Skull Crack Trail

We took advantage of the nice weather and took the kids (minus Hannah who was a to a birthday party) on a hike yesterday to see the salmon spawning.

 

The scenery was gorgeous:

 

Changing maple leaves are my favorite. 

 

Seeing wildlife is always a treat.

 

Hailey and I heard a noise in the trees above us. We were surprised to see this:  

Three more were hidden and flew out of the tree:

 

We finally made it to the creek….

 

Hailey was the first to spot one…..

 

A bright red salmon….   

 

We watched this fish flip and his way down the shallow river.

 

The 4.6 mile hike proved to be too long for her short little legs.

Daddy’s shoulders are more fun, anyway.

Oh What do You do on a Sunday?

9:00 AM church leaves ample time for creative imaginations to go wild. At our house it usually involves Tyler and some household object.

Today's mediums: egg crate foam and karate belts.

 

No, that isn’t a bomb strapped to his chest….he was the keeper of the timer for the kids’ game of Hulabaloo….

   

He spent a good part of his day like this. Hopping around the house like a pogo stick.

 

By evening, he was ready to nestle into his cocoon.

How did he get like that you ask? This is Tyler we’re talking about.

Guilt-Free

Where do I begin? I don't want to bore you with all the details of our summer and back to school, but let me just say things have been rather busy. So busy that it feels good to spend the day doing 1200 loads of laundry, sorting through 56 bins of clothes, or shampooing carpets in my PJ's. 

Not that anyone really cares, it’s really all about me. So let me be selfish here and unload. In order to get rid of the guilt I’ve been having for failing to record some memorable happenings, here are some pictures to highlight the things a good mommy blogger blogs about.....

 

           Our generous friend, Leta, had us over for tie dying one day. The kids had a blast and I think mom is hooked, too!

Look how cute they all turned out!

 

Casey earned 3 merit badges and earned his star rank!  

 

Back to school…I love new shoes! 

 

The big man himself- ready to conquer 8th grade!

 

The three musketeers….. Hannah, Hailey and Tyler- together in the same school one last time. Hailey couldn’t believe I was actually taking their pictures. Like it’s something new…. ;)

 

With all the big kids in school, we had one week before Nathan started kindergarten. Mom was feeling a little sad that summer was coming to a close and life as Nathan knew it, would be ending. We spent two days in a row playing and picnicking at the splash pad

 

Nathan even mastered the monkey bars!

 

The big day arrived and he was all smiles! His favorite part? Lunch, and recess. Of course.

 

Hailey had a piano recital and did perfectly. Did I mention she has long since surpassed any piano abilities I have?

 

The Labor Day weather held out long enough for us to enjoy one last BBQ and swim at out friends’ house.

Now back to reality (guilt free.)

Healthcare Reform

When healthcare 'professionals' don't know the difference between a '1' and an 'I'- it's time for reform.

The clerical error that could have cost me $665.00:

The BABY tooth Casey had pulled back in 2007

The WISDOM tooth Casey had pulled last month.

Three things….

….I’ll never buy.

Something about buying a food with this name doesn’t appeal to me. I don’t know why….

This is worse than the guy we saw hiking with his dog in a snugli….

Wal-Mart disappointed my once again…..they had these on their rack. Front and center….