Simple

It's the quiet, simple days that remind me how much I love being with my kids.  Their little smiles from simple pleasures is what makes being a mom worth every bit of crazy.  I wouldn't change it for the world, no matter how much I complain sometimes!  I thank God for giving me the chance to be a mother.

Craig is getting big so fast! Almost 18 months... I love this little monkey :)

Fishing with the Bro.

So for the last month my brother Ezra has been talking about taking me out fishing.  Now you have to understand one thing about my brother, he LOVES fishing, and goes out most weekends.  Jeremy goes fishing with him when he can because he loves it almost just as much.  So Jeremy and Ezra set up a weekend with me to go fishing.  Alex came along too.  It was so much fun!!  Last time I went fishing I think I was in high school.  I got a kick out of watching the art of fishing at it's best :).  Down riggers, salmon eggs, four poles at once, specific lengths of line out in the water, tuna lures, and watching with a keen eye while trying to avoid the other fishing boats out of the water.  I now know how people could get addicted to fishing!  We got up at four and fished for hours in the beautiful cool morning and refreshing air.  I got to reel in this whopper and what a kick! Big ones put up a decent fight :).  I'm sure I gave the boys a scare watching me reel it in, hoping the fish didn't jump loose.  Thanks so much Ezra for such a good time and success!  I'm looking forward to the spring salmon run :).

Alex caught a Jack salmon too :)  He's such a cute little fisherman.  It's funny you know, out on the fishing boat, I have never seen Alex so tranquil.  Love this boy :)

And thank you Dedre and Crystal for helping out with my other kids so this can happen!

Busy Buzzing Visitor

My phone doesn't take the greatest pictures but I had to try to take one when Carson and I saw one of the biggest bumble bees I've seen!  It was big and extra fuzzy with a thick orange/red stripe in his middle.  Our Chrysantemums have attracted so many busy bees! And we love their gentle industrious nature in our garden:).

Can you spot which flower he's on??

Soccer

Alex and Cami signed up for soccer for the first time.  And so far, they are loving it :)  They seriously work up such a sweat in this sport!

And of course, snacks after the game are an obvious highlight :)

Labor Day

We went to our small town annual Labor Day parade.  We were walking by and hour early and we already saw several people ready and waiting.  I was actually surprised by how many showed up THAT early!

Kids loved it of course :)

Especially the candy that's thrown :)

Craig enjoyed the sucker

Go PROSSER!

I had to laugh at this one ;)

The horses were probably the kids favorite... they were gorgeous.  

We got to ride some horses ourselves later that day with some friends.  These two little girls, Cami and Naomi, were in heaven!  They even got to do it all by themselves.

The boys were led by the dads, but they were okay with that ;)

Jason and little Jimmer

Jaynan hitching a kid on the back

It was a full and fun Labor day.  Now we're back at school and ready for soccer!  Those pics are next ;).