Catching up

It's been a busy but fun month. A few weeks ago we finally got back up in the mountains for a few hours. We went to one of our favorite spots above Alta for a short kid-friendly hike. Josh hiked the whole way. Melia hiked about 20 feet up and hopped most of the way back down. The kids loved getting back near a lake again to throw rocks and have a picnic.

Last week Emily and I finally got a chance to go away for the weekend. The kids spent the weekend with their cousins and had a blast. We spent a day and night away from the kids, the whining, fighting, crying, whining, cleaning up after them, whining, etc. Thank you Pam & Marilyn for adding two more to the pack for the weekend! (And thanks for the pictures, Pam.)

We were a little worried that Melia would have a hard time being away for the night, but after dinner at Aunt Pammy's house she marched in the room she decided she would sleep in and set up camp on the floor with all her friends (stuffed animals).

After we picked up the kids on Saturday we went to two family reunions. It was great to see family we haven't seen in a long time.

Wednesday we finally made it to Lagoon. Josh has been asking to go to Lagoon since we were driving home from Lagoon last year. We loved being able to go with Ryan and his family again - Lagoon just isn't the same for Josh without his cousin Tasha. They were inseparable the whole day. Josh was tall enough to try out a few new rides this year and this was Melia's first trip. Melia's day turned from tears as she cried out "I don't like this" on the Bulgy the Whale ride to a pure adrenaline rush as she rode Odyssey with Uncle Ryan. Not a day goes by that we don't hear her laugh about "the fishy ride that sprayed us in the face."

It's been a fun month to wrap up summer as we get ready for Josh to start first grade this week. He tells us he's "mostly excited, just a little nervous."