Date Night

Friday night was date night at O'Malleys! The deep fat fried food was disgusting, the pool table and shuffle board cheap, and free soft-drink refills. We had a blast!



"Woo-hoo!!! Who are those hot blonds?"

Me, Megan and Lauren

After playing with the girls, Shawn declared it was time for a real man's game. Which means no women/cheaters allowed. Sorry babe, how else am I supposed to win... or even finish a game?

Best Buds

Being a Mom is a full time job. It is a very rewarding position and provides the very best benefits available, moments like these...



Puppy (not shown) love and wonder
My Backyardigans!!!
The Next Ultimate Fighters! Yes, my kids watch that w/us and play along with what they see! Other kids will think twice before they mess with my kids on the playground.

"These are a Few of My Favorite Things!

"Bacon and

'matoes, I don't really like those.... Jerky from Deer parts...

and Red Vine mustaches...

Ice Cream at Grandma's with marshmallow cream, these are a few of my favorite things...

When my dad hunts, there' s moose sausage and I'm feeling great!

"I daily remember my favorite things...and then I just ask for more!!!!"

Summer with our Family

Our family had a great summer together this year. We didn't need to go on big trips, or have over the top activities. I have found that there is more joy in just doing the simple things. We loved taking our kids to the county fair, and teaching my daughter that if you stand too close to large horses, they just might try and eat your dad. We only hit the beach a few times, (bathing suits are not my friend!)But, we had an awesome impromptu swim at Coeur d' Alene Lake. Evan was hungry so he did what all little boys do, eat sand! Apparently, this was repulsive to a fellow beach-mom and she freaked out about it. (I think she just had daughters.)
After cleaning him up, he wasn't too happy.

Summer Fun!

My parent's gave Shawn a smoker for his 30th birthday. Finally, he can use the meat grinder I gave him three years ago for Christmas! This has become Daddy & Daughter Time at my house! Evalie has proclaimed herself the honorary meat grinder and Shawn is always trying to come up with the perfect seasoning. I don't like
beef jerky, but it has been great quality time for the two of them...so that makes me happy!
Now that he has mastered the craft of smoking meat...maybe he can master cleaning up the mess? Please? Love you babe!

Current Events

Shawn and I are in the process of selling our carpet cleaning business. (know anyone who would be interested?) We have been running the business since 2005, and its been extremely challenging. However, I am grateful that it has allowed me the opportunity to stay at home with my children. During the tough months I get through knowing that Heavenly Father must be preparing me for whatever is to come in the future...

On that note, Shawn will be testing for the Coeur d' Alene police department on September 15 and then the Seattle police department on October 11. He has also thrown the idea around of testing in Las Vegas and Alaska, if he isn't hired on locally. I think that the stress level of running our own business will be the same caliber as having my husband in law enforcement. I'm so excited for him, it's something he has wanted to do for a long time and I'm finally on board with the decision.

Double Trouble

I was so excited to finally have our family pictures taken...silly me for thinking that my adorable children would actually cooperate. The entire time they were more interested in chasing dogs and running/crawling through the park!

... so we gave them props and that did the trick!
Evalie is high-maintenance...(and I'll admit) just like her mom!

Yeah, we throw our kids around to get their grumpies out.

My Girl

Of course my family photos wouldn't be complete if I didn't include a picture of my best friend, Wendy. She and I have been "attached at the hip" since we were 15. (and I have a lot of hip to be attached to, so I keep friends well).

Our Little Man

The Next Morning...I think I look GREAT!

What a sweet little boy! I couldn't stand to leave him in the incubator all night. I felt like I was having seperation anxiety. So, I held him on my chest and we slept soundly...at least until I needed more pain medication!!!













When Evalie meets her little brother for the first time she let's us know, "It's MY baby!"














Father and son meet for the first time. It felt so amazing to watch them together. Shawn was so anxious during the delivery, he was in more of a hurry than I was to deliver the baby!

Grandma is in love!






sweet relief

Re-Charging My Batteries...

with a Girls Night Out! And, boy do we need those. A special thanks goes out to all of our husbands and the supermen that they are for watching the kids.