Back 2 School

Ah, the dreaded school days. I have to say I love summer only for the reason of having my kids home! I miss them so much while they are in school. Plus they tend to play really well together 80% of the time so it's not too bad. We have been pretty busy this summer I think! One thing I don't like is that the kids think they have to be doing something every. single. day. I don't think so!

All summer if we asked Tristan if he was excited for school he'd say, "No! I hate school." Stella started getting excited for school as it got closer. The open house got them looking forward to the new school year. They met their teachers and got to see where they'd be sitting and who was in their class. Tuesday morning Tristan says, "Mom, I've missed school!" Yeah, whatever.

Stella loved her first day except she was really missing her friend Sydney who had moved over the summer. She didn't play with anyone at recess which made me sad.

She said:
Mr. Gallagher is funny and very very friendly
Mr. Gallagher has diabetes and told us if he passes out to kick him in the knee to make sure then press a button for help
We have to get use to him eating sugar and sometimes he'll throw candy out to the classroom

Tristan said:
I think this will be the best year
I have the best teacher ever
Apparently he wants to live in the lunch cafeteria
He played with Tyler and a kid Beau at recess
My favorite part was lunch. I finished my lunch first because I was so excited to go to recess. I had to drink my drink really fast

T was exhausted by the end of the day. I didn't think he'd be so tired and hungry after one day of all day school! Hopefully this year will be just as fun for Stella as last year was, and less complaining on Tristan's part in the mornings!

Tristan & Mrs. C

Ready for school!

Excited for Orientation

One happy 4th grader

Lined up. 24 girls and only 8 boys.

First day of 1st grade!

NO! Don't leave MEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Lake Powell

Two weeks before school started we planned one last boating with Shaun and his family. We had never been to Lake Powell (except for Bill many years ago) and have always wanted to go since we got our boat! Shaun and Mistee had been several times so we were extra glad to go with some veterans. We camped off the beach in Bullfrog. I loved the drive down since we were able to go through Capital Reef - my happy place as I refer to it. I have always loved the red rock mountains and Lake Powell was nothing but.

Our first day was hot. Hot. HOT. We played in the water most of the time. It was 78 degrees so it was amazing! Shaun took us to a cave and we swam in there every day of our trip. We loved it! Stella especially. She's my mermaid. Such a water-baby! The kids chased each other around in the water, put wet sand all over their bodies, snorkeled, and loved every minute of it! Our running joke throughout the trip was "What time is it?" We'd all guess and it was always so much earlier than we thought it felt. Don't get me wrong, it's great when time goes by slow while on vacation, but this felt ridiculously slow at times!

Friday morning was stormy. We woke up to lightning in the mountains behind us which then turned to all around us! We huddled under the canopy and watched how awesome it looked! I tried to get some really good pictures but was never fast enough. Grrrr. It cleared up for a few minutes so we did a little skiing, fishing and swimming. Of course as we got back to make dinner a huge wind storm came and got into EVERYTHING. It took Shaun approximately 2 hours to cook their pork chops! We all gathered into our barely 4 man tent to play some cards and complain. Shaun's tent blew down and Makayla's was on the verge.

Saturday was beautiful! Perfect weather. We spent most of the day driving down Moki Canyon. It was incredible!! I loved it so much! Incredibly tall red and white mountains. I kept thinking how much I wish my grandpa were there to see it. He would be thrilled. Bill and Shaun cliff dived, we fished some more (still no fish to this point) and more swimming. We all enjoyed some yummy ice cream from the dock. Tristan caught the first fish and Bill caught a teeny tiny fish that night. It wasn't what he expected the fishing to be, but when you're somewhere as beautiful as Powell what's not to like. The day was absolutely perfect!

Sunday we cleaned up, packed up, loaded up, and headed on our very long journey home after a bit of knee boarding. Tristan got up and was even showing off (shocker, I know) by doing it one-handed. No hands at first when the handle was still attached. Stella didn't get up but liked being pulled around on it. Now for the pictures. Lots and lots of them. You've been warned!

Photography Friday

August:

Back to school shopping.

Thrifty Thursday

I have been looking for some cool chairs in decent shape for my kitchen. I want to mix and match chairs and eventually paint my table. Can't do that til I decide on how to redo my kitchen yet. Anyways, I came across these beauties! I love the back, they were in great shape and I could easily reupholster them!

Before:

After: