Busy?....NOT!

Well I can honestly say that my life has slowed down just a little bit this past month. You wouldn't know it since I haven't blogged for a month! But there really hasn't been anything fun and exciting happening in my life like others that I know.

For instance...Amy having a baby, which may I add that Sophie really only thinks of herself and not her mom. She is quite demanding!!! (Good Luck Amy, you are in my thoughts...just during the day though, I am alseep at night!!!) Then there is Rachel, going off and leaving her family to go kayaking...I mean really, who does that?...LOL Look at Michelle's life...her beagal just had puppies, now her "quiet" house is full of little fur balls running everywhere! So if you are interested in a cute little dog...just give her a call. My sister-in-law is pregnant and sick, need I say more? Oh..Emily, congratulations on another boy! The Lord knows that you are the best "boy Mom" out there...you are awesome...love the fish story!

I am just sitting back and doing my own thing...in fact I was released from the Primary Presidency a couple of weeks ago and got called to type the Relief Society Newsletter once a month. I think that I have been given the opportunity to get caught up on my house work and family...it actually feels good...the last few months I have felt like I was being torn in a lot of different directions, but now I feel great. Lunch anyone?

FIRST Day of SCHOOL....Yeah!!!

Here are some pictures of the first day of school...you will notice that it is only of Abby and Lydia, because now that Zeth is in 8th Grade he no longer thinks pictures are cool...he did look really nice though. Abby and Lydia were both so excited to start back up. Lydia was excited for lunch, recess, and just being a first grader!! Now it is just Kyler and me at home...it sure is quiet. Kyler starts preschool next week. He is ready to go with his Lightening McQueen Backpack...I am sure that I will have pictures of that to post! I am just excited to have a little bit of free time on my hands.

Breakfast in the Mountains

We get together with the Porter Family once a month. One of our traditions is in August we go up to Muller Park Canyon and have breakfast on a Saturday. The kids had a ton of fun up there with their cousins. There was rocks to climb, water to wade in and lots of dirt...Ky was in Heaven!!! As you can see he is always smiling really big in the pictures because he was just happy! Our family is growing so fast...there are five great grandkids with one on the way. Grandpa Porter sure loves to be with the kids.

It was a LONG day!

The kids had been outside for most of the afternoon in the hot sun so they were exhausted. They started out both sitting up watching TV and then they ended up just tipping over and taking a nice long nap!I don't think that Lydia even knew that Kyler was on top of her. It sure made for a fun camera moment.

Our Week Long Camping Trip at Pineview

We spent a week camping up at Pineview Reservoir during July. Amy, Dave, Katie, Jared, Grandma and Grandpa Nelson & Shennce were all up there with us. Tara and Derek came up with the kids for an evening and also one of the days. The guys had to work so they would get up early and come home, shower and go to work and then come back up at night. Amy and I had a schedule, we would hang out and do crafts and play around until lunch time and then after lunch we would take the kids down to the lake and let them swim for a few hours. It was pretty relaxing and a lot of fun to be able to to just hang out with family. The kids had a blast down at the beach and in the water. We try to do this every year because it gives us a chance to get away but yet the guys can still work and they don't have to take time off. We just got a new trailer so that made it a lot easier to camp than trying to spend a week in a tent...it was a blast.

The Cache Valley Triathlon

Russ and I ran The Cache Valley Super Sprint Triathlon in July. It is always fun to run these with each other because then we have a "training partner" to work with. Rob and Rachel were there along with five others from our ward. It sure makes the race fun to have people you know racing with you. This one was on a little bit smaller scale...there were only about 150 participates and it was a pool swim...which I really enjoy. The lake swims are more challenging, but you can see where you are going in the pool! I told Zeth that he needs to train for this one next year. I was a little bit worried about him on the swim, but up at Scout Camp he swam 3/4 of a mile in a lake...so he will be joining us next year for sure! It is fun to have a reason to exercise and to work towards a goal. We are done for the year, but we will be ready for next year!

Robyn and Lydia...Friends for Life!

Lydia thinks the world of her cousin Robyn. She has this picture of Robyn hanging in her room and she tells all of her friends about her friend and cousin who is "old". At all the family gatherings Lydia finds Robyn and just stays with her the whole night. If Robyn ever feels like she isn't loved all she has to do is think about Lydia. Tonight Robyn came up with her fiance, Christian, and took Lydia out on a "date". They went to dinner at Wendy's (Lydia's choice), mini golfing and then shopping for a birthday gift. Lydia was in HEAVEN...She couldn't stop talking about it when she got home. Thank you Robyn for letting her stick to you like glue and yet never seem bothered by her...you are a great friend to her...you are awesome.

Our trip to PHILMONT!!!!

We just took one of the the greatest family trip ever! It was down at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. They have LDS week down there where the General Young Men's Presidency and Primary Presidency come down and train the stake leaders. While Russ was in training the kids went to "class" with their age groups and were able to do a lot of fun things like hike, ride ponies, crafts, play games and more. So while the kids were off being busy I was able to pick and choose what I wanted to do. They had special "women's meetings", hikes, tours and the COPE course available to choose from...or if I wanted I could just sit back at the tent and relax. They made all the meals so I didn't have to cook or clean up once while I was down there...it was a little piece of heaven. The food was actually pretty good...the kids especially loved the salad bar and the pick of the drinks! We were down there from Saturday until Friday...when it was time to come home the kids were so sad. Kyler had so much fun living in the outdoors...he didn't want it to end! Here are some pictures of our trip, but I sure wish that I could let you feel the "Spirit of Philmont" it was incredible!!!! The kids keep asking when we can go again.
This was our tent. We had a "Girl's Tent" and a "Boy's Tent"...it was pretty nice...wooden floors and electricity.



This was "Western Night" where we were suppose to dress up like cowboys...they had a big barbeque on the main grass and then they played some games, and had a western dance...gotta love that watermelon.