Back 2 School

Summer came and went. 

We grudgingly headed back to school last Thursday.  Kaylee is in high school and gets to attend seminary.  Jacob is a senior and thinks he is all that!  Ashley is in fourth grade, but thinks that she is a senior.  Jerrica finally has an incredible teacher after the rough year with last year’s teacher.  Rebecca is missing her Kaylee there in middle school.  AND Nathan is so into his high school soccer season that he probably can’t even tell you what classes he is taking.

Quick pic of everyone at 6:30 AM before the older ones leave for school.  It was a beautiful sunrise behind me that they are looking into.  I reminded them that they are LUCKY to start school and see these sunrises every day now!

We had our traditional back to school dinner and FHE.  We decided to have UP be the theme of the year.  I found a cute poem which helped make that decision.  It talks about Get UP, Dress UP, Look UP, Listen UP, Stay UP …  It was just fun getting the kids excited about the new year and all of the potential they have therein!

I am excited to have the kids at school so that I’m not running them around all over town.  However, I sure miss the laughter, snuggles, and chatting that comes with having the kids home. 

Even these two, that can be just as giggly as girls!

14’ers

This was the summer of climbing to the top.  The boys started out by doing Mount Yale.  Stephen was able to go along because he is one of the leaders. 

Here is another pic of others from their group.  I love the backdrop of peaks in the picture.  Some of the boys hadn’t brought hats or jackets and were too cold to make it to the top.  Great lesson on being prepared.  How sad to not be able to see this view and have that feeling of achievement.

Conkey brought his ginormous telescope, and when I say ginormous, that’s exactly what I mean.  The boys were excited about seeing planets and the moon so well.

Rafting was also part of the trip.  Going from hats and jackets to swim trunks…

The beautiful views they were able to see daily makes me want to go and take my camera up the mountain.  The boys had a blast but sure were exhausted and hungry when they got home.

Then Kaylee went with her friend, Vanessa to King’s Peak in Utah.  Her backpack weighed as much as she does.  They hiked a total of 32 miles

Grateful for cell phones and those that take pictures so that I can experience some of the kids’ trips.  They are quick to describe every detail to me, but pictures sure help me to visualize these beautiful places that they are able to explore.

Yay for 14’ers and the views they give us!  Yay for others that let my kids tag along!

Bits of Summer

In a couple of days school will be starting.  Summer FLEW by me this year.

We had such a great one filled with memories.  However, I am kind of glad that they all have to be in school and are trapped there.  Why?  Because then I don’t have to chase them to friends’ houses, summer camps and practices.  They are all stuck there and I can run myself to MY friends’ houses and once again have a life of my own.

I try to not post too many pics of other people’s kids, but there are a few mixed in here.  Anyway, here are a few bits of summer.  They range from backyard camping with friends, homemade ice cream, sewing, Chik fil A day and many more…

From making $54 in two hours doing a lemonade stand, to serving others saving them $, these kids worked really hard this summer.  It was exciting to see all of the volunteer hours mixed with hours earning money.  The savings accounts really increased this year.

Anyway, that’s some bits of our summer, I need to do a part two!