Trip to Idaho: Part #1

We just recently returned from a trip up north to visit my relatives in Idaho! We try to spend a week with my family every summer at my grandparents cabin in McCall, Idaho. Here are just a few of the many pictures I am going to post from this trip! They love lemons!
My little puppy dogs! They got to wear these hats many times in the evenings!

Getting up every morning to go for a walk on the bike trail! It was so nice in the mts!
The girls looking over the edge of the boat into the water! I only let go long enough to take this picture!

Highlights from the trip include:

- Emma cutting her first two bottom teeth the day we arrived at the cabin! She was tons of fun on this trip!

- Taking the girls out on the boat! They were so cute in their life jackets, and usually fell asleep as soon as we left the dock.

- Taking long walks with the family! It was nice to not have to push the stroller the whole time!

- Eating, eating, and more good eating!

- Taking the girls for a canoe ride! I will follow up with pictures and that story at a later date!

- Going off roading with my sisters, and mother in the truck! My mom was driving! It was a little crazy!

- Playing cards on the deck!

- Seeing Rob water ski! And being completely jealous that I could not get behind the boat! I can't wait to have this baby out of me!

Happy Independence Day

Cute 4th of July babies!

Emma giving kisses to Grandma!
TThe girls playing together! Emma was laughing so hard!

We had a wonderful 4th of July! We spent the day together as a family running errands, which does not sound fun, but it was for me! It is so nice to have someone else to help push the stroller! I can't even begin to describe how much easier it is for me to shop when I am not distracted by the girls! Then we spent the evening with the Sagers family having a BBQ, swimming, and watch fireworks! To my utter amazement the girls loved the fireworks! In fact, they layed on towels in the front yard and watched them all without a single peep! It was so fun! We must have really worn them out with the swimming! Thanks again Sagers family for the awesome time! We look forward to the next 4th of july party! Here are some pictures from earlier in the day! It is almost impossible to get a family picture anymore!

Baby #3 is a...

Girl! After several ultrasounds, she finally opened her legs so that we could look and see! And there was nothing to see...so its another girl! Rob and I are both thrilled to be having another little girl! When the ultrasound tech said it was another girl, Rob just sighed and asked her to check again! I think he was ready for another man in the house! He turned to me after the appointment and said, "So I guess we will be having another one!" I think it is a little early to be thinking about #4 when #3 is still inside of me! I reminded him that we will not keep having children until there is a boy!

We really are very excited to be having another girl! The doctor said she was measuring small, but that she was growing healthy and strong! She kicks all the time to remind me that she is still in my tummy! Not that I could forget! She will still be making her grand entrance into this world at the end of October!

Happy birthday Bryce & Sarah

Happy 6th birthday to Bryce Jensen & Sarah Finlinson, our absolutely adorable niece and nephew who were born on the same day! We love you! We hope you had a wonderful birthday!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful father's in our life!
Here are a few pictures of the men we love so much! We thank you for being our father's and for loving and giving us so much!

Fred Finlinson & little Robbie

It warms my heart to see the look on Rob's face every time he talks to his Dad on the phone or spends time with him. It is just pure love and respect. When I asked Rob one of the things he most admired about his dad he said, " he is the ultimate teacher! From something as simple as standing next to me and teaching me how to drive a boat, or teaching me how to work hard by giving me lots of chores in the yard. He has taught me how to take care of the people around us. By always being the first to volunteer to remove snow from a neighbor's driveway or do the yard work at Grandma's house. He taught how to handle the big things in life by teaching me gospel principles. He has never stopped teaching me how to be a better man, and loving me while I strive to become like him." Thank you Fred for teaching my husband, by example, how to be a great father and husband.

John C. Gough III

My dad is such a goof ball! And I love it! When he tells a funny story, I always laugh hard enough to get tears streaming from my eyes. He is a big tough farm boy from Idaho, that is secretly very sensitive. He loves his family more than anything and would do just about anything to help his children and friends. Throughout my life he has constantly encouraged me to do the very best I can, and loved me unconditionally when I have fallen short of my goal. He loves to tease everyone and have a good time. I have seen him do just about anything at least once. I know that I get my competitive nature from him...and he loves to get me going! He has always been there for me when I need to chat, and comfort me. He is the first to jump up and protect me if he thinks someone is taking advantage of me. Heaven help the boys who tried to honk their horns on their cars to get one of his daughters out of the house! He is not only my father, but my friend! I love you Dad! Thank you for everything you do each day to keep those around you happy! Happy Father's Day and first Grandfather's day!

Rob B. Finlinson

Happy first Father's day Rob! Watching you care and love our children has made me love you more than I ever thought possible. Being a father just comes so naturally for you! After the girls challenging arrival into this world, you never left their sides! The first comforting touch of a parent was from you! When they needed a blessing, you were there to give them the comfort they needed. Thank you for working so incredibly hard to provide for our families needs. You do not hesitate to help me after working a full day already! It is so cute to see how our little girls faces light up when you walk into a room. They love you so much! I look forward to watching you teach our girls all the wonderful things our fathers have taught us! Happy Father's Day!

My babies are 6 months old!

In honor of the girls turning 6 months old, I wanted to post a few pictures of them from the last month! They are so cute!

Quick trip!

Last weekend we decided to take a quick trip to Utah to see our best friend Taylor get married! It was so awesome to see all of Rob's friends from high school and their cute little families. Taylor and Melissa looked so happy and the wedding was beautiful! Unfortunately, I was so busy talking that I didn't take any pictures! Typical!

While we were in Utah, we got to see another cute niece blessed! Elsa Kate Barratt! After the blessing we had lunch at Shelly's house with all of Rob's family! It was so much fun hanging out with everyone, and especially exciting to see our other new niece Brooke Turman for the first time! Again I did not get too many pictures because I was to busy talking! I did get a few pictures of Elsa, and picture of the girls playing on the floor! (see below)

Random pictures from the last month!

Camden and cousin Abby at Rob's parents house in Utah!


Grandpa Fred with Tate, Bryce and Abby during a nice four wheeler ride by Grandpa's house in Utah!

Emma and cousin Lacy- I love it! So cute! Lacy kept asking me if she could take the babies home with her!

My Easter bunnies!

Rob and the girls at the beach in California over Spring break!

Shocker.

So the rumors are all true. We are expecting baby #3. Apparently, I am not as infertile as the doctors told me I was. We went through so much to get the twins here, that we never expected to get pregnant naturally...and so soon! But yes, after three pregnancy tests, several blood tests, and four ultrasounds...I guess it is safe to say that I am definitely pregnant. Baby #3 will be arriving sometime at the end of October...hopefully not on Halloween. I need to take my babies trick or treating! And if you are thinking to yourself just how close will her kids be apart...oh about 11 1/2 months...if I can make it to my due date!

Thank you everyone for being so supportive lately, and offering to help me with my girls while I go through the wonderful world of morning sickness! I could not live without my mother and sisters! Thank you! And thanks to everyone who keeps telling me that "the Lord only gives you what you can handle and you Amanda can handle this!" Some days I am not so sure...but I am going to try!

Elsa Kate Barratt

Rob's sister Shelly gave birth to a sweet baby girl last night at 11:50pm. After a long day of labor, little Elsa Kate Barratt was born weighing 8lbs 8oz. She has super chubby cheeks and really great hair! We are so happy to have another beautiful and healthy neice. As the Finlinson girls would say, "Happy Zero Birthday Elsa!"