Cooper's Treasure Hunt

The last three days I've been trying to find a new schedule for Cooper and I now that Amelia has returned to school. Today we tried out a treasure hunt. It began at our home, went over the railroad tracks, past the church, past the waterfall, over to the library, stopped at the SnoShack, and finally passed the park before returning home. I thought it was a good idea and it was....until Cooper's flip flop broke and I had to cart him home piggy-back the last 5 blocks in 95 degree heat.

Cooper looking over his sunglasses, ready to go. He had his backpack with water, the map, some books to return to the library and his cell phone. "Just in case we get lost."


Consulting the map I made.


Enjoying his cherry sno cone.

Amelia's First Day of the Second Grade!

Today was my little darlin's first day of school. She woke up half an hour early so she could "relax and watch a little TV" before school. After getting dressed in the new clothes she'd set out the night before, we chose to forgo a bow in her hair since Amelia reminded me "they always fall out at recess anyway." We took a few pics and hopped in the car. She decided to pass on riding her bike today (I think she was a teeny bit nervous) and graciously accepted my offer of a ride. I pulled up in front of the school and asked if she wanted me to go inside with her. She gave me a look and said, "No, I know where my new classroom is. And even if I forget, I know how to read my teacher's name, and they'll be a sign on the door." She slammed her door, waved and walked in without a backwards glance. Cooper and I ran some errands and discussed what we'd do on his first day of school--next year.

Amelia before school. She was exasperated with me because I continuously called her top a tunic, and she called it a short dress. SAME THING.




Good luck on your first day, Amelia. We'll miss you!

Bear Lake 2011

Last weekend we went to Bear Lake for the first time. David's family has a cabin there, so we could spend lots of time at the beach. Amelia and Cooper LOVED it. I even liked it, and that's saying alot! We arrived Friday around lunchtime and immediately headed to the lake. The water there is so clear and blue--it's gorgeous. We swam and played a few hours and headed back up the mountain. Mom, Dad, Courtney and Andy came up later, and we had a great night.

Saturday we woke up to a rip-roarin' thunderstorm. It was amazing, and lasted almost two hours--and every minute of it Amelia was huddled under a blanket whimpering. Cooper didn't mind, he likes the "funder". We went back to the beach after lunch and stayed for about 4 hours. Amelia was in the water almost the whole time. Cooper stayed in awhile, then came on shore to dig for buried treasure in the sand.

Sunday we had a late breakfast and hung out until I left with the kids in the afternoon. We had a great time, and a big thanks to David and his family for letting us stay in their cabin!! (Oh, and to Katie for arranging everything else!)

Amelia jumped in the minute we got there and had to be dragged out later!


Cooper took a little more time but after a few minutes he warmed up to the water and splashed everywhere.


The shoreline. The lake was so high the trees that normally are on the shore were underwater!


Amelia's hole.


Katie and David.


The tabernacle in Paris. I told the kids the name of the town and Amelia said excitedly, "Can we go see the Eiffel Tower?"

Random pictures again

With school starting soon, the kids are getting tired of the "same 'ol summer stuff", so I'm scrambling to find a week's worth of new activities to entertain them. Luckily, we're heading to Bear Lake this weekend, so that'll eat up 3 days! Here are some random pictures, because like the kids, I just couldn't take one more "same 'ol summer" picture!

Amelia loves reading...she's my girl!!!


Cooper loves to cook and eat (here he's eating his mac and cheese he helped me make)...he's my boy!


The kids playing with Play-Doh. One of my activities to try and fill the endless summer hours!




Just hangin' with Matthew.

Puddle Hopping

After a few days of rain, we were all going crazy. So I put the kids in old clothes and shoes, and set them loose on the many puddles around our home!

Sometimes Waiting Is Hard...

..especially when your mommy makes you sit until you "work things out."

Fishin' in the flood.

Last weekend we went to Blackfoot. My parents flood irrigated their lawn, and Amelia and Cooper had a good time fishing with their fishing poles. Unfortunately, they caught more tree branches than anything!