Alpine Days 2018

       We're definitely ending summer break with a bang! We've done something fun nearly every day this week starting with the ping-pong drop. The helicopter dropped ping-pong balls for the kids to collect and then turn in for a prize/lollipop. It was a little unorganized but it was the first time it's been done here in Alpine and it was fun nonetheless.

Despite their silly faces they had a blast.

   We had an awesome lightening and thunder storm over the weekend and Carter captured this awesome photo from the front porch on his iPod.

Lightening and thunder is my all time favorite!

   The next fun activity was the foam & water party!

Messy, chaotic and fun!

    Then we went to a free swim night for Caldwell Banker and Charlie won this cute Supergirl doll.

     Then it was the Luau where Greg and I treated ourselves to dinner at the food trucks while the kids stayed home.

This was the only photo from the Luau night.

     Our neighbors family owns a big piece of property & cabin in the Unita's and was kind enough to invite us up for the day so I took the three youngest and we had a blast. We did a little nature hike, played in the creek/river and just enjoyed the peace and quiet with no wifi or cell service.

These two cabins are the first two built on the property and one is no longer structurally sound .

   I failed to get a photo of the actual cabin but the scenery was just too spectacular and had to be documented even if the photos don't do it justice.

Our nature hike took us to this pretty little waterfall.

Dirt and water, a boys two favorite things.

Despite the freezing water and rocky river bottom these three had a blast!

Seriously so gorgeous!

All 13 kids having dinner together.

    Last night we went to the rodeo. After 22 years of working for the City Greg finally agreed to go to the rodeo and it was a fun night. We had Mark, Carter, Charlie and Brock with us.

This nice/cute old man volunteered to take a photo with Charlie before she got her photo with the rodeo clown.

A few action shots from the barrel racing.

   And today we started with the parade!

Candy, Candy, Candy!

About the only two real floats in the whole parade.

Cool tractors.

Fancy dune buggies.

   Then it was off to the carnival!

Lots of bouncy waterslides.

Charlie started off in these cool treadmill balls.

So many fun things to choose from.

Jump, Jump, Jump.

Bull rides and stunt jumps.

McClane doing a little zip line and slide jumps.

A little rock climbing and bull riding for McClane.

     Sorry for the photo overload. Thanks to the city's generosity all the activities were free for the first time in 22 years! We got free rodeo tickets, free carnival wristbands and even a $10 food voucher for the food trucks. It's been fun!
      We stil have fireworks tonight and tomorrow we celebrate Charlie's 5th birthday so there may be a few more photos on next weeks blog as well. Only one more week left before school starts! Say it isn't so!!!

August already!?

    We've had another week of lazy summer days, which I love. There's been fun around the neighborhood and our own yard.

Sweet visitor Sunday evening.

    Best money I've spent recently was on this face painting kit. These 4 haven't gotten along this well EVER.

McClane was a little bummed because Carter wouldn't 'hire' him as a face painter. Ha ha

Charlie's recently become obsessed with taking 'funny-face' photos. She's pretty good at it.

Sarah's not sure about this 'funny-face' stuff. 

   We also had the privilege of 'baby holding' for the neighbor for about 30 minutes and Charlie wasn't about to be left out of these baby snuggles.

Cute girls!

     And we had a few extra dogs the other day and they all thought they needed some of Greg's cheese.

BEGGARS!!

      Well we only have a couple more weeks of 'freedom' and I'm not sure how I feel about it but it's been a pretty great summer. This coming week is Alpine Days so I'm sure we'll find a few activities to enjoy. I really can't believe it's August!

One naughty radish

     This week was slow but relaxing. It's always good to have a few lazy days of summer to slow time down a little. The only photo I took all week was of this lone, naughty radish. (And don't mind the mattress in the background.)

McClane's mystery plant from school was a real 'surprise' to say the least. (Who knew radishes could grow like this.)

  I did treat Ann and Kari to cupcakes from the same place we went to when Jackie was here and they were just as good the second time. (This time I limited myself to just one dozen. ha ha) Tomorrow we trade Isaac in for the neighbors dog, it's only for a week but I'm pretty sure Chloe the dog won't demand to play fortnite all the LIVE LONG DAY so it will be a nice change of pace!

A little fun.

      Life has slowed down significantly after all our fun with the Aussies. We did watch a little of the car cruise in A.F. Saturday night but there wasn't a lot of spectacular vehicles. The motorcycle with the cool sidecar was the only thing I felt impressed to photograph.

     I did take five of the kids swimming this week, which is always fun. They were pretty good and I think they had fun.

     I also realized I've never taken any real photos of the finished kitchen and I definitely haven't done a before and after photo so I finally took a minute to do just that. Unfortunately neither of these photos are 100% accurate but they get the job done. The before photo of the kitchen doesn't show the original floors and the after photo is a good indication of the finished project but there are still little jobs not done that aren't visible in the photo but it also gets the job done.

    These photos (below) are of all the angles of the kitchen and front room. Again, there are little indiscretions but at least there's decent photo evidence to remind us of what we started with and the finished project. I have to say it's a pretty big transformation and I love the finished project!

I don't know what I love the most but I'm happy it's done, at least to the naked eye.

     Now we'll be moving on to a little parade fun in the morning and possibly fireworks in the evening. I sure love summer!

Last call for memory making

      Well our last week with the Atkinson's was fun! It's weird to have them gone but we're so grateful for the time we had with them. These photos should tell you just how much fun we had.

Greg and my 23rd anniversary was celebrated with dinner at Texas Roadhouse, Ben's treat! 

Halle wanted Greg to jump them high so of course he did.

I loved having my cute nieces in primary with me.

Where it all began for this family.

I love to see the temple.

     Remember that time Jackie was craving cupcakes so we went to a cupcake store and I bought $73 worth of cupcakes?! WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!! These were AMAZING!!

One of each please! (Literally, I ordered one of each and a couple duplicates.)

    Motorbike rides were also a big hit with the girls.

Shae's turn.

Kirra occasionally had to share her turn with Charlie. 

Jovi was driving herself and of course Halle enjoyed touring the neighborhood saying "Hello Mate" to everyone she saw.

The Wendel's farewell photo with their Aussie cousins.

Last day selfies with Greg.

Last meal in America. Olive Garden never disappoints. (Well maybe it does, but my food was good and Ben picked up the bill again!)

The airport drop off was BRUTAL! Saying goodbye definitely caused a few of us to 'leak'. 

      Well now I have nothing to 'count down'! I also have no one asking me to do their hair like a 'waffle' aka waterfall (Kirra's pronunciation.) every morning. It's going to be an adjustment not having a full house. Until next time people from Down Under!