Lately

I love that Zoey's T-K school days are done before noon and we can spend a few hours together before picking up the big kids!

 Zoey enjoys yoga....

 so does Mia! They are very bendy.

 Ghirardelli now makes cake mix. We were anxious to try them out!

 The girls helped!

 Speaking of baking.....I have been working on simple pumpkin recipes for a Relief Society class I am teaching next month. This chocolate drizzled pumpkin granola turned out amazing!

 Even Zoey who claims to not like pumpkin loved it!

 The girls and I had a little time together this past weekend. The boys went camping with the scouts! Mia and Zoey painted mini pumpkins to decorate with.

 The boys were camping up in Forest Falls.

 They woke up pretty adorable....it almost makes me with I was there....almost!

 Zackary celebrated his 7th birthday last week too! That is where the Pikachu hat came from! Zackary loves all things Pikachu right now.

 Poor Zack....he had to pack out all of the trash from the campout! Ty said he had been throwing trash into the bushes so he was learning a lesson. Poor little pikachu!

I guess we are moving into fall. October will be here before the week is out. The next three months will fly. I want to savor them!

Family Fun Day

Today has just been delightful. It was a beautiful cool day....for the first time in forever! I lit my pumpkin candle and baked pumpkin cookies....and then we headed out for a little adventure.

 We took the kids to Prospect Park in Redlands. 

 It was so nice to get away from the house and the heat of summer for an afternoon.

 We did lots of exploring.

 The kids enjoyed the views.

 I loved watching these little people enjoy the views. They are my favorite!

 On a different note...Max tried out for flag football this week. He is trying out for the position of wide receiver. We will find out on Monday if he made the team....whether he makes the team or not, I am proud of him for putting himself out there and trying.

 The kids got in a little tree climbing.....it was so green at the park!

 The girls hunted for bamboo inside the bamboo forest. Zoey said she would save it for her Panda!

 The boys caught a ton of pokemon while we were there!

 and then we were hungry...and it was time for pizza! We have wanted to try the Chicago deep dish pizza from Romano's in Redlands.

 It was so very amazing. There are few things I love more than really great pizza!

We had such a fun time together. I love weekends!

Back to School

 Summer is over! In theory....it is still very hot, but the kids are back in school! Zoey, Mia, and Zack started on Monday!

 I can't believe our little Miss Zoey is in school! She started T-K! So far she is loving it. I love picking her up after school and I still carry her like she is tiny, even though she is getting so big now.

 Big sister Mia started 4th grade! She has 2 teachers this year and she loves them.

 I think it is going to be a great year for her. She is such a great helper with Zoey. She walks her to class every morning!

 Zackary! Zackary started first grade. I think he was ready to get back to school and see his friends, get back to learning, and eat lots of hot lunch. Zackary is my only child that gets hot lunch. He loves it so much!

 Max started junior high at the local charter school on Tuesday. I took no pictures, because....I forgot...Maybe I will take one tomorrow! He had a wonderful first day! As he walked onto campus everyone was cheering for the new 6th graders and passing out donuts. His STEM class has a 3-D printer and the student store sells Jamba Juice! He is a happy camper.

 All this schooling is a bit tiring! The kids are ready for bed by 8! I am too really.....I kind of miss my no - alarm summer sleep schedule.

 While the kids are at school I have been busy....cookies have been involved! Yesterday I made snickerdoodles for Zack. They are his favorite. We passed them out to all of the friends after school.

 Today I made a healthier cookie. Full of peanut butter and chocolate, my favorite! I think they will make a great after school snack.

 In other news....I bought a pack of canvas and all of the kids got to paint a piece for their rooms. Zack painted a Pikachu! He is kind of into Pokemon right now.

We have been loving catching bits and pieces of the olympic games in Rio! The kids have really enjoyed it too. We made Brigadeiro truffles last night! We talked about Brazil and the olympics. The kids helped. Everyone got to eat a truffle and then we went to bed...because it was after 8 and we were all exhausted!

Boys

 The girls are off with my mom today, so the boys and I are having a day! Not as many pictures as with the girls...the boys aren't as into it...We took  trip to Game Stop and the boys traded in an older game for a new one. We came home to mini chicken sandwiches for lunch and then some gaming time....because it is hot outside and it makes them happy.

 School starts next week for these two. Zackary will be in first grade! He is excited and ready to go. Max will be starting 6th grade and junior high! He is thrilled to be starting at a new school and happy that his two best friends will be attending the same school.

I hope we can continue to find happy moments as the days get busier!

Girls

The boys are away with friends today! They are swimming and bowling and having a good time so the girls and I aren't feeling bad about having fun without them while they are gone!

 Zoey found a furry friend at the bike shop.....we spend a lot of time there now that Ty is an ultimate trail rider.

 We found out this morning that Zoey will be in early bird T-K starting next Monday! To celebrate we picked out some new shoes and a new shirt to wear on the first day. (she is wearing the shirt now, but that's ok!) I was super excited about the tiny pair of TOMs shoes we found for her!

 We picked up some canvas while we were out and the girls worked on artwork for their bedrooms. We always listen to Disney music while we paint. 

This picture does not at all represent the happiness we were  all feeling about enjoying berries and nutella for lunch. 

I do so love my little girls. These happy days are so precious! 

Bears......and a fun day!

 Zackary was invited to spend yesterday on the lake with a friend. He had a blast! While he was gone Ty and I took the other kids up to Oak Glen. We just happened to stumble upon a big momma bear with her two cubs! We climbed into the van and watched them from inside.

 I don't mind bears so much as long as we are inside of our getaway vehicle.

 Then we played and picnicked at the park. It was hot, but not as hot as it was at home!

 Max and Mia play so well together sometimes! 

 After Zack came home Ty and I went to the temple. The kids swam at my parent's pool while we were gone. We finished our evening at Eureka Burger with friends. Truffle fries forever.

Summer

 Strawberries were on sale! We made a pie. I used shortbread cookies in the crust instead of the usual graham crackers and we decided the shortbread was far superior!

 Zoey made it through swim lessons and is pretty water safe at this point....she has decided to become a surfer.

 At least while she is in the pool and her daddy is nearby!

 Temperatures are on the rise again....triple digits! If we aren't at the pool we are going to be hanging inside. Today we pulled out the crafts.

 There was lots of painting and clay and such...

 We are still loving our summer break!