Camping II

This time it didn't even phase me that we didn't have bathrooms. Michael and Lindsey came from Mesa and we went up the "mountain" to spend the night. It was kind of scary at first with lightning, rain and cold winds. But the evening was beautiful after about 10:00 and we had a good time just sitting around the campfire. Amber got a lot of smoke in her eyes and couldn't figure out what was wrong.

Unfortunately, while the kids were playing in our tent, they spilled water all over and our bed was so cold! Scott and I took turns rolling over and keeping the other one warm while we waited out the night. We didn't get much sleep. But the next morning was nice so we took the kids shooting and picked wild blackberries off the hill. Much blood was lost to those plants, but it was worth it that night for the shakes we made!

The girls got to go out that afternoon and I got my first real pedicure. It was, um, fun? Painful? Gross? Remember, we had just gone camping and the lady doing mine had a lot of work cut out for her. Not only that, but I am either in sandals or bare feet. She asked me which spa I had gone to before, because they obviously didn't do a good job. But the results were wonderful. I can't believe these are my feet. Thanks so much to the guys for letting us go and Lindsey for taking me!

First day of school

I keep telling Alyssa that she's in second grade this year because there's no way I have a third grader, but she won't listen to me. She was very excited to go back to school and Scott, who dropped them off, said she was barely out the door before she was surrounded by friends. She is also starting band this year and will be learning the flute. Christian was a little nervous about starting, but he has a friend from his primary class in his class and so he's ready to go now. He will be playing soccer in a couple weeks and I think it will be very good for him. Amber began preschool the next day and has done some awesome things already and loves to play with her friends. We have preschool at our house this week, so hopefully we survive. There are 8 kids this year. She is also starting dance in a couple weeks, so it looks like a busy fall for us. Good thing I like to be in the car!

Alivia

I already posted tonight, but I had some adorable pictures of Alivia I wanted to put up. She has grown so much! She is like a tall, skinny weed. Her legs have fluffed out since the cast came off, but it will be awhile before she walks. She has to wear a brace at night, but she doesn't let let that bother her. She rolls all over with it on. The kids love to play with her now, but she's not a very nice playmate. Her favorite thing to do is scratch them, but they laugh and so she keeps doing it.

We all love her, though, and life would be dull without her.

Summer fun

I haven't posted for awhile because I didn't think anything interesting was happening, but when I was looking through our pictures I realized we've been busier than I thought. When we got back from our trip we went hiking, shooting, and fishing with some friends. It's so beautiful in the mountains it's hard to believe we're in Arizona.

The kids have been doing a lot of swimming, and Alyssa's hair has actually turned green. I was hoping it would wash out, but it hasn't yet. Hopefully it will fade before school starts.

Then we went to our stake pioneer day and the kids had a lot of fun riding on hay rides, playing in the water, eating lunch and having 3 snow cones each. Christian was very worried they were going to cost money, but when they found out the snow cones were free, they went crazy.

Yesterday was Christian's birthday, and I don't have pictures of his party because Scott took the camera with him to work. He wanted to have a Wii party, so that's what we did. He had eight little boys over and they played games and had cupcakes. Easiest birthday party ever. I felt guilty it was so easy.

Scott had the weekend off and school starts next week, so we took advantage of the freedom and went camping. As we're getting in the car I asked Scott if there are bathrooms at the spot he was taking us. He gives me a 'duh' look and says no. I replied I didn't mean showers or anything, just toilets. He just looked at me. Port-a-potties? Nope. As we're driving the two hours away, I realize maybe there's no water. Nope. Good thing we were only staying one night.

Anyway, it was absolutely gorgeous where we were and it didn't matter that we used trees for bathrooms because we had the mountain to ourselves. The stars were amazing and we saw three shooting stars. I can't describe how dirty Alivia got, and you can't really tell from the picture, but believe me, she was.

Hope you are all enjoying the last part of summer as much as we are!