WYATT + DELTA MAE'S NINJA PARTY

Yesterday Wyatt and Delta Mae's friends joined them at our neighborhood's community center to celebrate their birthdays with a Ninja Themed Party. We had an hour to set-up before our guests began arriving, but hurried along and got it all done.

What I didn't do was take any pictures. Yes, that's right. Not the first picture.

After returning home, I took a few pictures of some of the decorations I made, but I don't have their birthday table decor documented the way I would've hoped. Remind me next time to slow down and snap a few pictures.

Shuo Sheng took some great photos and shared them with me, and thank the good Lord for that. This post wouldn't have been possible without him. Shall we get started?

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EXPLORING IDAHO

So here's the deal. I had no idea that Yellowstone National Park had roads that opened and closed during certain seasons. Ignorant of me? Probably. But the fact remains that I was blissfully unaware of the closures until the day before we were planning on loading up the family for our Spring Break Roadtrip. Did this stop us from taking a trip? Absolutely not.

On Sunday, we loaded up the family and headed east, finally stopping in Boise, Idaho for the night. We took a walk through the Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial and then continued walking along the  Boise River Greenbelt to stretch our legs a bit.

Pretty cute kids, if I do say so myself.

Next thing you know, it's Monday morning and all we had planned to do was to drive out to the Mammoth Caves, but along the way we passed Malad Gorge.

It was a pretty incredible sight. This photo pictured above was taken less than a mile from the interstate. It's worth pulling over for.

Then on to the caves. I must admit - I was a bit skeptical once we arrived.

This was the scene. Junk cars and peacocks. Everywhere. I tried to cover-up what I was thinking (Where in the heck have you led your family, Brettni!) in an effort to keep the kids excited, but I was concerned...

Luckily, the kids said they had a fun time walking into the deep, dark abyss. It was just the four of us armed with two propane lanterns. I was kind of creeped-out and felt like I needed a bath after we left.

Here is where I tell you that BLOGGER FRIENDS ARE THE BEST FRIENDS! I didn't have a clue as to what to do next. But I knew a blogger that lived in Idaho, so I messaged her an S.O.S. and she saved us! Karli, the blog writer at September Farm, said McCall was her "absolute most favorite place in Idaho," and people, I now know why. We drove to McCall and were swept away by the beauty of the city and the kindness of the people that call that fine place home.

Our view from the car on the drive north from Boise to McCall. It was dark and late once we arrived, but we woke-up to a fresh batch of soft white snow falling and nothing but white for as far as you could see.

On the night of our arrival, I mentioned to our hotel concierge that while Brad and I had seen some deer walking through town, our son wasn't able to spy any of them. He recommended that we go to  Hap + Florence Points to take a sleigh ride through an area where wild elk come to feed. The next morning, there was another fine lady, Jessica, that called and scheduled a time for our family to see the elk.

People, this was incredible.

The elk were all around us. Probably twenty or so that encircled the sleigh to fed off of the hay bales we were using as seats and triple (or more) close by. If you ever get the pleasure of traveling to the McCall area, reach out to these people and check this place out!

We made our way back into town and went for a little stroll through the shops and around Payette Lake.

While in McCall, the restaurants we visited were Lardo's Grill + Saloon, TJ's Cutting Edge Cafe, The Salmon River Brewery, + The Pancacke House. While we enjoyed the service and meals at each of them, my top two favorites were Salmon River Brewery + Lardo's.

We called Best Western Plus our home for two nights and we highly recommend using them. The family that manages Best Western also runs the wild elk feeding tour that I mentioned in the last post. They were such great people and the wife, Jessica, is from the Portland Area.

We loved you, McCall! Can't wait to see you again.

On to Sisters, Oregon we went.

Brad picked up a scrumptious pizza from  Martolli's for supper on the night we arrived and we took the night off: we stayed in, watched tv for too long, and slept in late the next morning. But before leaving for home the next morning (today) we made a quick stop off at  Sister's Bakery. #BecauseDoughnuts

Spring Break 2016 is a wrap! #BrumfieldsBreakInSpring

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TULIP FESTIVAL 2016

Here are ten of my favorite photos taken at Wooden Shoe's Tulip Festival.

Spring gave us a warm welcome this past weekend. Did it do the same for you?

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WYATT AT SIX

 Wyatt will officially be Six Years Old tomorrow, but since Sunday mornings are a rush to get to church, I had a little birthday photo shoot with him this morning. And may I say, He makes it so easy to take good pictures of him.

Wyatt,

I'm tearing up as I look at these pictures, Son. You make this world of mine a brighter place. A happier place. Last night after your Daddy put you to bed, you walked back out, grabbed my hand, and led me back to your room so I could sleep with you. I remember your toddler years, when all I wanted was for you to just stay in bed. But last night, I happily climbed in and snuggled up next to you because I know that one day soon, you won't want me so close.

You asked for me to sing you a song, but requested that it not be You Are My Sunshine. You said it was too short. So I sang you the lullaby we learned from JoJo's Circus years ago.

Close your eyes, Don't make a peep. Rock-a-bye Wyatt, Go to sleep.

Rest your head, Make a yawn. Rock-a-bye, Wyatt, It's sleepy time.

Hush now, Wyatt, Don't you cry. While I sing A lullaby.

Close your eyes, And start to dream. Time to go to sleep.

Close your eyes, Don't make a peep. Rock-a-bye Wyatt, Go to sleep.

When I tell you, "Goodnight, I love you," you always respond with, "Goodnight. I love you too, Mama." Something about the Mama part just fills my heart up.

This birthday of yours it a tough one for me, Mr. Big Stuff. I don't know why, but for some reason Six feels so much older than Five. But I can't wait to see what God has in store for you as you continue to grow. Happy Birthday, Wyatt!

Love,

Your Mama

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