Feeding the ducks/goose outing

Last night me and Randy went to the Snake River across from the temple and fed the ducks and geese. We had a loaf of bread that had gone bad so we decided to take that to feed them. It was a chilly night and normally the ducks and geese are skiddish around humans. But last night was a whole different story. They were very excited that someone had come to feed them. They were up and a personal. They would follow us if we walked around and were right up on our feet. I was a little scared that they were getting so close because I am afraid of geese because I have had some unruelly encounters with them. I have me bitten and chased by geese. I screamed a few times but eventually I settled down and enjoyed it. There is a video at the end of this blog that shows the ducks and geese following us. Randy and I always feed them and it had been a long time since we have because of it being winter. It was a great way to spend some time together.

The geese and ducks following me as I walked.

Here are a bunch of them gathered round.

There was some grey, big, aggressive ones that

acted as if they had never eaten before. They were mean.

All of the ducks gathered around Randy's feet.

Look how close they are to him.



Randy feeding the ducks and geese.

Belated Valentines/Anniversary Date

Randy and I had to celebrate Valentines/six month anniversary on Wednesday the seventeenth because Randy had to work on both of these days. Randy planned this entire date and it was a surprise to me! He gave me flowers the day before because he wanted those to be a surprise when I wasn't with him. Our day started off by going to BYUI to get some things figured out and then Randy took me to lunch at Olive Garden. It was really good and was where we had our first dinner together after we were married so it has some significance. We then had some time to wasted before our next activity so we went to some stores and just browsed. I said we should go to Target so we did and we there for awhile and then nonchanlantly Randy says lets go to Shopko instead. I was like alright that is random but okay. So we get to Shopko and takes me back to the athletic shoes and he says pick a pair. Well I wanted two because Randy owes me a pair anyways that her ruined back when we were dating. He said not today but lets see if I can clean your old ones and if not then I owe you another pair of shoes. I said alright and picked a black pair of nikes that were on sale! They are way nice shoes and we got them for really cheap. After Shopko we had to hurry and drive across town to the movie theater. Randy took me to see the movie Dear John. He knew that I wanted to see it badly. We liked the movie but it wasn't like I thought it would be. I liked it mostly because it had some meaning to me. You see while Randy was serving his mission in Canada we wrote to each other for two years. It was the hardest and longest two years but it was so worth it. Anyways after the movie we went home and just relaxed and hung out. We went and fed the ducks at the falls in the Snake River across from the temple but that will be in the next post. We had a really great Valentines/anniversary date. I love being married and wouldn't change it for the world. I have the worlds greatest husband! I love you babe!

Randy and I before our date started.

The tulips Randy gave me. They smell so pretty.


My awesome new shoes!

This a typical night in Idaho. Randy and I were driving home at like midnight from Blackfoot because Randy had to work the night shift. We were on the freeway and I looked out the window and saw this image. I decided that I needed to take a picture of this breathtaking view. I love pictures like this because they happen often where we live. The sky at night, dusk, dawn, and morning in Idaho will always surprise you. It is always beautiful. I guess that is what you get for living in the country with no lights and actually being able to see the sky above you. This picture makes me really excited for summer to come because sunsets in Idaho are AMAZING! I just wanted to share this picture with you because it is a reminder to me that this world was created for me to live on. I need to appreciate what nature has to offer and what I can learn from it.

Yet Another Snowmobiling Trip

So we went on yet another snowmobiling excursion. This is our favorite winter activity and go every time we get a chance. This time we went to Soda Springs. It was Randy, me, Jared, and Blake. We were gone all day and had a ton of fun. It was the best trail we have been on so far this winter. We find several places to get off the trail and ride around. We followed the trail to the end and we came across this spectacular view. It never seizes to amaze me how beautiful nature really is. It is moments with the family and nature that I learn the greatest lessons. We are headed to Bear Lake next week for another vacation.

Jared in the snow. It was really deep in places.

Randy playing around in an open area.

The four of us hanging out for a minute.

Goodbye Cammie

This past weekend we had an unfortunate event happen in our lives. It all started on January 12th when Randy was driving to work. Our 1999 toyota Camry aka Cammie decided to start giving him problems. While he was driving to work she was making horrible knocking noises and there was no power whatsoever. He barely made it to work and he had to call his Grandpa Chambers to switch out cars so he could come back home. Well we left Cammie in Blackfoot because we didn't know what was wrong with her and Randy and I were headed to West Yellowstone for the rest of the week. On Saturday while Randy was as work, me, Jared, and Blake were looking at Cammie. We filled her with oil because there was nothing in her, so we thought maybe that was the problem. We started her up and she sounded just fine. We decided to go for a drive and that is when it all fell apart.....literally! We started driving and that is when the noises started. It had the same terrible knocking noise as before and there was no power. We went for a little ways and then decided to turn around and go back home because the car sounded awful. We were driving down the road and that is when the engine blew and parts were falling out of the car onto the road. The car was smoking and smelled horrible. We leaked oil all over the way home and we barely made it back to the house. So long story short one of Randys and mine cars blew up and were one down to one car. We got it figured out and we ended up saling Cammie a broken down care to a guy for $700. It is not everyday that you have a car blow up but we are just happy the way it did. So Cammie is dead and gone. she was a good car for the time we had her.

Cammie waiting for her new owners to come get her.

The engine with a hole in it.

Cute little girl!

She is the cutest little thing in the world! This is our niece Peyton Mae Smith. She is now two months old and is growing bigger everyday. These are some pictures that my sister Megan sends me to keep me updated because she lives in Utah. We love her and miss her very much.

Peyton on her two month birthday!

Sitting on Grandma's couch looking like she owns the world!

West Yellowstone Getaway

This past week Randy and I had the opportunity to go to West Yellowstone for a couple of days. His parents own a time share there and we got to stay in this really awesome hotel room. It had three bedrooms, kitchen, two bathrooms, and a big living room area. It was really sweet! We went up to have some fun hanging out with his family, watch movies, eat our little hearts out, and of course go snow mobiling every chance we got. We got up there on Wednesday morning and went home Friday night. My favorite part of the trip was on Friday. Randy, me, Jared, and parent-in-laws all hopped on snowmobiles and drove to a lodge/resturant called Meadow Creek located in Island Park. It was like a 50 mile round trip but it was a ton of fun. We ate lunch, drank hot chocolate, and talked. We jumped back on the machines and headed back to Montana. Along the way we stopped and looked at the pretty snow covered trees and played around a bit. It was a ton of fun and here are some pictures of our West Yellowstone getaway. The scary part was the way home. Randy and I left at about 5:00 which is just about the time it starts getting dark. We were driving along and all of the sudden three elk run across the street right in front of us. It made me jump and was a little scary. We didn't hit them but they just kept on going as if they did nothing wrong. We had a great time in West Yellowstone and can't wait for the Bear Lake trip in about a month!


Randy and Jared at the lodge for lunch.

My cute parent-in-laws....LOVE THEM!

The sign to the resturant where we rode to eat lunch.

Randy on the snowmobile. This kid lives for riding.!

Randy standing on the machine he kept getting stuck.

The snow was deep in some areas as you can tell.


Here is red and all the snowmachines.

Randy and I chilling in the hotel room.

Top 10 of 2009!

Here are some of the exciting things that happened in the year 2009 for Randy and Me. The great thing about they year 2009 is that both of us had our own achievements but better than that we started our own together! Here are the top ten in no particular order:

10- Courtney graduated from UVU and is now at BYU-I.
9- Randy returned home from serving a full time mission in Winnipeg, Canada.
8- Courtney survived yet again a very serious car accident.
7- After Randy returned from his mission we started dating again and it was like he never left.
6- Randy and I got engaged on July 3rd and I started planning our wedding.
5- Randy got an awesome job at a hospital in Blackfoot.
4- I started the education program at BYU-I.
3- We got pet fish-Henry and Ginger.
2- We welcomed a new niece Peyton Mae Smith, and a new nephew Maden Michael Purcell into the family.
1-We were sealed for time and all eternity on August 15th in the Draper Utah Temple. The best day ever I love you babe and am the luckiest girl in the world!

Samuel the Snowman

Randy and I decided to build a snowman because Blackfoot got about five inches of snow. We were waiting for his work party to start and we were really bored. So we went out to the pickup and put on all of our snow clothes and headed
to the front yard. I haven't built a snowman in years and it was a ton of fun doing it with my husband. We decided to name him Samuel. He looks a little retarded but it was all part of the fun.

Samuel the Snowman

Me playing in the snow.


Randy standing next to his best friend!

Randy and me outside!

Peyton's Blessing

Sunday, December 20th was a big day for my sister and brother-in-law. They blessed their baby girl, Peyton Mae Smith. My brother-in-law did a great job! Peyton got a little fussy during the blessing but she was hungry and besides she is a baby and babies cry. We took some pictures in the foyer afterwards and they are found below. I can't believe that Peyton is already a month old, she just keeps getting bigger. She is a great baby and I love her so much!

Aunt Mikala holding Peyton after the baby blessing

Randy and I waiting in the foyer.

Four generation picture: Grandma Fairbanks, Megan Smith, Peyton Smith, and Great Grandma Earley.

The Smith Family

Jeff, Grandpa Fairbanks, Great Grandpa Earley, Megan, and Peyton.

The proud dad and his little girl!

This picture is of Peyton, Randy, myself, Mikala, and Brian.

Randy and I with baby Peyton.


The proud great grandparents. My grandma can't get enough of this cute little baby.