The Princess at a Princess Party:
On Saturday Kaira had a Princess Party, complete with a real, live princess! Emma had such a fun time learning how to be a princess, dancing, singing and making her own princess crown. Happy Birthday Kaira!
Happy Birthday Colter! The First Day of School.
I can't believe how fast the summer went by! Monday the kids headed back to school. I'm so sad to see them go. Other parents celebrate, I'm sad. First of all, once again the first day fell on Colter's Birthday. It doesn't seem to bother him, but it makes me sad. Next, he started (GASP!) High School! We did this happen? What happened to the little boy I used to cuddle with in the morning and watch Winnie The Pooh? Yes. I cried. Happy Birthday Colter! We love you.....
Mason: Poor Mason had allergy testing. Not fun. As soon as they put all of the serum on his back, it turned into a giant hive! Here's the allergy short list: Grass, Weeds, Trees and, our least favorite, animals. Luckily the animals are only a 2, so we don't have to get rid of our cats. So every week we'll be visiting the hospital for two allergy shots. He had his first round on Tuesday. He was really nervous, but after the nurse finished, he was fine. 
Now for Colter's very special Birthday present: 
Now for Colter's very special Birthday present: 
Isn't she cute! She doesn't have a name yet, but we're so excited to welcome our new "baby" Schnauzer to the family! We picked her up yesterday, so we're all just getting used to each other (Midnight and Maggie are NOT impressed!), but we're so glad she's here!
*Right after Swimming Lessons, we headed out for Jackson/Yellowstone/Grand Teton National Park. As always, we had a great time! We went to Jackson the first day and had a great time. We ate at a great restaurant, then walked around the town. The next morning, we drove to Yellowstone. It was quite an adventure! First of all, President Obama was visiting Old Faithful while we were there, so we got the privilege of seeing the Presidential Helicopters, Secret Service agents and even a tiny glimpse of the President and his family (well the car they were riding in. Doesn't that count?). The kids were more interested in seeing the wildlife, so off we went to Mt. Washburn, A.K.A Grizzly Bear haven. We weren't disappointed (well I was, but the kids were able to see one!). Right when we got there, we saw the familiar site of a "Bear Jam". We tried to find a spot. Nikki did, so the kids and Bruce jumped out with them, while my Mom, Emma and I tried to find a good place to stop. As soon as the word "Mom, I think there is a Bear over there" left my lips, Emma started to scream "I don't want to see a Bear"! "I hate Bears"!!!!! So my Mom and I were driving down the steep incline, trying to see the Bear, looking for a spot to park, Emma screaming! Finally, I spotted a place in a little pull out. Unfortunately, I didn't notice the very steep incline on the other side! Needless to say we almost ended up at the bottom of the hill! Lucky I have some pretty smooth four wheel drive moves (NOT!) and got us out of there, just in time to see a tiny dot of bear wander off in the opposite direction! When we met up with the rest of the family(of course!), they told us that they got a great view of the Grizzly! Later when we drove a little further down the road, we saw a little black bear on the side of the road. Next, while driving through the Hayden Valley, we saw Bison, Elk and Deer. As we were leaving the park, I remarked to Bruce "Well that's it for the major wildlife for today". Apparently I spoke to soon, because right on the side of our car was a large black bear! I stumbled for my camera and my Black Berry, but didn't get a great picture. However, Nikki got a pretty good one. Thank goodness for Nikki! The next day we went to Grand Teton. It was kind of chilly and a little bit overcast, but a beautiful day. We went to Jenny Lake, Colter Bay and then we hiked to Taggert Lake. It was a long hike, especially with a toddler, but so worth it! It was so beautiful! The lake was just stunning with the Tetons as a back drop and the crystal clear water. On the hike back, Jeni spotted a cow moose with her calf right next to the trail. She and Mom freaked out and made a bee line down the trail. Nikki and I pulled out our cameras and tried to get some good pictures (for those that are concerned, we were at a safe distance!). After we met up with the group, they told us that they had seen a coyote! Mason was pretty excited about that! We visited Jackson again on the way home. Emma had to get one of those huge Disneyland suckers that are as big as your head. So while we were driving home, she started to scream. We had to pull over because, guess what, she had a piece of said giant sucker stuck in her eye! Yikes! Luckily I got it right out and we were on our way. Thanks Mom, Nikki and Jeni for a great trip! Jackson/GNP/Yellowstone is my favorite place to visit. I never get sick of it. Oh and mom, sorry for having to watch "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" 30 times during our trip! Here are the pictures. Yes there are 70! I couldn't help it:)
Mason REALLY likes Blue Cheese dressing. Can you tell?
Yes, she has a fork in her ear....
When we got home, Jeni, Nikki, Gma Sue, Granpa Vern and Grandma Joyce came over for cake and ice cream. Nikki made me this awesome Barbie cake! Isn't it cute. I loved it so much, I didn't want to eat it.
The Barbie was too big for the cake, so Nikki had to take of her legs. Here's Bruce having fun with the legs....
Here is our famous "Whoopie Girl".... 
Friday: For the 24th, we headed down to Nick and Tina's for a BBQ. Again, fun time.Thanks Heiner family! Here are the pics....
my boys....
Emma J and Jake...
Saturday: AKA Put it in perspective day. Sitting out on my porch enjoying breakfast. Colter needs to mow the lawn. "MOMMMMM help me move the Waterslide". "Colt, just mow the OTHER part of the lawn, then after I'm done eating, I will help you move it". Colter goes off to mow. Reading the paper, enjoying a croissant and a Diet Coke. Beautiful day. Ten minutes go by and then Colter slinks up the stairs. "Mom, do we have a patch"? "What do you mean? Like for your shorts"? "No Mom, for the WATERSLIDE". I jump up. "WHAT???". Yes, Colter hacked a big hole in the Waterslide with the mower! Now I am freaking out. Bruce comes over. He freaks out too. We get mad at Colt. He slinks off to his room. I sit on the stairs and think about it. My kids LOVE the waterslide. It was more than worth the amount we paid, but I didn't really want to purchase another one, especially at the end of the summer. I was irritated. TEENAGERS! How can they be so careless! Just then my Dad's voice came through loud and clear "Put it in perspective". I stopped sulking, went downstairs to talk to Colt. I love him so much and I know he just wasn't paying attention. He agreed to be more on top of things, I agreed not to lose my temper. I felt horrible. Not about the Waterslide anymore, but how I had acted. I have friends and family who are going through some seriously challenging things and I was upset about a waterslide! Stupid. Put it in perspective. So Bruce and I rounded up the kids and we headed up the canyon to the Oaks for lunch. We had a great time talking and laughing with our great kids. After we got home, we headed up to my Mom's to light fireworks. We had a great time hanging out with the family. I just have to say again how thankful I am to be a Mom. My kids are truly the greatest in the world and I love them with all my heart and soul. Sometimes it's a hard job, but I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. 
Sunday:We met Grandma Sue, Jeni, Nikki, Jennie and Jake at the pool. Emma had the best time with Justine. Justine is the best big sister! She went on the twisty slide over and over with Emma. We love you Juss! I also have to say thanks to Jeni and Nikki. They are so good with the kids and spent plenty of "Twisty slide" time! 
Splash down!
Here they are...... Sweet Swimming Sisters again!
*Oh and as for the waterslide, Bruce and Colter managed to patch it while we were swimming! Emma tried it out on Wednesday and it was perfect! Here she is messing around with my sun hat.....
Wow this summer is flying by.....
