Labor Day Camping Trip

We had the opportunity to go camping with our friends the Bones over Labor Day weekend. We camped at Diamond Creek Campground past Soda Springs. There was no running water at the campground which meant nice walks to a stinky outhouse, but the Bones had a trailer, so we were able to wash our hands and even take a shower while we were there. We got there Thursday night and got our tent set-up just as the sun was going down. The Bones also had a generator, which meant Shawn could plug in to blow up our air mattress and run his C-Pap each night. The first and last night we were there were pretty cold (frost in the mornings cold), but we were prepared with foam pads, extra blankets and sleeping bags for the girls. We made up our bed with an extra sleeping bag for the mattress pad, flannel sheets, a blanket and another sleeping bag to top it all off. Although it was chilly, I think we all slept okay.

We had yummy food, tasty snacks and some pretty near perfect weather. We did have one windy afternoon and a few raindrops, but all in all, it was beautiful. Shawn taught the girls how to cast a fishing line (except for Evie, who could not tolerate the bugs) and Shawn and Jeff took the girls shooting one day. We also played games, read books, caught butterflies, gathered firewood and just played around the campsite. We didn't have a chainsaw, so the two men had to saw some wood old style. We also gleane

The trip was not without its unfortunate incidents however. As we were driving up, the trailer started leaking water and we think it lost 1/3 - 1/2 of its water. When we first got out at the campground, we discovered our van had a flat tire. So the first morning the men spent driving back to town to fill a water barrel and repair a flat tire. On the day we left, we stopped again in Soda Springs for a potty break, only to discover we had another flat tire. No one was opened on Labor Day, so we pumped it up, said a prayer that it would hold, and drove home. Thankfully we made it home safe and sound, and the next day we bought 2 new tires (and that is a story in itself).

The only pictures I took of the whole trip were of our little fishing expedition. Only seaweed and pond scum were caught, but the girls had fun. Felicity also took a picture of the butterfly she caught.Lydia untangling some pond scum.

Felicity casting her line.

Evie giving me the stink-eye on the way back to the van - hoping to get away from the bugs.

Back To School

Wow! The summer flew by there, especially at the end, and the girls are now back into the swing of a school routine. I have been enjoying some lazy days and uninterrupted productive ones before I change my substitute teaching availability. The girls all seem to have really great teachers and seem to be happy at school. I have yet to spend much time in their classrooms, but I fully intend to. Felicity has already had to do a group project, devise and write up a science experiment, and she has to give a speech on Monday. That is in addition to math, reading and writing homework to be done nearly every night. She is a little overwhelmed and is still learning to use her time wisely. Lydia has had it pretty easy so far - a little homework here and there, but nothing major. Evelyn has a homework packet she has to complete each week and has to make a habitat diorama that is due next week. They are very excited to have Grandpa and Grandma Thurber come for Grandparents Day next week! Here are some pics from the first day of school (again):

3 Sassy SistersReady to go!

6th, 2nd and 4th graders.Evie and her teacher. Doesn't she look like fun?!

Lydia ready to learn.Felicity and her teacher. Her teacher was super excited to start a new year!

Slideshows

I just figured out if you click on the slide show, it will open in a new window where you can view it larger and in different formats. If you click on "gallery view" you can see the thumbnail images and click through them that way. "Full screen" view makes it a little bigger. Hope that helps!

August Rundown and Slideshow

Here is a recap of the month of August:

- Went to Boise for a week to help mom after her foot surgery - worked in her classroom and getting ready for reunion and saw Thoroughly Modern Millie at the Starlight Mountain Theater
- The girls got their back-to-school haircuts
- Went to a Chukars game with Jeff and Ben
- Went to the Youth Jam down by the river with arts and crafts for the kids
- Went stargazing to see the meteor shower - awesome!
- Dragged Shawn to see Eclipse with me
- Shawn earned his green belt in karate
- Went on some Funland rides (free passes from summer reading)
- Played miniature golf (coupon from summer reading)
- Shawn's work picnic went well even after a brief thunder shower
- Registered for school and dance
- Helped at registration
- Evie learned to ride a bike!
- Celebrated Evie's 7th birthday with pizza and lazer tag
- Went to the Back-to-School preview night
- Evelyn got to help cut the ribbon at the new school (it was on her birthday)
- Piano lessons, movies, playing with friends, library visits, reading books
- Went to a wedding reception for one of Shawn's karate buddies
- Started school and Evie started Hip-Hop/Tap
- Went to the Von Sorenson family reunion in Ashton/Island Park. Mom rented a beautiful "cabin" for us to stay in and we had fun going to see waterfalls, a melodrama play of Pirates of the Caribbean, playing in Warm River, playing Bingo and other games, golfing, playing with cousins, eating good food, and visiting with each other. Thanks Mom and Dad! It was wonderful!

**Close the "pets" thing to read the captions**

July Rundown and Slideshow

Here are some of the things we did in July:
- Played at the new Fairmont Park in Boise
- celebrated Independence Day in Caldwell: parade, petting zoo, swimming, picnic, fireworks
- story time and crafts at Barnes and Noble
- Shawn, Lydia and Evie got the flu
- Read: Juliet Dove Queen of Love, Graven Images, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate with the kids
- Played at the park with my friend Joy and her kids
- Felicity made pudding pops with Torie
- Shawn took the girls shooting
- had the Bones over for dinner and some Bocce ball
- Girls went to day camp for activity days
- Had a Service Super Heroes primary activity
- Felicity started trading babysitting for sewing lessons
- Saw a couple movies: How to Train Your Dragon
- Played in the pool in the backyard
- Took care of our garden
- Got the van door fixed - AGAIN!
- Read books for the summer reading program at the library
- Went to the school library to do Accelerated Math and take AR quizzes
- Went to the temple to do initiatories with the Primary presidency
- Went to the Drive-Inn movie: Toy Story 3 and The Sorcerer's Apprentice
- Saw the Blue Angels
- Went to the annual ward chicken dinner
- Piano Lessons
- Went to see a newborn baby in the hospital
- Shawn moved offices for work; we moved a lot of couches!
- Made some yummy treats and played with friends :)

If you close the "pets" thing, you can read the captions

You may think...

... that we have fallen off the face of the Earth. Nope. We are still here. We enjoyed the last 2/3 of our summer, got ready for school to start, met new teachers at a new school, went camping for 4 days and have been enjoying some cool fall weather. I have updated my background in the hopes that it will inspire me to update the rest of my blog as well. Now that the girls are in school, I should have a little more free time. At least until I start volunteering and substitute teaching. Stay tuned...