Karlee's Tooth!

Karlee lost her first tooth last week, and was it ever exciting! I noticed a while ago that her bottom teeth were looking crooked which was weird because Karlee has always had extremely straight teeth. But when I wiggled her tooth, it wasn't loose at all. Pretty soon I started to notice that the big tooth was growing in behind the little one but that little one just did not want to let go. She started wiggling it more and more and had it completely out in the back but the front was still stuck. So, last Monday we decided it was loose enough that Layne could probably get it out. The problem was that her teeth are so small we couldn't hold on to it. We finally resorted to the pliers (which Layne wrapped Barbie bandaids around) and Karlee never once complained. It took one good twist and pull and the tooth was out. Karlee is one tough cookie! Abby, however, couldn't watch and Kayci cried that her feelings had been hurt when we pulled Karlee's tooth out. Karlee got a dollar from the toothfairy and the next day when we went to visit Great Grandpa Kinghorn in the assisted living center, he gave her another dollar. So it turned out to be a pretty profitable tooth for Karlee!

One Last Camping Trip!

Everyone at Granite Falls

My handsome boys up in the waterfall.

Karlee posing for her waterfall picture.

Cheese, Abbs!

Kayci had to have her turn.

Another family shot.

The kids playing at the hot springs. They hated walking over the mossy bottom.

We had the pool all to ourselves for a couple of hours in the morning. The kids loved it.

Layne and the kids at the river.

Layne and the kids in front of Open Doors.

My monsters, I mean angels!

Mom and kids down by the river.

Abby working on her rock skipping.

Nice hat, Karlee!

Kayci smiling inspite of her frozen hands.

Jake thought he was pretty cool walking around throwing rocks in the river, all by himself!

The old pro giving rock skipping lessons.

We were so excited to use our new camper this year that we decided to try and squeeze in one more trip before winter. Unfortunately, winter decided to come the week we went so we got to camp in the snow and freezing cold weather. However, despite the cold, we had a great time. We went to Granite in Wyoming, a place I grew up going every year. I have very fond memories of camping there. Layne and I went there for part of our honeymoon and then we also took Abby when she was two, but we haven't been back since. It was really fun for me to walk around and show the girls all the places I played growing up. They loved following the trails and playing down by the river.

The great thing about Granite is they have an outdoor hot spring. So no matter how cold the weather, you can always warm up there. We spent a good portion of our day on Friday swimming. The sun actually came out that day and we hiked to the falls, too. There wasn't nearly as much water running over it as when we go in the spring so we were able to climb right up into the falls! The camper did a good job of keeping us warm (until the battery died and the heater wouldn't work), but we learned that we can huddle down in a sleeping bag and stay really warm, even if it is only 15 degrees. Besides Karlee falling off her bed both nights, the kids slept really well, though, which is always a worry when you go camping. It really was a great weekend and we can't wait to go back next year and enjoy it when the weather is a little warmer.

Annual Trip to the Fair

Kayci petting the goat at McKee's petting zoo.

We loved the cute puppies. I really liked this cute little cockerspaniel.

Jake loved the puppies so much that the man showing them took Jake in the pens to pet them.

He thought all the animals were fascinating.

We had a hard time getting him to leave.

Caroline and Me enjoying our few hours together at the fair.

Karlee and Hilary - what a pair!

Gracie, Abby, and Abbey - now there's trouble!

The girls with the Andersen girls and their cows. Gracie won in her division and Abbey won her division and Grand Champion. Way to go girls!

Two cute girls! - Abbey and Abby

Every year we go to the fair. Not for the food or the rides, and especially not for the crowds, but to see our dear friends the Andersen's who come to show their cows. We actually really enjoy watching the kids show their cows but really enjoy the time to visit and catch up. This year we met up with my sister Holly as well and spent a little time with them which was fun. It has been fun to look at pictures over the years from the fair and see how the kids have grown. We really look forward to it!

Playing Catch Up!

Karlee learning to ride her bike. She just rides and rides now! Way to go, Karlee.
Kayci always has to be right in the middle of things. If Karlee can ride, so can she. Maybe next year when your legs are a little longer Kayci!

Me and my Ririe Bulldog team. We learned a lot this season. Thanks girls!

I was doing so good at keeping up with my blog and then September hit and everything has been crazy! I did finally finish up volleyball season. It's a short season (only 6 weeks) and we only have games once a week where we play two or three teams. We had a tournament to finish off the season and managed to get 3rd. The girls played really well despite one of my main middle blockers breaking her leg in our first game. It was a fun season and a good group of girls!

The month was also busy with piano lessons starting, gymnastics, and Layne's crazy beginning of the semester schedule. I'm also singing in a play about the 10 virgins and practicing every week for that. We also finished up our primary program (which went fantastic)! Our chorister got really sick and so I ended up leading the music the whole month and for the program. Thank goodness for my years of practice in American Falls. However, I did cry all the way through the last song which makes it quite hard to sing. I love serving those kids!

Oh, Karlee also learned how to ride her bike without the training wheels. She was doing it last spring until we moved her up to Abby's bike and then adjusting to the bigger bike was a little harder. After a few dramatic times practicing (there's always plenty of drama with Karlee) she finally took off and we couldn't get her to stop, literally. She just keeps riding because she hasn't figured out how to use her brakes. Usually she just runs into something to stop. She loves to ride around the subdivision. We're very proud of her!

Mesa Falls Marathon

The fam at the finish line of the Mesa Falls Marathon.

Layne and the kids with his mom. His parents and grandpa came to see him race, too.

Layne at around mile 23. Still going!

Taking a breather after the race. He was starting to feel it in his legs.
You'd never believe he went to my mom's and put in fence for the rest of the day.

All summer long Layne has been running like crazy to prepare to run his first marathon. He wasn't sure if he was ready, but ready or not he headed up to Ashton at 3:45 a.m. on Saturday, August 22nd. He started running around 6:45 a.m. and the kids and I headed up to watch him finish. He had hoped to do it in about 3 1/2 hours. At 3 hours 36 min. he ran in. He placed 25th overall out of 231 runners. It was awesome. He amazes me. It is always a special experience for us to be there.

Back to School

Abby and Karlee out waiting for the bus on their first day of school.

Kayci didn't want to miss out on the first day. She set out her own clothes for the first day just like the girls and was up bright and early to see them off to school.

Abby starting 3rd grade.

Karlee is off to Kindergarten.

They are growing up so fast.

Thursday, August 20th was the end of our summer and the beginning of a new school year. Our district just barely finished building a new school just down the road from us so now the girls are the South Fork Screaming Eagles. They are still finishing up a few things at the school but the first day came and went without any troubles except that the cafeteria wasn't up and running so the kids had to brown bag it. Abby started the third grade and despite not being in the same class with her best friend, had a good first day. However, because of the large number of kids that ended up registering for Kindergarten, Abby's teacher was moved to open up another Kindergarten class and she got a new teacher, Mrs. Treasure, on Monday. Karlee started Kindergarten and is loving it. She is on an all day every other day schedule so she got to go the first day and then had to wait until the next Tuesday. She really wishes she could go every day but is liking it just the same. I'm sure they will both grow a lot this year. I'm really glad they're there together so they can look out for each other.

Focus on the Temple Month

Kayci really loves her dad.

My Boys!

Me and my beautiful girls!

It doesn't get much better than this!

(I love that Abby takes such good pictures)

They really are cute, aren't they?

Karlee loves to pose for the camera.

Kayci thinks she's a supermodel.

Jake just loves to cheese it!

My Abby is really growing up.

Me and my eternal companion.

And our eternal rascals!

Jake loved the Christus.

I really do love them!

This month in primary we have been focusing on the blessings of the temple. We have encouraged our children to have a temple experience each week and then we talk about it on Sunday. So this week we decided as a family that we needed to get to the visitor center in Idaho Falls and let the kids walk around the temple. They were so excited to go. The I.F. temple has been remodeled and is really a neat place to go. It has a lot of interactive screens and displays to look at, but our kids favorite thing is the Christus that they encourage the kids to touch and look at the markings. It really was a sweet experience. Afterward we walked around the temple and the kids insisted on posing everywhere we went for a picture. Even Layne and I got in on the picture action. It was a great FHE. We are so fortunate to have two temples so close. We definitely feel the blessings that come from both. We hope the kids recognize those blessings, too.