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)

All I want for Christmas.....

is my TWO FRONT TEETH!

The Tooth Fairy left him $4.00 for those special teeth.

Carter Boy had to get his two front teeth pulled out by the dentist. Last fall, he fell down on the cement and knocked both of his teeth loose. We took him to the dentist and was told that they would tighten up again. Which they did. That was until just recently, when he jumped his bike off of a BIG dirt jump and ended up falling off and knocking them loose again. Seriously kid! Off to the dentist again. This time, the dentist was afraid of infection and decided to pull them out.

Good news: Carter can suck his thumb at night a whole lot easier!

Bad news: Carter can suck his thumb at night a whole lot easier:( Will he ever break this habit?

(8/2/2011)

A First.....

Blakley went to her FIRST friend birthday party!!

She was so excited to go. She jumped into her swimsuit and headed off down the street holding her daddy's hand singing "Happy Birthday Bradyn".

My baby girl is growing up!

(7/30/2011)

Starting 5th Grade

I can hardly believe that my little boy is already old enough to be in 5th grade. Scary, his elementary school years are almost over. SAD! Tanner, please do me a HUGE favor and stop growing up so fast.

And can I just say that I HATE year a round school. This whole 3 week summer just isn't enough....

He sure is a little STUD MUFFIN though!

Nanny and his bestie, Carson.

What a pair of handsome boys!

(7/26/2011)

Pioneer Day

To celebrate Pioneer Day, our neighborhood had a kid's bike parade. Guess they have done this the last couple of years, but we are usually are out of town over the 24th. Not this year:(

The kids were so excited to decorate their bikes and wagons with streamers, balloons, banners and flags! We went over to the dollar store and loaded up our carts with red, white and blue. Too bad while we were decorating, two balloons flew away and the both of the banners ripped.

Cute Troy's bike had a flat tire, so he asked if he could pull Blakley in the wagon. What a sweet big brother.

My dad and brother even joined in on the fun....Cause really they are both still little kids. Hope they never grow up:) I think they threw Bentley in the back seat at the last minute so they had an excuse to be in the parade. lol

(7/23/2011)

A hiking we will go.....

Oh Boy!

The boys wanted to go a hike in the mountains REALLY bad! Their sweet grandpa volunteered to take them. Too bad I am too much of a worry wart and thought there was no way my dad could watch all three boys. Crazy thoughts! I just kept imagining one of them running ahead, falling behind or worst being a dare devil and jumping off the side of the mountain or something. My boys are CRAZY! You never know! Any who, I ended up going with them. So much for the boys outing:) Besides, who else would have thought about taking pictures, right?!?!

We headed up Big Cottonwood Canyon and decided on hiking up to Dog Lake. We couldn't have asked for better weather. It was nice and cool.

My boys were little troopers! They each took turns wearing the water camelbaks without too much whining and made the four mile round trip hike without being carried. YAY!!!

We sure missed our little Blakley Doo (thanks grandma for watching her). She was so excited when her brothers came home. She wanted them to swim with her. She couldn't even wait to put on her swimsuit, she jumped right in the pool with her clothes on. Silly Girl!

Oh how I love summer days!

(07/19/2011)