Summer's End

There are many things that lead up to the end of summer, but I still try to deny them all until fall officially arrives. We had a summer that flew by, and now September is coming to an end. Today is Cameron's birthday. I cannot believe that he is 7. It seems like only yesterday when I was anticipating the day he would be born, even though he was 10 days early. He was born on Paul's mom's birthday. She had told me all during my pregnancy he was going to be born on her birthday, I just said how nice that would be, but this being my first I was sure he was going to be overdue. Cam has always taken pride in sharing a birthday with his grammy Barb. Then two years ago he got another surprise. Tasia had Emma on his birthday as well. Cam thinks this is fabulous and has a special connection with Barb and Emma. The problem comes when Alyssa feels sad that no one shares a birthday with her. (mind you she was born a day before Tanya). You don't realize how quickly kids grow up! I can see Cam's interests change to more grown up interests. He won't miss an outing with his dad, even if he has to wake up at 4:30 a.m. and hike all day to look for wildlife, then turn around and do it again the next day. I read a quote that says, "The great man is he who does not lose his child's heart." I hope that Cam will follow in his father's footsteps and always be a child at heart.
Happy Birthday Cam!
Hopefully I will post pictures soon.

Oregon- Washington

The trip to the Northwest was interesting to say the least. We were exchanging dozer blades for Jack and picking up a new processor head for Paul to limb trees with. After finding out that the guy we needed to meet with wasn't working on Friday, when we were planning on meeting with him we quickly gathered everything and left our house at 10:00pm on a Tuesday. We drove for 23 out of 25 hours before stopping. The kids were absolutely wonderful. They were very well behaved and went potty when we stopped for fuel. I was a little concerned with Alyssa since she hates her car seat and often uses the potty to get out of things. One of my favorite conversations while driving was when Alyssa was being mean to Cameron. I told her she should be nice because one day she'll want him to protect her if someone is being mean to her. She pauses for a moment, looks at me and says, "No, I will kick they ass." Oh my sweet, princess! Paul and I just laughed and think she is probably right.
Once we finally got business taken care of, we went to the ocean.

This was the highlight of Cam's trip. Even though the water was cold, he still loved it. Alyssa on the other hand was not so sure of the water.

I took this at 10:30 Pacific time. Their sleeping schedules definitely got messed up.

Busy, busy, busy

So I have been slacking on the blog. To start our summer we began with Alyssa's birthday (the end of May). All she wanted was a pink butterfly cake, from everyone. I was very grateful when we didn't end up with ten different cakes.


Here is my attempt with cake decorating.

The month of June was very busy. A brief overview, the first of the month we took off to Las Vegas where Paul's sister lives. Her oldest son was receiving his Court of Honor and graduating from high school on the same weekend. An odd twist, one of the stakes nearby had ordered some logs from the mill for their girls camp. The place ended up being about 40 minutes out of Vegas, so we hooked on to the trailer off we went.
The day before we went to Vegas my mom took all the grandkids to Lagoon.

I love this picture with the kids holding hands.

Grandpa Jack with the kids and the logs we took to Vegas.
All the kids wanted to do was swim in Aunt Lezlee's pool.

Spa Treatment

In an attempt to create some calmness around the house, I found some eye patches and told the kids that if they put them on it would make their eyes feel better. I told them they needed to leave them on for 10 minutes. They couldn't stop giggling and I think it made them more wound up than they were before. Oh well, they thought it was cool.

Lake Powell

Every spring we head to Lake Powell to go fishing.  Here are a few pics.
This was the scene before we left.  
During the drive.  
  

Typical sight, trying to keep a couple poles in the water while the others are getting more bait.
Cam needed to try a different spot after his pole wasn't as hot as the others.
The four guys taking a breather.
Alyssa enjoyed playing on the rocks more than fishing.
Cam patiently waiting for a bite.
Like father like son!
The only time Alyssa would help reel in a fish is when she sat on my lap.

Lake Powell

Cam and Alyssa
Paul and Alyssa with the fish she finally decided to be OK to reel in.

Cameron's Skiing Adventure

Our Family Update

During the summer we had family pictures together. Here is one of the kids.

Alyssa loves to put on makeup. She finds it everywhere and before we know it she has it smeared all over. Isn't it pretty?Cameron is a deer on skis.

I am pretty sure that these two would live outside if it were possible. They love to be outside and play in the snow, rain, mud, or whatever else the weather brings to us.

Cameron is wearing his Turtle halloween costume while jumping his four-wheeler.