Nevermind that this whole post is backwards....I can't stand it, but I don't have it in me to do it over.....so, giddy up!

Another impromptu ladies night took us to Pizza Factory- for the WORST service ever and a bunch of runny Never On Sundae Goop....but nevermind, we all had a good time at Eat, Pray, Love. I loved it. And I love that Kristi, Heidi, Janet, Heather, Jen & Summer got to come. We missed all of you that couldn't join us!

a

-bit of journaling-

Ok, so like most of you know, school started last week for those not in kindergarten. Max was so excited he couldn't hardly stand it!!!!! He had the opportunity last Monday to go give a little "speech" as he likes to call it, for his teacher from 1st grade- Mrs. C. She was the best teacher, he absolutely loved her, and she got the Teacher of the Year Award last year at his school. The school district did a little program for her and she chose Max to speak on her behalf. He was soooo excited! I thought there was going to be a bunch of little speakers, but no, when we got there we discovered it would be me, Max, Conli, Sawyer and the school faculty there, no one else. Ayayayay!!! When Mrs. C. got there she came right up to the boy and told him how happy she was that he'd agreed to come and that she knew if she was so nervous, he'd make her feel better. Then she took him to her classroom and showed him where she'd hung his picture he made for her for the last day of school last year. The sweet lady hung it right by her desk- how awesome! She made his day!!! So, the program went on, and he said his little part w/o a problem. When he was done she was crying, and he gave her a big hug, and she gave him a sweet card and a bouquet of lollipops from disneyland. It was such an awesome experience. I hope he can continue to be a good example and a good student.

So, when we went to meet his teacher last week, she remembered us from the program and was crazy embarrassed because she'd been goofing off a bunch before anyone else had shown up. I thought she was funny and was stoked when I realized she was Max's teacher for this year. When he got home from school the first day, I asked him how school was and he yelled, "PERFECT!" so, she's awesome and I'm grateful he gets another awesome teacher!

The morning of school was bittersweet. At breakfast, Max grabbed Conli by the shoulders, looked her straight in the eyes and said, "I'm going to miss you so much." To which she replied, "I'm going to miss you too." Be still my heart.

These 2 are such good friends! I love them and their relationship! I'm so grateful for the kids I've got. I've missed my Max like CRAZY since school started. Yes, I'm glad it's back in, but oh man how I've missed my boy. He's the best brother, best helper in the world, and I can't help but just love him every bit.

wanted to look extra handsome for the first day- he specially picked out this shirt Aunt Jena sent to him...he loves it. You should see him strut around in it...it's hilarious!

and right before we left to walk him to the bus....my 3 little lovies!

Heather had a great idea to have a "back to shchool end of summer party" at her place last week and it was great fun! Of course, she had to make little goodie bags for the kids and the girls were in love with their candy necklaces and ring pops! Thanks for always having the best ideas Heath!

Piercey playing in the yard, smooshing cookies, eating frosting...the like....

Easty having a turn on the slip n' slide

Hayleigh yelling at the boys to "hold on" while she got a turn

sweetie pie Hay

Sawyer had this look of utter fear every time she knee boarded along...but she loved it!!!!

And a surprise guest came a little late- Aunt Tiffy. Sawyer loves her to death. She was soooo excited that she had to run and give her loves.

Con just chillin up top

Sawyer thought it was hilarious to drink out of the slide once we got her to get brave enough to do it!

and these 2 are such funny little friends!!!! They laid on here multiple
times thinking they were sliding!

I brought over ice cream shaped sugar cookies for the kids to decorate, and decorate they did, and decorate the table, and themselves, and make cookie sandwiches of sugary sweetness!

We were finally able to get down to the cabin last weekend. It was only an overnighter, but it was great. We love going down there and spending time as a family. One of the kids' favorite past times is going on "hikes." They really aren't much of a hike, but the kids have a ball looking at nature, trying to capture the wildlife and just roughin it!
Conli was throwing a fit cuz she didn't want to carry her net any more.....oh bother.

We caught a Sawyer!

This one had many little calls to attend to on our hikes. Oh the conversations she was holding with this calculator. She's a riot!

Checkers=another cabin love.

"nocklers" that she had to have at all times.

and her trusty net!
She went out to have an adventure not long after this picture was taken. We told her to stay on the porch, but she strayed and 5 min. after she went out we heard a blood curdling cry. Not an "i'm hurt" cry, but a scared out of her mind, I just peed cry. We ran out and asked her what happened and when she'd calmed down, she walked us through the scene. She was standing at the front of the car, and a deer wandered over about 2 feet in front of her. Then- she explained- it bit her in the cheek, then in the foot.
ok really? Liar liar pants on fire!!!!
she saw the deer, and turned and ran straight into a bush, which scratched her cheek....and the owie on her foot had been there for days.
She wanted us to find the deer and chop off it's head!
her words, not mine.

She got out every game, dumped the entire contents on the floor, then would move on....oh Sawyer...how I love thee!

one of the kids favorite things to do at the cabin is play darts...yes, they suck, but they love it! :) We just have to be close by to make sure no one gets a dart in the eye- or the tooshie.

Summer invited us over for a roast at her parents and roast we did! Yummy smore's of numminess! Brynn enjoyed hers for sure!

And pay-ris was loving his too!

Sean gettin his smore of goodness/burntness...what have you

pre-eatage...this is perfection to Sean- sickening!

GO JESS GO!

My parents took a week off from their busy lives and spent a couple days with Jena & Derek, then came up here for 2 days. It was really fun. We REALLY wish they lived closer. They are close, yet so far away!!!! So, we took full advantage of them being here with us! We went bowling one day, and who knew that the rest of the county would be there for birthday party's that day too. We had to wait, but it was worth it because it was lit up all black lit and crazy the whole time!

Max loved celebrating with Mana when she got her strike, but not long after, he realized he was getting none, and wanted to never bowl again!

"Swayer" (as they named her at the ally) was up- and she beat everyone!!! Girls' got mad bowling skills with a bumper and a ramp!

Con's go

trying to catch the lasers all over the floor made for some good dancing!

pure.concentration.

and then the perfect bowlers stance

Max chasing the lights

My cutest parents.

come again!!!!!

Last Monday, as I lay in bed trying to capture a few extra zzzzz's, i heard a slight squeak from the other room, and then laughs of utter happiness from my kids. Conli then ran in to show me the best thing to ever happen to her to date! Her first lost tooth!!! I just fell right out of her mouth, right into her hand!

Spur of the moment girls night left me, heather and summer as the only ones to be able to make it last week. But that's fine, we'll enjoy cheese fries ourselves!!!!
(oink. oink)

We met up with Knights to get our sno cone on one evening for FHE. Sawyer was devastated because just prior to this feast, she decided to run the length of the mall and have me chase her....UGH!!!!! So, she got nothin. It was hard to hold to, but we did.....kid has got to learn to listen!

Slurping up their sno cones of goodness!little ones on a "date"
they asked to sit at this table by themselves....oh bother- what are we starting!?

Playing at the park one fine day Max and Brynn became monkeys. Max also learned that monkey's DON'T PEE FROM TREES!

and conli's beautiful face paint from the gym

Lately, pregnancy and heat haven't been on the same team, so I've opted to stay inside a couple days. That makes for a long day for my kiddos, but lucky for me, they're creative and can make their own fun. You know, fun like batman castle+unders+a little water=hours of fun! They did this 2 days in a row...whatever floats your boat kiddos!

We've enjoyed many more swimming excursions, and of course, Conli always has to get her underwater pose on for whoever has a camera. Tyra??? you want her???

Sawyer loves to dunk too, but keep in mind that I've worn contacts form the womb, so opening my eyes underwater isn't an option. Therefore, I look like an idiot in the pictures always-but when my sweet daughter asks for some underwater pictures, i must oblige- no matter how foul of an obese beast I am!

Haley, Con & Talitha

silly girlses

these 2 and their tube

Sawyer, Talitha, Conli, "big" Haley, "little" Hayleigh

just gettin their girl talk on in the hot tub

they were each pretending to be a different super hero i think-

Sawyer- you gonna jump or not?

fine, we will then!

woah!!!!
takin after your mama!!!
:)

just a teensy glimpse into Max being the best brother ever. He jumped with her a ton until she got comfy enough to go alone. I love them.

Now, we love when Tiff comes swimming cuz we love Tiff, but another added bonus to Tiff swimming is that she actually plays with the children- ALOT- and it's heaven!

Arctic Circle sounded like a good way to run off some steam and tire Hayleigh out on afternoon.
of course these 2 are always game for a picture together

playing Jail....apparently Easton & Conli are tied up!

buds

Another day Heather got the grand idea to escape from the heat to the Cheese.

And last but not least- but actually supposed to be first- Aunt Karri got a new camera and has been playing around with the kids taking pictures. It's fantastical. Nevermind my kids and their scruffy do's nor Max's huge teeth...these pictures are sweetness!

oh the age of big teeth has arrived!

LOVE mara in this one!

these gals love eachother to bits!