First Day Revisited with Correct Gear!

Sorry about the sideways picture. So way back at the end of July I ordered backpacks online for the boys. C's came right on time, weeks before school started. Ty's was on back order until early September. I asked him if he wanted to order something different, but he stuck to his original pick. He's a big fan of the blue camo. Two days before his back order was supposed to ship, I got another email saying the back order had been back ordered! He would have to wait another month until the end of October. Still he wanted to wait, despite his disappointment. Today it came! He was so excited. Ironically, he had on the same shirt he wore on the first day of school. Of course I took it as a sign that this momentous moment should be documented for all to see. So here's Ty's long awaited backpack...may it last at least until the end of the school year, hopefully beyond!

Last Camping Hoorah!

Last weekend, among the million other things we had to accomplish over the weekend (i.e. soccer games, baby shower, birthday party, and family pictures), we also went up AF Canyon for a little overnight adventure. It rained almost the whole time. I like camping, really. I just hate the getting ready and the cleaning up. Especially the mountains of laundry that await because every single item you take camping will end up smelling like an ashtray (this from the lady that just put a fire pit in her backyard). Can you tell? T thinks he's funny! Or gross? I can't tell which?!
We went for a drive and a "picnic" (see the above pic. We just stopped at a turnout and literally tailgated lunch) on the way home and wore K out.

Ty loves the out doors and can't wait to go camping again. He asks all the time when we are going to set up the tent in the backyard.

C had to show me how he could climb up and down this rock by HIMSELF about a dozen times. So proud!

So since I went on this trip, I don't have to go again for at least another year, right?

BearWorld & BYU-I

Chelsea (my cousin Tami's oldest daughter) came to visit for a few days on her way to her first semester at BYU-Idaho. Saturday the kids and I met Mom, Lis, Jen, and Chels at Gardner Village. The boys went home with Mom and the crew and K and I went home to meet T and work on the yard all weekend (which actually didn't happen, but I got the basement sorted!). First stop was the beautiful gardens at BYU-I, where the boys made friends with all the ladybugs. C is pointing to the one on Ty's nose.

Just chillin'.

Dad, C, Ty, Chels, and Mom. Good luck Chelsea! Have a great semester!

Ty convinced Chels to go on a few rides with them at Bear World. C said, "It was totally AWESOME!" He really used all caps and everything.

Nap time at Bear World.

My favorite pic from their adventure. They had so much fun with Grandma and Grandpa. Thanks guys!

Back to School!

C went back to preschool yesterday! I can't believe he is so big. He is back with Mrs. R. for the second year. We love her to pieces, and we're excited for the year to start. Almost half of his class are kids from our ward, so we are in good company with lots of friends. Ty started almost two weeks ago. He is also with a Mrs. R, who seems like she is going to be great. He has become a very good reader over the summer. He helps me out all the time reading stories to K and C. We've had a little homework this week, which only continues to show us what a math whiz he is.
We also put our back lawn in a few weeks ago thanks to some very nice neighbors and friends. Thank you! We are planning on working hard over the Labor Day weekend, and hope to get a good portion of the backyard finished. I'll post pics later.