jackson lake

on our yearly trip, we like to stay in the lakefront cabins at signal mountain lodge.  they are close to the lake, and have an amazing view of the mountains.  unfortunately this year we could barely see the view because of all the fires.  it was really smoky.  it is a tradition to throw rocks in the lake, usually at a buoy, and if the kids can hit the target, they earn a trip to the skittle store (the gas station, i can’t remember what kid called it the skittle store, but the name certainly stuck.)

 

our smoky view

even the big kids can get in on the fun

the buoy’s were a little too far away for the little people, so grandpa found a new target to throw in the lake for them to try to hit.

 

 

morgan was determined to hit the buoy, she kept trying and trying.  she got within inches, but never actually hit the target.  i tried for a while and quickly quit when i couldn’t even get close.  aaron and grandpa were the only ones to make it happen.

grand teton park 2012...bike ride

every year in the fall we take a trip with grandpa and grandma williamson to the tetons.  we started going to watch the elk and listen to them bugle, now we still watch the elk, but we have found a few more favorite things to do.  we usually go on a hike, but we decided this year to take the kids on the new bike path through part of the park.  we all loved it:)  we started at jenny’s lake and biked 8 miles, all the way out of the park and down to moose junction.  some of the crew was pretty tired after that, but a few of us turned around and biked back to jenny’s lake.  it was a beautiful day, and so fun to go on a bike ride next to those pretty mountains.  coop loved it, i was surprised at how long he was content to be in a bike trailer.

grandpa and morgan in her sweet helmet…she was a little grumpy about the helmet, so grandpa bribed her with a milkshake to have a good attitude about wearing it.

coop and dad

i’m with morgan…the helmets are pretty unattractive:(

 

grandma, paige, and carson biking back from the potty.

 

all of our bikes parked while we had a picnic across the street

such a pretty day for a picnic and a bike ride

coop and dad…who unfortunately had to take some work phone calls while we were away.

grandma and grandpa.  my family looks forward to this trip every year, we are so lucky that these nice grandparents keep wanting to go with us.

first day of school

this year at our house we have an 8th grader, 5th grader, and a 2nd grader.  

 

this one is the only one that would let me get a camera out at school, it was much too embarrassing for the big girls to get a photo taken by mom at school.

buffalo campground

the weekend before school started, we decided to head out for one more camping trip.  the kids love to go to buffalo, and we hadn’t been for two years.  it was so nice to get away and relax, and have my kids spend time with each other.  it seems they like to fight a lot at home, but when they have no other options for friends, amazingly, they seem to figure out how to get along.

 

cooper and dad

coop was afraid of the fire, but he would sit there and throw pinecone after pinecone in it.

 

we always have to pack the ball and bat with us:)

 

we only floated the river once, because it was a little cold.  carson and aaron’s boat didn’t seem to  be holding air very well,  it kept getting flatter and flatter as we went.  i was surprised that coop went with us, he  is usually so afraid, but he enjoyed most of the ride.

it seemed everyone but coop enjoyed making a big fire.

i can’t remember what he dropped out of his cup, but he certainly is not pleased about it.

we took a drive to west yellowstone to have a picnic and grab some ice cream.  aaron wanted to take the kids to get a silk screened t-shirt, like aunt sherry used to get for him.  the boys got a shirt, and the girls decided on pajama pants with yellowstone printed on them.

we had such a fun weekend.  the kids rode bikes all over the campground, we played baseball and volleyball, we went for nice long walks, and sat around the campfire making smores.  it is so nice to get away from the pace of normal life and spend some time together as a family.

our first teenager

it is hard to believe that this girl is already 13.  i don’t know why 13 feels so much older than 12, but it certainly does to me.  maybe it has to do with how grown up she is looking and becoming, all i know is when i look at pictures of her from 2 years ago, it is a shock at how fast she has changed.  i am so grateful for this sweet girl.  she is so responsible, and helpful, and almost too grown up.  i feel like i have to remind her to go have fun and act like a teenager. 

morgan was a good sport this year.  after a crazy few weeks of camping, and girls camp,  unfortunately most of us got sick.  she had to cancel her birthday party and reschedule because her brother had pneumonia.

  

  

 

 

 

somehow i forgot to take any pictures of her birthday party:( 

happy birthday morgan!