FUN in the MUD!!! 2nd annual DIRTY DASH

We managed another year of the DIRTY DASH! Seriously so so much fun. We picked up a few extra team mates this year, and we went with the 80's theme. My sweet sisters did so much better this year, they must have been secretly practicing. The kiddos got in on the action too, we LOVE this tradition!!!

First day of SCHOOL!!! (1st grade and 4th grade)

Out in the cul-de-sac with all the neighborhood buddies. Lexi is starting 4th grade and Cole is starting 1st. No tears (for me) this year, although I am really surprised with myself, I think it was Lexi's crimped hair that kept me in such good spirits.
So sad that their summer break is over. But here are some big kiddo SMILES to start the school year off right!

Summer Fun Photos....TONS of them!

Messages to Grandma Cori...

Our family lost our Grandma Cori on Monday. She battled a few months of lung cancer and after a bad fall that broke her hip and her arm she stopped fighting. What my kids remember most about her is the school bus she drove :-) even though she had been retired for many years from that they remember the few special times they got to ride with her on her school bus. I have many great memories of her mostly as a child, as she helped watch us while my mom worked. I remember the robe she used to wear around the house, all the sun-tea she would make and drink, her TV shows she always would watch, all the books she read, and even the big wooden paddle she had beside her recliner she loved the threaten to use on us. I loved random dinners with her at Sizzlers in Nampa one of her favorite places to go, and I remember my mom and I taking her to Shopko to get a new sweater or pair of pants. She never ever forgot to send me a birthday card on my birthday and I called her every year on her birthday. She was sometimes a mean grumpy old lady, she was a great cook, funny in her ways, but she loved us and we sure loved her and we will miss her so so much.
We celebrated her life at my mom's house last night with so many friends and family. We each got a balloon and sent a message high in the sky for her. I hope they all reached her safely.
Cole wrote on his balloon... Grandma I hope you have a good time in heaven. Cole
Lexi wrote on her balloon... I love(with a heart) U Grandma. love Lexi

Emmett Tri...

The kids did the Emmett Tri this year, even though I managed to bail out of it. (just plain laziness) The look forward to it all year. Poor Lex got a side ache so she had to walk a ton of the run but she did so so good at the swim. She ended up having to swim 200 meters which was further than she has ever done. As for Cole we debated putting him in the swim category but he was determined to do it even though he is not a really good swimmer yet, he did awesome, I bet it took him 1000 strokes to swim the 25 meters but he was smiling and swimming like a crazy kid the entire way. They both finished well, and as always I am one proud Mama! We love this sport.