rough. I guess she'll grow up tough.

Basement

2009-02-10T14:39:00.000-08:00

Progress on the basement is coming along slowly. We are almost done framing though. If I could help more than when Tess is napping then that would be good. I guess it'll get done when it gets done. Happy building. Sorry for the crooked picture, i'm new to this.

2009-02-10T14:19:00.000-08:00

LITTLE LEAGUE BASKETBALL

Announcing the starting line-up for the red team:

As guard, measuring short,but speedy, 2nd grader DALLIN MILLS

As wing, measuring fiesty defensive player, 4th grader KYLA MILLS

As point guard, measuring tall and lanky, 5th grader ANALEISE MILLS

And in his first year as head coach of the red team is DAD, CHAD MILLS

Hoop Shoot

2009-02-10T14:11:00.000-08:00

Well we went to Blackfoot on Feb. 7th for the State Hoop Shoot. There were 30 kids at State out of 38,000 kids that participated at the other levels. So just to get to State is a big achievement. There were 5 girls in Analeise's group. She got 5th place making 6 out of 25. She shot better at Caldwell making 11 out of 25. The winner only missed 2 shots. Very tough competition. We are so proud of Analeise and this was a great experience for her. Way to go.

Hoop Shoot Winner

2009-01-28T12:32:00.000-08:00

We want Analeise to know how excited we are for her. She is representing her District in the State Hoop Shoot contest in Blackfoot, Id on Feb. 7th. It all started when she won here in Bruneau for the 10 and 11 year old girls. She then went to Mountain Home and competed against girls from the Mountain home schools, Glenns Ferry, and Grandview. She won there and then went on to compete in Caldwell against girls from Boise, Nampa, Caldwell. She took first place receiving a trophy and will get to go to Blackfoot for the State comp. Congrats.

2008-11-06T10:27:00.000-08:00

Well we're gonna give this a go and see if I'm smart enough to figure it out. Hopefully we'll keep you updated on the exciting life we lead. Here goes nothing.