School Days

Look Out 1st Grade Here She Comes!

Emma started school this week. She is so excited, as am I.

All day! The house seems so quiet with her gone like this.

She's loves her teacher, recess and having lunch at school.

And I love having one less person to cook for at lunch time - my least favorite meal to prepare.

She's growing up so fast!

Aaron will be starting preschool again in a few weeks and he is very excited too.

Everyday he asks me if it's time to go yet. Soon honey, soon.

Patience is sometimes difficult at our house.

Bekah is doing well, she's spends most her days inside playing with us until it cools off.

We try to go out in the early morning or the evening, Utah is pretty hot right now, which makes life a little more uncomfortable for us preg-os.

Speaking of pregnant, Moriah kicks so much I'm sure she's trying to find a way out.

She'll need to learn some patience too, we've still got the last trimester to make it through.

I'm not feeling great right now, a stomach bug that won't go away, but Mike helps me a great deal, and for that I'm forever grateful.

Sunny is enjoying this Summer as well, being an indoor cat for at least a few more weeks - until we get her fixed...we don't need a pregnant kitten on our hands.

She's an adorable kitten and loved by everyone in our house.

Glitter Glam Gone Wrong!

Oh No!

Bekah, Bekah, Bekah.

The other day the kids wanted to use some of the money they've earned to buy a new toy.

Emma chose a new makeup set, Bekah found it.

She made herself up and then passed out on the floor.

While I made dinner, Michael spent a good half and hour trying to

scrub off all the glittery-gluey mess.

Yikes!

Family Time at Bear Lake

The day started out overcast, but we wished really hard for sun

& it wasn't long until we got lots of it!

Here the kids designed there own swimming pool.

Bear Lake can really wear you out!

Emma was "fake sleeping," it wasn't until the drive back to Logan

that she really conked out.

But Bekah and Aaron are out cold!

After a day on the Bear Lake Beach it's time to refuel.

Here's our fam goofing off at our tradtional stop in Garden City,

Merlin's. They have great food and even better raspberry shakes.

No trip of ours is complete without a dip in the hotel pool.

And usually no matter what we've done or seen, they like the pool the best.

Thanks to Aunt Coco and all the free/private swimming lessons the kids are all superb little swimmers. Even Bekah can float on her back for a short time without her life jacket.

Now that is a sight to see believe me!

All good things must come to an end.

Gail's family in front of our hotel in Peaceful& Beautiful Logan.

There are so few pictures of us all together.

We couldn't resist the photo opp here to snap an updated family portrait or two.

Tons of fun!

Stuff I Learned From Scout Camp

Spending four days in the mountains with eight 14/15-year-olds can be quite the learning experience.

~ It is possible to have rain, sleet, snow, hail and clear skies all before dinner.

~ Bags of charcoal briquettes do not like to get wet.

~ 14-year-old boys do not like to get wet.

~ Rain ponchos do not like camp stoves.

~ Waterproofing is worth its weight in gold.

~ Some 14-year-old boys do not pack rain ponchos, even when it's on the equipment list.

~ It is possible to get steam burns on your toes when drying your boots by the fire.

~ Canvas tents are much heavier when wet.

~ Tarps leak.

~ Sleeping right next to a rushing stream while your tent is rained on puts an unexplained strain on your bladder.

~ Port-a-potties are difficult to navigate while wearing a rain poncho.

~ Eight teenagers can fit in a four-man tent if it means they get to play "Go Fish".

~ Apparently "Go Fish" is played with small red, white and blue plastic disks.

~ Teenagers should not consume energy drinks on long drives.

~ iPod Withdrawl and Cell Phone Withdrawal are serious conditions.

~ Ankle injuries miraculously heal when in close proximity to female staff members.

~ All the fire restrictions in recent years have bred a generation of scouts who can't build a fire to save their lives.

~ If the mayonnaise comes out of the packet yellow, it's a good idea to throw away the bread and start over.

~ Teenagers have an aversion to drinking plain, old water.

~ Sweaty activities should be avoided before and after a flour war.

~ Mountain bikes should never be ridden in the mountains.

~ I'm getting old.