My Birthday

Birthdays are never quite as exciting when you are an adult and I wasn't expecting much for mine. I knew a lot of my friends are working this year or still have small kids/babies but I was happily surprised that 2 friends took me out to breakfast. I also received some texts and phone calls. 

I also got a cookie delivery from my sister!

Kaylee had a cross country meet and as my present she beat her personal record!

For dinner Jake got my favorite Costa Vida Salads.

Kaylee and Brooke got me presents at the neighbors yard sale- the necklace and sweater. It was really nice of them to think of me! 

Kaylee baked me this delicious cookies and cream cake.

It was a good birthday!

Anniversary/Birthday Get Away

Jake and I stayed in Boise overnight to celebrate our anniversary/ my birthday.

The manager was nice and gave us certificates for a free meal at the hotel restaurant and free drinks at the bar. 

After check in we walked around downtown Boise. There are a lot of restaurants and people out eating and drinking on a Friday night.

We skipped on the food (we already ate dinner at home with the kids) and drinks and got gelato instead. It was so good!

After touring downtown we went back to the hotel- we got our free drinks (the bartender seemed to think we were weird to ask for something non-alcoholic) and enjoyed the pool, hot tub and sauna all to ourselves.

City lights from our room on the 12th floor.

We used our certificates for breakfast in the hotel restaurant and it was delicious. I had actually made a breakfast for us that we would have reheated with the microwave in our room (the hotel breakfast was pricey) but it was much nicer to enjoy this one.

After breakfast we called the kids to make sure they were alive and well, then borrowed the hotel's bikes and rode the city and greenbelt.

It was fun to do - just the 2 of us and a much needed get away!

The kids stayed home alone- they were totally fine with it. They watched tv. slept, then watched tv again in the morning. They also did their Saturday bathroom cleaning before we got home so we rewarded them for their good behavior with donuts from Guru. They were supposed to be amazing but none of us were super impressed- still it was a good incentive for the kids. 

Matt and Tara's Wedding

Matt and Tara got married Aug. 31 at Tara's parent's home in Bountiful Ut.

It was a beautiful ceremony and reception.

There was a lot of dancing and it was so fun! I hadn't danced that much in years. I was a little disappointed that Jake and most of my kids would dance much - or at all. I had to force everyone but Emma on the dance floor.

We also got the joy of decorating the car.

After the wedding we went to Logan for church on Sunday and then headed up to the cabin. This view out the cabin windows never gets old.

We went and hiked Limber pine to get some energy out.

Monday we went on UTV rides.

First Day of School

I made all the kids pose for a picture the night before so they could all be in the picture.

We had our annual back to school feast with the theme of having a positive attitude- something we felt we really need in out home.

We also talked about expectations.

 Here are the real first day of school pictures..

Kaylee- 7th grade

Brooke- 5th grade - Mrs. Kalinski

Austin-2nd grade- Mrs. Arevalo

Emma- Kindergarten- Mrs. Eck

It was really strange and kind of sad coming home all by myself.  It took a little adjustment but I love having all of them gone for a few hours each day.

Blue Lake

The last weekend before school started we went on one last hike in the mountains.

It wasn't quite as warm as we hoped it would be so we didn't end up swimming like we planned on and there were no tiny frogs so it was a little disappointing.

It was beautiful scenery.