Cram Session

With only three weeks to really playthis summer, we have be cramming in as much fun as we can. Summer pretty much ended on Monday with the start of volleyball season and will officially end next Monday when teachers are back in school. I have been to my classroom a few times but feel so overwhelmed by everything that I need to do that I just look around not knowing where to start and then give up. Here are some pictures of our last week of adventures.

Brigham City Pool: clean, not crowded and best of all, no MC students in sight. Klein and Max love the water.

Tony Grove Lake picnic: great afternoon with Jenny and the boys.

Cache County Fair: The kids love the animals and Max loves to climb on every tractor there. He rode a pony and looked like a true cowboy- complete with cowboy boots, John Deere T, and a mohawk. Grandpa Lee doesn't like green tractors but we have yet to find a red Case t-shirt.

Bees Game and Salt Lake Trip: Max's favorite cousin Jake had a chance to be honored at the Bees game with his little league team. They invited us to the game and we had a blast! Max loved the San Diego Chicken's antics but was too scared to get close to Bumble the Bee. It was a gorgeous night for a game and it was fun to be with family.

Temple Square: After the game we stayed at Little America and then woke up and walked around Temple Square. Max was very disappointed that he couldn't go inside but he loved the fountains.

Since Max is adamant about picking his own clothes, I thought it might help to take him school shopping with us. Unfortunately, my plan backfired and he picked out some pretty weird stuff. It only happened once and then we had to keep saying they didn't have his size. Now, not only is he going to be wearing basketball shorts with cowboy boots every day, he will also have a brown shirt with a large gold bear on the front to go with them. If anyone sees him at the bus stop in a crazy outfit- please don't tell me.

We are planning our last trampoline sleep out on Friday- anyone is welcome!

Busy!

I turned in the last of 6 papers I needed to finish to be able to check 18 credits off my list for this summer. I couldn't really do much while I was in class from 8 to 4 every day but since it is over- we have been partying! This week we went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house with my mom (Max was an angel until it was time to take pictures so I didn't get many good shots); successfully completed swimming lessons (every day for 9 days straight can be tough); went to a swimming party with my parents (it has been a very long time since my dad put on a swimsuit); and slept on the trampoline with Max (what a fun night looking at the stars with a curious, imaginative 5 year old). Poor Klein tumbled down the cement steps but overall, it has been a great week! Only one more before volleyball tryouts and then we are officially back to school for meetings on August 17. Where did the summer go?

Road Trip

Jason and I had the crazy idea to take a road trip for the 24th weekend. My parents decided to join us in their little Corvette. On Friday morning we woke up at 5:30 in hopes to get a few hours on the road while the kids were still asleep but they were wide awake from the minute we got in the car. They were much too excited for sleep. We had breakfast in Idaho Falls, threw rocks in the river at Island Park, saw the bears and wolves at the Grizzly Center in West Yellowstone, ran into some construction in Yellowstone Park, glanced at the Falls, saw a bear and some buffola as we left the park and the drove to the top of the world to see the "Bear Tooth" all in one day. We ended up in Red Lodge, Montana where we had dinner, swam in the pool and slept very soundly in a not so luxurious hotel. The next morning we hit the road early again. We got to Cody, Wyoming and had breakfast and went to the Buffalo Bill Museum that could actually rival a Smithsonian. It was really neat. Poor Max, however, thought that the fake Indians were actually once alive like the stuffed animals were. He loved seeing the buffalo the best. We went back through Yellowstone down to the Tetons and then stayed in Jackson Hole where it was very cold and rainy. On Sunday morning, we headed home. What a trip! Klein didn't do so great in the car but was pretty good for a one year old. Max watched the Sandlot at least 6 times and picked up on some of their great lines (but he also learned "Oh S*@#!" from Benny so he thinks it is okay). My dad was feeling a little squished in his car but I am glad that we went with my parents. It was really fun. Max got a sweet haircut just before we left. We drove 863 miles in three days!

Happy 1st Birthday Klein!

With the craziness of the past week, I haven't had a chance to post Klein's birthday pictures. I cannot believe how fast this year has flown by. She has grown up so much but has been the sweetest little girl since the day she was born. She is so energetic and happy. She loves to laugh and smile. Although she is not quite walking, she is close. Happy birthday baby girl!

A look back at the past twelve months...

Bear Lake

Every year my mom rents a condo at Ideal Beach and the entire family heads over to party. It is not always so relaxing for the moms but the kids love every minute of it. All sixteen grand kids were there at one time. Craziness! I could only stay one night this time because of school and missed the hours by the pool and playing in the sand. Klein didn't sleep very well so one night was probably best. Max was able to stay over with my mom and had a blast riding his bike, minature golfing, and swimming. Thanks Mom!

Pool Time

What would summer be without a plastic backyard pool? Max was definitely ready to dive right in and enjoy the water. He goes around the neighborhood knocking on doors and inviting friends over to play. Klein enjoyed the water too. I would love to put on my swimsuit and splash around but I wouldn't want to scare anyone...

Happy 4th!

The 4th of July also means the Cruise In in Cache Valley and we celebrated both in high style. We had more than enough fireworks and muscle cars to last us a few weeks anyway. Max and Jason love the car show and parade so it makes the 4th their favorite holiday.