August was All Right

We started the month with my birthday. My sweet friend, Lynn, surprised me with this cute flower cake!

Our cameraman was 5 years old, thus the picture quality.

The kids picked out a bouquet of rainbow flowers.

We got in some more slip n' slide and swimming before school started on the 10th.

I can't believe how fast time flies! How do I have a 3rd grader?

My little buddy is in full day kindergarten! I was a little more emotional for him to go to school than I was when Sadie went to Kindergarten. I'm not sure why. Maybe I just felt Sadie was SO ready. Well I guess it was me that wasn't ready for Boston to go. He sure was ready!

Miss Brookyn and I have had to do some serious bonding while the kids are away at school. She loves to do her own 'homework'.

We've also had to have some more play dates with Miss Caroline.

August also brought our Anniversary!

12 years with this guy has been the BEST! Life definitely has it's ups and downs and there's no one I'd rather be with to travel through this adventure.

We are terrible at selfies.

We had our traditional Indian food for dinner. And of course we went to the temple. We kind of flubbed our tradition of going to a different temple every year. We ended up going to the Phoenix Temple again with the intent to go to the Gila Valley Temple soon (We've never been to that one.). We had an AMAZING experience in the Phoenix Temple that day and knew we were in the right place at the right time.

August also brought a leaky water heater. That sucker had to be replaced and caused a lot of damage. Drywall, carpets, and linoleum had to be replaced.

We had to have the drying machines for 3 days. It was a pain.

Miss Sadie drew this freehand while looking at the backpack. I was impressed.

Boston was student of the week, so we made a little visit to his classroom.

Sadie had a pajama party with all the girls in the Stake that were 8-11 years old.

Sadie and Emery

The girls played games and ate breakfast. Then they had a rotation of a spiritual discussion, crafting, and dancing.

This is Miss Saydee. She is in our ward and gets along great with Sadie.

After WAY TOO LONG the drywall and everything was replaced and it looks great!

So long August!

Apple Valley Vacation

We went on a much-needed vacation to Uncle Eric's farm in Apple Valley, Utah. It was so nice to get away from the hubbub of life and flock toward simplicity and quiet. I often lament the structure and confinement that our children have in such a crazy world. I remember running around the neighborhood alone as a kid exploring and getting dirty at a young age. There's no way we could allow that with our kids. Apple Valley is quite rural and it was the perfect way to allow more freedom and exploration for the kids in an unstructured environment. We began our trip celebrating Luke's birthday with a swim party.

Brooklyn frequently reminds us of this pool party. Ryan was throwing kids across the pool as pictured above, but one instance was different. He had Luke in his arms ready to throw him when he felt a little extra weight. The next thing he sees is Brooklyn holding fast to Luke's legs as they both go flying across the pool. Brooklyn thought it was hilarious.

Luke is one hilarious kid!

The following day we went to an Independence Day parade in an adjacent town. They had a fun little festival with bouncy houses, rides, games, and food.

Sadie and Boston didn't go to the festival because all of the primary aged kids were invited to be in the local parade.

The parade was short and sweet and we went back to the farm to light some smoke bombs.

Sadie, Boston, Brooklyn, Julia, Aly, and Luke

Then of course everyone needed a wheel barrow ride.

Aunt Amy is so fun!

A new experience for us city folk, was drinking fresh goat's milk every day. And I must say this brownie with goat's milk ice cream was divine!

That evening we went swimming again at Amy and Eric's bishop's house.

Ryan's cousin, Brittney stopped in for the night. (It's a nice mid-point stop between California and Provo.) Brittney, Eric, Eden, Julia, Lalo, and Ryan were enjoying the morning air.

Julia taught all the kids where to look for the chicken eggs. Most of them are free-range chickens, so they lay all over the property. When they were are all gathered she taught them how to wash and sort them. We even had some turkey eggs for breakfast one morning.

It was hatching season for the baby chicks in the incubator and Ryan got to hold this chick just moments after it hatched.

Boston was in love with all the animals, but he favored a pair of kittens above all. My children tend to be so fearful of animals that I'm embarrassed. It took a few days for them to finally warm up to holding the kittens. They also petted goats, dogs, chickens, lizards, and a horse. --Although they did avoid a certain aggressive turkey named Frankenstein.

On the drive home, we stopped at Antelope Trails Bridge to admire the beautiful vista.

The water was so green and cliffs so red, it was gorgeous!

We are definitely going to make this trip again. It was rejuvenating for our minds and souls.