Labor Day Camping

Over Labor Day we loaded up the family and invited some of our favorite people, the Hansens to come with us to the Salmon River.  It was the first time we have made a trip there this summer and as always we had a great time.   The neighbors near the property up there have a few dogs that like to come visit.  My kids think they are grand.

I saw this cute little fishing pole on clearance at Walmart while I was buying shotgun shells for Dustin and I couldn't resist.  Lincoln loved it and so did his dad.

On Saturday we went to Custer to see the little ghost town and had a picnic there.  These brilliant men decided to have a little fear factor eating disgusting things like mustard on an oreo and I can't even remember what else but it was disgusting.  They make life fun and I just LOVE that smile!

Then we went fishing in the ponds.  The kids caught a few fish but had a lot of fun trying.  Mike told the kids they had to kiss a fish if they caught it so Ella and Kaiden both kissed a fish.  Gross.

Ella took a little walk to the other side of the pond and decided she had to pee and couldn't hold it and ended up peeing her pants.  She didn't let it embarrass her she just went into the car and put her swim suit on and didn't miss a beat.  

Sure love this friend so much!!

We enjoyed relaxing and eating lots of yummy foods.  Some cobblers in the oven and dutch oven chicken and potatoes on the fire.

The kids are playing in the river right behind the property while Dustin fishes.  The river is so low this time of the year we can't really float down it.  Besides that it's COLD outside!

The kids playing some cards.

On Sunday we sat around camp because #1 Mike broke his toe when he and Dustin went to the hot springs the night before and #2 I woke up with an eye infection that was irritating me and #3 Mike & Farrah's check engine light went on and we didn't dare take the car too far.  

Dustin, Lincoln and I took a big nap while Mike and Farrah played with the kids.  They really are such great friends.  My eye felt so much better when I woke up.

Ella caught a caterpillar.

Oh man I love these people!  So grateful for eternal families.  I just am so thankful to have such a good husband and such fantastic kids.  I love them all so much and love when we get to spend time together like this making memories and having fun.  Our family has been so blessed.

Back to School 2016

The kids started back to school the 29th of August and it has been crazy.  After spending all day with them every day it was bitter sweet for me to take all three to the school for 6 1/2 hours every day.  Mostly bitter as I couldn't stop crying on the first day as soon as we all loaded into the car.  I can't believe the amount of things I've been getting done every day now though.  I have made a list of about 50 blog posts I have to catch up on and am determined to do so before Christmas so I can order all the blog books for my family to read.

So here we go!  

We missed back to school night because Dustin and I were on our hike but we have had all three of these teachers before so we felt ok about missing it and kinda knew what to expect.

Their good dad gave them a Priesthood blessing Sunday night in preparation for the new school year.  All the kids sat very reverently and I can tell they were excited to continue this tradition for the first time ever.  They normally drag their feet a bit but the Spirit was felt by all in our little living room as blessings were left on each of their sweet heads.

First day of school 2016

Ella starting 6th grade, Alissa 2nd and Molly 1st

The saddest part about this is they look so old to me in these pictures and in a few months when school gets out and we compare the pictures they are going to look so young in these photos.  Time flies!

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Aren't they beauties!  Sure love these kids of mine!  Go get 'em girls! 

Grandma Bitton turns 92

We went to visit grandma Bitton for a few minutes on the day she turned 92.  She is such an amazing woman!  She tells us about how she has been practicing these yoga poses and she is just going strong.  She is an inspiration to me!  What a blessing to have a great grandma on the earth for so much of my life!

Cress Creek Trail Hike

One day while mom was watching Jeremy and Lisa's kids we decided to load them all up and go for a little hike up Cress Creek trail.  

It's always feels so good to get some exercise and fresh air on a beautiful day. 

Not to mention spend time with some of our most favorite people. 

Just look at that grandma these girls get to hang out with!

As always Lincoln enjoyed his ride but I'm sure he would have rather run up and down those hills with us.

Kourtney got a little upset there in the end so she even got a ride for a few minutes.

The best part about this hike in my opinion is the little creek where we took our shoes off and got our feet wet.  I got no pictures of the kids doing this but we loved it.  Jeremy's kids took a small amount of convincing to put their feet in the "nasty" water but they finally did.  It's funny to me that my kids and I don't even consider it nasty we just jump right in!

After our adventures hiking mom treated us all to Heise pizza.  We had such a great time and this as a fun memory we won't soon forget.  Sure thankful my mom is up for adventures like this and that we all have the health to do it.  We have truly been blessed.