Awesome, Not Awesome, Awesome

I'm proud of this kid for working so hard to earn First Class in Scouts!  He's trying to get his Eagle before the end of next year.  He's working hard and almost daily to get it done.  He's awesome!

 But what is NOT awesome is this horrible smoke filling the skies.  I can't even breathe outside.  Air quality around our house is very unhealthy right now and has been for days.  We've been stuck inside and even so, my head is achy and my throat and lungs burn.  It's a sad way to spend our last week of summer!  We need some good wind or rain before we all die!  The sun looks florescent pink/orange as it's setting the last few days.  Though sometimes the smoke is so thick you can't even see the sun!  This picture doesn't do it justice.

 Cooper was beyond thrilled when he finally had enough money saved up to buy his dream lego set!  He claims he'll never be bored again.  Haha.  He won't even make it until school starts!  But he sure was cute and oh so happy when his package arrived in the mail!

Pears and Blueberries and Things

My pretty unicorn

 lol!!!

 Nectarine Blueberry Upside-down Cake

 Ethan kicks my butt in Yahtzee EVERY single time we play.  He has this little Humpty Dumpty that he claims is good luck.  But he always won almost every time before it joined us.  You would think the games would be more 50/50 but I seriously never win this kid!

 Our first pear tree was ready for harvest!  Cooper and Oliver were good helpers and we had fun picking all the pears.  Now to think of all the best pear recipes!

 I recently discovered that I really enjoy solo blueberry picking!  I went alone to Breckenridge Blueberries and had the most lovely and peaceful time.  I might just have to go by myself at least once each year.

 Canned Pears!  Seven jars of deliciousness.  I also made pear sauce which was super tasty and a pear tart is in my future.  Possibly pear bread too.  YUM!

 Madeline's quite the cute climber!

It's Official...

we've gone a little crazy.  I think we might need school to start...

Oh Baby! He's Not a Baby Anymore!

 Goodbye crib!

This kids sure loved his crib.  He never once tried to climb out and was always happy to get in.  I always have joked that he's my favorite because at the end of the day, he'll say, "I want to go to bed, mom!"  But he was THRILLED to have his crib turn into a big boy bed!  He loves it!  And he still likes going to bed.  He always stays in too.  I've got my kids trained well on how to sleep!  :). And so far, my back is very happy that he can get in and out of bed by himself now!

August Focus

Home and The Fun Continues!!

We didn't have a moment of down time once we arrived home from Utah because more cousins came to visit!  WUHU!  We were tired but it was awesome!  We went to pirate days in Blaine and had fun seeing the big ships and playing by the ocean. 

 Then we went to Peace Arch Park and visited Canada on foot!  It was really crazy to see houses across the street in a different country.  So weird that nothing is in-between...the kids may or may not have waved their feet into Canada.  :)

 Then we walked down through the Peace Arch.  It was really cool!

 And look!!!  Finally a cousin Oliver's age to play with!  Oh my, were they ever so cute to watch!

 We went and picked blueberries together too.  I wish I had taken more pictures!

 I really really enjoyed seeing Carrie, and Laura and her family.  It was nice to talk and be together.

Family is the best.

A few random things and then goodbye

Loving my new earrings

 And I got my ring cleaned!  Bling!

 We had fun trying on these shirts...I so almost bought the navy one

 which you can read much better:

It was hard to leave it at the store (I love that store) because it made me laugh and laugh.  But seriously, I can think of a lot of other things that are actually first.  It was quite fun to wear for a minute though!

Ollie got sick one day.  SO THANKFUL no one else did!

 And I think his favorite part of the trip was playing with Raelynn at the counter at Mimi's house.  Raelynn makes every little simple thing just so delightful.

 And of course, always games with Mimi.

 We had Fizz the last night

 and then said goodbye.  Saying goodbye is not my favorite part.  I cherished every moment of watching my kids play and love their cousins so much.  They are the best of friends and I missed my nieces and nephews for my kids the moment we said goodbye.

 Goodbye Utah!  I seriously loved being there.  Not every moment was easy.  But that place makes me happy.  So naturally and easily happy.  Surrounded by so many people and things I love makes it that way I guess.  SO glad we spent some of our summer there!