August started out with a
bang!! We enjoyed a family
camping trip to Mike Harris campground, a favorite
childhood spot of ours so it was so fun to be there and
reminisce about all the great times we had there growing up! Here's where I interject a
funny story, because there always is one it seems whenever our family does anything together.
Here goes it!! So the night before the camping trip Audrey was performing in
Seussical, my mom and Emily had come to watch her in the
mantinee and then right after they all left to head up camping. I couldn't go then because Audrey had an evening performance. My mom had borrowed a motor home from
Bish's for the weekend and she took Savannah and Grace with her that night. I drove up the next morning with Audrey and Jonas and then
Larren rode up that evening with Mike and Lisa, since Lisa and
Larren had to work that day. Audrey, Jonas and I arrived at lunch time, so first things first we had lunch. I ate a piece of fried chicken, now I love to dip chicken in Zesty Italian Salad Dressing (yum-o, if you have never tried it, do it! It's seriously so good!) Back to the story- so after I finish my lunch there was a little bit of dressing left in my bowl so I walk to the bushes and dump the dressing into the bushes so I can wash the bowl out. Emily sends me a death look and says (as there are still little kids at the table) there was a B-E-A-R (spelling it out) in camp last night and again this morning!!! I'm like WHAT!?! So then the joke of the weekend became that I was throwing fried chicken in the bushes making every effort possible to attract the bear to our camp site, when what I did was innocent and of course I had no clue there was a bear on the loose! So onto the next problem- my parents and Emily and Bryan and Jamie all have
RV's they get to sleep in,
Larren and I and Lisa and Mike are tent camping. I'm like, "What the heck do we do?" Of course this same week, as luck would have it, in the paper had been a super scary series of articles about an unprovoked middle of the night grizzly attack in a Montana campground so that made me a little crazy nervous to sleep outside with my babies!! We talked about dividing everyone up between my mom and dad's RV and Bryan and Jamie's and being super squished or sleeping some of us in our vans but in the end we decided to take our chances in our tent!! We survived
bearly (ha ha ha), Fish and Game came later that day and set up a trap, the bear returned every day while we were there, we would hear the other campers yell, "BEAR" we ran several times to try and get a glimpse of it but we never actually saw it and it never did fall for the trap either. Those that saw it though described it as a two year old black bear, certainly not known to be super aggressive, but we were extra cautious about keeping a clean camp and kept no toothpaste, lotion etc. in our tents. We were there for three nights, so I am rather proud of myself for being so brave!! The first night was rough, every little noise gave me heart palpitations- but I did somehow manage to catch a little sleep, it got better after that or I just got more tired not sure which! It made for lots of excitement around camp and even the kids realized what was going on and were so brave to sleep outside still!!
Larren and Mike both slept with guns under their pillows to protect us though! That added to the drama of it all! FUN!!
Despite the bear, camping was a blast! We loved it, we played in the creek, went on long walks, ate yummy food, roasted a zillion marshmallows, got super dirty and generally had a blast! Who wouldn't with 12 cousins and 8 adults! It was a great weekend!!
The Grand Old Bag!! Everyone looking up and the Grand Old Bag and singing the song! Oh look and now it's time for another story!! Are you ready!?!
When went camping as kids we had a camp fairy and then later a Grand Old Bad. When we were really young we had a "camp fairy" that would come visit secretly throughout the weekend and leave little treats and toys for good campers. When we got older the camp fairy evolved into the Grand Old Bag, that was hung high in a tree and was lowered several times a day for a ceremony where treats and goodies were handed out to good campers. We've kept the traditions alive with the next generation and have had a camp fairy for several years but this year we introduced all the cousins to the Grand Old Bag Ceremonies and song! The kids loved it and I loved remembering my childhood! So much fun! Mom and I put the bag of treasures together and we had a dry erase board in camp where we would post the ceremony times, then we would all trek out to the tree and sing our song and see what goodies the Grand Old Bag had to offer! Here is our AWESOME Grand Old Bag song, to the tune of You're a Grand Old Flag of course.
You're a Grand Old Bag, You're a high flying bag
And forever
o're camp may you wave
You're the emblem of the camp we love
All the memories and good times we crave!
Every heart beat true for the bag that is blue
Where there's never a boast or brag!
Should we not get eaten by the bear!
Keep your eye on the Grand Old Bag
We changed that line to the bear remark given our situation on this camping trip (thanks Bryan for that contribution to the song!) Silly yes, cheesy double yes but a whole lot of fun! The Grand old Bag had everything from bubbles, to giant marshmallows, to paint supplies for painting rocks, to sun visors to decorate, too many to list of various games and treats!! The kids looked forward to it everyday- it made camping so much fun!
Savannah working on a major dam building project in the creek, we played in the creek for hours the kids had such a great time! 12 cousins all together laughing and splashing, it was the most beautiful sight!!
Gracie playing in the creek! I don't have any pictures of Jonas on here but he loved the water and it wasn't deep at all so he was totally on his own! It was super cute!!
The kids painting rocks! Thanks Grand Old Bag for the brushes, paint and googly eyes!
The finished products! The rock turned out super cute! It was such a fun project for the kids to do together! And they were so creative!!
Onto other August fun! Audrey finally learned to ride her bike on just two wheels, both the girls took forever to get this down, but Audrey was determined to accomplish it before she turned 7 and she did it just by the skin of her
chinny chin chin!
A friend over and an octopus sprinkler = hours of backyard fun! This little sprinkler saw oodles of playtime this summer!
Jonas moved into a big boy bed in August! Wow he's growing up fast. At the moment as I type this I'm thinking it was a BAD idea as I can hear that he is out of his bed playing instead of taking a nap! He actually does really well, today must just be an off day! His room looks so grown up now! He loves being a big boy!
Happy birthday Audrey girl! She requested toaster strudels in bed! Her wish is our command! :) She is such a sweet and fun part of our family! She is a total blast!! She brings so much joy to my everyday life! I can't imagine life without her. She is constantly happy, filled with joy and just loves living life! Everything is new and exciting to her. She lives life with a sense of wonder and awe!! I hope she always keeps that joy in her heart! She is also super tenderhearted and loves to help and is so kind to everyone! I just love my little Audgie girl!!
Audrey at Porter Park in Rexburg, waiting on everyone else to arrive! She wanted her party at the splash park! Wouldn't you know it- it was a pretty chilly day to be playing in water but we did it anyway and the kids toughed it out and had a great time! We ordered pizza for everyone, opened presents and had yummy cake and ice cream!!
Savannah at the sliding down through the waterfall!
Chandler playing in the water fountains!
Audrey designed her own cake! Can't you tell!?! She spoke to the baker herself and described each detail, from the color scheme, to the polka dots, to the ruffles and the flowers! She was thrilled with the results! Perhaps she has a future in cake design!?!?
I took this picture 1 year to the date from her hand accident. The accident was on August 19, 2009. Thinking back to the day of the accident, remembering what her hand looked like that day as she walked up the stairs holding her hand up and screaming, and I literally said to her "where is your hand!" I'd say we've made amazing progress! I hope it will continue to improve and look even better as the years go on.
Emily and I took the kids to
Rigby Lake for one last summer outing before school started! We had such a fun day! Love this picture of Audrey and Savannah with all their float gear on! There is no chance of them ever sinking! What a couple of silly girls!!
Ronie and Jonas with their buckets and playing in the sand and water, they loved being at the lake!
The boys floating in the lake with their little floaties!
Grace
splish splashing in the lake!
We had two super tired boys after being out all afternoon in the sun and sand of
Rigby Lake, we weren't even out of the parking lot and they were zonked out!!
My mom had eye surgery and was out of commission for a couple weeks, Savannah went over several times and spent time with her, being her buddy and helping her out with anything she needed! I know Savannah really enjoyed getting to spend that extra time with my mom!
My dad's birthday! Look at all those cute
grandkids!!
We went horseback riding at Ann and
Lavell's house and enjoyed a BBQ with them! It was a wonderful evening with family and friends!
Jonas riding a horse! He loves it!!
I went to a girl's weekend with a bunch of girls from my ward. It was so fun! We stayed up way too late talking and laughing, had a major encounter with a mouse and even went
canoeing the next day! It was a fun weekend to get away and recharge!
Lacy and Becky drifting along!
Devri and I paddling in our canoe, initially I had NO desire to try this
canoeing deal, but I actually LOVED it and can't wait to take Larren and the kids to try it out next year! We even saw a moose along the way and the weather was perfect it was so fun! OK minus the fact that I left my keys locked in Devri's vehicle, that was a big mistake on my part, but we aren't going there!! Sorry Becky and Devri for the long walk back up, well until a miracle came along that is!! :) A miracle by way of hitchhiking! What a crazy day it turned out to be!!
1st day of school! The girls looked so cute! They both wore denim skirts and leggings with their cute black tops! I can't believe Audrey is started second grade and Savannah is in fourth! Where has the time gone!?! They both love their teachers and love school!
I made these cute apple cupcakes for an after school snack on the first day of school! I am no baker! Never have been, but I realized just how aware of that fact my kids are when they walked in and saw the cupcakes all set out on plates for them and they said, "who made these?" They were shocked when I told them I did!! They were delish and it was a fun way to start out the school year!
Emily did a pirate party for Ronie's birthday! It was really fun!
Jonas is his pirate garb at the party! And yes he caught that football! I see a future there!!
Now summer is officially over and onto the beautiful fall that is September, I love fall but unfortunately it is followed a little to closely by winter. Goodbye glorious summer, can't wait to see you again!!
We went to the fair over Labor Day weekend, the girls wanted to get their faces painted! They turned out so cute! No one wanted to wash their face when we got home!! 
Audrey up close! So cute!
Grace with her cute rainbow!! Look at her poor little eyes, she is allergic to animal dander and being in the animal barns just sent her eyes into a fit! Poor thing! I felt terrible for her they were so watery and itchy!! Bless her heart!
She is looking way too grown up! I can't believe how much she is changing- where's my little girl?!? Although she is growing into such a beautiful young woman!! She looks so intense and serious in this photo! LOVE IT!!
Ronie on grandpa's shoulders at the fair watching the dogs jump into the pool! The little guys could have watched that all day! 
My sweet Grace started pre-school this fall! Unbelievable! She looked so cute on her first day of school and was BEYOND excited! She was ready to go, no looking back!! She has loved school so far and loves showing me every little creation she makes! Our fridge is covered with beautiful art! It is weird on the two mornings she is gone to have just Jonas and I having some alone time, I am loving the time with him, but both of us miss little Gracie while she is gone!! 
Only a week into school and Savannah was student of the week for good citizenship! Not to brag, but I'm not surprised, she is such a sweet, considerate, helpful girl. She looks for every opportunity to help others, she is super thoughtful and kind! I am so proud of her and her sweet tendency to reach out to others with kindness!
Grace worked on the letter "C" today in preschool and came home with this little hat and clown nose, she was too cute to not take a photo of- what a doll!!
We took a fall trip to Yellowstone with my parents, Emily, Ronan, Brent and Laura. The weather was spectacular and the company terrific we had another perfectly wonderful weekend in Yellowstone!! We did the natural bridge hike, it was great! It feels so good to be able to enjoy hiking with everyone again! 
There it is! The Natural Bridge, it was really neat to see it we even hiked to the very top of it and saw the view from there, it was so pretty! 
Here we are at the top on the back side! A really great view! It felt wonderful to be hiking again, these new healthy changes I have made have been fantastic!!
Our little family in front of the Natural Bridge!! Thanks Laura for the great pic!! Poor Laura laid down on her belly to try and get us with the bridge in the background! 
Audrey in front of Fishing Cone Geyser! Cute little thing!
The helicopter fighting the fire.
Larren at the lake, the kids got obsessed with having Larren throw huge pieces of driftwood into the lake, it was super entertaining! 
Another one! As soon as he would throw one, the girls or even Jonas would point out the next one they wanted tossed in! The pieces kept getting bigger and bigger, poor Larren, but we all loved watching the show!!
Audrey playing in the sand at the lake!
Beautiful fall colors were everywhere in Yellowstone!
Bison- they are so huge- especially after an entire summer of grazing!
Jonas along the shore of the Yellowstone River.
We went to one of Kendrik's football games and it had been crazy hair day at school for Chandler, this is such a cute picture of him crazy hair and all!!
Kendrik at his football game, what a cute kid!!
I seriously love this nephew of mine! I love going to his sporting events, it has been so fun watching his progress, he is such an athlete!!
We got to go to Salt Lake and see Lion King with Savannah and Audrey! Thanks mom and Emily for keeping the little ones!! Larren gave me a gift certificate for Christmas last year telling me he would buy tickets for us to go see Lion King when they went on sale in Februaryish. So as it came time to buy tickets I suggested buying tickets for Savannah and Audrey as well because I knew they would love it! And I thought it would be so fun to spend time with the older girls alone! Larren was like, "are you sure?" I said, "sure let's take them, they'll love it!" So he calls me back a little later and says, "well $493.00 later we have four tickets!" I said, "What??? How much!?!" He was like, "How much did you think tickets would be?" Obviously I never thought that much!! After I fainted from shock, and realized it was too late get our money back I just decided we would have a blast on what turned out to be one serious splurge weekend!! The show was spectacular and I am happy to say worth every penny! The girls loved it!! I loved it! Larren loved it! It was AMAZING!!
Going into the Capital Theatre, we ate lunch at Olive Garden across the street before the show, the girls loved the grown up weekend with just us, it was great!!
Here we are in our seats waiting for the show to begin! At one point during the show I looked over at Audrey and noticed she was crying, I leaned over and asked her what was wrong? She says, "I don't know why I'm crying I just am!" She was just so caught up in the emotion of the show, it just overtook her! It was magical! We all loved it!
We found out while we were in Salt Lake that the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey's Circus was in town, so we figured hey we'll go to the show!! We loved it too! The girls had never even been to a circus at all so this was quite the event for them! It was fun!!
Larren and the girls ready to watch the circus!!
