Summer lives on!

Target was clearing these pools out, and I got a great deal. But living the past 3 years in Cheyenne, I figured I'd have to wait until next summer before it would be hot enough to use it.

So glad I was wrong- it's been hot this week and the boys couldn't get enough of this pool.

I'm SO excited to finally have a backyard!

Just chillin. It looked so good that I finally got in there with them.

What a fun afternoon!

I don't very often capture him smiling. Yay!

Well, we decided... Karter's in First Grade.

Some already know, but this was a VERY HARD decision for us. We had been leaning toward Karter repeating Kindergarten since we moved to a new school- after all, he's very young, pretty small, and could use a little maturing. But, after all was said and done we decided he's much much too smart and the Kindergarten here is only 2 1/2 hrs a day. Which means that even in the first grade they are still doing basics and he is very ahead.

He seems to really enjoy it. He even told me one day, "Mom, I'm a lot better than I was in Kindergarten." I asked him what he meant by that and he said, "I'm nicer to others then I used to be in Kindergarten. I listen to my teacher. I raise my hand. I share." I always thought he did pretty well at those things, but great!
He seems to have friends and he's not shy. I had to laugh one day after school when he told me that he had met 3 bullies. I asked him how he knew they were bullies, and he replied simply,
"I asked them." I guess the kids told him they were in fact bullies, but Karter says they are nice ones, so that's good I guess.
Well, so far so good. Hopefully we've made the right decision!

Utah Trip- The end of summer

Karter, Ty and I made the long trip down to Utah, stopping briefly in Idaho to see Papa and Nam Nam. The main point of going was because my brother Aaron and his family had just moved back to Utah from Texas and it had been 2 years since we'd seen them.

While there, we went to a surprise dinner for Aaron that his wife,

Katie had planned to celebrate his recent graduation from Chiropractic school.

It was at Los Hermanos and Aaron was very surprised!

This is Katie, who I just think is so great! The boys and I spent as mush time as possible with Aaron, Katie, Emma and Chloe and we had such a blast! The kids are close in age and get along so well. And I loved hanging out with Aaron and Katie!
Karter loves playing with all his cousins. Emma and Karter are only 1 month apart in age.

I was so glad to get to see Sheena and Cheree too! This crazy girl on the left is Sheena.

Cheree and family. Her twin boys are so chunky and cute!

Smores at Aaron and Katie's apartment. So fun!

Emma (she's the sweetest girl!)

Chloe (this girl is TROUBLE- but very cute!)

My cute Ty-Ty, who ate both a regular sized smore,

and a giant smore.

Karter and his giant smore

(which Ty actually finished for him- what a thoughtful brother!)

We spent one day at Lagoon and we had so much fun that I couldn't believe how quickly the time went by. We were there from 11 to 7:30.

This picture makes me laugh.

Ty looks like his concentrating so hard on the next turn and Chloe looks like she's completely bored.

The 4 were overjoyed to find a ride where they could all be in the same spaceship together.

I love the look between Karter and Emma.

Karter's favorite ride.

Love this!

The kids got a bit crazy

When it got too hot, they had a blast in the fountains.

I couldn't believe how soaked Karter got.
They are so cute together!!

Ty didn't like the fountains to run through but found a nearby fountain where he could put his hand on a cool rock. He sat there for at least 10 minutes and I couldn't unglue him from the cold water.

Uncle Aaron's kindof a funny character.

I love my cute boys!

I love this face!

What a very fun time!!

I'm lucky to have such fun family! I got to see all my siblings, my mom, lots of extended family and some of Kollan's family too. But I'm also glad to be back home with my cute husband!

Summer goes way too fast!!

Before Kollan started his new job, we spent some time with our family in Idaho and Utah. When you think of Idaho activities, you probably think of tractors. And yes, Karter and Ty were lucky enough to get to ride in a really nice John Deere.

They also rode in this front loader. The guy that took them, said that we'd have to watch out for the little one (Ty) because he wanted to push all of the buttons.

Afterwards, he gave Karter a John Deere information/advertisement booklet on new tractors. Karter treasures it and wants me to read it to him like it's a storybook.
I don't even know what half of it's talking about.

But there is more to do in Idaho then ride in a tractor.
Who would've guessed you could find an alligator farm?

The best thing is definitely being with family.
We enjoyed our time fishing on the boat.

The fish that Ty helped Brian to catch.

"Captain Ty"

"Captain Karter"

The men and some of the catch.

The playground at the cabin

Feeding the fish at Big Springs
(which is more like feeding the seagulls)

Aunt Kelsie!

While in Utah we got to celebrate my mom's birthday,
and spend time with the Wellings, which we always love.

After coming home, we had a few visitors! Grandma Bell!

Papa and Nam nam came and we went to a Tri-cities baseball game (with a vampire).
We also were glad we got to see Kirk and Falycia before they leave for New York!

What a fun summer it's been- I don't want it to end!