Hiking

The past couple of years we have gone hiking in between conference sessions on Saturday. So far we have had good weather and beautiful leaves to look at.  It had rained earlier in the week, so some of the trail was muddy, but that just made it more exciting!

We stop for square ice cream and listen to the beginning of the

 second session on the way home.

Eli's 8th Birthday

Eli turned 8 this year and got to have friends (including cousins) over for a party.

We had pizza,

enjoyed cake and ice cream,

 had a paper airplane contest, 

 and opened presents.

We love you Eli.  You always keep us laughing :)

Top of Utah Marathon

I could not be more proud of my hubby!  He ran the Top of Utah Marathon.

Matt and Lori came to help us cheer him on. 

(Grandma Skidmore, Bruce, Julie, Whitli, and Bayli were there too)

The first stop we saw him was a bit chilly and windy.

We waited for him where he came out of the mountain at mile 14.

GO DAD!

Here he is about to finish.

All finished!!!  

His poor feet :(

Aaahhhh!!!

First (and second) Days of School

The kids are still young enough that they get excited about going back to school.  

Jonas started kindergarten this year and is excited to go to Edgemont with Hannah and Eli.

Hannah is in fifth grade with Mrs. Larson (a family friend of the Webbs),

Eli is in third with Mrs. Cherry,

 and Jonas has Mrs. Morrison for morning kindergarten.

 On the first day of kindergarten I went to class with Jonas and met his teacher.  He did a little scavenger hunt to find different rooms around the school and complete different activities...

...including putting a puzzle together.  

His buddy Cooper from church is in his class.
(Max too but he was there earlier in the day)

Since the first day of school didn't really count for Jonas (since I went with him), 

I took a few pictures of their second day.

Jonas is lucky to have a big brother and sister to watch out for him.

Here is his first bus ride!

Playing in the Mud

Grandpa Matt got his hands on some fun toys this summer and

 we were able to spend an afternoon playing on them.

Hannah and Grandpa Matt

 Eli and Dad

Jonas and Dad

Mom and Eli

Eli and Hannah got to drive four wheelers for their first time

We all got pretty dirty... and had a blast!

Thanks Grandpa!

The Shipps

Grandma and Grandpa Shipp came up for a short visit in August.

We love seeing them!!!

A Surprise Visit

Our friends the Risenmays usually come to spend the Forth of July with us, 

but they were unable to make it this year :(

They were able to swing by and surprise us on their way home from a family vacation though :)

Hannah and Lea have been friends since birth.

Lucas and Eli had fun hanging out.

All day long it looked like it was going to rain (hence the umbrellas). 

It never did, but the kids had fun!

Mo and Jonas on the trampoline

 Me and my good friend, Alison

We had fun going to the river to feed the birds.  When we got there, I proudly thought to myself that none of my kids had ever fallen into the river.  Well, as they say, pride cometh before the fall...

...and in fell Jonas.  He was a little cold and we retrieved his flip flop too.

Getting ready to say goodbye.

Summer with Family

It's always fun to spend time with family during the summer.

The boys are watching/waiting for turns riding the Harley.

The girls got together for a sleepover at grandma's studio.

They did nails, made crafts, decorated cupcakes, did hair...

...and had a fashion show, of course!

They love grandma and aunt Vicki!

The cousins love getting together to play.

They had a movie night too :)

Each year we go to the river for the Roaring Youth Jam.  

My kids love crafts, and that is what it's all about!