Fall CAMPING! Hiking Timpanogas Cave

This past weekend we went and spent a few nights up in the American Fork Canyon.  It was so much fun and the weather  and the scenery were to die for.  I love FALL CAMPING! There is a chill in the air and the colors of the leaves are changing and the mountains are beautiful. We are so lucky to live so close to the mountains and to Timp Cave.

 This is before the hike even started, we had a little wait before we could start hiking the trail, so they decided they needed a little snack.  This is the picture KADE gave me, his true colors shining through!

 Just a little pit stop to take a quick picture.  The kids were all troopers and didn't even want to stop for a break, it was awesome.

 At the half way mark!  Looking off at a fire that has been burning for 2 weeks.

 YEAH!  We made it to the TOP,  now we have to wait again before our tour starts.  All the kids glad we are at the top.

 KADE waiting patiently in line, he didn't want any other group to get into the cave before us.  It paid off, because he got to be our tour guides helper through the whole cave, he thought was was awesome!

 Sadie needing a little drink from Kade's camel back,  Kade of course telling her not to drink it ALL!

 Mitchell and Kade chopping a little wood for our campfire that night!  

GOOD WORK BOYS!

 This is why I LOVE FALL IN UTAH!  The colors were amazing and I am so grateful I got to see the leaves before they are all gone.  I always wait to long or miss them all together.

 We went fishing up at Silver Lake,  the water was down a lot, but that didn't stop us from throwing in our poles for an hour or tow.  Kade caught one and the others just played around.

 Mitchell playing a little football while he waits for a fish to bite.

 Sadie and Mitchell waiting ever so patiently.  

 Cute kids, decided it would be more fun to go and climb a big rock.  

 STRIKE A CRAZY POSE!

 Our view of Tibble Fork Resivoir, from our drive down from fishing. BEAUTIFUL!

Sadie wanted to stop on the way down and get her picture with these fall leaves.  She pretty much blended in with the tree.  IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL TREE, WITH A BEAUTIFUL GIRL IN FRONT IF IT!  WE LOVE FALL & CAMPING AT OUR HOUSE!

Mitchell's 12th Birthday!

It is hard to believe that Mitchell is now 12.  He had a fabulous birthday.  He woke up to a tower of donuts for his birthday cake and of course a little chocolate milk and then he was off to his football game.  He did a great job and made some great tackles, and to top it off his team WON!  That night, Scott and I took him to a nice dinner with just the 3 of us.  He decided he wanted to eat at Market Street Grill.  It was fun being with just 3 of us and chatting about life and how he is growing up way to quick!

 Sunday, he received the Aaronic Priesthood.  Scott gave him a wonderful blessing and we are so proud of him and we are grateful he is choosing the right and making good decisions in his life.

 Mitchell's grandparents were able to make it to his ordination, and then we had them over for a nice Sunday dinner and a homemade Strawberry Pie!  Mitchell's favorite!

WE are so lucky to be MITCHELL'S parents.  He is a great help around the house, he is an amazing brother, he loves his brother and sister and he would do anything for them.  He is smart and athletic and really an all a round #1 son.  We love you Mitchell and we are grateful to have you in our FAMILY!

1st Day of School for ALL the KIDDOS!

Summer came to an end way to soon and the kids started school once again.  This year I have a 6th grader, a 4th grader and a big 1st grader.  This day I was a ball of mixed emotions.  We had a busy summer and it went by way to fast, yet the kids were starting to bug each other and we needed a little structure and a routine back in our lives.

 Mitchell is in the 6th grade.  He likes school and has a fabulous teacher, so he thinks this year should be great.  He is excited to be king of the school for one last year.

 The kids were not super thrilled about all the pictures I made them take before school started, but one day they might appreciate all my efforts for trying to capture the moment.

Kade is in the 4th grade and he is thrilled with his teacher and classmates.  Good luck buddy!
 Kade and Mitchell are pretty simple to please in their school wardrobes.  Just make sure it has a Nike sign and they are happy campers.  They are great buddies and it is so much fun to see them growing up and watching out for each other,  ( most days)

 Sadie was all smiles on the first day of school.  She could not wait to walk to school with the neighbors, have school all day, eat lunch in the lunchroom and have a long recess.  I was so sad, she didn't even want me to walk her the first day,  she had it all planned out to walk with the neighbors.  My heart was broke for a day or two and then I got over it quickly.

 My 3 cute kiddos, all ready for a new school year!  

2012-2013 YEAR here they come!

I am so grateful for each of my children and the joy and happiness they each bring into my life.  It is so weird to have them all in school, but I know I will soon find plenty of things to fill up all my quiet time.

Sadie's 1st Soccer Game!

Sadie started SOCCER!  She was soooo excited to finally have a sport to play of her own.  She has always been a good sport and has watched many, many sports that her brothers play.  So finally having a sport where she was the one playing instead of watching was super exciting for her.

She plays on a soccer team of all girls.  Their team name is the Orange Fireballs!

She was super excited to take pictures with her new ball and the whole soccer outfit!  She looked like a pro from head to toe!

Here is Sadie showing me how you dribble a soccer ball. This is all new to me!

Sadie and  a few of her teammates cheering on the other players while they had a water break!

Sadie was super fast and aggressive and she even scored a goal for her team!  It was fun to watch her and she was all smiles when the game was over and was already wondering when her next game was.

We are so glad she has found a sport that she loves and that the brothers have to come and watch her for a change.  Go get another Goal Sadie, we love you!

Park City Getaway!

We went and spent a week up in Park City at the Marriott Mountain Side.

We had a fabulous time and did a lot of relaxing, laughing and eating some YUMMY FOOD!

Kade and Sadie particpated in the Summer Olympics up in Park City!  They had a fabulous time and placed gold!

We are should I say, They swam from sun up until sun down and we even did a few night swims.  The kids could not get enough of the swimming, it was a great activity with all the HOT weather we have been having.

Mitchell and Kade of course had to fit a little baseball into their vacation.  Its only been 2 weeks and they are both already missing the game of baseball.

We spent the entire day at the Alpine Slide and the Sky Coaster.  It was such a fun day and we loved every minute of it.

Mitchell posing getting ready for the coaster ride!

Sadie and Dad waiting for the coaster to start!

Mom and Sadie on the Alpine Slide!  Wow, that was FAST!

Nothing beats a family ride on the chair lift!

Kade and Mitchell all set to hit the Alpine Slide!

Mitchell and Kade showing off there stuff in the pool!

Mitchell catching some air on the jumpoline!  He was able to do a triple back flip.

Kade trying to get a few back flips in himself.

Sadie keeping up with the big boys.  All SMILES!

YES,  Sadie did backflips too!  She will do anything to keep up with her brothers.

COOLING OFF WITH A LITTLE SNO SHAK!

ALPINE SIDE, here we come.

Rock wall climbing.  WAY TO GO MITCHELL!

Kade, keep going you are almost there!

Once again,  Sadie had to give it a try.  She did GREAT!

They made it look easy, so mom had to give it a try also.  She was not so shabby herself!

KADE doing a little bit of syncronized swimming!  Just one problem he was the only one doing it!  It was fun to watch and gave us a good laugh.

DIVING CONTEST!  I love Sadie has to hold her nose like her mom.

Cute, Cute kiddos!  All dressed up and no where to go,  Oh  yeah!
LETS GO GET SOME ICECREAM!

SADIE looking cute as ever!

Scott took the boys on a golfing trip while Sadie and I hit the shops and a little lunch!
Kade and Mitchell showing off their mad golf skills.

Kade focusing on the ball.

The boys loved the cart~ It's the only way to play a round of golf.

Mitchell showing off his golf swing!  Scott had to shout 4 soon after this shot.

Go get'm TIGER!

 We had a wonderful vacation.  We love being together as a family and we had a fun and relaxing time together once again.