Last Trips to the Lake

Hoyt and I were able to make it to Lake Tahoe twice before the big move. Going to the lake once a week for the entire summer is certainly something that we have enjoyed. Hoyt could stay out in the water all day (seriously!), and I don't mind sitting under the umbrella and watching him!!

We will miss spending fun-filled days with friends out on the water, enjoying brownies on the beach, getting a nice tan (well... OK... sometimes a burn) and early bedtimes when we get home.

Hoyt "swimming" in the lake.

With one of his favorite gals Breanna...

and pal Halim.

Hoyt and Parks out on their fishy floaties.

AND....you have to love great friends who will take your children out into the lake when you are pregnant and just want to sit! Love ya Christa, or as Hoyt would say "Kista".

It's Official...

We are moving to IDAHO! Like it...or not...Twin Falls here we come. We found a house to rent out on the canyon for the first year or so until we decide where exactly we would like to buy or build a home. Now comes the Herculean task of packing up the entire house and loading it into two trucks. I'm tired just thinking about it!

Hoyt and I with the canyon and Snake River below us.

Dad had to get a shot too! AND....

We are extremely happy to announce that baby boy Murray #2 is well on his way and will be making his appearance at Christmas!! (Here's a shot of the "bump" at 16 weeks.)

Toy Story 3

This little guy just saw his first "real" movie in the theatre, and loved it! I wasn't quite sure how he would handle it, because he didn't get a nap and the movie started at 7:30, but I was pleasantly surprised. He was well-behaved the entire time, rarely talked, and sat mesmerized for the entire two hours. He sat next to his friend Bear and couldn't stop talking about Toy Story all the way home. What a fun night!!

A Visit to Blackfoot

After about four days in Twin Falls, we packed up and left for Blackfoot where we were able to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa Murray, as well as see my sister Noelle and cousin Landon. The first day we were there, Noelle and Landon came to visit and we went to the park and took the boys to McDonald's for lunch.

The BIG surprise for me was when Noelle got out of her car. I had no idea that she was 7 months pregnant!! The only person she had told was my mom....and I was fairly surprised that my mom hadn't told me, but Noelle had sworn her to secrecy.

Here we are having some fun at McDonald's. Hoyt was too interested in the playland to come take a picture!

Hoyt and Landon at the park.

Hoyt and Grandma Murray having a snack.

One day while we were in Blackfoot, Ryon wanted to take Hoyt to a park he used to go to as a boy. There were big tanks that you could climb on....as you can see I didn't venture up, but the boys sure did have fun!

Waving "hi" to mom.

Then Hoyt went and had some fun on the tire swing

Out to dinner with Grandma and Grandpa Murray - can you say "cheesy"?

Jumping on the trampoline with cousin Marcus.

After a fun three days in Blackfoot we headed back to Twin Falls to finalize house plans for August. By this point in our trip I think we were all just ready to go home! We were all pretty tired and ready to sleep in our own beds. Luckily...two days later we finally made it back to Reno. We were so happy to back home and UNPACK the suitcases.

Next Stop....Idaho

Twin Falls was the next stop on our adventure. We stayed for about a week as we tried to find a house that we could rent beginning the end of August. Ryon finally decided that it was time to do the Biological business full-time, so he told me that it was time to "make good" on my prenup. agreement that I would one day move to Idaho!!

Looking for houses was a bit disappointing - there was not a lot for rent in Twin. However, toward the end of our visit, we were lucky enough to find a nice place on an acre with room for the horses in a pasture just behind the house. Ryon and Hoyt are ecstatic about the move....while I am trying hard not to have too bad of an attitude!

While in Twin we visited Shoshone Falls and had a great time at the park. Here are a few highlights:

Overlooking the falls - they were pretty impressive.

Hoyt getting a "birds-eye" view through the binoculars.

Blowing bubbles at the park

Hoyt was fascinated by the elk we saw right outside the falls. We had to stop and get a picture!

Trips to Oregon & Idaho

We were home from the family reunion for three days when we headed out on the road again. We first went back to Oregon where Ryon did some work for my uncle Andy, and then it was off to Idaho to spend some time in Twin Falls and Blackfoot.

For having to spend so much time in the car, Hoyt really was a trooper. His favorite parts of the trip were:

Laying in the hotel watching movies on the DVD player! (Thanks Chris and Nicole!)

Riding the quad with dad out on uncle Andy's alfalfa pivots.

AND...swimming every afternoon and evening in the hotel pools. Ryon and I were so sick of living out of a suitcase, but I think Hoyt could have stayed at the hotel indefinitely. As long as there was a pool to swim in he was a happy camper!

Hoyt Family Reunion 2010!!

On July 1st we set off for Oregon to spend a fun four days with about 150 of our Hoyt relatives. My dad's family has been really good about having family reunions, and this year we went back to our favorite childhood reunion spot - Sunriver Resort. We had a great time...eating, biking, swimming, canoeing, laughing, having talent shows, eating and eating and eating!! We can't wait to do it again in three years.

It was wonderful to see so many cousins and aunts & uncles, as well as spend quality time with our immediate family. Here are the members of my family that were able to attend:


We had such a good time that it had to be documented. Here are just SOME of the things we did:


I hope we can always keep the tradition of family reunions, because that's really what it's all about. FAMILY!!