Back to School

Prepare yourself for picture overload.

The kids started school on Monday.  Back to school is always such a bittersweet time, ahhh no more fighting, no more constantly telling them to turn off the TV, a whole lot less laundry (yes even boys change their clothes multiple times a day) and I can finally keep the house clean for longer than 20 min.  But back to school means that they are growing up, it means that they are away from me for a good portion of the day.  My little helpers, my buddies, I'll miss the impromptu trips to the pool, Popsicle breaks on the patio, watching their tricks on the trampoline, and the general overall laziness that is the very definition of summer.

My mom told me that she cried every year when we started school,  now that I am a mother- I know why. 

This is Brody on Friday, ready for kindergarten orientation.

Mario Kart Wii backpack.

Braiden on the first day of school.

Getting on the bus.

Dropping Brody off at school.

Sitting at his desk. 

Just a little side note, when we walked in to the classroom Brody noticed a little boy across the room and almost immediately went over and said "Hi" He has been playing with that same little boy every day since.  I love how easy it is for kids to make friends.

On another side not I am SO sad that they don't do all day kindergarten here.  We still lived in Omaha when Braiden went to kindergarten and they had all day kindergarten there. It. Was. Great. Boo-Hoo!

This would be a great picture of Hudson if he didn't have dried up boogers and cookie on his face.  I snapped this one while we were waiting for the boys to get off the bus.

Here's Braden- the big bad third grader.

Here's Brody- the big bad kindergartner.

Brody's teacher sent this home on the first day, it brought a tear or two.

I gave you a little wink and a smile

as you entered my room today.

I know it's hard to leave

and simply walk away.

You've been together for several years.

You've been a loving guide.

But now the time has finally come,

to leave your child by my side.

Just know that as you drive away

and tears may start to flow,

I'll love your child as I would my own

And help your little one to grow.

As place a favorite picture here,

and cherish it in your own way.

And know your child will be safe and loved

As we work and learn each day.

Whirlwind Part II and III

The next week...yes week, was spent catching up on laundry.  And then it was time for the event that we have been looking forward to all summer.  Colton and Brooke's wedding.  It was amazing! We are so happy for the newlyweds.

First Dance

We feel so lucky to have been part of their special day.

What a Stud!

Buddies

So cute...I mean handsome!!

The boys checking out the candy bar...they were in heaven!!

Hudson, enjoying a cookie.

Here's Brooke tossing the bouquet.

There's just something about weddings that make you fall in ♥love♥ all over again.

Look at my hunkofahusband in a tux!! {{swoon}}

Got a cute new pic of the family too:

It was a great night!

This past week was spent prepping the kids for school, I will have two in school this year {wow} getting two ready was a lot of work, I can't imagine what it will be like getting all 4 ready for school.  One day we went to Boise and did the clothes shopping (all by my self might I add--with all four kids) Yeah it was kinda crazy but we did it.  I still don't have all of their school supplies I will try the third store tomorrow to see if I can get the rest of the stuff from their lists. There isn't a pink pearl eraser to be found in this town. What?? (Can you believe that it will take 3 different stores to be able to get all of their supplies? I'm kinda irritated about that.)

Nate We signed Braiden up for contact football and I think it has been more work getting all his equipment  rounded up, or maybe it's just the two things combined, I feel that I am about ready to collapse.  He has already had two practices and he seems to love it so far! He looks so cute but yet so little in his football gear.  He has been wearing the shoulder pads and helmet around the house most of the week, thinking is all cool and grown up and stuff. ;)  It only seems fair that Brody gets to play a little football too... so we signed him up for flag football. this is going to be good let me tell ya! Needless to say we are going to be crazy busy with all of the football going on at our house.  Only 3 more years till we can do ballet, only three more years.

Taking the new school supplies for a test drive.

Almost there. ;) just need to add that elusive pink pearl eraser.

Kindergarten orientation tomorrow, first day of school on Monday, will there be tears?...Time will tell.

Whirlwind!!

{ The whirlwind month }

The day after we got back from camping was the Mickelsen family reunion.  It was my mom and dad's turn to host.  It was fun to see everyone!  My sister-in-law had this fun craft for all of the kids:

Bubble Art

Braiden's bubble art. 

James and Tricia brought their sno cone machine, it was a huge hit with adults and kids alike. (thanks so much you guys!!) Hmmm I wonder what color Hudson had???

The best part of the day was when my brother, the toad, won the toad! (the toad is the ever coveted golf trophy passed around year after year.) Way to go Toad!!!

Joslyn is Seven Months Old

{Only a half month late}

Joslyn turned seven months old while we were camping.  This month has been full of milestones.

:: She is crawling now!! (she really started before we left to go camping, but she wasn't able to get down and play for a week so when we got home she had to relearn a bit.)

:: She can go from crawling to sitting and sitting to crawling.

:: She can say mu-ma and da-da!!

:: She ♥s to play patty cake.

:: She loves to play with her brothers.  Wherever they are, you can guarantee that she will be right in the thick of it. See example below.

:: As you can see she still has those chubby/kissable cheeks.

:: She loves to eat.....paper products.  Ack!! Napkins, mail, newspaper, paper towels, you name it.

:: One of her favorite toys is a good ole' fashioned water bottle.

:: She is a smartie, she knows when her brothers are at the table eating lunch, she's bound to find something yummy on the floor.  Ack!!

She is definitely at the age where I have to keep my floors exceptionally clean, because if there is something...anything on them she will find it. Whether or not I do...well- I'll leave that a mystery.

One thing that is not a mystery is that she is very  ♥ loved ♥ by her mu-ma and da-da and her three older brothers.

Hangin' With The Wildlife

{Redfish Lake 2010}

I learned something about myself this past week.  I am afraid of bears.

We took our yearly trip up to the beautiful Redfish lake.  We had a blast-well 95% of the time, the other 5% was spent hiding from bears in our camper.  Just kidding but I wanted to. We have been going up to Redfish for 10 years and have never heard of problems with bears until this year.  They had signs posted everywhere and bear traps set up.  Fun fun! One night after dinner we were sitting around the camp fire and a man came high-tailing it down the trail right by our campsite, he said "just to let you folks know, there is a bear about 10 min up that trail." I freaked-- NATE get the kids and get into the camper now!!! He calmly told me that we weren't going to sit in the camper for the rest of the night-that was just ridiculous, and that I needed to get ahold of myself so that I didn't scare the kids.  So I reluctantly stepped out of the camper and sat in my camp chair with one eye on the woods the entire time!

One morning Braiden stepped out to go...potty, and quickly came back in and said, "Uh-mom, I think that there has been a bear here." So I follow him out and he shows me this:

OK so I am NOT claiming that this is from a bear but I can tell you that it is NOT from a dog and it is NOT from a horse.....

What ever it was walked right down this trail

and left us a lovely present right by the tent pad. Boy am I glad I wasn't sleeping in a tent!!!

OK enough drama.

We spent the majority of our time playing on the beach and boating.

Joslyn was a happy camper

Well, most of the time...

Hudson LOVED the water even though it was ICY cold.  He loved jumping off the dock to me.  He had a blast! Every day he played hard-and then he would crash hard:

Taking a little power nap on the softest spot he could find.

One day we visited the Stanley Museum and had a little picnic there:

Aunt Tiffany and the boys.

Our Family

Aaron and Tiffany

One day we boated everyone to the other end of the lake and hiked up to the Lilly pond and waterfall.

While we were over there Uncle Mark showed everyone this:

He claims it is a bear track, I think he was just trying to freak me out! I'm sticking with 'dog print.'

Hangin' around the campfire telling jokes and stories, and making s'mores of course.

That is scary!

What happens when it is late and dark and your two year old is crawling on top of the picnic table???

A big gash in his chin.  It probably needed stitches  but that wasn't going to happen at 10:00 at night in the mountains. Luckily Dr. Shiloh was there with her bag of tricks and fixed him up with some steri-strips. 

Nate's uncle Mark whittled all of the boys a wooden knife, they love them.

Thanks Mark, that was a lot of work!!

Notice Braiden's face, he is less than thrilled-he loves his knife but he doesn't love going home, we had a great week yes we stayed up there for an entire week but he would have gladly stayed for another!

We can't wait for next year, but someone please let the bears know that next year they are not invited!