August has been a busy month. We finished up Cami's second set of swim lessons which she totally enjoyed. She is really turning into a little fish. We had a wonderful busy trip home to Idaho and then this Monday Cami started Kindergarten.
Cami wanted to try the high dive! I was terrified for her, but she wasn't scared at all. She is a brave little cookie!
Summer reading program at the library paid off! Cami loves to read to weekly trips the library and sitting down for 30 minutes or more to read is no big deal at our house. They were able to put their name in a drawing for prizes and Cami got this, Which incidentally was what she told me she wanted.
I think I am going to miss going to Mr Kippy storytime this year, since I wont have a little one to take. He makes me laugh. Cami was playing Little Miss Muffet here.
We said goodbye to our friends the VanMoos. We love this area, but it does tend to be a bit transient for many of our ward members. I am learning to say goodbye to new friends after short stays, but it is hard. I guess we just have to live in the moment and appreciate time to build relationships no matter how long.
Summer Reading program swim party. A pretty awesome reward if you ask me.
Whereever we go Cami is noticed for her beautiful red hair. The pilot caught a glimpse of her and told the stewardess to watch for the little red-head as we boarded. He invited her into the cockpit to show her the controls and such. Pretty neat stuff!
After some delays and a super early flight we made it to Idaho. Monday Cami experienced cold water and lukewarm weather in which to enjoy it, which was the story of my childhood. I remember why I didn't really enjoy water activities very much...It was not usually warm enough! She had fun, but got cold easily and chickened out much sooner than her Idaho cousins!
Monday afternoon we drove up to Scout Mountain and enjoyed tinfoil dinners. Cami had fun exploring and finding sticks.
Grandma Redd showing Cami her garden. Cami loved helping her water!
We drove up to IF Tuesday and had lunch and hung out then played water kickball and threw some water balloons at Sarah and Spencer's. Once again Cami got cold, but we had lots of fun.
Wednesday we drove up to Rexburg and explored a little ghost town in Herbert. There was not a lot to see, but still interesting.
Then we went to the splash park in Rexburg and had a picnic. We took the opportunity to take lots of pictures.
Cami and Alvin went for a ride on the carousel.
Then we found a specialty candy shop where I bought some Canadian candy that reminded me of childhood trips to Canada for family reunions.
Cami loved being outside in the cooler weather. She also really loved the hammock in my parents backyard.
Thursday Anna, Emma, Cami and I drove out to Jensen's grove in Blackfoot to swim and play at the park. It was fun, but also a bit chilly for us wanie Texans.
Friday we drove out to Granite Hot Springs to go camping. This is pretty much Cami's first real camping trip. She really had a lot of fun and I did too. I loved the scenery and miss the mountains and cool clear air!
The hot spring was really very nice. I think we should have hit it up in the morning when it was chilly too!
Just beautiful mountains!!
Camping. So many memories of camping with our family. It was great to be in the mountains and have campfires and eat! My mother is an incredible camp cook. She has serious survival skills!
Rock skipping by the river.
We went hiking up by Granite Falls. Not a huge waterfall, but very pretty. Cami just scrambled up the rocks like a little mountain goat!
After a picnic lunch we went for a little hike up by the springs. It was so pretty and peaceful up there!
No trip through Palisades would be complete without a stop for square ice cream. Just as yummy as I remember it!
Little out of order but here is all my sisters and mom! We are a cute bunch!
The red-headed cousins in their Sunday Best!
Me and my beautiful mother!
Then we headed to IF for some Egbert time! Here is a cousin pile up on Grandpa Egbert.
Cami loved cousin time while in Idaho. She was so easy to parent those two weeks!
Monday Steve and Nicole took us up to the hills to go horseback riding. Cami said she felt like a real cowgirl! It was a pretty tricky trail and Cami got whacked a few times by low hanging branches, but she did very well. She rode with me for the trail. She only rode by herself for a little bit :)
Cami and Katie the little cowgirls!
Cami's battle wounds from our ride :)
We came back and had grilled hot dogs and roasted s'mores for dinner, then we had a cousin sleep over and watched a movie. There were quite a few late nights on our trip!
Tuesday I got up early to go to the temple with my parents and Sarah. It was so nice to be able to go. It has been difficult to find the time since we moved here.
After I got back we headed up to Yellowstone. We were able to see buffalo, elk, and osprey and of course lots of lovely mountains, trees, hotsprings, and hot pots! It was beautiful, and chilly!
Watching Old Faithful! Cami showing her usual enthusiasm!
A buffalo we got to see up close!
Katie said this was her favorite part of the whole trip... It was a bit of driving which was a little difficult on the kiddos! But the sights were amazing!
Eating lunch in the Old Faithful Lodge!
The grand canyon of Yellowstone. So beautiful!
While there the kids worked on a junior ranger program. At the end of it they had to swear in and get a badge. It was pretty cute. A good way to encourage kids to take care of the environment. Cami told me she wants to be a ranger when she grows up now.
Our little rangers with their badges!
Wednesday Cami and the girl cousins did some painting projects. I have really appreciated her increased attention span with arts and crafts lately.
That evening for Grace's birthday we went to the aquatic center.
Thursday Aunt Jenna trimmed Cami's and my hair and we just hung out while the kids played then crashed the Boyle family bbq that night. After Steve and Nicole came over and we played games till late.
Saturday we went up to Salt Lake City and went to Hogle Zoo. It was very warm so the kids really enjoyed the spash part.
Cami really wanted a picture with this cat for some reason.
We went on another carousel ride at the end of our zoo trip.
Friday night we stayed with the Hickenloopers before flying home! We sure miss our good friends!
Flying home. Cami loved looking at the safety pamphlet for some reason. We also had some delays coming home, but made it safe and sound. We had a wonderful trip in which we got our fill of mountains and cool air and family. I am so grateful we were able to go!
Then Monday my little girl started kindergarten! I was more emotional than I thought I would be. I had to do lots of soul searching, and in the end decided that I should be home for now rather than try to find a job. It was a difficult decision but I feel that is it right and I am so grateful that I have that option. The Lord has truly blessed us. Cami loves school so far. Her teacher is Mrs. Vacek and although the day seems very long Cami reported to me yesterday that her day "was splendid". She makes me laugh! I am working hard to keep busy and productive and try to use my time wisely.
Walking to school today. She is growing up on me!
