When Daddy's Away.....

..... We Play. Well, sort of.

After our trip to Utah, Tracy was nice enough to drive us back home so I didn't have to travel with two kids on my own. Thank you! He returned to Utah on August 17th via the train. He had some field work to do and museums to visit.

While he was gone for nearly a month, I tried to hold down the fort as much as possible. Man it is a lot harder when you're out numbered. However, we survived and I tried to make the most of the end of summer/beginning of school.

We went swimming.

 Made cookies.

James got a hold of my phone and photographed the cats.

Took the car in for an oil change.

James enjoyed their outdoor waiting area. 

Bought James new shoes for school. 

James built many things, like this bridge. 

Put google maps on the big screen and reminisced our Utah trip. 

Visited James' school. 

Met his teacher and the class chickens. 

Listened to records. 

James made a car repair shop with his Legos. 

Charles started sticking out his tongue. 

Played at the park. 

Listened to more records. 

Made English Muffin Pizzas complete with smiley faces. 

Kept finding one of the cats hiding under 

our couch cover and bedding. 

Made great use of our sit n' stand stroller.

Walked James to and from school and 

picked up our packages from the office. 

Supported our team!

Go Utes! 

I pampered myself and did my nails. 

James got a hold of my phone again and 

took pictures on the way to school. 

James became interested in riding his bike. 

Sometimes our cats sit in funny positions.

So I take a picture and sent it to Tracy. 

Went swimming some more.

Love Charles' swimsuit. 

 James' friend had a birthday party the same day Tracy returned.

He met us there and surprised James. Best day ever!

The party was awesome, too. They  had it at the City Gymnastic center.

There was all kinds of obstacle courses and Gymnastic equipment the kids could play on.

Pretty much the kids were just set loose. Oh, they all had a blast.

Tracy returned with a very big present for me.

I'm totally in love!

The Very First Day of School!

James started Kindergarten on August 26. He was a little nervous, but felt better after a little bit (his words).  He loves school and asks to go every day then is very, very sad on the weekends when he can't go.

First day of school pictures:

Such a cutie. Love him to pieces.

Summer Vacation 2015 pt. 2

MOAB!

August 10th we headed to Moab. We stayed in the same vacation home as last year. My sister and her family and Tracy's cousin and his family came as well. My sister's crew arrived shortly after us and Tracy took them on the Fins and Things Jeep Trail. I think they had a blast. I know James did. He had been talking about doing Jeep things for weeks. That day was just a short day since we couldn't check into the house till 3.

Tuesday, Charles and my sister stayed at the house and the rest of us went and did the Hell's Revenge Jeep Trail. I was pretty nervous about going on this trail, but it turned out ok. Even though I had several frights, Tracy was always in control.

James had a ton of funny sayings on the jeep trail.

• We're higher than the birds.
• To his cousins: When I was your age I wasn't afraid of jeep things.
• My back, my head. (after going over a rough patch.)
• That's the biggest rock. It's Ginormous.
• Are we going to make it? Ahhh... We're doing it.
• We're going to crash in that canyon over there. Ahhhh.... Crash (makes crash sounds).
• To his cousin; I love you.
• Awe, they're cute cactus. I love cactus.
• There are ants. Hello ants.
• Careful ants bite. Good-bye ants. You can't get us.
• Careful daddy this rock is slippery.
• Oh, me. Oh, my. (Going up a hill.)
• I want to do more jeep things.

That hill looks less steep in this picture.

We're just a bunch of crazies.

I found these two like this and other times they'd hold hands.
(Caught James blinking.)

Trying to be artistic while capturing my nephew sticking his head out the window.

I was inspecting the damage that has been done to our bumper.

The next day I stayed behind with Charles and the rest of the crew went river rafting. James told me he didn't like it when they got back but later he was begging to go back. At the end of the run he had an unfortunate event of someone in a kayak running him over when he was playing along the shore. :( Which was still in his mind when they returned. 

They are all excited to be going river rafting.

Turkeys!

Away they go!

A frog.

James loved paddling.

A great view while they eat lunch.

And cute Charles while we were hanging out.

These two had a ton of fun on the back patio area of the vacation home.
Water and dirt every where. 

We left Moab the next day. On our way out of town we stopped at a rock shop and to see dinosaur tracks in Mill Canyon.

I love trains and had to snap this picture
while everyone else headed right to the rocks at the rock shop.

Looking at dinosaur tracks.

Lots and lots of tracks.

We went back to Nephi for dinner and to say a good bye to grandma and grandpa. Then went down to St. George for some more fun with Tracy's cousin before heading home. There was swimming and lots of silliness between James and his 2nd cousin. Charles however ended up sick so I didn't have much fun. 

3 monkeys being silly on the floor.

 Tracy was awesome and agreed to drive us all the way home and then head all the way back to Utah right after so that I didn't have to travel with the two kids alone. He's just the best. On the way home we found a really nice Denny's and had dinner there.

That was the end of our Summer vacation. James can't wait to go back to Moab and do Jeep things and river rafting. Maybe (hopefully) next summer.