B-2 Graduation!

Way back in June (I know, I am SO far behind on my posts), Zach graduated B-2 training.  This is HUGE!!!!!  Zach put so many LLLOOONNNGGG hours into this training and such hard work.  I get to be proud and also add that not only did he graduate, he graduated as the #1 pilot in his class as well as distinguished graduate.  EVERY single pilot in any class wants these spots, and to be able to receive both is amazing.  I am so so proud of Zach and all that he does.  He is an awesome pilot, husband and father.  Only a few more things need to get done before he is mission qualified which means he will be ready to be deployed at any time.  Not that we are looking forward to that, but that means he is legit.  The goal for every pilot.  Way to go Z-ROY!!!

 The kids hanging out at the graduation

 Zach receiving one of his awards from the squadron commander

 My super talented pilot husband



My cute family after graduation.

Zach is awesome and got ME flowers for HIS graduation.  How sweet is that??

Kansas City Temple

The Kansas City Temple Open House is going on right now!  I cannot explain how exciting it is to be part of an Open House.  My calling in church is Ward Temple Coordinator.  When they first called me as that I was very suprised.  That is kind of a boring calling I thought. BUT I had NO idea how much goes into an Open House.  I have been working like crazy getting enough people to help work in the Temple.  Because of this great calling, Zach and I were lucky enough to be asked to give tours of the inside of the temple!!  We went last night and for 6 hours we gave tours of this amazing beautiful temple.  I wish I could explain to you the feeling and happiness that I felt as Zach and I were teaching these great curious people about the Temple.  I was a whole lot nervous that I would say the wrong thing, so as the loving wife that I am, I let Zach lead the tours while I stayed in the back to answer questions and make sure we didn't lose anyone from our group.  Zach was AMAZING!  I truly cannot say enough about how well he did.  I had so many people come up to me after and ask me to tell him how well he did and how he explained things in such a way that members of our church as well as non members could better understand and learn.  He has such a gentle yet commanding way of speaking.  You can't help but be pulled in and want to learn more from him. 
While speaking with a man during the tour, he told me he had no desire to be part of our church, but by being able to walk through our Temple, it helped him to understand us better and he said he is so happy that we have a place like this to go to and to feel the peace that you do when you are inside of the Temple.  That right there was all I needed to hear.  I didn't go to convert anyone, I went and gave tours of our magnificent Temple because I truly LOVE the feeling you get inside.  I love that I can help others feel that same feeling even if they don't belong to our church.  Our Heavenly Father loves every single person no matter who they are and he has given us a place to go and to feel closer to him.  If these people choose to only go through this Temple this one time, then at least they got to feel the peace inside for one day.  I know that they will never forget that day, and I know that I won't either.  I am SO SO blessed to have the opportunity I do to be able to work with the Temple Open House and I cannot wait for the dedication.  It is a beautiful building and I look forward to many many more trips to this Temple.  We are blessed!!

Kite Flying

I bought the family kites a few weeks ago.  It was the perfect day.  Just thought I would share.
Oh ya, Yes that is Blaze pulling up his pants.  He has decided that the tree outside works better than a toilet.  I am ok with it for now, less mess to clean up.

Jacksons Birthday

A long time ago.....as in Feb.17 it was Jacksons birthday.  He turned 9 years old!!!  I cannot take one more year, I swear!  Why do our kids have to grow up??  This little boy can talk me into anything, and so this year he talked me into having a birthday party with his friends.  I know, not that big of deal, but I don't do that.   We always have just family parties.  But, this year we did things different.  Jax invited a few friends from school for a "sports party".  It was actually pretty fun.  The highlight was when we made our own jerseys.   The boys thought that was pretty cool.  GO ME!  (Actually Courtney gave me the idea, go Court).  They played football, basketball, ate homemade pizza, and ice cream cake, and ran around crazy.  With as little experience I have in party throwing, I thought it turned out well.  Happy Birthday Jax, STOP GROWING UP!!

The Jerseys
We just wrote on the shirts with bleach pens.  It worked out well.  I just recommend drying time.  I didn't factor in that very well.

The BOYS.  I was really happy that Jax even invited Shade.  He is a good boy.

Nothing better than opening presents.

As you can see, the birthday cake was a HIT!

A lot of basketball playing going on.

Christmas....Finally

Merry Christmas!!!  I know, it is February.....I am a little late, but better late than never, right?  Well, the Zach and Rikki Stewart family had a GREAT Christmas.  This year was probably our slowest,

 low-key Christmas yet.(Not complaining)  We stayed here in Missouri and since we don't really know a ton of people yet (and most of our friends went home), we had Christmas Eve and Christmas all by ourselves.  We actually enjoyed it.  I can't believe I am saying this, but I got on it this year and bought all our gifts early and I didn't have to pay 95% more for gifts to rush them here on time!!  That is a first for me.  I think the kids had a good time and that we all got some great gifts and actually took time to enjoy eachother.  That is what Christmas is all about.  I didn't take a ton of pictures, I actually recorded a lot of it this year (that is a first too!) but, enjoy the pictures I did take.

decorating our very first gingerbread house. I am a scrooge and hate these things.  I would much rather just eat the candy on its own. BUT I love my kids and here is the result:

 Result......doesn't that look yummy??? 

 Zachs grandparents Papa and Mema sent us all some money that we could spend on anything we wanted.  My Grandparents Grandpa Ned and Grandma Pete did the same thing.  SO... with just a little bit added from us, we were able to get this BOUNCY HOUSE!!!  The kids were SO SO shocked when they woke up.  We moved it downstairs and that things has been going for a whole month.  I am little nervous to see our power bill, but HOW COOL IS THAT????  I would have died to have my own bouncy house growing up.

 This is Aynslees new barbie house.   Blaze is loving it as well ;)

 This is just a picture of all the kids together.  That doesn't happen very often anymore.

 Zach HAD to get Blaze this car and ramp.  I was a little nervous, but ALL the kids really like it.  I really like that it folds up into the stand and it is out of the way when I want it to be.

 This is how Christmas morning should be.  Already fighting over toys about 5 minutes into Christmas.  These two crack me up.

And one last picture of what Santa brought.  That dude is pretty cool.

Mission accomplished

  If I die tonight, I will die an accomplished mother.  There are a few checks in a womans life.  Get married....check, have babies......check, be done having babies......check, POTTY TRAIN ALL BABIES.......BIG FAT STINKING CHECK!!!!!  I am very proud to announce that Blaze is 100% potty trained.  I am screaming to the world that I am done buying diapers.  I have had diapers on my grocery list for 9 years my friends.  Done!  Don't get me wrong, I MISS my babies in their tiny little newborn diapers and even crawling around with that soggy diaper between their legs. Cute picture.  BUT, when they turn 2, something in me changes.  I DO NOT LIKE changing a 2 years old poop.  Sorry, I said it.  It is gross.....period. So, we (meaning I) decided on Blazes 2nd birthday that he was done.  So, I took him to the store, he picked out Spongebob, choo choo train and spiderman underwear and this boy has been wearing them ever since.  I have been lucky enough to have great kids and potty training has never been a big deal.  I say it is time, and well....it is.  No more diapers.  Anyway, I could go on forever about how happy I am, but I will just let you look at my very handsome baby boy and his super cute spiderman booty.

 Spiderman booty at its finest

A smile and a little pose

One of the most handsome little boys ever!

Zachs Major Promotion

 Yesterday was a big day.  After 10 years of HARD work, lots of LONG hours, Deployment and years away from Idaho and family, ZACH WAS PROMOTED TO MAJOR!!!!  We are SO PROUD of him.  For our friends not in the military I will explain a little of how the rank goes in the Air Force.  If you have a college degree and commission from ROTC from your college or if you went to the Air Force Academy you start out as a 2nd Lieutenant and then you move up  to 1st Lieutenant and then you pin on Captain.  You stay a Captain for about 5 years and depending on how hard you work and how well you do, you go to a board and they can either promote you or not promote you to Major.  Well, as you can see Zach was promoted!  Woot.  Not only is this a great accomplishment for him in his career, it also brings in a little more moolah.  My favorite part!!  His next goal is to make LT. Colonel.  Huge.  I can not even begin to explain how proud I am of Zach.  I have always known this would happen, but to finally be able to pin those Oak Leaves on his shoulders was a very special moment.  I was lucky enough to be around when he commissioned into the Air Force so I also got to pin on his original rank 10 years ago.  It is amazing how much has changed and how much Zach has accomplished.  The kids were super excited because they got to get checked out of school early and we went to Zach's work and had his ceremony there.  It was a short but sweet ceremony and Zach gave a great speech ending with tears in my eyes as he gave me a bouquet of beautiful flowers.  What a great guy.  Flowers for ME on HIS big day.  I really married well my friends.  I am SO lucky to be able to have the life I do and to move around and meet all my amazing friends.  I LOVE watching Zach grow as a man and leader.  I never thought that coming from a dairy farm in Idaho that I would be pinning on my husband Majors rank on his good looking Air Force Blues.  I have all of this because of the great man that Zach is.  We are proud of you Zach.  I can't wait  to pin on the next rank! 





Standing at attention getting ready for the ceremony to begin.

Pinning on his rank, side 1



Pinning on rank, side 2



Oath of office

Giving is awesome speech at the end

Our cute family

A "just us" picture