Last Summer Bash

I offered to take the kids anywhere they wanted for our last day of summer together. They decided instead of going somewhere they wanted to have a water party. We usually do one a summer and had not done one yet this summer. It was quite spur of the moment. We bought some snacks, called some friends, blew up the pool and used our two hoses plus the neighbor's hose and had a fun time. Note to self-don't have a water party the day after your husband mows the lawn. The pool was full of grass and the kids covered!!! Happy summer!

First Day of School

Yesterday was the first day of school, third and fifth grades for Kayla and Alli, and preschool for Jaron. They were all very excited and ready to go back to school. Kayla set her alarm for 7:00 am and was dressed and in my room by 7:01. I always have mixed emotions when my kids go back. I am excited and anxious for them and also a little melancholy that my kids are growing up-not that I would have it any other way- but it seems so fast!! The hardest one was dropping little Jaron off. He acts like such a big kid!! When I picked him up he came running to me with both arms outstreched wide. He is so excited to go back today.



As you can see our kitty Coco made it into the picture!! We are all so happy that she is still with us to start the school year!

Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D

We went school shopping and while we were at the mall the kids talked me into going to see Journey to the Center of the Earth. I figured why not since we had to be back to school soon-why not do something spontaneous? We only had 10 minutes until the show started and so I ran bags to the car and we ran in. It was a fun movie to see. Even Jaron kept his glasses on the whole time. He only got scared when the giant human eating plants attacked and he asked if they were going to ever get home. He called it a "pop out" movie.

Lake Powell-A Series of Unfortunate Events

Have you ever had a trip like this? We love Lake Powell and look forward to it every year. It is hard not to have fun, even when you have some unfortunate events take place. For example: it rained almost every day and the first night Alli and her sleeping bag were soaked through (she had slept on top of the houseboat with dad), next night our little 1 1/2 year old nephew Dawson ended up in the Page emergency room with an asthma attack twice in one night, we got the rope caught in the wave runner motor and had to have it repaired, lost the ladder off the back of the houseboat, the generator on the houseboat went out and had to be repaired, dad hit another houseboat and knocked off their slide, then a big wind gust came and pulled out our houseboat anchors turning it to the side, and as we went to leave Grandpa Jay dented another car in the parking lot while getting the boat trailer. And to top if off we had to call the park rangers our last night because there were some "young adults" drunk and swimming without life jackets in the dark and we thought one was drowning. We didn't get to bed until after 2:00 am! Whew!!! We were glad that we all travelled home safe! But we still had fun and are already talking about next year. (If you can believe it!)

Alli and her cousins Berkley and Hayley loved riding the tubes. I was waiting for them to say they were done but no matter how many waves dad hit they never wanted to stop!

Alli and Kayla with cousins Hayley and Berkley on the water tramp.

Jaron and Grandpa Jay in their "Grandpa Hats."

After the wind blew our houseboat! Luckily the back anchors held but what a pain to re-anchor it! Grandpa did say, "Did anyone get a picture?"

So of course it will be a memorable trip in more ways than one!!!

The girls couldn't get enough of being splashed!

Kayla's 8th Birthday

We had a wonderful time celebrating Kayla's 8th birthday.




Kayla chose to go to Chilli's for her birthday with mom and dad. She most of all wanted to have her own dessert!





Then we celebrated with family down at Lake Powell. Instead of birthday cake she wanted birthday brownies and ice cream.

Happy Birthday Kayla!!!!