Goodbye Summer, Granny & Grandad: Hello School and Fall

I don't know how it happened, but summer came and went. Granny and Grandad had their farewell last weekend. Tiffany, Rustin and kiddies along with Dawn, Brent and kiddies came for the event. We had great visits and enjoyed one another's company. My parents drove off for Utah and the kids went back to school just after everyone left. Friday was the first Cross Country meet for the middle school and then the flu hit the past three days. Six of the nine members of my family have been on the lose five pounds in 24 hours diet. It has been delightful. Somebody has a good sense of humour somewhere...but at least look at these cute kids!!!!

I am very aware of the many blessings in my life and find myself happy and fortunate.

Happy Birthday Granny!

(What did I tell you about emergency candles, very versatile)We enjoyed Fuddruckers for the evening together and chocolate sheet cake with a secret ingredient.
Little Satori trying on Granny's swimsuit.

Emmett Triathlon

Saturday family left again and Scott, Gina and I decided to do the Emmett Triathlon. I was inspired by this amazing man who competed in the entire event. It made me so grateful for my healthy and strong family. Two true competitors comparing notes!
This was our second triathlon and Gina's first. She is a natural and really did well.
I even won a cowbell out of this gig, presented by Miss Emmett no less. What can I say, we live in Idaho.

Our whole family came out to cheer. Danielle and Micah were there at the start and waited the whole morning for our finish. It was so fun to jump off my bike while my kiddies cheered me on. I loved participating in the race and hope to make it a tradition with Scott and Gina every year. Maybe next year we will sign up sooner than the cut off date and actually train for it.

Sun kissed rascal

Gideon steals our hearts daily...but he doesn't come without a cost!Yes, he owns clothing but he apparently deems them optional!
Watching for daddy's car to come home.

We played with Kadie, Mary and Michael for a week. Mary found Gideon to be very entertaining and a great influence.

Blanket Forts and...

"Tea" parties were top on the list.

I downsized this week from last week, only 10 children instead of 13. I don't know how all this mischief could have possibly happened.

I love this little boy, naked and knee deep in food storage.

Micah turns 12

(When all else fails, use an emergency candle!!!)

The week following Greg and Amy's wedding, Tami and CJ went to Washington DC and the Stewarts went on trek. We spent the week playing with Spencer, Lora, Nathan, Cole, Alicia and Caleb, while both sets of parents were gone. The first night of these older monkeys extended sleep over, pranks began at 5 AM. I had to throw the hammer down the next day and give wake up call to be no earlier than 6:30 AM. There is nothing more invigorating then to hear the shrieking of children bright and early, knowing that within minutes, 13 kids are going to be clambering upstairs to tell their side of the story and demand breakfast.Saturday morning Scott got up super early and hopped on his bike to go on a 62 mile ride. I thought that seemed rather convenient considering the massive work load at home. If you can't beat them, Join them rang true that morning. I fed everyone breakfast and hesitantly put the teenagers in charge. I sped out of town on my bike and rode as hard as I could to Horseshoe Bend to meet Scott at the 47 mile mark. I thought I could accomplish three things: Encourage Scott at the toughest part of his ride, Overcome my fear of riding a scary highway, out to Horseshoe Bend and get in a little exercise. The result...I didn't realize there was a back road out of the area, that is less intense and highly traveled by cyclists. I waited for almost an hour at the wrong cross roads. I turned around and started the long climb home when I saw what appeared to be Scott and three other men. I put the the pedal to the metal and spun my little legs as fast as I could to catch up to these men. I rode faster then I ever have for several miles only to find out that it was not Scott's group. Exhausted, I tagged along with these "elite" men (probably gave them a good laugh for the day) all the way back into Eagle, only to have missed Scott altogether. I was able to get more exercise in then I bargained for (32 miles of hills), took on the scary mountain by myself but alas only had the tale to tell when I finally saw Scott again.

Scott was so wiped out that he volunteered to stay home with Gideon and Thomas (first he took them to the gym swimming), so that I could take everyone to Roaring Springs, for a late celebration of Micah's Birthday. (We took him out on his birthday earlier for Quizno's, his favorite, and to pick out his brand new mountain bike) Happy 12th Micah!!! Micah is such a fine son and a loving and tender young man. I am so excited for him to reach this milestone in his life. I worried that all the commotion going on, would take away from his special day but instead he was just so gracious and grateful for what we could give.

I partnered up with these two cute cousins.

Micah and Caleb

James and Alicia

Kool Kats!

The races!

Every night following turned into board game parties and one movie night with Napoleon Dynamite.

Greg and Amy July 24th, 2010

Sweet baby Emily and Danielle cuddling together.My kids just love the babies. They all take turns holding the newest additions in the family.

Well the Stevens did the Jig and a big High Five when these two love birds tied the knot this summer. Yes our very own "menace to society" found the woman of his dreams and made it a reality. We just love this cute girl and think she is a the real McCoy worth waiting for.

How I get roped into these matching dresses so often I don't know, but we girls had some real giggles together!

Sister Joyce Forman came and spent special time with the whole family. We cherish every opportunity to see her. You can really see the love and joy in her eyes and smile as she devotes her everything to the Lord and her family.

What can I say I am a sucker for a good party and a gluten for punishment. We kept tradition all week with "Hotel Stevens" open for lots of grandchildren, big huge meals, and late night laughter.

We swam, played tennis, went to the Starlight Mountain Theatre and played with our kiddies.

McCall

One highlight of the summer included a weekend in McCall with friends. Cord, Amy and kiddies invited us to their "cabin" on the lake! Our kids were a little star struck with the amazing property and ample boats and toys. Everyone tubed and went on the banana raft including Gideon and Tommy.
We took several trips around the lake to see the homes of the rich and famous. The funniest was Simplots man made swimming pool in the lake off shore. We got gas in town and ironically broke down on the way back to Pilgrim's Cove. Cord's father had to tow us to shore and give us all a ride back.
I don't have a picture but the main event was surfing. I had never seen anyone surf off of the boat wake but I soon found out why it is so popular right now. The Christensen's are all proficient. Cord even carried the little guys on his shoulders while surfing. Scott and I loved it.

Everyone love the speed of the boat, the music and the wind in the face!

This was my activity of choice!!!

Amy and I have pre-arranged this match made in heaven...they could be twins!

The food was delicious. Cord is quite the chef, smoked pork loin, crepes, and a Mexican fiesta night.

Can you tell we have teenagers???

James and Micah really had a good time with friends.

Scout Camp

The many faces of a week long Scout Camp.

Basket Weaving is essential to every Scouts repertoire?!? Little Eliza benefited from the basket and cute stool James made.

Micah was the only boy in the troop to earn his swimmers badge! The water was apparently very very cold. Not many boys were willing to jump in.

Scott was a trooper all summer, pitch hitting for our ward's youth activities. He got back from Girl's Camp just in time to leave for another week to Scout camp.

After eating like a king with the women, Scout corn dogs and chicken nuggets were hard to take. The boys had a fabulous week, worked hard at earning a combined 24 merit badges over the course of the summer and camp, and made good friends.