Zoo Trip

We were able to have Sarah and Reed for the weekend so we planned a trip to the zoo. It was a little crazy with just Jared and I and six kids but we made it and hopefully everyone had fun. Sidney, Hagen, Reed, Olivia, and Sarah (I don't know where Kaleigh was in this pix)
Hagen was able to give the bird a dollar donation. He thought that was pretty cool.

Dad, Mom, and Sidney looking at the Giraffes

Reed and Hagen on the train

Olivia, Kaleigh, and Sarah on the train

First Day of School!!!

So excited for school to start for my sake and the kids as well.

This year Hagen tested to be able to get into the free preschool that Westmore Elem. offers and he made it. I think part of it was that he couldn't even tell the teacher how old he was, even though he asks me all the time. He is so excited and loves that he get to go to the big kid school. My little Kaleigh is in 1st grade this year. She is getting so big and so smart that she amazes me every day with what she learns and how well she is reading. She has become really picky with what she wears. Last year I could pick something out and she would wear it. This year she would rather find something else than wear what I have picked out. But the best part of 1st grade is that she now gets to eat school lunch. She thinks that is pretty cool.

Mesa Falls Marathon/Yellowstone Trip

We usually do a little something before starts to end the summer and start a new school year. This year we went to Idaho with my two brothers and their family. We stayed with Julie's aunt and uncle who live in Rexburg. They were really nice to accommodate all of us. My brother, Sheldon, and his wife, Julie, signed up to run the Mesa Fall marathon (Sheldon) and half Marathon (Julie). They did awesome! I don't know that I could do that my self. After the marathon was over we all hopped into our vehicles and drove to Yellowstone. Surprisingly, Jared had never been. We had a lot of fun and we were really sad to only have one day their, but the time we had was pretty amazing. It did rain a good part of the day but I think it made the sites even more amazing. Our family waiting for Old Faithful to erupt. The kids thought it was really cool, but couldn't quite understand the concept of hot water squirting out of the ground.

Olivia, Kaleigh, Juile, sheldon, Sidney, and Hagen sitting by the old faithful lodge.

Jared and Sidney checking out some of the sites.

Cute little Sid thought it was fun to poke her little head out of the blanket and smile at the people.

Sidney and Kaleigh

While we were driving we came upon a bison eating on the side of the road. We also saw a huge elk, but couldn't get a good pix since he was back in the trees.

We headed home on Sunday but before we left we went to the Sand Dunes and had a lot of fun.

We had sand everywhere. The kids took a good bath when they got home.

Sidney and Jace playing in the sand.