First Day!

Update...I'm using the library computer...sob, sob, sob! Due to my computer issues, this post is a week late. The kids started school this last week (Sept. 3), we’re a late start, but we love it because August has great camping weather! We had a great summer, but the kids were ready to go back. I think the structure is good for them and even though I miss them, I think we all needed a break from 24/7 togetherness. I was worried that they would hate going back, but they love their new classes and teachers. The only problem is getting up at 6:30am! I know, pretty harsh! Keston took a nap every day after school this week, and Louie took a nap on Thursday for three hours. And you all know my kids, they don’t take naps. I think in about two weeks, we’ll have the hang of it, but right now all of us are a bit sleep deprived and a titch cranky. I was worried about Kel, but she hasn’t seemed too distraught. I think she is enjoying “Mommy solo time”, but give it a few more days and she’ll be out of her mind bored. Look at the following pictures below to find out what grade my kids are in….please make sure you’re seated because it will shock you! Lanny is no longer three. Although, I’m still seventeen and I don’t look a day over fifteen!

No, she's not upset about her siblings leaving. She doesn't want to hold that stupid sign!

Poor Man's Jackson Hole

Aaron had some training in Cody, WY, so we accompanied him as our vacation for this summer. While he was in classes, we were in the hotel pool. I actually didn't get any pictures because we were always swimming. But it was fun. We went window shopping, swam, watched SpongeBob, swam, swam, well, you get the idea. All my kids are getting to be really good swimmers and none of them are afraid to their heads under. We also visited the Cody Dam, which is super high and Louie thought about dropping Aaron's phone over the edge, but we stopped her before there was an accident. There was also a little LDS visitors center in the church building. We stopped by and were looking around when Kel started pulling on my hand and she was laughing and smiling. She pulled me over to show me the miniature Christus statue. We talked about it for a moment then I put her down and continued looking, she immediately started tugging on my hand and pulling me back. She was pointing and laughing and so happy. She had to touch the statue. She knew Jesus, it was such an amazing moment for me. I honestly believe that she isn't talking because she still remembers so much from her premortal life. I wish I could say that I knew Jesus that well. It's my kids that teach me about the important things. Love that little girl!
After Aaron was done with his training. We went home by way of Thermopolis and the natural hot springs. We stayed over one night and went swimming the next day. It was really fun. The pools were around 99 degrees (I think) and there were three different slides. I loved the big, mondo, oh you're so brave slide. Keston loved the indoor one, which made me claustrophobic. And Kel loved the little one that was about the length of two adults. They had a high jump, which Lanny, Louie, and Aaron went off of, seriously, they're nuts. I definitely think we need to go back sometime!
We were able to travel through Yellowstone Park and see some mud pots and buffalo. We stopped to look at dinosaur footprints, and enjoyed family time and tag in the park!


Fair Week

So I'm back tracking a ways due to computer issues. The first week in August was fair week and this is always a busy week for us (okay, well for the last two years it has been). The girls showed horses of course, so there was lots of practicing and then the three older ones all entered items in the town booth. Lanny entered flies that he had tied, paintings and drawings, and a leather coaster he had tooled. Louie entered paintings, cookies, and a fly. Kessie entered paintings, a scrapbook page, and cookies. They all did really well. They were sooooo excited to go look and see what ribbons they won. And then they were even more excited to go get the money that went along with the ribbons. We went home that first day of fair and the kids immediately started working on projects for next year...I've promptly put all their new projects in a very safe place and consequently will never see them again.
The riding didn't go so well this year, but even though neither of my girls got first, they are riding better and are much more confidant than last year, so I'm proud of them. There were some safety issues with another horse, and Louie removed herself and Kessie from the situation and thus didn't place, but hey, she's alive and that's what counts! They still looked super fantastic on their horses. They are planning next year and excited to compete in an older competition (we'll see...) and already picking out music for their performances.

Grandma got the girls some show shirts, which they loved! Louie showed Wendell, Grandma's show horse. She loves him and they did really well together. This is her during Showmanship.

Louie got fourth in Showmanship...this was her first time, so she did fab!

Louie during walk/trot. Her and Kessie competed together, which didn't make Louie happy.

Kessie looks serious during walk/trot, but she loves being in the saddle! She was pretty nervous, though. Kessie got fifth in walk/trot.

This was my favorite shot with both of them riding together. Louie looked out for Kessie. So proud of both of them!



Grandma on her Wendell. She competed in several classes, but freestyle reigning is everyone's favorite. There isn't a pattern and everyone gets to dress however they want and pick music to ride to. It is sooooo fun to watch and the stands are always full.

Grandma rode to the song "Better Dig Two". And I am not exaggerating she was the crowd favorite. She did fabulous! This is the competition the girls want to ride in next year.

Interruption...

We interrupt our regularly scheduled program for this important announcement...I HATE MY COMPUTER!!! That is all, feel free to continue on with your lives.


Okay, so I have been trying to update my blog for two weeks and for whatever reason my computer won't work, I also can't e-mail. (Currently using my phone.) So, I do want to share pictures with everyone, and I know you all are dying to know about my life, but we'll all have to be patient. I'm going to keep trying and I think I'll break down and head to the library once the kids are back in school this week...yeah, sad I know (my kids going back to school and having to use the library computer are both sad for me.)

Until then have some happy days!