Moving on...

Today was the big day... Cami is now in 2nd grade and has been counting down the days! We are in a new area, which means new school, but that didn't seem to phase her, surprisingly enough. She came home reporting that she found a new friend, I find great comfort in that she has been quick to make friends. Before school Jeremy gave a father's blessing to Cami and Alex. As a youth my dad had done the same, and I remember looking forward to those blessings. I found so much peace, comfort, and courage for the new year. Thank you dad, Thank you Jeremy, for blessing us by being honorable priesthood holders.
Alex's first day isn't until Friday, and man does he wish it was today! I love how they are so excited for school. Just me and Carson now. Woohoo, let's party Carson! ;)

Testing the Waters

This last weekend Jer launched his boat in the water so he could: 1-see if it floats, 2-put the bunks on his trailer. So the kids and I hung around the boat to make sure all was well while Jeremy worked on the trailer. The kids found a little area that entertained them most of the time. And it had several....

TADPOLES!!!

Honestly it kinda grossed me out lookn' at the slimy thing on Cami's hands... Eeeeeewwww!

My favorite part was our dog Tanner. He is not one for water... actually his only desire water has been solely to quench his thirst. But we got him to swim voluntarily! Of course my camera battery dies at the time. But I got the biggest kick out of watching him inch into the water to fetch the sticks we threw for him. And when it got too deep, he would stop and contemplate whether it was worth it for him to swim for it, or wait until we throw a different one for him. Anyway, I'm not the biggest animal lover, but I have come to love our dog.

What is 'TOO Far'?

We let the boys out back... all inclosed... what could they possibly do?? You give them alittle lee-way and they go overboard :)

This is Jeremy's doing... boys will be boys :)

New Things

We've enjoyed this week of August :). We've registered for school, (which surprisingly took over an HOUR to finish all the paper work... phew), we had cousin Kate and Brooke over for a sleepover, and then we headed down to Grandma and pa Cheeto's house for a Grandkid slumber party! After pizza, a movie, and carmel corn, all the grandkids went for their first after dark swim, woohoo!

We watched 'Soul Surfer' so Alex was the shark chasing all the girls, haha, he Loved it! It was also fun to see them all try swimming with just one arm. I was surprisingly impressed!

Carson sported pink and purple because I forgot the appropriate attire for him... but this picture just makes me laugh!

3 little Mermaids :)

Then around 10:30.... they crashed. That was part of our plotted plan to wear them out with swimming ;). It worked.

Then in the morning before breakfast, those who felt energetic and old enough, went for a hike... I really don't know what I'm doing there, haha.

It was sandy and steep, but the girls were such troopers!

I quickly caught a pic of Cami and Kate Running to the top... little energizer bunnies :).

Yeah! We made it!! At the top we pulled out our granola bars to hold us over before our decent down to breakfast.

The view... it was amazing. I've grown up in Tri-Cities most of my life, and I promise you, it didn't use to look this occupied. But what's even more spectacular is that we have a Temple now in Tri-Cities!! What a blessing! Can you spot it out there?

On our way down, mom spotted a little lizard! We all gathered around to see this tiny creature... much better than spotting a Rattlesnake. (I do have to admit, those snakes were in my thoughts on this hike, and a pleading in my prayers to not encounter one! ;)

Now the real reason Alex didn't want to come on the hike was because he wanted to be one of the firsts to step foot in the bounce house!! :) Boy cousins are out numbered here, so Grandma catered to them with the Monster Truck theme, thanks grandma!

Brooke and Kenzie May also stayed for the first dibs in jumping :)... I love these girls, such cuties!

Then there was Carson and William. I get a kick out of watching these two play together. They like to stay close, but not sure if they want to share the same toys, haha! I believe they will grow up to be good cousin buddies :).

Then more swimming. Alex has officially graduated from floaties to free sailing! He enjoys the freedom of it all :).

I decided to stay over one more night because Jeremy was out fishing with the boys :). So the next morning mom and dad took us out on their boat. I love this pic, dad was trying to be serious like that one pic of the couple with the pitch fork on the farm, but he couldn't help but crack a smile ;).

All of us boaters posed for a picture:).

Then to my surprise Cami and Alex wanted to learn how to kneeboard! They did so well, I couldn't believe how quickly they caught on! They never cease to amaze me. They learned far much sooner than I ever did. I think when I was their age I was crying when my dad went too fast on the innertube! Haha, lame I know... but it just shows you, our kids, this generation, are in a league of their own!

After the kiddos took a turn, I went on the wake board. I was quite rusty, but I do have to say the cheers of my kiddos inspired me to try harder! After I crashed and burned a couple of times, I came inside and Carson says, "Good job mom! You did so good mom!" Anyone else could have said the same thing, but it wouldn't have meant as much.

Mom and dad finished the day with some slaloming. They too impress me... just how active they still are. Sure love them.

It definitely was a memorable week. I am definitely SORE from wake boarding! Just need to do it more right?, well at least that's what Cami said :).

What Happened?? ;)

Throughout my life I have had long hair. I enjoy long hair.... but there are lengths, where it just becomes 'Beastly', as my sister would put it ;). I've cut it short before but only a few times in my life. Soooooo, Cami and I had a girls day out yesterday and went to my sis-in-law's spa/salon and got our lovely locks 'trimmed' :)! In the past when I've cut my hair, I've heard my dad, husband, and brothers mourn over the loss of my hair, hahaha (maybe alittle exaggeration there)... but every once in awhile it's kinda fun, and sincerely needs a good trimming.

My goodness, it was almost 2 ft LONG!

I had given Cami a good trimming about 2 months ago, but she still wanted to go with me... she had an idea :)

I don't know why I posted this picture... haha

Here at the spa and Kori is starting her masterpieces ;)

They are discussing the plan.......

She's a Bang Bang Girl Now!!!! She totally looks like a different person! I love it, she looks like a doll!

Kori, thank you so much for spoiling us, we love you!

Afterwards we went to AppleBee's and got some fun desserts. I Love this girl of mine.

My hair is long no more! And hopefully my bathroom will have less piles of hair lurking in every corner. Til we meet again scissors!! (prob not for the next 5 years, again :)

A Little About Carson

As I have mentioned before this cute kid LOVES fruit! But I think we have discovered his Favorite fruit.... Strawberries. When Papa Steve came up last he brought up his ever berry strawberry plant to give to Carson. It's so cute... he will even pick the green ones and eat it, strangely enough. He makes sure we take care of his plant though... watering, some sun, and then....

searching for the good ones of course :)

Another thing we have discovered about Carson is that he genuinely loves to help. Cooking, cleaning, weeding, watering, fixing, and especially anything that dad is doing. He was the only one out there helping daddy, and it was because he wanted too.

We love you Carson! Jammed face and all, strawberry jam of course :).