The BIG 30

HAPPY 30TH TO ME!!!

For my 30th birthday all I wanted to do was be with

my kids.  My sweet Mother in law came over

to be with Owen.  While I ate lunch with Paige

and hung out with Riley during her lunch. 

They did not know I was coming so they were

pretty excited that I would want to come be with

them for my birthday.  My Mother in law offered

to watch the kids so I could go shopping or something

fun like that.  But to me lunch with the kids was

so much more fun! 

Later that night my family came over.  My mom made

me a cake and drove down from Idaho just

to be with me. My sister put up some decorations 

to make my birthday special.  My brother

made a picture slide show of child hood pictures

all the way up to now.  I got funny gifts which

my husband still does not understand why getting a extra 

large Justin Bieber poster would be funny!  One of

those things you kind of had to be there for!

My family was so wonderful making my day  

fun and exciting.

I love you all for everything you do for me and

everything you are to me.

That was what made my day the BEST was

being with you all! 

Cake, Ice Cream and Cousins.  Owen was

in heaven. 

I try to snap a picture of me and my family

on my birthday and everyone else's.  We almost

forgot. I got one right before the kids went to bed. 

Fun with Friends

We invited are friends the Hazen's and Roush's

up to the cabin with us for the weekend.

It was a ton of fun! 

 We tried to get a picture of the face Owen

makes when we put sunscreen on but

instead we got this one.  Still cute! Normally

he puckers up his lips and closes his eyes.

The water was cold of course but the sun was nice

and it was fun swimming.

Owen, Max, Ellie, Sade and Riley

While up at north beach we met up with the 

Birds and Halls.  Lots of fun being with so

many friends!

Sierra was so tired from the sun and water 

that she crashed before bed time. 

  

We stayed up way too late playing games,

and munching on yummy food!  But we'd all

do it again!  

First Day of School

The first Day of School. 

Riley starting 3rd Grade

in Mrs. Tatro's class

on "B" track

Paige starting 1st Grade

in Mrs. Imlers class

on "B" track

(her substitute was Mrs. Borup)

They are such cute sisters.  I did not

tell them to hold hands they just do

those things. 

Paige was so excited to go to school all Day

and to be able to eat school lunch.  

Paige had a long term substitute 

 for the first 4 months.  Her real teacher

had a baby and was on maternity leave. 

Riley was excited to have her own locker again.

2nd graders were in the portable last year so

she did not get one. 

Kindergartners don't actually start school on the

same days as the other grades they just have an 

orientation.  But Sierra was still so excited. 

She got right to work tracing her hand

as the teacher asked.  

 She thought it was pretty cool that on her

first day she got a gift from her teacher. 

Sierra's actual first day was the day after

all the other grades. 

Sierra starting Kindergarten

in the afternoon with Mrs. Poulsen

on "B" track

Sierra loved having a new bigger book

back then the tiny one she had for

preschool.  

Sierra quickly found her name on the desk and

was ready to get learning. She did not care much

if I stuck around like her other two sisters. 

Fun with Cousins

Every year we try to plan a week or weekend we

can spend at the cabin with Brandon's family. 

This year it was the week before the 24th of July

week end.  Brandon's sister Alli also came

in town and we were all together for a few days. 

The kids love every minute together and hate it when

cousins have to go back to Iowa. 

So with the time they had they made the best of it

and did what they do best. Sierra and Olivia played

in the sand.

Maddie and Paige soaked in the warm water.

Savannah and Riley did everything. 

Grandma did what she does best,

play and love the kids.

Austin, Grandma and Owen

Grandpa did what he does best and I must

say better then anyone else.  

Sierra was being so fearless this weekend.  She

wanted to ski over and over again.  And as soon

as we cheered her on once for waving while skiing 

 she would not stop and thought she was so cool! 

 We loved it! 

Finally we got Paige out again.  She use to ski without

questioning it but then developed a little fear and

we had to bribe and beg and she eventually 

did it even with a smile. 

Owen loved the water and could not get enough.

With his new floaty I was not overly nervous with 

him in the water and I did  not have to walk

right beside him.  He loved just walking into the

water and going until he could not touch and just

float on his tummy then his back.   I hope he 

continues to like the water. 

We put Austin and Owen in the tubes next to Brandon

and they giggled and giggled the entire time. 

Poor Owen got a swim suit rash and had to chill a

bit in freedom to air out!  I bet he loved that.

Eating his chicken nuggets and grapes with

nothing on but a t-shirt! 

The kids did not let Grandma forget the traditional

summer waving of the flag parade.  It never gets old

for them each year.  And I guess us adults get 

a kick out of the kids each year too! 

 Maddie, Josh, Sierra, Owen and Tate

Paige  and Olivia 

Not all of us were up to hiking to Bloomington Lake

after the rain. We wanted to take naps and lounge

at the cabin.  But Spencer, Jeff, Brandon, Sierra,

Josh and Paige wanted to go with. 

Last Day with cousins.  Trying to get 11 kids to

smile at the same time while looking at the camera

is asking way to much.  But they are so cute anyway! 

And my cute four! 

The girls think their job on the boat is to sit in the

front and squeal and giggle when Grandpa goes fast!

Brandon and I helped the kids make a 

sand castle with a moat.  Well the kids

thought it was cool. 

My kids thought they would be funny and try

to push their dad into the water when we were

cleaning up and ready to go. He let them think

they could do it.   

Floats and More

Grandma Gardner took Paige, Sierra and Owen

down to the 24th of July Parade Expo while

I was with Riley at her Day Camp.

I was not there and would have love to.

But Mom's can't be everywhere and that is why 

we have wonderful Mothers to help us.  

Paige loved fighting a pirate!

Owen loved the floats that looked like trains of course!

Not sure what they are doing here.  Construction

I guess. 

This was a wagon raised up.  They had to climb a 

ladder to get into it.  

 Grandma has taken

them to this before.  It's fun to see the floats up 

close specially since we don't always make it

to the parade. 

Day Camp

Riley was so excited for her first Day Camp for

Activity Days.  She got to go to Camp Kiesel.

And I came along to be a helping mom.  Which

we both enjoyed being together.  I wonder how long

she'll want me to tag along. 

The first rotation was gun shooting.  It was a bit

tricky for her.  It was a little hard for her

to reload the bullet in the gun each time she shot.

But she finally got the hang of it and hit a target.

Next was the archery.  Which was Riley's favorite.

She could have spent all day there.

Then the girls got to pound leather and make their

own camp Kiesel tag. 

Riley is a bit of a perfectionist and got a little

frustrated when she messed up but it turned out

all right.    

The girls then went on a small hike.  

 They then got to learn how to row in a boat.

The girls are so cute clinging together.

Sydnee, Hallie, Aspen and Riley

Some of the boats did not move much.  It was a 

bit tricky trying to get everyone to row at the same

time.  Riley had a good Row instructor and

they all worked together well. 

Riley surprisingly like this rotation.  She got

to walk on a tight rope while everyone cheered

her on. 

I loved going with her to share these experiences

with her.  I'm one of those mom's that don't

want to miss a thing.  It was a long day

and we were all ready to head home.