1st Day of School

The kid who doesn't get up before 9:30 am most mornings, was up, dressed and in his backpack by 8:30...but school doesn't start until 11:30. He was SO excited. I dropped him off and he was OFF...there was no hanging back with mom. He had quite a few friends in his class from his preschool and church, so he wasn't shy at all.
After Bryce saw Colton go off to school, he was ready, too. He wasn't about to be the one to stay with mom. So, I dropped him off at his afternoon preschool class...no fear with him, either. I guess that is my job - right - raise kids who can venture out on their own. I hope they both have a good day. I know I will. Peace and quiet for about 3 hours a day! Yeah!

Ya...I know...flip flops for the first day of school. It is still 90 degrees...and all he has is tennis shoes.

The Ants Go Marching

The Ants go marching one by one, Hurrah! Hurrah! That was the song I had to sing about 20 times to get these boys back to the car after our 3 mile hike up Alpine Creek near Alturas Lake.

Their "walking sticks" were large wooden swords - Thanks Grandpa Joe...but I think they slowed them down a bit.

"Look Mom! Colton is in his underwear!" Colt thought he was going to jump right in the water, then he discovered how cold it was. This was as wet as they got.


Dad at the creek. This man can sleep ANYWHERE.

Anna is asking why she's in this silly camoflauge onesie...

My little hiker




Butterflies
"These two are stuck together, Dad." Hmm... I wonder how they like being interrupted by a 5 year old?

30 Seconds into the drive home...all worth it.

What happens in Vegas...

I made a quick one-day trip to Vegas on Wednesday for work, so I took my nieces with me & Anna, so they could spend the week with their dad who is working there right now. We had to get some fun time on Lake Mead before I had to rush back to the airport.

Lilly, Anna, Me & Brooke in front of Hoover Dam...go past those buoys and you will be "shot on site" - not really, but I'm sure its pretty close to that serious.
Lilly & Anna
Dave has become the expert wake surfer
So expert, in fact, that he got up with Brooke to teach her!

Mandi Rocks!
"Oh My Gosh...I'm doing it...kind of" As soon as I actually let go over the rope, I fall...just wait until after Lake Powell...in 10 days!

Me & Brooke trying to be Circus Tube Riders
And Falling...
And falling again...

Thanks Dave for the fun and for the help last week! Love ya!

Remember to Laugh!

I meant to load this picture forever ago...but didn't. We had Girls Night Out last night - without our friends Kara, Jeni and Carrie since they've all moved in the last month. This picture was from our last one with everyone (except Kara). It is so great to have some great girlfriends to hang with when you need a break.

Last night we wore little Anna completely out. We went to dinner then to Mama Mia. Anna slept until I woke her up at 6 am to eat before I burst in pain!

Mama Mia reminded us all to LAUGH a little more! I think it is something we all need to do. So, my challenge to everyone is to laugh as much as you can every day. My friend Amy is constantly laughing. Thanks Amy!

I also went to Alturas lake yesterday with my friend Michelle and a camper told us a crazy story--he saw two large grey wolves chase down a cow elk through the campground yesterday morning. Pretty crazy, huh!

All 3...at 2 months

Little Anna - Just this week...then there's Bryce...then Colt. Colt was a fat little thing, wasn't he? I had forgotten!

The Uninvited Guest

My sister-in-law and brother in Colorado heard some glass break in their basement and went to investigate. Nate found himself face to face with this bear at the bottom of the basement stairs. The bear was taste-testing "wheat grass" that they grow for their Smoothie Shack. Fun visitor, huh? This is the same basement we slept in last week. The visitor didn't come and see us, thank goodness.

Twin Falls Temple

We are so excited to finally be within an hour of a temple. It has been a long time! A temple trip for us has always been a weekend affair--now it will only have to be an evening. The Twin Falls Temple Public Open House is going on through the 16th, so we took the boys and met Ben's mom and her husband Joe. Colt just wanted to get to the food afterwards, Bryson was scared of the white feet protectors, I was trying to keep Anna quiet and praying she wouldn't puke on the beautiful new carpets. I'm glad we got to take the family through, though, and look forward to going there often in the future.

The boys then got to have a little fun this weekend riding in Grandma's car - nice sunglasses, Colton!