Jackson

We went on this trip back in August, but it has taken me until now to write about it.  Our last big hurrah for summer was a trip with my family to Jackson.  My family lived there for about five years when I was growing up, and I love visiting.  It's beautiful.  We stayed at a great condo in Wilson and did lots of the fun stuff Jackson has to offer.

Our first day we drove to Yellowstone.  The kids not so patiently waited for Old Faithful and fun was had by all.  We probably got a little too extreme with the warnings to Ian when we hiked around on the paths by the hot pots because pretty soon he wanted a shoulder ride and was scared to be anywhere near them!
 

 

 

   

Jer and I headed out Saturday morning for a trail run.  I was worried the whole time we might become bear bait.  That afternoon Luke, Seth, Jer, my dad, and I floated the river.  It was weird to pay money for a commercial trip, but we had lots of fun.  The boys earned their dog tags by taking a dunk in the Snake.

 

A fun day spent at String Lake.

 

  
Way across the lake you can see Jer, Luke and Seth hunting for frogs.  We caught tons.  I helped for quite a while until I was just too disgusted by the deep mud that kept sucking my sandals off—stinky and gross but perfect for frogs.

  Ian spent quite a bit of time rowing around with my dad being the "captain" of the boat.

  

   

  

 We also went to church in town, did some souvenir shopping, and just hung out at the condo.  Good times in a beautiful place.

First Days

One of these days I'll finish up summer, but I'm happy to say everyone's first day of school was a success.  We're in to the third week and they are liking it.  They do miss their old school and friends some, but they are really enjoying their new one too.  They seem to like their teachers, and they are making friends.  It will be so much easier for them once we move and they can invite friends from school home easier.  Right now we're still in limbo a bit.  Driving the kids 20 minutes to school each day is painful, but we'll survive.  I feel like I live in the van now.  The boys were really nervous the night before school started but Jer gave them each a blessing, and they calmed right down.  I was so proud of them when they both jumped out of the van and ran into their new school with smiles on their faces.  I did that as a kid too, and it does take courage!

Seth lost his tooth the night before school started.  He had us tie it to the sliding door and then open it.  We got it on video, and it's pretty cute.  He seemed shocked it actually worked.  The kids have a bit of a nazi bus driver on the days they ride the bus home to our new bus stop.  It's also way crowded and takes forever, but I guess that's part of growing up.

  1st and 4th graders!!

 First and last first day of school at great granny's house!

 New school!

Ian also started preschool this week, and he loves it!  He goes two days a week.  Good luck to his teacher.

 

 

Leah seems a bit bummed she doesn't go to school like the brothers, but she did start dance class again. She has grown up so much this summer and there was no clinging.  She was so excited, ran in the door, and didn't look back.  She has been asking me all day today to go again.  So cute!

Cute Cowboy

Another summer family tradition is heading to Preston to go to the parade and rodeo with Jer's family.  This year was also Jer's 20th class reunion (holy crap we're old), so we hit that too.  Ian sometimes dresses up in some old boots that belonged to Luke.  Jer told him rodeos were for cowboys, and he could wear boots if he wanted.  He came down a few minutes later dressed complete with boots and hat!

Bear Lake

I'm way behind, so I'm just getting around to posting some pictures from our annual 4th of July trip to Bear Lake.  We had so much fun.  We have spent this holiday with my cousins and now our kids for as long as I can remember, and I really look forward to it.  I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.