It's the MOST Wonderful Time of the year

It's finally here!! The time of year we all wait for. The quiet house, the time when you no longer have to yell just to hear yourself, the wonderful time of a CLEAN HOUSE (for at least 3 hours)...yes, school has officially started! Last Wednesday was the first day of school for 2nd-6th graders at Crescent Elementary School. Being in 1st grade, Dallin started the day after. He had an assessment with his teacher the day before. He woke up at 7am the morning of, asking if it was time to go to school. It was so cute. We have been talking about 1st grade all summer and how cool it is to be there ALL day and to eat lunch in the cafeteria. As for Kailee, she had to wait an entire week. Kindergarten assessments are 40 minutes long...do the math. She woke up everyday more excited than the day before. She had her assessment yesterday (one of the downfalls/perks of having a last name that starts with Z), and was even more anxious to get to school. She is excited to ride the bus and no longer be a pre-schooler. As much as I adore my little loves, I adore my sanity too!!

Merry Back To School!!!!!

Camping at Jordanelle

Last weekend we went camping with some friends. It was great to talk around the campfire, roast marshmallows, watch the kids run around at night with their flashlights, four wheel, boating, etc. etc. and just have lots of fun. There are a lot of pictures, but its always more fun to see, than to read what happened. We have decided to make this an annual trip! Thanks everyone for making this so much fun!!!

The Girls (minus the Biggs)

The Guys (minus the Biggs)

(some of) The kids

Dallin helping Gus set up the tent

Kailee and Becky infront of our view from our campsite

Tylie getting into the marshmallows as we set up

Chaunda entertaining the kids as the guys help each other set up in the dark

Kids roasting marshmallows

Dallin loved the boat

Scott made Gus flip off the 1st minute. After that, he got pretty good at staying on.

Chaunda and Becky taking a ride with Jameson and Tylie

Tylie and Jayda have got to be the funniest 2 year olds together. 

The girls (minus Chaunda and Tracy) on the rockiest beach ever

Tylie ready for a ride on the four wheeler

Tylie chilling on the camp chair by the fire with chocolate all over her face

No idea how many smores this kid had

Tyler taking Kailee for a ride. How cute are these girls?

Kailee said she wanted to go on the water weeny...TOTAL shock!

The kids ready to go for a ride

This mini four wheeler was a hit with all the kids, thanks Ben and Kristi!!

The 2 little ones at it again. Seriously, they are hilarious together.

This really was a fun weekend. Next year, we should make it a longer camping trip.

Too Good to be True...

Do you ever have those moments where you just KNOW they're too good to be true??? The past few days, we've had a rare situation repeat itself... rare, but SOOO nice! Kailee, after a few minutes of sitting in her car seat (going anywhere-no where in particular) will say, "Let's play the quiet game!" Becky and I will OF COURSE agree and play along. We count down, "Three, two, one..." and then the kids proceed to blow their cheeks up full of air, and stop talking... Either Bec or I are usually the first to break the silence by saying, " I think the kids are going to win!" Then pretend we didn't mean to loose the game-which makes them even more excited that they're gonna beat mom and dad. All-in-all, it only lasts a few minutes. But those are precious QUIET moments in the car. Too good to be true? Maybe.  But for now-they're true... and we'll soak up the moments-while they last.

ADDENDUM to : Our Little Monkey!

Equation

(1) distracted parent + (1) unattended 2 year old = dishwasher open and being rearranged!

See what I mean?! It was loaded to begin with. She unloaded the top rack, then put them back in where she wanted them to be!

Our Little Monkey!

Who: Tylie Addison

What: Backs away from the dishwasher after being scolded by dad

Where: Our kitchen/computer desk

When: This evening (and just about every other evening)

Why: She closes the dishwasher EVERY TIME it's being loaded or unloaded-drives me nuts! Once the dishwasher door opens, she's right there, ready to start either taking dishes and utensils out (that were just loaded) or she grabs the door and closes it, sending the dish rack rolling away and slamming into the back... we tell her, "Ty... no no..."   "Tylie. No."   "TYLIE- NO."

Well, this evening she got a little scared and started backing away from the dishwasher. She backed right into the wall, stopped abruptly, and gave me the biggest puppy dog eyes ever (she's pretty good at that). I thought, I HAVE to record this if it happens again. Sure enough, there she was a minute later doing it again. This time there were a few words exchanged between her and I:

Me: Nooo...

Tylie: All Done.

Me: Are you all done?

Tylie: (shakes her head no)

 This time there weren't the puppy dog eyes like before; just a feeble attempt at rubbing her eyes as it she were tired... Nonetheless, it was just as cute. That little booger! All you can do is fight back the smile that's so desperately wanting to break through the tough parent face...

Another month's gone by, & summer's slipping away...

I think it's safe to say that we're monthly blog poster-ers (if that's even a word; doubt it is)! Summer so far has been a blast. It's going by too fast, actually. It seems June was all rain, and now that July's almost over, I look back and wonder "What have we been doing??? Where has the month gone???" One's thing's certain-our family LIVES for summer weather! Becky loves the sun; she thrives on it. Dallin and Kailee are now joined by Tylie in loving the water; they'd go swimming everyday if we let them-DESPITE sun burns! I love shorts, t-shirts and flip-flops; they get more than their fair share of use during these months... Needless to say, we've enjoyed the past month of activities; hanging out outside (when it's not blistering hot), firework shows, evenings at the park with friends, pools and water slides, grass (may sound funny, but you really learn to appreciate/miss it come January and February), Fourth of July, Draper Days, Thanksgiving Point Gardens, Pioneer Day, etc., etc., etc...

Here are a few (and by few, I mean a TON) of picture updates of this past month... Enjoy!

The Gardens in the summer

We recently found out that the Gardens at Thanksgiving Point has a different themed activity going on every Monday night for the rest of the summer! So far, those we've attended have been Christmas in July, School Night, and Super Hero Day... Next week is Super Waterslides! Anyone wanna join?

Kailee and her SUPER powers

Dallin and his ripping muscles

"Melting Snowballs" which really were nothing more than kiddy pools with TONS of cut out sponges to throw at each other! TOO much fun! had we known, we would've taken towels with us...

You have to notice Kailee's terrified expression "Someone PLEASE help me!" and Dallin's expression of sheer pleasure knowing he's about to drench is sister with the two loaded sponges he's carrying!

Posing by the waterfalls (they're more beautiful than this picture shows)

Santa! in my favorite, shorts and flip-flops! He made sure the kids knew he is STILL watching them... and to be extra good...