Todd went on a work trip to Baltimore on Aug 25 - 29. Eric, Jordan, Ashley and Alexa went to see him. They had a lot of fun at the Hard Rock Cafe and ESPN Center. Todd was also able to got to Washington D.C. a few days later. He hopes to be able to go back in December.
span >We traveled to Idaho again on Aug 24th for Casey's Homecoming talk. He did a great Job! We were also able to go huckleberrying with Uncle Leon and Kevin and Sherrie's family.
Yea! The first day of school was August 20th. I am usually not excited for school to start but this summer was so crazy I really needed to get some structure back! Jessi is a senior and Tyson is a sophmore and they both go to Mountain Crest High School. This is the first time they have been in the same school in four years. Justin is in the 8th grade and is in South Cache Junior High. Shonee is in 5th and Brecken is in 2nd. They both got to start school in the new Mendon Elementary School. We also are trying a new thing. Walking! We have always been bussed to school but Shonee and Brecken walk now. I am enjoying going with them. Hopefully it will help me!
We took our first family camping trip August 14- 16 up Franklin Basin. It was a great time. We spent time hiking, talking, cooking, joking and just being with each other. We had a great time looking for rocks in the spring. About 20 years ago Todd put some of Grandpa Rhodehouse's rocks in the spring. The water came up from the bottom with enough force that the water would churn the rocks and roll them around. He put the rocks in wondering if it would polish them. We pretty much forgot about it until we found the spring on a hike. The spring was dormant because it was fall so it was easy to reach in the bottom and pull out rocks. We found a lot of beautiful rocks! They were polished just like Todd thought they would be. Justin even found some pretty good pieces of opal. We also enjoyed going to Tony Grove. The whole time was awesome.
More Pictures
We also have fun with contests. The kids had a fire making contest. Todd wasn't supposed to play but he ended up wining. They also made inventions. Shonee made a can that could scoop out the rocks when we were trying to find them in the spring. Jessi made a sifter to find the rocks. Justin made a hotdog stick holder. Tyson and Brecken worked together. They made a game and a sign for the camp. The kids also made boats and raced them down the creek.
I just found these pictures. I don't know who took them. But I just thought I would answer everyone's questions. Yes it bothers me she has a boyfriend! Yes I have a hard time with it! But she is a senior and I guess I have to get used to it. Don't worry all the rest of you will be in the same situation with your kids sooner then you like too! :)
We went to Idaho on Aug. 10. We were so excited to see our cousin Casey who had just returned from a mission to Mexico! He looks really good and the whole family is together again! We are so excited for them! We aslo got to be there when he announced his engagement to Elise. Congratulations Casey and Elise!
We went to Wyoming to Celebrate Great Grandma Skinner's Birthday. It was really nice. A lot of the family was there. Before the party the kids enjoyed swimming at the motel across the street with Liza and Andy. Then we had a great dutch oven dinner thanks to Delayne's family! At one point it hailed! The hail was huge. That is what Tyson is holding in his hand in the picture.
We took another trip to First Dam with our family. Of course we had Alex with us too, but this time we were missing Shonee. She went early with Grandma and Grandpa to Great Grandma Skinner's house. We just relaxed the whole day with the canoe and tubing. It was fun.
Justin was being obnoxious one day and I decided to teach him a lesson. Since he is to big for me I enlisted Alex's help. I told Alex to dip his head in the toilet. Everyone else got involved too. Todd even came in to see what was going on. They struggled around for a while. I eventually told Alex not to follow through. I doubt Justin really learned a lesson. We will see!
We went to the Rodeo on August 7th. We had Alex and Katie Cheney with us. While we were waiting we saw a beautiful rainbow! It wasn't to long after that we were in a thunder and lightening storm. We really enjoyed it though even though we were soaking wet!
We went to the pool for Family Swim night. It was fun but Shonee was the only one that would stay in one place for a picture so I got mad and quit taking them! She is a cutie though isn't she!
Todd got to go on Tyson's High Adventure Camp with him. They went to the Wind Rivers in Wyoming. They had to canoe across one lake then pull the canoes up the river and canoe across the next lake to their camp. They only took dehydrated food and drank the water from the lake. (don't do this at home without a filter! :) ) The way it sounds to me, boys are crazy! They spent a lot of time hurting each other as well as themselves. They were also naked most of the time. I didn't include those pictures! But they had a ball and can't wait until next year when they are planning a hiking trip through the Uintas!
Jessi, Alex and Justin put up a new rope swing while Todd and Tyson were at camp. It is a great swing and is really high up in the tree! One problem though. They tore up all the plants we had planted below it! Now Alex has to find a way to get it down. Good luck Alex!
We enjoyed a day at first dam with Debbie Cheney and kids. The older kids floated the canal and the younger ones played on the "Beach". It was a lot of fun!
