Over fear of horses? Check!

On July 19th I got over my fear of horses by spending 3 hours with them and my friends Brad and Emilie. I rode Tennessee Walkers! Her name was Cali and she was very nice.
At first I pet her and fed her some grain.

I also brushed her and said nice things about her.

Then I sat on her bare back. For a moment when she was tied up and said even nicer thing to her.


Finally we loaded up the saddles and I hoped on with help from Brad.


We rode around for about an hour or so. I even got her to gallop and the trot!


It was a lovely day at the ranch. I am no longer afraid. I love them a lot.







I kissed old Cali right on the nose at the end of the day! It was a wonderful experience and I am so happy to be over my fear!

Is it fair to lose 3 best friends in one day?

July 23rd 2010 will go down in Courtney history as a miserable day. One I never want to repeat. On this day I said good-bye to (almost) all of my best friends. It was a hard day. One that made me so grateful for friends but so sad to leave them at the same time. I loved Rexburg and it will definitely be a HUGE adjustment in Pullman but I am trying. I am pulling up my big girl panties and accepting change even though I struggle with it on a daily basis.
I took a few pictures with some of my friends. I wish I could have taken pictures with them all. It was funny because the last couple months in Rexburg have been my favorites. I got really close with my friends Kristen, Krystal and Christie... I know a mouthful to say all at the the same time. It confused my sister and mom every time I talked about one of them.

Christie is the craftiest person I know and I know ALOT of crafty people. She does amazing things with paper and even though I taught her to sew I am sure she will be better than me in no time. She is also the kindest person... in fact my sister asked me what was wrong with her because she is just too nice! She fed us and entertained us to know end. She is also an amazing mother to two great kids. Parker is so funny and Izebelle is just a doll! I am really going to miss hanging out with them for days on end.
Kristen is actually Christie's sister in law. We all met when I worked at TNT Satellite. She (and her hubby Seth) and also much too nice! They let us (and our barking pooch) stay with them when we were in Rexburg. She also has the cutest little baby boy Cooper. He is so cute and smiley even when he pukes on you in your nicest clothes! Kristen is a wonderful cook and an extremely patient wife! She really is a great person to be around.


Krystal is really funny and we get along really well. A little too well when we were supposed to be studding. Krystal and I were in the same major and BYU-I and basically had at least one class together every single semester. We were alway partners and always struggling and goofing off together! We studied for everything from stupid math test to the blasted praxis together. We also love the same TV shows which conveniently were on right in the middle of our study sessions. She is also a mom and a very good one at that! She is so active and crafty which inspires me. I am really going to miss watching our shows and freaking out together.

I know I will be good friends with these ladies for a long time. We will definitely stay in touch because we just care about each other too much. but it is still hard. But wish me luck on new adventures and new friends!

another beautiful day!

The temple is a holy place where we are sealed together. I was able to attend my cousin (and best friend) sealing last weekend. Jess has the cutest kids. I swear she makes these peaceful happy babies and I want to know her secret! Here are some pictures of the day!

Here is sweet Bailie in her blessing/sealing dress my grandma Kathleen made for her. She needs to start making these in bulk and saving up.

Here is the happy family!

Travis loves playing with Benton and I am really going to miss them playing together! He is so cute!

And finally a picture of Jess and I. I am REALLY going to miss her. She is so much fun and we just always had something to talk about. She has really been there for me the past year! I love her family and spending ALL day over there. She helped me pack and I definitely needed her support. Benton entertained me in church and Bailie made me baby hungry! They are just wonderful!

Happy Wedding

My grandparents got married last weekend! They have been divorced for 35 years. My whole life they've been apart so its a little weird but really exciting! It was a very happy day. My grandparents were sealed for time and all eternity in the Seattle Temple and my dad and my aunts and uncle were all sealed to them too. It is pretty amazing that after a life with divorced parents my dad and each of his siblings (and their spouses) were all able to attend the temple to see the wedding and also be able to be sealed to them. I was able to attend with Travis and my cousins who have also been married in the temple. I am grateful for the temple and all the blessings. I am extremely thankful for family.

Bandit is growing

My babies *Travis and Bandit* sent me some pictures to make my day. Bandit is getting big I can already tell! I can't wait to go back to them on Saturday.

Going to Zoo ZOo ZOO

I love the Zoo. Travis does not share that same love. But my FBF Opal does. So today we went to the Idaho Falls Zoo to celebrate her birthday. We had a great time. Here are some pictures from the day.
Warning LOTS of photos!



There was a baby zebra. He was so cute and came up and sat right down with his adorable mohawk and brown stripes



Opal and I with the Pink Flamingos




Two crazy monkeys! I loved the Monkeys. Clara wanted to take the little one home in her pocket. All the monkeys put on a show for us!



This wild dog came right to the window when I came up. He was so cute. I am the wild dog whisperer for the day!



This monkey was so cute.


We all were Hatched today.



Clara being Born



Opal and I are Twinners



We couldn't see the real tiger so we found this plastic one... It was burning hot because of the sun so a bit difficult to pose.



Opal and I in front of the Emus



Getting eaten by a tiger... classic


Petting the Donkey



Feeding the pelicans


Monkeys picking each other and eating bugs. adorable


"Kookaburra Sits in the Old gum tree. Merry merry king of the bushes he. laugh. kookaburra laugh. happy he must be." I sang but he didn't laugh. He posed wonderfully though.


Crawling like the Big Cats


Opal and I petting the Dirty Donkeys


Kissing Turtles, Where have you ever seen this before?

Hope you enjoyed the tour today. I just love the zoo. Lots of pictures are necessary!

Picture-less update

I left my camera back in Seattle with Travis so this post is an update with no pictures.
Travis is in Seattle and I am in Rexburg. It has been this way since the 13th of June and it will stay this way until the 3rd of July. But we are half way done so we are making it through.
Travis is busy remodeling his parents kitchen. I can't wait to see the finished product. We are so lucky to have Travis' parents. They hired him to do their remodel because he has the experience and we lost our job so it worked out great.
I am here in Rexburg doing crafts and seeing my girl friends. I am living with Clara and enjoying time with her before I move away. I am trying to start packing but with a lack of car its hard to get boxes.
Bandit is playing and sleeping with Travis. He is spoiling him rotten without me. I miss him lots and lots and can't wait to get to see how much he's grown. Before I left he got his Parvo and Rabies shots and weighed in at 11 pounds and 13 oz! He is almost twice as big as when we go him!
Tomorrow I am having a craft night and am looking forward to seeing some of my girls! I am going to miss my friends so much in Rexburg. I am dreading moving because I love my friends and hate change. I am a baby!
We are coming back sometime after the 12th of July and Moving out on the 23rd of July! So the clock is ticking and I am terrified!! Everything I've known for the last three years is about to change!

I LOVE Monkey Rock

Saturday was beautiful and we got the chance to catch some rays!

Bandit's first swim lesson

We want Bandit to swim with us in the lake this summer so we are starting early with his lessons. Travis' parents have a garden tub so we filled it up and let Bandit practice. I think he loved it!! There is a short video at the end!

More pictures of my baby