We decided that since we hadn't ventured to "the Cheese" in forever, that it would be a perfect place to spend one of the "last days of summer" for Max. (thanks for the invite Heath) My kids love this place, so there were no let downs! And as long as Sawyer has "monies" for this ride-it's smooth sailing!trying to pose the lil reddies for a photo...didn't really work
love her

they love eachother

trying to explain to Hayleigh, the pure delight of the train

oh the joy

i love her stance....take that you beast

oh the posing that goes on here

this is what happens when there are no more monies....uh-oh......

crazies, running around at all times

oh, what a fun game

Sawyer has decided she no longer needs to follow crib rules- like stay in the crib- and started climbing out of it, onto her dresser and out of the dungeon....not to my liking, but we figured we might as well get her out of it before she breaks her neck! Luckily, Breanne and Pat had a bitty toddler bet for us to use! We headed over to Mana's and loaded it up in the car roller coaster style to get her going!

and boy does she lub it!!! I go nigh night in big bed- she says- every night. She's done miraculously well, besides waking up at the butt crack of dawn every morning- she will have to adjust that or problems will incur.....i HATE mornings- 'specially the ones at butt crack!

The day before school started for Max, Marin and Ashton got to come down and play. We got a bit tuckered out and decided to watch Extreme Home Makeover reruns on CMT....them'r good....Ashton got blankies for all and made sure we were all covered up....Marin and Max planned when they're going to build a home and buy a car for marriage----As Aaron says- distance makes the heart grow fonder!

AHHHHH first grade! All day school!!!!! REJOICE!!!!!
Max was SOOOO stoked for school, school lunch, the bus, and all else it entailed!
The first day, he demanded riding the bus- only problem was, we had no idea where the bus stop was, and he didn't know how to get to his class room.....we went the day before, but we were on a wild goose hunt before we found it!
So, luckily, we made it to the bus stop just in the nick of time, and daddy met him at school to get him to class!

oh, blessed reunions......he got home, and looked like he was going to bust into tears. He didn't- I think he was just exhausted, and he reassured me 47 times that it was the "BEST DAY OF HIS LIFE", so I think school will be ok!

I am not a "summer mom" as Parents magazine likes to refer to them as....I appreciate the time spent away from my children, and although I love them to pieces, I look forward to school beginning. Especially this all day mumbo jumbo... but I will admit- that's a long day! I miss my boy by the time he gets home! But I am grateful that he also craves school, and friends and learning, and school lunch! It's the best to not have to worry about him while he's gone (for the most part) I love you Mr. Max!

Since he's gone all day, and the pool's still open, we will abuse that privelidge until we can no longer use it! Jess and the girls came over and swam last week, and it was AWESOME. We were almost the only ones there. Pool, cute girlies, pizza, friends- nothing beats that!

Conli's now brave enough to only need floaties- this summer had changed her oodles and oodles. She started out not daring to pass the steps, now she's a fish! I love it!

this one prefers walking around the inner steps of the 456 degree hot tub...whatever keeps her happy I say

Friday night, we went camping with Gunn's and Whalens. WOWSERS!!!! Good times!!!!! It seemed much longer than an overnighter.....we'll have to go again!
but maybe we will all be on time for the next bout!- i'm just sayin

After getting off to a rough start.....we finally got to camp and Steph got goin on the fire. Job well done Steffy!

Con, Brynn and Max ready and rearin to get camping

Taj MaTent

this thing was HUGE and AWESOME!!!!

thanks Karri

finally we got to roast the weenies

sweet pierce, just chillin in the wilderness

my view to the heavens above

if you know this one, you know this is thee perfect picture
he's so cute

dinner time

dig in peeps

easty and ben

after a hike for the kids, led by Ben, and some straight cold chillin, it was mallow roastin time. Brynn was ready

and bubba cooked his to perfection!

Max was a wee bit nervous of getting too close, but he loved his mallows

Piercey all bundled

we loaded the kids into Ben and Steph's camper so we could have some grown up time and let them watch a movie

Summer telling her most embarrassing moment....oh the laughs

FIRE

Conli made an appearance at the camp fire to say hi.....

less than 2 minutes later- she was OUT

Sean playing Brent's rendition of campfire games

ok. i am NOT a princess, but I DO have a problem with peeing in the woods, off a stump or something- ESPECIALLY if it's dark and there could be wild animals lurking in said woods.....terrifies me! BUT, I had held it about as long as i could, and Conli needed to go also....My solution???? Transfrom our camping chair into a potty!!!! Could i be more of a genius!!!??? Our chair was on it's last rounds anywho, so Sean popped out his knife, and went at it carving a lil hole right in the middle of it.

the result?

porta-potty
how i love thee!

Around 11 we decided to hit the sacks....Brent was wasted, but me and the kids played for a bit in the Tent Majal.....if you're wondering where Sawyer is in all the pictures-she was being cared for by her awesomely wonderful Aunt Kara and Uncle Ben so we wouldn't have to worry about her there-

max and daddy's sleeping arrangements

Mine and Conli's- although, halfway through the night she scared me more than I thought possible, when she scooted herself off the mattress, and onto the ground over to the side of the tent. I was sure a bear reached in and grabbed her for grub....i was DYING!!!!

funny faces at night!

the next morning, bright and early, thanks to Max.....UGH.....
we got up and ready to eat some breakfast grub

bad news-----the camper that we thought came equipped with a griddle---well, it didn't......so, belly up! hot dogs and smore's it is!

amidst roasting breakfast, Bubba tested out the potty chair...heheheheh

the breakfast of champions

Brent's homemade bacon skewers.....not such a good idea

another try...didn't cook at all

the lil boysies getting ready to head home

oh sweet max....pickin flowers for his mama

and, of course, Conli had to pose with them too

Max and Brynnie testing out their talkie skills

Brent trying with all his might to squish "majal" back into its home

wilderness=dirty footsies

and dirty other parts as well
mind you, this is one of the cleaner children

a quick movie before we head out

Sunday night, we got to head out to my cousins for Starli's 13 birthday- 13??? are you KIDDING ME!!!!!! I remember when me and this lil girl used to get in fights over the lights being on or off when she was 3.....how time. flies.

Brent's giant hamburger of goodness

Brody lept off the deck, so Max decided he wanted to too....this is his attempt at leaping....

Soy, Braden and Max dining

Conli and Dad eating grub-don't mind that's all Conli would eat out of all the bounteous amounts of food there- hot dog+ranch please.....

Birthday Girl Starli, Jeff, Uncle Scott, Auntie Tonette!!!!!

It got a titch windy outside, and I'm thinking sawyer was reminded of camden's bday up the canyon a few weeks ago-terror ensued- and she was DETERMINED to keep her chips on her plate. She kept yelling, "WINNING WINNING!" (that's code for winding!)

she also kept getting hooked up with "back rides" by Tonette...it was cute!

the kids had a blast on the tramp doing some Cage Fighting, Duck Duck Goose and Dead Man

Yesterday we got to walk with Max to school in the morning, it was a nice day, so we thought it'd be fun! And fun it was!

Afterwards, we played at the park for a minute

good day for everyone!!!
What a week!!!!