Goblin Valley

We just took our last camping trip of the season.  We went to Goblin Valley, which is becoming a bit of a fall tradition.  It was cold but fun.  I was very thankful for many layers of blanket in our nest!  We stayed for 3 nights which made it feel like a real getaway and not just chaos with a lot of drive time.  I hope the kids continue to dig camping as much as they do now because I love the quality family time.

Happy campers

What's in the hole Miles?!

Her first hike with her very own Camelback

Follow me

Look Ma, one hand!

There are worse places for a snack break

Exploring Little Wild Horse Canyon

"I'm just resting Mom"

Sarah Daly covered with a pile of lovely little girls

Munching apples while high above the goblins

Posing

Relaxing in her throne

“There is beauty, heartbreaking beauty, everywhere.”
― Edward Abbey

Girls Trip to Indiana

I couldn't stand the thought of not getting back to Indiana until next summer so Iris and I packed our bags and headed back for a great visit.  We all would have gone, but Miles is in school now and we didn't want him to miss that many days.  I had good family and friend time and the weather was perfect.  Indiana in September is the place to be!  As always, I would have loved several more weeks back there, but it helped that I had the boys back here to come home to.  See you all next July!

Cute cousins

Striking a pose!

Just a swingin'

Love, love, love my bros

All but Jen...smiling at 3 different cameras but i love it

Sarah, Meg and I

Miss you Mom and Dad

Cousins at the Ft. Wayne zoo.  Iris was apparently feeling like an animal!

Fun on Loon Lake

My BFF since high school.  Amy with Rose.

Fun at the Fair

It's that time of year!  Time for overpriced rides, expensive food, and dirty kids.  Yep.  Fair time!  I have to admit, its pretty fun taking the kids to the state fair downtown.  We lucked out this year with a cool, cloudy day and crowds that were bearable.  Miles entered an ice cream sandwich eating contest and got second place, which is a miracle since anyone who knows him knows the pace at which he eats :) 
Good times!

Sad cell phone picture, but trust me...they were both having fun!

Carousel fun

His competition

Sporting his second place ribbon!

Tram Time

We always enjoy heading up to Snowbird for Oktoberfest.  Yes, Oktoberfest starts in August here, but we'll take what we can get!

10 shots.  Not one where we are all looking at the camera. O well!

We went up with the Nicholsons.  Cute shot of the kids with Sam.

First Grade!

It is officially September and I officially have a first grader! His first day was two weeks ago, but I'm just getting around to putting up some pictures because August was nuts.  Life at Brookwood Elementary seems to be going well for him.  We just hear random bits about his days, but apparently he has made some friends and likes his teacher.
I was heart broken that I had to miss his first day (understatement of the year).  I had a project tour for work that I could not get out of.  I'd always seen Moms getting so worked up over day #1 and it seemed dramatic, but now I get it.  He'd been at First Steps since he was 3 months old, hanging out with the same kids and same teachers and following the same comfortable routine.  Picturing him with his backpack on waiting to get on the bus and start this new chapter in his life made me weepy.  I suppose that's how I will feel at all the big transitions in my kids lives...wondering how they will do, will they be happy, will they be scared, will they struggle, will they have quality friendships, will they be kind and polite...all sorts of questions about the paths they are headed down, not just in first grade, but for the rest of their lives.
Anyhow, all my drama aside, he was in good hands that week and now we have a new normal.  Time for doing some homework!

Ready for the big day!  First grade, 2013.

Excited for the bus ride

 

Miles' last week at First Steps

I just wanted to include a few pictures from Miles' last week at First Steps.  It was Spirit Week, so each day was a fun activity.  It was sad to look at his name on the board that last day and know the following Monday it would be replaced with a new name, but exciting to know he'd be moving on to bigger and better.  He told all his friends goodbye and when he got to the gate turned and told his teachers, "Thanks for teaching me so many things!" 

Crazy Hair Day

Costume Day

Water Day

Drying off with his buddies!  I was so happy he had such a fun last day there.

Last day and he kept 3 stars! 

Albion Basin

We are so lucky to live close to the Wasatch Mountains.  It really is a whole different world up there...much cooler than the valley in the summer and the flowers are a bonus. We headed to Albion Basin last Sunday morning to stroll.

Miles and 6 moose.  The most we've ever seen together. A treat!

Smile

Iris rallied. Steep climb and she stayed happy.

Pretty Indian Paintbrush and pretty smile

For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of seeing her stink eye in a while...

Fun day