I blinked

And she grew up.

Carly started 1st grade today. I can't believe my baby is so grown up and will be gone all day.

I guess I'm weird because I have been dreading my kids going back to school. We had such a fun summer and I felt like August was a blur. I need a few more weeks with them.

Her backpack is as big as her!

A goodbye hug form Sis.

She is really excited to be in school, and I'm excited for her. I have just gotten use to having her around she is my little helper and little buddy. Luckily I have to help monitor lunch all week so I will have excuses to see her.

Bri started school yesterday. She is so excited for 4th grade. She really likes the teacher she has this year and I like her too. I think it will be a great year. Fourth grade is a big deal in my opinion, it's when they go from being little kids to little people. Go look at a 3 grade class then a 4th grade and you'll know what I mean.

Brianna's best buddy Lindy.

So both my babies are in school all day now. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with myself. Oh yeah, PTA.

Uintas

Last weekend we spent a few days in the Uinta mountains. My sister and her family came with us. It was such a lovely weekend because we pretty much didn't do anything. On most of our trips we are out seeing the sights so it was nice to just hang out in camp and relax, read and swat mosquitoes.

The three stooges. They had so much fun together.

They loved playing in the 'river.'

These two are trouble.

Henry.

My little nature girl. We did go fishing (I didn't bring my camera down to the lake) and Brianna finally caught a fish. She is hooked and wants to go fishing again very soon.

We had some visitors in our camp ground one day. The kids are checking them out.

A doe and her fawn.

What a great way to end our summer.

Tour of Utah

My brother is a cyclist, and I've always enjoyed watching him ride. I also really love watching other bike races. Last week was the Tour of Utah. It's a stage race that takes place all over northern Utah. My bother invited us to watch the last stage with him.

Cycling is really exciting. There was quite a procession of motorcycles and support cars.

The leader of the race wears a yellow jersey.

Since this was the last stage of the race this is the guy who won. This was the first year that the race was all professional riders. Levi Leipheimer is an American cyclist and has won stages of the Tour de France. It was really cool to see.

The kids even had fun.

Copper Mine

We took a trip out to Kenecott Copper mine last week with all our cousins.
It was pretty impressive, and the kids had lots of fun.
Jack really love it and wanted everything he saw for his birthhday. Such a cute kid!
We have so much fun with our cousins!

Drama Camp

The girls both participated in drama camp this summer. Bri's was 2 weeks and they sang and learned all about putting on a show.

They wrote their own play and preformed it at the end of camp. Bri's was called the 'Alien's Egg'

She had so much fun!
She made lots of new friends too. She really had so much fun.
Carly was in another group with younger kids. For their play they did Where the Wild things Are.

Cousin Atty was in Carly's class and got to be Max in the play.

It was so cute! They had so much fun and both girls want to do it next year.

Daddy and grandpa both came to see the shows and played games with the kids after.

Zoo!

It wouldn't be summer without a trip to the zoo. This year our zoo has turned in to Zoorasic park and has lots of dinosaurs all around.

We went just a few days after we got home from our trip with our cousins Atty and Henry.

Whoops I forgot to rotate. Love this sweet baby boy.

On the train.

We love the zoo!

Rodeo girls

Before we left on our trip we went to the Days of 47 Rodeo.

We had so much fun that night.

We may be watching Bri in one someday.

Carly loved it too.

Such a fun night. We can't wait to go again!

Travel Log; 10,11 & Home

Day 10 we moved camp again (I know we moved around a lot) Once we were settled we headed of to see the park. First stop was, of course, Old Faithful, and it was faithful.

We stopped for lunch at the Old Faithful Inn.

Then we stopped to see some other geysers.

You should all take your kids to Yellowstone. It is the perfect vacation. Even if you think your kids don't do well in the car, it is so great because you drive a bit then stop and see something really cool. Then drive a bit farther and see something else cool. Even if you just have 2 days you can see so much.

Gibbon Falls, they have been working on the road here and this spot has been closed the past few years.

Such a pretty spot.

Grandpa and his girls.

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Artist's point. My very favorite spot in the park and quite possibly the world. There was actually an artist there that day painting a picture, I got her card and I hope it will be my Christmas present this year.

A coyote pup, we wondered where mama was.

We stayed over night at the Fishing Bridge Campground and there were all these little huts kids had built all over. The girls loved it there.

My favorite picture from the whole trip. I love that when ever they pose for a picture they hug each other.

Day 11

Bri and Norris geyser basin. Carly was asleep in the car with mom.

Liberty Cap.

Mammoth Hot Springs.

Usually we see tons of elk all over the park but this time we only saw them at Mammoth.

Grizzly Bear in the Lamar Valley

Ice Cream at Tower falls.

We had actually planned to leave on this day, but I really wanted to see the upper loop of the park, and this is why I'm glad we stayed. The mountain sides were covered with flower. It was so beautiful. I had to get a picture of the girls in them. When stopped to take this about a dozen cars stopped to see if we were taking pictures of an animal.

I love the flower in Yellowstone!

Two years ago this same mountain side was covered in purple flowers. This year all mountains were yellow with Flowers.

I'm so glad we took the time to go on this trip. I love spending time as a family and a road trip is such a great way to do it. This was a great trip, we saw 3 National Parks, 4 National Monuments, got 6 ranger badges, and drove about 3,000 miles. We had so much fun. I can't wait till our next vacation.