The Spruces

Our family decided to take a last minute camping trip over Labor day weekend. We weren't sure if we would find a place or not but we lucked out and found the perfect spot. PLUS, we got to break in our new trailer. My parents and us stayed the whole 4 or 5 days, while Cody/Wendy, Shane/Emily, and Grandma Terra came and went during those days. My mom's cousin DeAnn got to come up and stay with us for most of the weekend too. Talk about a true camper:) And I owe her a HUGE thanks for showing my boys how to fish. She had so much patience with them. They all loved casting and rolling in the fishing line. Plus, on the way back from the lake we got to see a baby moose! It wasn't too far off the path from us. COOL!

I LOVED the cooler weather up there. It really made me want the fall weather more than I do. Hoodies, jackets, jeans? Yes please!

Brandon and Emily came up on Sunday afternoon for our annual steak fry dinner. Yum!

I love that Blakley knows just what to do with Grandma Terra's ipad. What a little smartie pants! She could sit there forever playing games and looking at pictures.

One of the days, we took all of the kids and hiked to Donut Falls. The boys loved it. They hiked up the rocks till you couldn't see them any longer. Boy, did the little ones sure think they were big stuff. Who am I kidding? The "big" boys thought they were pretty cool too! Wends and I waited with Mr. Bentley at the bottom of the water fall. He entertained himself with finding rocks and seeing how far he could throw them in the river. Oh the simple joys of kids! Love him. My mom, DeAnn and Clint's mom stayed back at camp to watch Blakley and Kenli. Good thing too. My poor mom would of had a heart attack watching the kids climb up those rocks so high. Phew! Luckily there were no injuries:)

I think we can count this trip as a success! We had a blast and all arrived home safe and sound! Mission accomplished!

FiNalLy.....

Yes, we did it!

We finally used the boat for the first time this year. Who cares that the summer is almost over. Better late than never right?

After a while the "boys" started to do crazy stunts. I think poor Tanner go kicked in the head during this one. Nice one daddy:)

Blakley liked going to the tube rides!

Saying that Blakley LOVED the water is a little bit of a understatement. Once she got in it, she did not want to get back out. I think we have a little mermaid in our family.

We even got grandma and grandpa on the tubes for a quick ride. Carter had the BIGGEST grin on his face during this ride.

Thanks mom and dad for the fun time! We had a blast spending the day with you guys! xoxo

(8/27/2011)

Charity 5k

My sweet mother-in-law signed up our family for a 5k. The company that she works for wanted to sponsor any employees and/or family members that wanted to run. I was a little skeptical to sign up the kids, but they did good. Tanner wants to do another race, the other boys not so much!

Clint 22:17

Brent 22:23

Tanner 32:21

No picture of him :(

Shari 49:07

I started the race with the kids. We ran all of 100 feet and then the complaining started. "How much farther?" "I'm thirsty." "Can we walk?" "Can you hold me?" Needless to say we walked (barely faster than a crawl) the race, BUT they made it:) Clint finished the race and then ran back and walked the last mile with us. I finally left them and ran the last hill:) WOW! So much for a run today:)

Carter and my niece Kennedie 54:00

Cute Tanner finished the race and waited for Troy, Carter and Kennedie to get close to the finish line so he could cross the line again with them. What a sweet boy!

Troy 54:15

My little trooper pulling up the rear

When we got done with the race, Carter asked if he could do it again next year. I was shocked. Did he really not remember how much he disliked it?!? He then went on to say that he really wanted to do it again but next time he was going to ride his bike:) lol

After the race, they had lots of fun activities for the kids to do. They had rock walls to climb, BB Gun Shooting range, Army Tanks and Helicopters on display and lots of free food and drinks. The kids loved that part of the race!

Thanks

(8/6/2011)