Trip to Utah

A couple of weeks ago, we decided at the last minute to take a quick trip to Utah. We were going to go down for just Saturday the 28th, and then drive back the same night. We met up at a park with my family for a little picnic/bbq. My sister and brother in law from TN were here and it is the only time we have all been together in quite a long while. Sadly, we didn't get any good pictures of all of us. We were just more worried about not being blown away!


You will be glad to know that nobody blew away - but you can tell it was extremely windy!
For whatever reason, it was one of those tornado like windy days. I couldn't even eat any of the delicious salads that were there, because the wind was blowing the salad right off the plates. It took a lot of effort to eat a hamburger and keep your plate held down. The children however, didn't seem to mind the wind too much and had fun climbing EVERYTHING!

After we were fed up with the wind, we went back to my sisters house where we chilled for a little bit. Braden was in love with this dog that my sister is babysitting.

We met a new nephew/cousin - Tommy. He sure is cute and smiley.

We decided to stay the night instead of drive back home. There wasn't a lot of room, and it was basically wall to wall people. I set Braden up in the play in pack in the laundry room and the rest of us were all spread out on floors throughout the house. But isn't it all about the memories? Or so I'm told!

The next morning when we woke up, this is what my niece's hair looked like. I thought it was so darn funny and cute.

It was a fun trip and it was fun because the kids had fun and were so excited just to get away for a little bit. Thanks guys!

Advancement in Rank

So on the first day of school, August 25th, was also pack night. Tyler received his Bear patch. We were so excited for him. I know this isn't the best picture, but he really was excited too. I feel bad though, the bottom picture I just couldn't seem to keep Braden out of it. Anyway, way to go Ty!

First Day of School

August 25th was the day we were all anxiously awaiting. Back to school! This year, McKenna and Kylie are in 1st grade with Mrs. Orr and Tyler is in 4th grade with Mr. Moss - same teacher as last year, but he moved up a grade. They were pretty excited about the first day. Here is each of them.

McKenna

Kylie

Tyler

I was anxiously awaiting for the bus to come home. I waited outside what seemed like forever and made them all stand there and get their pictures taken again. I am just happy they were all still smiling. They all said they had a good day and they were willing to go back the next, so I figure that's a bonus. The girls are "enjoying" their homework, and Tyler is excited because this year he has an actual text book for math. He was pretty excited about it. Hopefully soon we will get into a more settled routine - it's still all a little new.

As a funny side note, the first thing Kylie said to me was "I need more sleep tonight. I'm exhausted!" Kind of funny. That transition from Kindergarten to all day can be tough - luckily they have a great teacher who seems to really get that.

Celebrate Youth Day

Another school year starting, meant another fun time at celebrate youth day. This year, the little ones didn't want to really do the "baby" stuff. So we got there, got our "free" stuff quickly (it is important to have a strategy for this), and headed over to the train and the inflatables. The free stuff I am talking about is the cotton candy, the creamy (before they melt everywhere), the book, and the bag.

They added a couple of new inflatables this year. This was the kids size mechanical bull. They all tried and fell off pretty quickly, but had fun.

They always look forward to the national guards obstacle course. Not sure why, but they really enjoy it.

All in all, it was a good day and they had fun. We stuck around until the prizes were given away, and sadly, we didn't win anything. They were all completely exhausted but happy.

Where are they?

One night after we tucked the girls into bed, I quietly sneaked in to remove some dirty clothes that had failed to come out. I went in and I looked, but I couldn't find the girls. Seriously, where could they have gone? I looked in the darkest corner of their room and I saw this.

So I lifted the blanket and found this.

How funny that these two, who sometimes I feel really need a "break" from each other, and they are curled up together in such a tiny little space. So while they say they want their own rooms, this is one thing that has always been true. Their bond is tight and I don't think they could live in seperate rooms yet. Ever since they were born, they have always liked knowing that the other one is always there - and she has to be or the other one can't sleep. It was just one of those cute peaceful moments that I think, ok, this makes it all worth it.

Dutch Oven Delight!

Last Sunday we went to Beaver Dick Park and met up with our good friends the LeFevre's. I had mentioned that I wanted to get together and roast marshmellows and told them about the GIANT ones we had. They were so extremely kind and offered to make us dutch oven chicken and potatoes. (Seriously, I think I am amazing at wrangling such invitations!) But seriously...all of that work for us? Um yeah! No brainer! So we met and while they found a nice amazing shady spot, Tyler really wanted to set up our sport umbrella. So we let him.

Braden was having so much fun exploring the area and being a little free to "roam".

Sadly, I didn't get a picture of dinner. But it was amazing tender chicken and basic potatoes with bacon and truly it was SO GOOD! Tyler couldn't stop talking about it for quite awhile. The LeFevre's were gracious enough to try our fruit pizza and didn't even tell me how gross it was that it wasn't great being out so long in the heat.

Afterward, the kids were very anxious to roast marhsmellows. Sadly, I think this is the only picture I have of McKenna. I don't know why.

This is our friends daughter - we will call her E - I hope she doesn't mind she is on my blog. But look at the smore. That marshmellow doesn't fit on the graham cracker!

Here's one of Kylie. Sad. It looks like she had to take the chocolate off to get our mouth to just be able to bite into her smore.

Here's Tyler. You know that phrase - a picture is worth a thousand words? Ok, well maybe not a thousand, but it sure does speak for itself!

Luckily, I had wipies. Kylie sure used a lot of them!

I tried to use them with Braden and keep up. After awhile, I just couldn't. When I put him in the tub when we got home, I had wiped him down before he got into the tub, but the water was very very dirty when he got out. At least he had fun. All boy. And the LeFevre's were kind enough to let him use their little shovel. He did pretty good and at least he didn't try to whack anyone with it!

All in all, it was one of the most fun evenings we had in quite awhile. Thank you so much for the wonderful meal and great visit. We feel so blessed to have such great friends!

fruit pizza

What does someone do with so many strawberries....

And Peaches....

And Kiwi's.....

And Rasberries....

And blueberries....

Well??? Any guesses?


We made this!

This is the first time I ever made fruit pizza. I took it to a little cook out we were having, but I liked it. Obviously, there are always things I think I would do differently, but for the most part we really enjoyed it. The kids especially LOVED all cut up fresh fruit beforehand. Sorry so many of these posts seem to be about food lately. It's always exciting trying new things.

What's for Dinner?

Holy Smokes! Just the most AMAZING shish ka bobs - (I am obviously oblivious at how to spell the word). We had this about a year ago at a dinner we went to and we finally got around to trying them. It is an awesome marinade and it was so good that even Ty ate the green peppers and onions. Great flavor and we are so excited to try again. So here are our before and after shots.

Another Bump

He's had more since this, but when they look bad initially, I feel better about "journaling" about it. Just in case I am ever questioned by authorities I can say - this is what happened. Know what I mean? This is when a speaker fell out of a closet and hit him in the head. It was pretty hard. I was worried about a concussion for a while, but so far, so good!

Another Year Older, and wiser too!

Yep. Happy Birthday to me! I had to work - again - on my birthday. Graduation was - again - on my birthday and so that is where I spent my actual birthday. However, Pioneer Day on the 24th was our party day. Allen took me to lunch and got me some new clothes for church and work. Later, we had a bbq with the thing I was most excited about and that was this chocolate cake with a fudge like frosting. Sadly, those candles were melting so quick we had a lot of wax to scrape off, but none the less, it was an AWESOME day! Thanks to those who love me so much!