Things NOT to do on a Saturday afternoon with the family...

HIKE MNT TIMP!!

I was told this was an "easy" hike.

I was told that kids do well on these hikes.

I was told it was paved the whole way and you can bring strollers.

NONE of this was true!!

Neil and I thought that since the summer was quickly coming to an end and the weather was starting to cool down, that it would be fun to take the kids on a nice Saturday hike up in the mountain. We could hike up Mnt. Timp and go see the caves, something I have been wanting to do for years now. Paige and Jacob could walk and we could push Kallie on the stroller. It would be a fun thing to do.... wrong. It was not until we got there that we learned we could not bring the stroller. The path was too steep at parts and it was too easy for something like that to fall off the side... nice thought. So, we decided that since we were already there, we would just carry Kallie and do it anyway. For some reason I never was told or I never listened when it was mentioned that it was 2 miles each way. 2 miles up and down STEEP hills.

For the most part the kids did great! I had to carry Kallie the whole time. We did not have a carrier for her, so it was all in the arms. By the end, our backs hurt, our knees hurt and we wanted to be home!!

Here are a few pictures from our adventure.

This is Paige no more then 20 yards from the start of the path. She started jumping up and down, crying and whining to be held, that her feet hurt and she was tired.... all we could do was laugh!

*** Now it is a real fun joke to tell Paige that we are going hiking that day. She immediately starts to whine. ***

First day & Last year of Preschool

Another year is here and this one will be her last. Paige is back with Mrs. Heather this year. We loved her last year and Paige learned so much that we are excited to have another year again. She HAD to have her picture taken just like Jacob did for his first day of school.

Happy 4th Birthday Paigie!!

Paige is one child that can make me laugh and make me mad at the same time! She is a whitty child who knows how to get her way, but she also has the smile that can melt and capture any heart.

This year has been one of such learning and growth for you. It has been fun to see you learn new things about life and about yourself. Happy Birthday my sweet girl Paige! 4 years old!! You continue to be a joy to your whole family.

FIRST GRADE!!

I find myself constantly asking... "am I really this old?" Please do not answer that.

Jacob started first grade today. Wow! FIRST GRADE! Now, he has all day school. Eating lunch in the cafeteria. The "big kids" playground. His own desk. My mom would always look forward to school starting. She would tell me that she was going to take herself to a movie and lunch to celebrate! I would think... "man that is sooo rude!" Now, I understand! We are back to a regular routine. Although I am going to miss him so so much, that routine sure is nice!!

Good luck this year Jacob! I know you will be great! We love you ~ mom

SCRUNCHY FACE !

So Kallie has always had this "thing." Whenever she is mad or frustrated, she squishes her nose up and breaths real fast through her nose.... yes, I am doing it now as I type this.

It is the funniest thing! So, I had to take a picture of it...

$2 for Tuesday.... Thanksgiving Point Museum

Ok, so I thought that if I waited until the day before school started then the lines and crazy mobs would not be as bad.... and... I was wrong!!

Every Tuesday in the month of August, Thanksgiving Point has $2.00 admission to all of their venues. Since the Dinasour museum is usally $8/child to get in, I was going to take advantage of this. We had already went the first Tuesday of August and the line was soo bad, we went to the petting zoo instead. So this time, we waited until school was about to start and we went earlier....

Still we got this.....
The line was out the door, around the side and down the back of the building. Fortunetly, we were towards the front of the line and it only too 30 minutes to get in. The line was still like this when we were finished and walking to the car.

Although it was crowded, the kids had fun and it was a good finale to the end of summer.

SHE LOVES ME!!!

I was sitting outside with the kids the other night as they played. This is what I caught Jacob doing..... and he was mouthing...... "She loves me. She loves me not. She loves me......."

Hold on! WHO IS SHE?

My baby is ONE!!!

It is really true... what they say... in the blink of an eye, your children are going to be grown and out on their own to face the world. I want my babies to stay little as long as possible and they are growing too fast.

My sweet baby Kallie is one today. ONE!! Really, where did time go? Life was so different a year ago. The future looked so different. It is hard for me to understand that Kallie will not know her Nama, but I promise that she will know of the love she had for her. Kallie, your nama loved you so much! It was so hard for her to know she was leaving you behind here on Earth. I remember a time shortly before she passed, when she just held you and kissed you. The tears were in her eyes and she rocked you back and forth. She whispered softly to you, "my sweet Kallie, my sweet baby Kallie." She did love you honey. You will not know her while here on Earth, you will not remember her, but know that she loved you. I know that she watches over you and protects you.

I am so greatful for this sweet baby in our lives. What a joy she has been. I truely believe that the Lord blessed me with her and her sweet gentle ways to help in my times of trial. Kallie has a sweet spitit. She has a mellow temperment and is the most easy going child I have had... by FAR!! We are so glad she came to our family. Kallie- I love you! Your family loves you. Thank you for choosing our family! Happy Birthday baby girl.