BACK TO SCHOOL!!!!!

As much as I LOVE Summer, there's something about the end of August that has me needing some routine in life! School started back for Emri... I can't believe this girl is in first grade! She was a little nervous for all-day, but found out several of her friends are in her same class so that helped with her jitters. She looks so big to me! After 3 years of her Tinkerbell backpack, it needed to be retired.

 Lining up on the first day with a couple of her friends from the neighborhood, Kate & Halle.

 Pickup after school... these are her 2 best buddies she's had since preschool class, Trevin and Luke. 

Day 2... A little girl in a big ol' world. 

 On the 2nd day of school she wanted school lunch, and I think I was a little more nervous about it than her, so the boys and I met her at school to make sure she made it through the line ok. She's too shy to ask for things like ranch dressing and ketchup (you know, the important things in life!) so I wanted to make sure she knew where everything was. Yep I was THAT MOM...the only one in the cafeteria. I felt better about it though! :)

Jet still had a week or so before Pre-K started, so these cute boys and I enjoyed some outings during that week. This day we did a little shopping at Station Park and lunch at Johnny Rockets.

 Jet is back at the "Little School of Fish" with our beloved Miss Jackie. He was SOOOO excited to go back to school. We walked the first day...well he basically ran the whole way!! 

Girls Camp @ Heber Valley

I have such a great calling to be able to serve in the youth organization in our church! This year we had stake girls camp up at the Heber Valley Camp which is AMAZING!! The place is huge and beautiful up in the mountains! The theme was "Get Anchored in Christ," and it was though we were on a cruise ship for the week! The committee did an AMAZING job putting everything together... not missing out on one detail! This is our ward...

Kate and I, my dear friend, and the YW president in our ward. 

 Our ward came up a day late. The previous week, a tragic car accident took the lives of a mother/son in our ward. The daughter is one of our YW. The YW all decided to stay home and be at the funeral to support their friend. When we got to camp the next day we had several kind notes and treats sharing love and support from all the other girls in the Stake. It was a very warm welcome. 

 My dear friend, Alli. I love this girl! She is the YW President in the ward we moved from last year. It's awesome that we didn't move too far away because I still get to see friends and the sweet YW i got to work with in the old neighborhood. 

 A little evening visit to our cabin from the Stake YW Presidency. They are such a riot! 

 SERVICE!!!! 

 More service... splitting wood. 

 A few of my sweet YW from my old ward. 

 Ropes course... looking good in those hard hats! Michelle was our ward camp director, she looks too cute to be up camping! 

 When it's my turn for the ropes course and the girls steal my phone... i think there were like 400 selfies on my phone when i got it back! 

Just a little fun while the girls do the ropes course...

Just before finishing, there was a MAJOR downpour of rain!! We tried to take shelter under a canopy, but it wasn't long before it started leaking through. 

 HIKE DAY!! 

 Our group on the first part of the hike... 1st years needed 3 miles. 2nd years go 5 miles. I volunteered to do the long hike with the girls.

 My 2nd year hikers! Such troopers!!! They all remained pretty positive, it was not an easy hike.... LOTS of steep uphills! I think by the time we made it back, the hike was actually closer to 6 miles. They rocked it! 

 Luckily, after a long sweaty hike, we got to spend some time on the lake! I think this picture might have been being taken when we were supposed to be listening to directions.... the ones that said "if you dump in the lake, your'e done!" The sweet elderly couple missionaries don't love to rescue tipped over canoes, I guess?!

 Kate, Louisa and I were on a mission.... to get everyone wet that we could. We mostly were after the Stake YW Presidency... I was obviously talking crap to someone here?! haha! 

 And shortly after that.... we all must have leaned the same way to splash someone with our oars....and we TOTALLY CAPSIZED!! 

Then had to take the "ride of shame" back to shore in the pontoon boat! Oops!! The water felt SO good... I would have loved to stay in it if it weren't for the missionaries fishing us out... and the leaches! YIKES! 

We were banished from getting back in the lake (we only had an hour to play anyway)! So instead we  grabbed ahold of the Stake YW President, Becky, and pulled her into the lake to cool off! haha! (see bottom right pic in collage above). Don't we look innocent?! After that it was off to the showers to clean up...and check for leaches! 

The last night there the cooking squad set out a "dessert buffet!" Just like on a cruise ship! It was awesome!!!! I had such a fun time getting to know my girls more, and several others not in the ward. There was lots of fun, mixed with a good amount of spiritual uplifting moments as well. Grateful to have been able to participate in it all and for everyone who did SO much to prepare for it! 

Soaking Up Every Last Drop of Summer!

We spent one Saturday morning at one of our favorites... "The Castle Park," then decided to venture down in the "woods" behind the park.

I was so surprised to see this awesome trail system and we had a fun little walk; it felt like we were up in the mountains! This picture stresses me out... Jet literally about squeezed Ike so hard he gagged... We need to work on gently hugs, apparently! 

 The kiddos had a fun time at the Bluffdale rodeo! Uncle Bridger helped Jetty on the money run and gave Ike some winnings too! 

 And because Summer break can't be ALL fun and games.... a little child labor was called for! They actually are good little weeders! I bribe with otter pops!

 A Summer outdoor concert with the YW... aside from the far left being a YW, the rest of these ladies I get to serve with as leaders! 

 Random mall stop and they begged to ride the dumb ride for .75c... I told them they all had to get on together! haha! We MAY have exceeded the weight limit as the car slowly lost power during their ride. oops! 

 Momma and Emri time. This girl LOVES Menchies!

 I braved taking all 3 kids to Classic Waterslides... at least my friends and their kids were there to help! Cute Kylan taking Ike down the slide.

 Emri on left, Jet behind her on left, Louisa on the right.

 The kiddie area was perfect for ike, but he preferred to be on the big slides, of course!

 Louisa and Jet

 Momma and Ike!

 Me and Katie behind me, Emri on the right! This was right after I smacked my head on the side of the slide coming down. There aren't too many rules enforced at this ghetto water park! When you put 2 people on a mat you get going dang fast... probably not the safest idea!

 No shirt? No problem! 

 Splash pad with some friends in Riverdale

 I think there's definitely a theme to our Summers! I'm so glad our kids love the water as much as I do! We went to the Clearfield Aquatic Center one evening which is indoor ... and I froze! I like the daytime outdoor attractions better! :)

 Soccer started up at the end of August. Jet's first year... they are the Sharks. Emri's team is the Purple Princesses. Go figure! 

 Emri and her cousin Tabitha are on the same team this year, with uncle Jared as their coach. 

It's been fun having cousin time each Saturday!

 Towards the end of the Summer I'm about ready to be back to a schedule! The kids can't seem to keep their body parts to themselves. It always starts as fun and wrestling... then someone ends up made or crying and I'm sick of refereeing! 

 My YW Laurels and Mia Maid group... we did an end of summer activity down at Station Park in Farmington-- Fiiz drinks and shopping. I sure love these girls! 

While Daddy was away for a few days on his annual Fantasy Football Draft Weekend with the boys I thought it would be a fun idea to take the kids into Ogden one night for some delicious Farr's icecream, then go across the street to the temple and spend some time there. 

The icecream was a HIT!!! 

Temple... not so much! haha! Ike all of a sudden turned into a sourpuss, Jet was over being photographed but at least Emri was cooperating! 

 All the poor people that were coming out of the temple on a spiritual high got a little dose of ornery kids! haha!

 So I snapped a few pics and we gave ourselves some distance from the doors. :) We ended up finding a nice shady spot on the grass and the kids got to run around for a bit which made them all happy again. 

 Girls Night... when Daddy's away, mom enjoys girl talk once the kids are in bed! 

 More park time with friends--Ike, Adrian, Jet.

I've loved Summer nights in the yard... the kids just love to be outside! We have a gorgeous view of the mountains!