Luke's First Day!

We decided to do a Pre-School co-op this year with some other amazing ladies and today was the first day.  The boys are so cute and they did such a great job with everything.  I so glad we did this, it's going to be so fun!!

Delightful Randomness

I went outside tonight to find  the beginnings of a Veteran's Day Parade float.  

(I know, you thought this was a re-enactment of the Emperor's New Clothes. Nope. Just a little toasty out.)

Move over Luke.

Jake the master engineer.

Luke was pulling them so fast I thought he'd dump Bree for sure.  They were all laughing like crazy and they begged to take it out through the neighborhood, but doggonit it was time to go in for bed. 

This was all kind of really nice for me tonight. They were all getting along, having fun (not exactly a first, but close).  And I kind of have been feeling like these silly random episodes just might be numbered, especially for my Jakester.  Middle school, lockers, and always reaching for more independence.

So tonight I'm soaking it in.

(Even if I'm not willing to parade it around the neighborhood).

Coming Out of the Closet

After 5 long years, these bad boys finally found their way out.  Sure seemed like a good idea to buy these way back then.  Thought we'd use them lots.  Turns out we don't bowl that often unless we are on vacation or something crazy happens.  And this weekend it did.  Jer's work treated us all to a bowling extravaganza with pizza and soda to boot and wow were we excited.

One of Breezy's many spares.

Jake's sees that the Lukester seems to be beating him.

Luke's famous smile.

 Jer's reaction after taking down

1 pin and yes the bumpers were up and running.

She may have had low score,

but she was the only one to get 2 strikes in a row. 

That turkey was calling my name. 

I cracked under the pressure.

Lovin those tips that only dad can give. 
Thanks IBM for such a fun afternoon!!!
These shoes will not be back in the closet for long.

First Day of School Round 2

Oh this has been a nail biter for us!  We were hoping to get Bree into the same school as Jake, but when Monday rolled around, she was still 2nd on the waiting list.  So she started today at a different school.  Which I'll be honest, has kind of had me all torn up. But of course she loved it! Breanna's attitude as she went through an entire summer of not knowing where she would go to school has been so upbeat and positive.  I'm pretty sure she decided from the start that she would be happy no matter what school she ended up at.  She floors me.  She takes everything in stride and is always up for a new place with new friends.  She has such a great attitude.  She makes my job so easy and her remarkable example makes me realize I shouldn't worry so much.

Breezy, here's to a fabulous 4th grade year!!!

LOVE YOU!

First Day of Kindergarten:)

Jake in 6th Grade

Started today. He's at a new school this year along with a bunch of his friends, hence the big smile on his face. That along with the fact that he gets his own locker and switches classes every hour. Gimmeny! Hardly seems possible that he could be old enough for all of this. He's so excited about all of his classes and teachers...I just hope the excitement lasts:) Now if we could just get Breezy into this school so she could have a first day too!
I tried to find his first day of kindergarten, but no luck. I must've still been in 35mm mode back then. But this was pretty close to that time. Sure wish I could go back and smooch them cheeks!

And here he is in a play in Mrs. Penn's 1st Grade. This shy little guy said his lines so loud that night both Jer and I almost fell over in shock. Such a fun night. Okay. All done being sentimental (actually just all out of pics, sure wish my scanner was working, don't you?).

Here's to a great 6th Grade year Jakers!

Boy, was he happy to see her again!

Can't even begin to say how much I love that these two are buds.

I think they went from seeing each other every day to zip for more than 2 weeks. Poor parental planning indeed.
I know, enough pool pics already, but just had to throw these in of the high dive.


And Luke did this for the first time on Tuesday.
Check out that form. Unbelievable.

Backfloats all the way to the side, thanks Ms. Karen!

Today was kind of funny. Luke got busted for the 1st time by a lifeguard when he took off running to get his dive toys. We watched from a distance as he froze solid when the life guard gave him a lengthy dissertation on the dangers of running while wet. But as soon as the lifeguard's eyes were back on the pool, Luke was off running again, always turning his head back to make sure the lifeguard wasn't looking. Then he lined up behind Elle for the diving board and squeezed her bum up the ladder (as if she needed help, but nice move anyway Luke). Then he cut in front of 2 lady fans of his, and they were more than happy to let him, but when Elle tried the same move no dice. But Luke did get checked by some 9ish year old boys when he cut in front of them. They kept tapping Luke's shoulder and I quote, " Dude, dude, dude, you cut!" Luke was like, "Dude, dude dude, I'm 3, and I have no scissors." Erika, watching it all go down, escorted him to the back of the line. And at that exact same moment their camp director came and told them it was time to go so guess who rightfully shimmied up to his spot in the front of the line. Luke who, let's be honest, is king at home, now realizes he's king at the pool as well. Wonderful.

I think these might just be my last pics of summer as school starts on Monday. It always makes me sad when summer is over. Don't get me wrong, being together all the time in the summer does bring on some heated moments. But honestly I would have it all year long if I could.

Mackay 2010

Mom and Dad's cabin. One by one we all trickled in to the great reunion.

Kyle Grandpa Great Natalie Erica Mom Me Mindi Dad Amber Madalayne Grandma Great

Always something going down in the kitchen.



Nicole lovin on Luke
Gma Erica Natalie

Avery Bree Nicole

Luke and Sawyer

First Night Eats

Gma and Bree

Jer and Luke

Jeff built a Zip Line across the river.

It was icy cold and a few bottoms hit bottom, but definitely worth the adventure.

Jake and Soren

Mad Em and Amb

Nat and Nicole

Mindi me and Dee

G-pa spained his ankle pretty bad during a basketball game. Luke wouldn't leave his side and nursed G-pas ankle all night.

Davin Kyle Zach Troy

Bree asked grandpa to paint her a horse for her birthday. Excited doesn't even describe how she felt when she opened this!

Jer and Bree

Me and Avers

We hit Craters of the Moon and did some treacherous hiking through some amazing caves.
If only we would have brought water (thanks to the kind people all along the trail who reminded us we would be needing some). Got so thirsty I told Jake it would be okay if he took the bottle of water we found in the abandoned baby stroller. He put me right in my place for that.

We stayed up waaay too late doing lots of this and laughing our heads off.

The Kid Cave. Grandpa's garage has never been so loved. Or saturated with soda pop.

Then Jeff and Jer made some surf boards for the river.

Took a ride to the tree farm and the fair that wasn't.

Luke and Jer floatin the icy cold.

Nat Devany Steve Mom Ere

Zach and Kyle are going to be Freshman at BYUI next year.

Panning for Gold near Challis on the way up to Redfish Lake.

Love this guy! All unpacked and time to relax at the Redfish Lake Lodge.

Can you believe this water? And those are the Sawtooth Mtns in the background. Stunning.

Breezy spent hours playing on the dock in the background.

She has such a great imagination.

So sinking!

These girls gave the canoe a whirl. But trouble loomed when they went to dock it. Mindi got out nice and easy. Then Nat reached for the dock, securing her Pepsi safely there, and in doing so did not realize the canoe was drifting from the dock. As the canoe pulled away, she just couldn't decide if she should let go of the dock or the canoe and as a result, she was soon neck high in lake water. It was the most hysterical part of the trip. Mindi and Mom did not stay dry either, but it wasn't because of the lake water.

Shoulders and knees girl, that's the way to do it.

Quite possibly my favorite pic.

Floating on a log Jake found.

Grandma and Jeff got everything ready for the kids to make marshmallow shooters.

Then came the rain.

And as I snapped this picture, another camp full of kids with the same shooters came and attacked. We were in trouble because we were nearly out of ammo, but Troy took care of that and hijacked the enemy's. Yes Troy is 16 and they were about 10 but hey all 's fair in war, right? It was crazy fun.

All 5 of us: Deidre Me Mindi Natalie and Erica

I just can't even say how much I miss these guys already. I am so lucky to have such an amazing family and incredible parents who gave us a relaxing, fun vacation at one of the most beautiful places on earth. It was heaven. Can't wait til next time!