First Day

   I thought this day would never come.  August seemed to drag on forever since we planned most of our excursions during June and July.  They weren't quite as excited this year as I was and I think Johnny was a tad bit nervous.  Just lots to remember and he doesn't want to disappoint his teacher or any possible new friends.  His closest friends all ended up in other classes but he did know some of the kids in his current class and he knows the teacher already because Alex had her in 1st grade as well.  I snuck in at lunch to see how it would go (and because I forgot to send money for hot lunch that day) because Johnny usually spends his entire meal time talking and it takes him an hour to eat.  I figure he will just have to learn the hard way that if he doesn't eat enough and eat it fast at lunch he's going to be very hungry by the end of school. 
   Alex couldnt' wait to wear her new cupcake shirt (it even smells like cupcakes) with her cupcake earrings and Johnny was excited to have something new at all since he usually wears hand me downs from his cousins.  Hand me downs are awesome and he doesn't complain but he felt pretty special that I bought him some brand new shirts just for him.
   Over the weekend I made a couple of batches of salsa and today I'm making peach/raspberry jam and maybe some just raspberry jam as well.  I'm trying to use up the fruit I've picked at friend's houses and the vegetables in my garden.  I'm thinking I will have to make some spaghetti sauce as well because my tomato plants are still producing tons.  I love the routine that school provides and the peace and quiet I get now during the day.  I have a very long list of things I want to get done now that I have a little more time.  We'll see how it goes.  3 hours, 36 more minutes until they get home.  I'd better get crackin!

Chasing Waterfalls

One last trip for the summer.  We met Sariah and Hunter in Twin Falls for a little camping excursion.  It was our first real camping trip using our tent trailer we bought last Fall.  We used it last spring break in our backyard and then again at the cabin for the family reunion because there just aren't enough rooms in the cabin anymore for the Day's growing family.  It was hot but the kids had fun at the park and pool at our campsite and we found a few waterfalls in the area.  The main one, Shoshone Falls, is huge and we had a picnic there and then went swimming at a nearby lake to keep cool.  My favorite part of the trip though was this extremely tall waterfall that you could walk behind.  I took some pictures that I'm hoping to stitch together and post later.  But for now, these pictures are some highlights from the trip.  It was nice spending time with Ri and Hunter, who knows where they will be living next summer.

High Dive

They LOVE the high dive!

Cousin Swap

Last week Papa took the 8 year old and older grandsons to the cabin for a fishing trip and since Lizzy's brother was coming out we had her at our house for a little girl time.  Then my 6 year old nephew, Ethan was left alone while his older brothers went to the cabin so Tiffany was kind enough to take Johnny off my hands.  It was a fun week topped off with Roaring Springs and a day on the lake at the end of the week.  But before the fun in the sun the girls had fun...

Climbing Trees...

Getting creative with drawing and Lizzy took over the end of Art camp for Johnny.

Plus some manis and pedis with Auntie Jojo who was in town for a visit.  She brought her color changing nail polish that the girls just loved.  Not to mention her cutie Tyler for them to oogle over.

Plus making treats and dancing with the Smurfs on the Wii.

And as much as Alex loves her "boy cousins"

she was more than thrilled to have a little girl time with Lizzy for awhile.