"Bend-or-Bust" for Thanksgiving 2007

11.21.07
And we are off to Bend for Thanksgiving! Justin will be playing in the annual "Turkey Bowl" with my parents ward and Trey will be enjoying the open country air. Trey has been asking to see Derek, Gramma and Grandpa for quite some time, I think he is ready! Happy Thanksgiving!

Trey is ready to be packed away and shipped off to Gramma and Grandpa Bend's house!

Gospel Doctrine Teacher?!

I think it is safe to say that I have a new calling and it is a scary one. No longer will I be serving in the Primary, teaching the 11 year olds, I am NOW teaching the oldies but goodies! Scary, YES. I have been wanting to either barf constantly or cry uncontrollably for the last 2 weeks, but after this morning, being my first time to teach, I think I will survive. I was blessed to have such an entertaining group who had so many comments and ideas! I look forward to all of the information I will learn from this calling and look forward to conversing with the adults!

A huge and grateful "Thank You" to all of you who have called to wish me luck and ask how my lesson went. Your kindness and sweet words of encouragement have meant the world to me! Thank you again!

Dress-A-Child

11.17.07
The Salvation Army joined with JC Penny this year to help clothe children in our area. Two weeks ago a sign-up sheet went around in Primary and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to serve. It began at 5:30 in the morning at the JC Penny and we shopped with a teenager named Nancy. I was blessed to get to shop with Tina, my sister-in-law, and what a wonderful experience it was. Each child got to spend $110, and with JC Penny's great sales, this girl got some very cute and warm clothes!

Happy 6th Birthday Katie Marie!

Katie's B-day!
11.16.07
Tina had asked if I would help her with Katie's Princess Birthday Party and of course I said "yes." Katie had invited 8 girls from either school or church and they each made a princess bead necklace and decorated a princess foam tiara. After crafts the girls sat in a circle and played, "Pass the Present" while listening to Princess music. In the presents were rings, candy and sunglasses for each girl, Jacob (Katie's older brother) and Trey.
Cupcakes and icecream were served and then it was Present time. Trey had a great time and wore his Prince Crown all evening. We even went to JC Penny's after the party and he donned the garb throught the stores. We got some pretty funny looks from the other shoppers! I think most of the customers thought he was cute!

The "Present Game"

Trey showing off his "bling"


Yummy cupcakes!

Show and Tell at Miss Michelle's

Trey shows Tanner's Helicopter


11.16.07
I had the opportunity to conduct "Show and Tell" at Miss Michelle's on Friday, and what a huge event it was. The kids are all supposed to bring something to show (we forgot, so Trey borrowed a helicopter from Michelle's son Tanner.), stand up individually and tell something about their object they brought. Then, each kid raises their hand and asks a question about their object. The questions are usually, "Do you sleep with it," or "Does it go to bed with you?" Trey really got into it!





Trey passing around Jorja's horse Butterscotch, her show and tell item

A break for the Garbage Truck

Book Club-Twilight!

11.15.07
Book Club for November was at Jessica Dribnak's home and we discussed Twilight. I am sorry, but after reading 350 pages of the book, I was JUST not into it, so, I stopped. Yes, I put the book down, actually, THREW it down, never to read a page from it again. I'm sure that I am the only LDS female who disliked the book, but I have come to the conclusion that I don't mind being different! Sorry Stephenie Meyers, I just wasn't into it!!!

Playgroup at Settler's Park

11.15.07
For playgroup, we met at Settler's Park! We love this park, and so do the rest of Trey's friends! The tire swing was about the only time all three of the kids were all together at once! We love our friends Megan and Benette!

Dress-Up at Miss Michelle's!

11.15.07
The girls are so sweet at Miss Michelle's-they always let Trey play with them. Well, this morning they were playing "Trick-or-Treat" and let Trey join in the fun. They first got on their "Halloween" costumes (out of Miss Michelle's dress up bucket!) and then walked around asking people for "candy."
I had to take a picture, I am sure Trey will hate me in years to come, but I can come back with the response of, "But look at all the cute girls that just LOVED you!"

Olive Garden and Shopping with my 4th Cousin Jessica and Trey's Auntie Sommers

11.14.07
A family event it was: Lunch and shopping with friends and family! After Trey's flu shot, I promised him dinner with his "cousin" Baby Shaydon, his Auntie Sommers and Jessica! It was the first adventure with Jessica Curtis since finding out we were related (read the next blog and find out how we are related!). Trey wanted to hold Baby Shaydon since the moment Auntie Sommers walked through the Olive Garden's door. So, after lunch, Sommers was so sweet and let Trey hold his "cousin!" They are going to be the bestest of friends some day!

4th Cousins Removed!

11.13.07
Some may say Blogging is for Predators or Pedophiles. I was a bit hesitant myself, but my friend Sommers had told me about her friend Jessica Curtis's cool blog. I checked out Jessica's blog, and that night I began one. I have been hooked ever since.
Well, as Jessica was searching my blog one afternoon, she saw a picture of my Grandparents, (Trey's GiGi and G.Pa) The Slights. That afternoon, I got a call from Jessica. This is how the conversation went (at least how I remember it going):

Jessica: Hi Rebecca, sorry to bother you, but Teyan, my husband has been telling me I needed to call you!
Rebecca: How are you? What is going on?
Jessica: I have been looking at your blog and I think we know your Grandparents. What are their names?
(I told her their names!)
Jessica: Yeah, I think your Grandfather married me and Teyan in the Temple.
Rebecca: When did you get married?
(She told me, sorry Jessica, I can't remember what year you said!)
Rebecca: And you think his name was Glen Slight?
Jessica: Yes! And it gets better, I think we are related.
Rebecca: WHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAT?
Jessica: Yes, your Grandmother is related to my Grandmother.

This conversation went on for a few more minutes, ending with the promise to call eachother back with more geneology information.
I called my Grandma, Jessica called hers, and this is what we found out: Jessica's Grandmother is MY Grandmother's COUSIN! We THINK we are 4th cousins!!!

I had given Sommers a joint baby shower with Jessica this last August, and that was the first time Jessica and I had met. If it WASN'T for blogging, we would have NEVER found out our common roots! So, here's a blog to you Jessica Curtis, my 4th cousin!


Jessica Curtis and Rebecca Bledsoe-4th cousins through our Grandmothers!!!

Trey's Flu Free (we hope!)

"I got a shot today" sticker!!!
11.14.07
I just had a patient the other week who's husband died last year of the Influenza Virus. Yes, he was in his 90's, but they say it is the most dangerous for the young AND the old! So, Trey fitting in the young category, and because I am around sick people two days out of the week, I made an appointment for his flu shot. I think Justin AND my mom think I am the meanest mother there is for inflicting pain on Trey intentionally, but I knew Trey was tough!
I explained to him prior to the big ordeal that a nurse was going to come in. She was going to "wash" his skin off with special soap, take a long thin needle and pinch his leg for 5 seconds (and I would pinch his leg, NOT HARD-I promise-for 5 seconds) and then the shot would be over. So, when the time approached, Trey became a little nervous as we got him situated, but he barely even winced! I was amazed and so proud!
My mom thinks Trey has not sense of pain because she was astonished at how well he did. The nurse even commented on how great Trey did saying, "Trey, you are one of the best patients I have ever had." (who knows HOW many kids she has said that to, but in my head, Trey is one of the only!!!!!HA!) With a sucker in his mouth and a cute band aid and sticker, we were off, as if nothing had happened!

Patrick McManus in Boise, Idaho!

11.13.07
Justin has a few favorite authors, but I bet he would say his first two favorites would be J.K. Rowling and Patrick McManus.
Patrick McManus grew up in Idaho and had a crazy childhood. He hunted, camped and fished, and all of his short stories he writes are about his adventures. It is a tradition of Justin's families to sit around and listen to Justin read Patrick McManus' stories. Everyone gets tears in their eyes and start rolling around in laughter listening to Justin crack up. He usually can't get through a story without laughing so hard he is also brought to tears.
Patrick McManus also has a comedy show, a one man play more like it that comes to Nampa every once in a while, and a month or so ago James and Tina took us to see him. (well, the actor is actually NOT Patrick McManus, but one of his friends!) At the play, they made an announcement stating that Patrick McManus is coming out with a new book and will be holding a book signing party in Boise in November.
Well, it was the 13th of November that I was sitting at my desk at work catching up on patient's histories when I get an urgent phone call from Justin. "Patrick McManus is in town TODAY," is what I hear on the other end of the phone. Justin is watching the news while getting our car serviced and it trying to get all of the information he can. As he is talking to me, I forget my work and jump on line to the "McManus Official Website." Sure enough, he is in town at Hastings, the 13th of November from 7-8:30!
Justin gets to Hastings at 6:30 and is about the 5 in line! I was there purely for the excitement and for the camera crew!
We can't wait to listen to Justin read this new book. Patrick said that it is probably his funniest, even HE was chocked up with laughter while writing these stories!

***BTW, As I was unloading Trey's stroller from the back of our car, an older man with white hair walked by us. I watched him for just a moment as he walked aimlessly through the parking lot. He looked lost, he looked alone and maybe a little scared. I didn't know if I should follow him or just watch him, in case he was delirious or maybe an Alzheimer's patient or even dangerous(You NEVER know, maybe I am a little paranoid, but he DID just walk by my car and noticed I had a small child. You read such awful Internet stories, I need to protect my family 'ya know!). Well, it ended up BEING sweet, old Mr. McManus, I guess just buying time before his big book signing party!


The men waiting in line

Justin's a Professional!!!

11.9.07
It was never a question, Justin IS a professional, but now it is official!!! After a week of grueling studying and quiz taking, Justin took his Professional Project Management test early Friday morning, and passed with flying colors! We celebrated by taking a wonderful trip to McCall, Idaho. How nice is the feeling of being freed from any test taking and getting additional credentials all in the same day! Congratulations Smarty-Pants!!!

Explore Timbercrest!

11.9.07
So, we decided to take the challenge Timercrest offers and we went onto www.mytimbercrest.com and reserved an evening stay. We invited our friends from our BSU Ward, Sommers and Scott Gerratt, and Brook and Dustin Blad. We were initially scheduled for an evening in October, but our reservation was canceled. They asked if we could come in November, we said, "Sure," we are easy going people. Come to find out, they gave us TWO nights FREE! WHAT A STEAL!
It was EVERYTHING we could have wished for! What a wonderful way to spend a weekend with great friends of old (6 years we have been celebrating Thanksgiving and Chirstmas together, this trip was to celebrate "Thanksgiving!"), stay in an amazing cabin, ALL for free!
As we waited for "Chad," the owner of the Timbercrest time-shares to show us our cabin, Trey enjoyed playing in the dirt and rocks!

Checking into Timbercrest

The Bledsoe family in front of our "little" cabin


How amazing would be an understatement! Our cabin was beautiful and so spacious. There were two master suites, one room with a restroom across the hall, and a gameroom with two bunk beds, a pool table, a bar, flat screen mounted on the wall and two very comfy reclining chairs for watching. Music was wired throughout the cabin, in each room and outside. Two outside fireplaces, one inside, a firepit and outdoor grill. A hottub that was covered and also a fireplace. The front room had a fireplace with a TV that came from the coffee table, huge, widescreen/flatscreen. There was an office upstairs (perfect for Dustin Blad) with WI-FI internet. The kitchen was fully stocked with spices, dishcloths, soap, an island in the middle with a small, skinny sink running through the middle of it! And did I mention our master suite had a walk in shower with two showerheads, a towel warmer, a bathtub which filled up from the ceiling, two sink vanity AND heated tile floors? I tell you what, we were in for a treat!!! It was so nice to know we had this to share with our friends the Gerratts and the Blads!


The Gerratt Family

Dinner at Lardo's and Hottubbing

11.9.07
After checking into our little cabin and meeting up with the Blad's we were STARVING! The Blad's led us to Lardo's for a delicious dinner and laughs, as always! The Gerratt's were still traveling to McCall and were planning on meeting us at the cabin.



There Gerratts soon made it to McCall and we all jumped into the hottub. The hottub was covered overhead and had an outside fireplace. It played CD's (In the FREEZING cold, Sommers tried to hard to get the CD player to work but it just didn't want to play!) and the radio. The Hottub had a built in speaker, so we all rocked out to 80's love songs, talking about each song and what memories it brought back. The hottub was right outside our master suite, Trey was lying asleep on our bed, and Baby Shaydon was sound asleep in his room, so as we sat outside, we had two baby monitors blaring through the windows. What parenthood brings!

Breakfast, Games, Lunch and Family Reunion

11.10.07
After our first night in McCall, we decided to spend the morning eating pancakes at the pancake house! (come to think of it, I don't know WHAT it's name is, I think everyone knows it as the pancake house!) I had two chocolate chip pancakes that were HUGE, and Justin had a yummy omelet with hashbrowns! Adjacent to the restaurant there is a Christmas Store that Trey loved. He got his hands into WAY too much ornaments and decorations. I was about to have a heart attack, but we left without a thing broken.


Group in front of a HUGE Christmas tree in the Christmas Store

After breakfast, we all sat around the kitchen table in our cabin and played a game the Blad's brought! Whenever we get together, usually games and food are involved. Trey tried to entertain himself the best he could by pushing baby Shaydon in his swing (AHHHHHH), and playing poker. (there was a box of poker chips and cards in the game room).


Dustin Blad sitting at the head of the table


Trey running from Shaydon, knowing he is pushing him way too hard, and Sommers in the background, slaving away at our delicious lunch


Baby Shaydon saying, "Save me from that rough and tough Trey-Man


Trey trying to recruit baby McCall in a game of poker

After games and our delicious lunch from Sommers, (Her mom's famous chicken and bacon wrap! SOOOOOO GOOD!) Brook and Dustin's two boys came over with their grandparents, the Hilton's, (who live in McCall) to take a tour of our cabin and to spend some time with their parents. The Hilton's were so sweet, taking the boys for the weekend while Dustin, Brook, and baby McCall were able to hang out with us!


Jackson (2.5, in the greyish sweatshirt), Andrew (5, in red) Blad and Trey-man in yellow getting a little too wild with Dustin Blad

The men were so sweet to watch the kids while us ladies read books, magazines, and helped Brook start her OWN blog!!!


Sommers and Scott Gerratt (notice the magazine in hand, we seriously DID read!!!)


Trey and J snuggling on the comfy couch

Murder in McCall?

11.10.07
Yes, around the hour of 8pm on the 10th of November, there was a Murder in our little cabin and we were all around to witness it! In tradition with Justin's family, we had our first ever Murder Mystery amongst our friends! It was called, Bullets 'n BBQ and there were 7 in attendance. Sommers was Sally Forth and Scott was Juan Bandito. Brook was Miss Patience and Dustin was Doc Mallard. I was BiBi Gunn and Justin was Rowdy Azell! (if you read these names a few times over, you may find a little joke!) Trey really didn't attend the murder, but he was dressed the part! Everyone looked awesome, dressed and spoke their part with such enthusiasm. Sommers, as sweet as she may seem was the Murderer! NO one guessed her, such a surprise!
Brook made a fantastic chilli, Sommers made a salad, I made my famous corn bread and German Chocolate cake!

So SOOOOOOOOO sorry about this video. I held the camera in a way so it filmed side ways. It may hurt the head, but it will I sure make you laugh! Enjoy!


The group of suspects and one sweet Murder, Sommers, the one on the end!





Justin was so into this, he bought the hat from Sierra Trading post and found a "lucky" card for it!