First Day of School

These kids are characters, that's for sure!

I'm so glad the boys love school and enjoy going. They are smart and well behaved (at school). It has never been hard to get the up and going on school mornings or to get them to do their homework in the evenings. They asked me to walk them to their grade lines, but when we got to their grade playground they said never mind, kissed me goodbye, and ran off to play.

This is Jemma's first year away from me. I think it's a little sad for both of us. This morning she woke up with a tummy ache. She couldn't eat anything, and when I felt her head, it felt like a fever. I don't know if it was from her immunization shots the day before, or if she was just nervous about going to school. Matt gave them all a Fathers Blessing before we headed out the door, and I think it helped Jemma calm down a bit. Matt and I walked her to her kindergarten line, and as she stood in her line to go in, she didn't look back once. I'm a little sad about that, but also proud of her. I know it was hard for her but also exciting. 

Good luck kids, make us proud!

Louise Lake

Saturday afternoon Matt and I packed the kids up and headed to the mountains. 

Matt had found some 4wheeling trails, so we decided to check them out. 

The kids definitely had a great day!  They love wearing their goggle around. Jacks was even genius enough to wear his around the camp fire to keep the smoke out of his eyes. Little smarty!

Raingutter Regatta

For Cub Scouts, Bennett's den made boats to race in the rain gutters. Bennett's boat took first place in each race. He was pretty proud of his boat. Good job Bennett. 

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

On our way home from Idaho we stopped in Jackson to stretch out legs and to spend a million dollars at the candy shop. 

The kids also decided they needed their pictures taken with some wild animals. However, after reviewing the first photo, I'm not sure I can determine which subject is actually the wild animal and which are my precious children. 

Bat Watching

The kids and I headed over the mountains again the first week of August. Matt spent the week at scout camp while the kids and I traveled to Idaho where I dropped them off to stay a few days at Heather's house. Grandma Julie and I headed down to Utah for me to get some vein surgery done in my legs. The night before we left we spent the evening at The Nulph house watching the bats swoop over head. The kids loved watching them, especailly Jacks, who has been wanting to build a bat house so he could have a pet bat. Go figure!

The Falls

Matt and his friend Luke Stringham decided to hike to the falls and take the kids with them. 

While I was not there, I have heard many stories about their trip, and I gather that they had a great time. 

The waterfall behind them in the pictures has made the rock smooth underneath and many people hike up to slide off the waterfall into the pool below. Matt, Bennett, and Luke all took the challenge and plunged themselves off the rock into the icy pool below. 

Bike Rider!

July 24th Jemma learned to ride her bike without training wheels. This has been a long awaited and much anticipated milestone. She accomplished the feat with her brothers running along side her cheering her on. Congrats Jemma!

Front Porch Pictures

Jemma found a flower to put in her hair and asked me to take a picture. Bennett seeing this, and not wanting to be left out of the fun, quickly started striking a pose or two for my camera to capture. 

Hauling Hay

After the kids and my month long vacation in Idaho, we made it back in time to help the Oland Family haul in their bales of hay. Well, in all actuality, Matt helped haul the bales while the kids and I followed after. 

We had a great time being with friends and being outdoors on this beautiful evening. 

Grandma Betty

Grandma Betty turned 91 on July 18, 2014. 

 I asked Grandma out of all her 91 birthdays she's had, which one was her most favorite? She respond that number 90 was it because she never imagined she would make it that far!

My mom and I along with my kids went to her favorite place, Babe's Bakery, and got her favorite cookies, oatmeal, and took them over. Instead of a birthday cake we ate cookies with her. We then opened a few presents. Jemma had made her a bracelt, mom had framed pictures of Dad and Uncle Bill, and Krysti send a box filled her favorite chapstick and lotion. As we were about ready to leave she asked for a special dinner of Chinese food. We complied to her request and she said she had never tasted anything so good. 

Matt and the Hammonds made it to Idaho the next night and we took Grandma Betty to dinner at Sizzler. It was a wild ride for her as Robert and Matt pushed her in her wheel chair down the road to the restaurant, but she made it in good spirits!

I am grateful for Grandma Betty. She has taught me that no matter what trials a person must endure in this life, you can walk through them graciously, and can continue to be content and happy. 

Happy Birthday Grandma!