Labor Day fun................

Mike took the boys over Labor Day weekend and went to Parowan to the county fair. We love Parowan at Labor Day and being with the Rowley family. The hospital was super busy and they offered me a great bonus to stay and work on Saturday night so I stayed and, do I dare say, enjoyed some quiet time alone. It was a great weekend for those who went to Southern Utah and the one that stayed:)  The family all went to the carnival, the parade, and the exhibits with the Rowley family. Mike took them also to visit my sweet Grandmother, who just turned 86.  I had a quiet house to enjoy some movies, reading, and sleeping. I also ended it with a nice pedicure after my night shift.

 Dylan with Uncle Chase at the carnival.

Mike said the boys really liked the Angry Bird Cake. They like going to Parowan and they love to see Grandpa and Grandma Rowley and all their cousins.

Happy Anniversary.......

For our Anniversary this year, Mike was very insistent that he wanted some photos of the boys and I. We had our photos taken and here is the one he chose. It was our big 15 and we had a fun celebration in August and we were able to go out for a night at our favorite Sushi Bar. We are still planning on a little getaway when the kids are off track in October. I was going to travel with him to Sunnyvale last week, but the kids had so much going on and we decided to postpone until they are off track.

Camping!!!!

Our annual tradition to go camping with our close friends to celebrate Dylan and Owen's Birthday was so much fun. In fact, the boys told me it is always their favorite vacation. I love that my kids love the mountains like I do. We stayed for 3 nights and the kids were at the perfect age. We went to the Spruces this year and it was beautiful. We hiked one day to Donut Falls and Katie and her kids were able to come up as well, which we loved. I forgot my camera for the hike so I am anxious to go up there and do the hike again and see the Fall colors.

Here is our fun new tent. Since we camp often we invested in a nice tent this year.  The zipper on our old tent broke at the Father's and Son camp out.

The kids watching a DVD in the car while Ericka took a nap and the adults were cooking dutch oven. They loved playing in the streams, playing card games, and board games, and made many smores!!!

Dylan is 9!!!!!

 Dylan is now a big 9 year old! We love him and his handsome smile! We had a party at our house with some of his favorite friends and he was all smiles. It was a Lego Star Wars party and the house was decked out in egos and Le I did not get many pics of all the decor. The boys had built some awesome legos in Star Wars fashion.  We played some fun games and the boys had a relay lego game in the backyard in the rain that was a big hit.

As a family we went and saw the movie "Planes." Dylan requested a party at home and a movie with the family for his birthday. It was a fun movie and the boys liked it. We also had a small family party at our home.

Tate starts Kindergarten.........

                               

The day that Tate has been dreaming of and we have been dreading came. Our little man started Kindergarten! I always thought I would have another child at home when he started school. It has been an adjustment for Mike and I.  Tate, on the other hand, was so excited and he has loved being in school.  The house is really quiet for a few hours, but we have been filling in the time the boys are gone with projects that have been placed on the back burner for a few years. I am glad that Mike is working from home because it has helped ease the loneliness that would come with no one home. 

His only request for Kindergarten was a Jack Skellington backpack. He looked adorable with it on his back.

 He could not be happier!

                                                         We met up with a few of our friends. It is nice that Tate's friends are in his class this year.          

                                  

Little feet that will be growing up so quickly.

The "Be Brave," bracelet that Mrs. Lauritzen gives to all the kids.

Tate and his daddy. Daddy had tears behind those sunglasses and he was wearing his bracelet as well.

Yes, I was the mom with the many tears. I cried a ton that day and Mike took me to lunch where I shed more tears. The waitress was awesome and helped me to cheer up.

 He was all smiles. No nervousness or fear here.

 We have our favorite Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Lauritzen this year. She already has informed us that Tate has a "great spark in his little eyes." I took it to mean that she has caught on how mischievous he can be.

Our King's Feast.........

 We have a family tradition of having a King's Feast the week we start school. The boys have loved this tradition and they are great at reminding us of the event.  This year they participated in helping to plan the menu and Dylan made the personalized place settings with our names. At the King's Feast we discuss our individual and family goals for the up-coming school year. This year Mike also gave the boys a Father's Blessing as they start school.

 The boys crowns this year that they decorated.

The dinner table. On the menu this year was Salmon, rice, Chinese salad, and Orange Rolls for dessert.

Dylan starts 3rd Grade....

 Bubba returned to school on the 23rd of August. After a two month hiatus he was more than ready to be back to the grind. Luckily, he loves school and enjoys learning. His teacher this year is Ms. Taylor and he is glad to be in her class.

                                         

 We are fortunate to have great neighbors who walk to school with Dylan every day. It makes us feel more comfortable when they walk in groups and I am glad that we do not have drive or ride the bus to school. He was done taking the photos when he saw his group of friends coming to get him. He was adamant that he was old enough to go to the first day of school on his own. It made us feel a little sad, but we realized it was good since he was confident going alone.

The little walking group. The boys did allow Alesia to walk to the corner with them. Can't believe how fast they grow (Sniff, Sniff)

I snapped this photo of Dylan the week he started school. He wanted his teacher's name on the board. 

California Adventures 2013.....

  While we were in Newport we ventured out for a fun day at California Adventures. The boys have been wanting to visit the new Cars area for a while. We met up with Uncle Scott, Aunt Vianette, and Elise. It was a great day and we had a blast. Mike is already begging to go back again this year. Dylan's favorite ride is still California Screaming and Tate is my kind of kid. Our favorite ride is Soaring over California.

 Scott, Mike, and Dylan had a blast riding all the scary rides. Mike looks more afraid than Dylan. This was on Tower of Terror.

We had some really cute photos with the whole group. I have since bought a new phone and I will have to have Aunt Vi sent me the photos.

Family photos in Newport......

We love to have family photos on the beach when we are in Newport. This year Matt, who is amazing at

photography, took our photos.  It was a treat for sure! Thanks Matt. This is a sneak peak since we are saving some for our Christmas card this year. We also took some photos with Grandpa and Grandma Green and I need to get them off their camera. I was able to capture some great shots of them with the kids. It was fun to have them there with us this year. We created many fun memories with them.

 I took the next few photos with my camera.

 I loved this one of our cute Bubba.

 The funny photo of Dylan yelling, "I am done with taking pictures."

 Our handsome Tatey Bear

My favorite funny photo of when the water surprised him.

Newport 2013

 We did not see Dylan on the beach and I walked over the ledge and saw this sweet boy sitting like this. I snapped the photo and then I asked him what he was doing.  He said, "mom I am meditating." Mike said this is his favorite picture of all time. Dylan is very introspective.      
                                                                                     Newport has the most beautiful sunsets. I love experimenting with photography while I am there.

 Tate and Coleman were good buddies. They had so much fun together.

 The boys loved playing on the beach in the evening after the lifeguard stations had closed.

 Tate on the beach.

 The men played on the beach as well.

 I love this of Bubba and dad.

 Mommy and Tate.

 The boys still love to build sand castles....

 Eating donuts on the beach. Tate's dream.....

These were just some fun photos that I took,