Kindergarten

Some how Darren and I have grown up a bit. At least grown older.

Today we took Tyler to Kindergarten.

He woke up on his own at 7:00, showered, got ready, ate breakfast and still had 30 minutes to kill. (if only that would continue through out the year... lets hope!)

Ella wanted to have her backpack too. She walked around with it on her back all morning. She will miss her brother.

This face expression below says a lot. He was so excited. He didn't wear any of his new clothes, he wanted to wear his favorite comfortable clothes.
On a sentimental note. I am one for schedules. I love things planned out. As Darren and I walked back to our car after dropping Tyler off- we only had Ella with us. All that family planning was for nothing. I had planned on having a third member of our family when Tyler went to school. I even had it planned out that our fourth baby would come when Tyler was in first or second grade. My journal has a yearly map started way back in 2008 that shows how old Ella and Tyler would be when baby number 3 and 4 came along. So much for planning! I guess it was fun to think about:)

Needless to say- I was happy to walk away from school with a healthy girl & knowing my healthy boy was going to have a great day at school.

(we did go get some pretty yummy doughnuts after school to celebrate!)

Fun photos

We babysat our favorite dog the other day. Roxanne. Ella was playing dress up with Roxanne. Doing her hair, making her look like a "princess". (imagine the headband up by Roxanne's ears)

The kids took swimming lessons almost every day this summer. Here they are with their friend Willy trying to get warm.

Fred's Dirty Dash Birthday Bash

Our friend Katie is one of those super moms. If you want to know how to throw a party ask her!

Fred, her 4 year old son, had a Dirty Dash Birthday Bash. Katie made shirts that included a few cute mud spats on them. (more would be added later)

Here is the course. Run down hill, up and over see saw, jump through floaties, go through tunnel, over board, through tunnel again, then up the hill- end result- MUDDY KIDS!
The kids got timed for fun- it was great. Tyler didnt' want to do it at first but when Ella said she was going next, he said he would too.

through the tunnel

up the hill

Then the kids got to play in the Lehi river behind the house and jump on the tramp. Followed by good food to eat, and more playing in the mud... see Tyler go!

Super duper fun party!

We are glad Dan, Katie, Chloe, Stella, Fred and Clive moved back from Idaho!

Sandy Hot Air Balloon Festival

I love hot air balloons. I hope Darren will one day surprise me for our anniversary and take me up in one. ... I remind him of this surprise every year...

This year the kids and I got up early to watch the balloons popping up.

Then we got brave and started walking around to see them all.
Our cousins Michael and Jordan came.
Then as we were leaving this guy let the kids climb in the balloon and see the inside. Tyler even got to pull the handle to make the fire shoot up and warm the inside of the balloon.
If you wanted to wait in a little line you could even go up in one for free. True you could only go up a little before they pulled you back down, but maybe next year.

Grandma's Birthday

Grandma Balls had a birthday this year...

The Tour of Utah (a bike race) was happening. The kids got sunglasses passed out to them. Then sat in the 95 degree weather watching the racers go by.

See Tyler's head (and sunglasses) just barely poking around as the racers zoom by.
After the race we all went to Jonah and Everett's house. We had some pool time, trampoline time, you know... cousin time!
Good food, good company, and a very happy birthday to Grandma.

Mid Week Mountain Bike Series

Darren has been racing every Tuesday night on his Mountain Bike. He is doing very well in his races. He is in the front here, with the white and red jersey on. This is at Solitude Ski resort.

The race series is great because kids get to race for free and for fun. This is Darren and Tyler taking a practice lap before Tyler's race.
Ella did a practice lap too.

The was last weeks race at Corner Canyon in Draper. Darren or Dallz as most friends call him, came in 3rd since the guy in front crashes a few seconds after this picture was taken. This made Dallz stop and therefore the guy in 3rd place won... darn it!

It was a crazy finish.
Tyler is the forth kid back here. With a blue and white jersey on. He started the season doing the easiest race but last week he competed with all the bigger kids doing 4 laps instead of 2. I am so proud of him!
Sadly, I still run with Ella when she races. See her cute red helmet. She is only 3 so her little legs have to spin a whole lot more than kids with big bikes.
Here's the crazy start. Tons of riders trying to get in front. Dallz is on the left.
Tyler --- after finishing his 4th lap!
Ella exhausted. But she did one full lap!
After the race the kids get popsicles and super great SWAG!!! ( free gifts ) The adults get great prizes too. I have new clothes Darren picked out for me. They have bikes, season passes, bike stuff... LOVE it!

Finishing our Hike Season

We finished our summer of fun hikes with my cousin. Instead of hike one week we had a water day in my backyard. Slip n' slide here we come!

The kids had a blast. We made snowcones and ate lots of good food.
Our very last hike is our all time favorite. If you haven't been to Alta to hike to Cecret Lake you need to go. I saw 2 year olds hiking all the way up to very old Grandma's and Grandpa's. It is an easy hike and pretty easy.
I wish you could scratch and sniff this picture. It is truly a hike to smell right now.
Until next summer.... Kari Howell, Rochelle Marsh, Julie Rupp and lots of kids!

Winding down in August

We went on a great hike yesterday. There are very few dog areas in Salt Lake anymore... they are decreasing rapidly. It seems everywhere is water shed area so no dogs allowed.

This is a rare gem. We hiked up Neffs Canyon over by Millcreek Canyon. Wow, it was beautiful. There was even water for Toby to drink up.

The best part was the rope swing that was up there. We didn't hike as far as we could have because they kids just wanted to turn around and go back to the swing.
Tyler also "graduated" from Rusty and Rosie Upstart program. If you want to sign your kid up DO IT!!! Wow. You have to live in Utah. I know next year is full. But I just signed up Ella for in one year. It is an amazing computer program that teaches the kids in VERY FUN WAYS: reading, math, and science. It prepares them for Kindergarten. We loved it.

Its free- And amazing--- you just have to get in! Register here