Back to School!

School came anyway - despite my prolonging summer. Jake was very excited to start. He woke up early and asked for a good breakfast to "make my brain work faster." We finished breakfast and got his cold lunch ready. Then we headed out to take back-to-school pictures.


He was ready too early - we ended up waiting at the bus stop for 25 minutes. He found plenty of snails to keep him busy.


In my attempt to easy his fears (that I was SURE he had), I handed him a rock that I had kissed. I told him to put it in his pocket in case he gets nervous - then he would carry a kiss from me around all day. (I had heard this idea from plenty of neighbors with older kids.) He promptly threw that down and said, "That's dumb Mom."
I tried.
For the second time in my life, I sent my baby off in the hands of someone else to give him love, assurance, care and education. For the second time, I cried for a little while. I don't think it will ever get easier.

He will always be my baby; even if he doesn't need a kiss in his pocket.
I know I sure did.

Saying Goodbye to Summer...

This week is my least favorite week of any week...
I hate saying goodbye to summer. I hate commitments - and that is what school is. To lighten the doom, we went camping up the Uintahs. We camped near a beautiful river where we floated, fished and played. It was so relaxing! I love being in the mountains!

(Sorry about all the posts - the program only lets me post four pictures at a time...irritating, I know.)

Lower Provo Campground

Our favorite dessert while camping is the all-american smore! We like to take graham crackers and chocolate, wrap them in foil and roast them until the chocolate is melted. Then you roast a mellow and put it all together. Well, that's my way anyway!

This, apparently, is Jake's way...

UMMM!

And this little contraption is courtesty of Karlos - I forgot a high chair, so he designed one up for me. And he isn't even an Eagle Scout! It worked perfectly!

Family Photos...

I, once again, had that crazy idea: Let's get Family Photos. Laura, my sister-in-law is going to college for Photography. She is really quite talented. But talent alone doesn't mean you are guaranteed anything. She tried - hard. But NOT ONE photo turned out (at least how I imagined they should .) And we took 384. I could try to Photoshop some, but seriously, can't EVERYONE look at the camera for just a split second?? Is that really too much to ask? There are a few cute ones that really capture my family - all looking away, not paying attention, making funny faces, pulling off hair bows, fighting with each other, etc. Apparently I need a new family - one that looks at a camera and smiles. :-)

Cute Princesses...

More Family Photos

I love this one - everyone doing their own thing...

YEAH!! ONE photo I am quite proud of. I really, really hate my picture being taken.

For some reason, I lack all sort of photogenic skills.

Cute Addy.

I like this photo too. I don't remember what we were laughing at - nor do I remember posing. I think Laura just caught this one - and I am glad she did.

Two Dollar Tuesday

We took advantage of Thanksgiving Point's promotion and saw the gardens one night this month. I think this is one of my favorite places in our great state. I am, of course, too cheap to pay any other day. But for two bucks, it's a steal.

Some more

I got some cute photos of the children while there.

More Two Dollar Tuesdays

Another Field Trip Friday

This Field Trip Friday in August was to the Dinnosaur Museum.
Of course, we didn't know about their fabulous "Two Dollar Tuesdays" until AFTER we went to the museum. Doesn't matter - they had a great time anyway. Kaila joined us and everyone had a great time.