Another Birthday!

Another birthday has snuck up on us! A big round number this time! Luckily I had some good company to help jump start another great year!

Lilly was my little buddy in enjoying all my free birthday food! She didn't seem to mind a bit!

Cindy and Amber were brave enough to join me on a bike ride to the top of Suncrest to celebrate 30 awesome years and prove to myself I can still do anything I set my mind to! Whenever we told anyone about it before they looked at us a little crazy, and asked if we knew what we were getting ourselves into. 

Half way up! (and so ready to quit!)

At the top!!!! We made it!

And . . . the end! Honestly it wasn't terrible! I wouldn't say it was easy, but it was more a test of endurance than anything! Thanks girls!

Later that day the family helped me enjoy some good ice cream to top it all off!

(Don't mind Lilly's face. It was a panoramic picture and she wouldn't hold still!! No spoons in the ice cream she just had to get her chance!) 

Back to School

Back to School

This kid is in 2nd grade! He was a little nervous about a new class and teacher, but he is loving it all now that we are a few weeks into it! He is soooo good at making friends and loves his new class, especially his teacher!

This big guy has taken a huge step in starting kindergarten! There was no fear in his eyes! He asked how many hours till school the whole day! 

Second in line, anxious to get into school already!

Successful first day of school!!

Happy Birthday Benson!

Benson had a month long birthday!! 

We started with a friend birthday party! It was kind of crazy, but I've never seen a happier bunch of ninja's!

The obstacle course

The gang!

Happy Birthday!

The real fun started when Grandma joined in the sword fighting! One of the boys ran inside and said "Guys come outside the real fighting has started!" (Because Grandma was playing!)

Thanks to Grandma Kay for her help! I never could have done it without her!!

 Then we celebrated a few days before his birthday so we didn't have to haul his presents on our camping trip on his actual birthday!

And then he ended up sick with a fever on his birthday! He had a smile on his face most of the day though! He fell asleep that night before we could sing to him and serve his cake though!

So we made sure to sing to him with everyone on Sunday at family dinner, and to bring this awesome birthday some closure! :)  

Happy Birthday Buddy!

More July Fun!

With all the fun meeting up with friends we were sure to get in some time with family before the summer came to a close. 

We got to watch Addie for a weekend while Heather went on a trip! The kids absolutely adored her! They were so sweet with her and made sure she was always happy (which was always, she is such a good baby)!

Grandma Kay came to visit for a couple days! We loved having her and showing her around some of our favorite spots.

We went down to Flagstaff to spend some time with Kevin and Kay. The kids loved the kayak. I think it was Lilly's first time riding in it! Benson loved paddling it by himself, and I tried my hand at the paddle board (with a Kayak!)   :)

We also caught some horse competitions at Ft. Tuthill!

and it's always exciting to walk around downtown Flagstaff! This time: friendly birds! He loved my sweater!

A couple side notes: Prizes and Soccer!

Spencer won the no cavity drawing at the dentists office! A big stash of board and card games! Best part was the Battle Ship, one of his favorite games!

The next week we spent several days with Cindy and her kids. 

We hit everything at Thanksgiving Point and Wheeler Farm.

Best Buds!

Angie was in town and we got to spend a few days with her and the kids as well. Definitely not long enough though!

Here the boys are getting fencing lessons from Madison's cousins who just moved to Utah from London. They know the real stuff. It was pretty fun to watch!

Park hopping! Wish we could see them more! Even after two days together Spencer cried when they left! 

24th of July we spent with Josh and BreeAnne's family and then explored Butterfield Canyon close by.

After those busy couple of weeks Spencer started school, but skipped out on Friday so we could go to the Turnbow reunion.

First time floating down the river (more than 20 ft)!

This one takes the cake for best of show! Benson thought the Clawson's Gigantisizor was real! He wanted to do more the next day!

7's Hand Game

Toothless t-shirts! Definitely the favorite!

Wow! What a month! We wouldn't have changed a thing or cancelled anything, but we were so worn out by the end! We are ready for school and routine and some "just being home" time!