Our kids are amazing!

It's been a full year since Bailey ran her first race.  Last year for Swiss Days we didn't know if the boys could handle it so we didn't let them run. We should have.  Mat, Bailey and Caleb have all taken to running this year.  While it's not Bailey's favorite thing and Caleb doesn't train near as much as he should (he doesn't train at all) and Mat working a ton AND training for this weekend's marathon, the three have impressed me as well as many others over the past year with their ability to run FAST!

 This was Caleb and Easton's first year running in the Swiss Day's 5k but not their first race.  Caleb has been running a race each month since January while Easton has only ran a few.  We didn't know what to expect with his run but he killed it!  He ran around 27 minutes and we were super proud.

 Caleb took 1st in his division beating out 14 other boys (including his younger brother) to take the win.

 Mat took first in his division with a fantastic time of 18:50.  He was still beat out by his younger sister Amber.  What can you do?

 Easton and Caleb have both been playing comp soccer with the Bombers (separate age groups) and while it isn't Caleb's passion they are both playing awesome.  Easton wanted to also play flag football and since it didn't conflict with soccer we signed him up for Ivin's league.  It is a perfect fit for him.  Most people know that I can tip the scales on the competitive side, however, I want my kids to be able to be kids and not worry about being the best at everything (which seems to be an epidemic with some parents). 

 We all love how laid back the games are. ZERO pressure to excel and frankly it's a nice change.  He's scored a hand full of touchdowns in the first few games and just plain has fun.

 Between raising kids, school, athletics, work, church callings, etc.  We don't always get the quiet alone time we cherish.  One thing is for certain, we spend a LOT of time with eachother.  All the running around counts right?

Lovin' this time of year!

Although the fall usually brings on the cooler temps we have yet to feel too much of a temp drop yet.  It is however fall and I love it!

 Easton drew out to go mutton bustin' in the rodeo this year.  He was visibly excited and thought all week of ways to be able to hold on.  He did awesome!  If he hadn't have gotten a stipud sheep that stop mid run and laid down he would have clung to the animal all night. 

 We were thrilled he was able to finally have a try at it.

 Despite the 100 degree temps we've been having I've still getting requests for soup.  Of course soup is one of my favortie things so I am more than happy to comply. I loved how cute Peyton was eating her chicken noodle soup.  I have to make a double batch of noodles for my kids or there would be no way they'd get their fill.  They love homemade noodles.

 Along with fall comes Bailey's cheer team prepping for comp season.  I'm not much of a football fan but I do love attending games my daughter performs at.

 She makes it all look effortless and I hope one day to be to every highschool football game cheering on the cheerleaders. ;)

Pretty Princess

Peyton is growing up far too fast.  She is such a joy to be around.  If you could get girlier than this I would like to see it.  From her voice to the way she walks, she is ALL girl! 

 Peyton seems to be all bout her friends lately and cannot get enough play time with all of the fun kids in the circle.  It melts my hear to see the little girls all cram into the barbie cars and take off carefree and giggling like crazy.

 We had an amazing mom that moved in recently who paints the neighborhood kid's faces and the kids LOVE it!  Who wouldn't?  She is AWESOME!

 Peyton seems to suprise us with every turn.  She is not only crazy smart but has THE sweetest spirit.  She is so full of life it's infectious. She loves everyone and everything and the smallest things keep her happy and smiling.  She thanks us constantly and will even ask permission to use our restroom. Haha.

 The years it took to make the decision to have another child and then when we actually decided losing two babies and the heartache that came with believing that our family would most likely be a party of five, make every smile that come from our baby girl's face that much sweeter.  She is loved by every member of our house much more than we could have ever known or there would not have been a bit of hesitation on whether or not we should have had another.  We ADORE our baby girl.

Labor Day Camping

Setting a record of THREE times this year pulling the camper out of the dirt lot we headed off to the mountains for Labor Day.  Usually this is our only time we go camping each year.  It seems as though the summer quickly rushes by and we've realized the camper has sat untouched all year so we head to cooler weather.  Of course it doesn't hurt that it is always deer/elk hunting time as well.

Our labor day camp out is one of my favorites.  The past couple of years we've camped with the Green family and our kids have had an amazing time with their cousins.  They would happily play with their cousins before anyone else. This year we were treated to the Gardner family coming up for the day as well. Also Grandma Toni, Kyler and Trayson, and the Lewis family joined us for a few nights.  Topping it off with my dad and Kobe and Kelton coming up on the last night.  Way too much fun for one weekend.

 With all of those people we knew there wouldn't be anyone for Bailey to hang out with so we allowed her to take her friend along.  They were so silly together and we were happy Bailey could have just as much fun as the boys on our trip.

 Peyton and Jace were THE cutest things to watch.  They attracted dirt like crazy and were best buds the entire time.

 I had to chuckle at one point.  Although we had left the t.v.s and Internet behind us I still found the kids in the camper gathered around the iPad.  I debated bringing it but it had the books I was reading on it.  I guess you never want TOO much fresh air right?

 Every time we go camping it takes a bit to get the four wheelers back in commission.  They don't seem to take well to sitting around useless all year.  They get plenty of use camping though.  The fifty was running non-stop.  The best part was we had some "neighbors" who camped a little close to us given the fact that there were thousands of acres that they could have chosen over pulling right next to us so we may have let the kids spin several circles over and over and over.  The fifty's exhaust was loose and it wasn't exactly the quietest for a long time.  I finally said it needed to be bolted back.

 Although, I'm not much of a fisherman I do love watching Mat fish with he kids.  Always my favorite pictures come from fishing.

 Peyton was the first one to reel one in and was thrilled.  She even got quite daring and tried to give the fish a kiss.  She sat there for the longest time inching closer and closer until she was just about to kiss it and it flipped around on her!  She had a small freak out.

 Caleb has decided he is going to make us rich by panning for gold.  Go for it buddy.  I'm thinking a paper bowl isn't quite the best tool for such.

We had a wonderful time.  Ate incredible food, spent much needed time with Mat and each other and got DIRTY! What more could you ask for?

Back to School

School is back in session here in Southern Utah.  Always starting way to early.  While summer can be crazy with the kids wanting constant entertainment I'm always sad to have them return to school.  I do love having a schedule back though.

 Bailey began her second year at Lava Ridge and is officially a seventh grader.  Wasn't I JUST in seventh grade?  Lucky for her the "awkwardness" of being twelve either hasn't hit her yet or I'm guessing never will.  Although these pictures don't show it she is also a brace face.  Even with the metal smile she just seems to get prettier and prettier. 

 Caleb began 4th grade and Easton began third.  I seriously cannot believe my boys are that old!  When their older sister began the higher elementary grades we thought she seemed so old.  The boys are still my babies.

 I allowed the boys to choose their own outfits for the first day (which if you know me is a HUGE thing).  They would choose sporty shorts and t-shirts as opposed to the closet full of nice jeans and collared shirts but oh well.  They looked like studs!

 This is the first year I didn't walk them into their classes.  They wanted to ride their bikes and I learned I had to let go a  little so off they went.

 Peyton was quite disappointed last year when she broke her leg because she could no longer attend her ballet class.  The fall session of dance began and Peyton's leg was healed so she was crazy with excitement to go back to dance. She looks forward to her class every week.

 Peyton also started preschool!  Another one of those things where I can't believe she is that old!  She couldn't wait! We didn't end up getting her in the preschool that had the rest of the neighborhood kids in it but we LOVE the preschool she go into.  It was more of a fluke that she even got in but it is DARLING and she is in heaven!

So twice a week I am officially all alone!  Okay, well, maybe I haven't been at home alone yet.  With going to lunch with Mat and running errands I actually enjoy the few hours a week kid free.