September's 411

Finally we're moving closer to becoming debt free. We sold my car (that had a hefty payment) and bought one that was 4 years older. For 2 years I've been hearing Dave Ramsey's voice in my head telling me to do it...but I had to wait until Kimball was on board. I have to say, it feels SO good to pay cash for a car. It totally changes the car buying experience. Not that it's a fun process, but once you get it, you can't help but go out in the garage every few hours just to take a look. I can't say I ever did that with the other one. I regretted that purchase as I was pulling it off the lot! Next up...Kimball's truck. Work has slowed down by about 1/3 of what we were doing 2 years ago, so we are having to make adjustments so we don't go out of business like so many have. Can't wait for the good times to come back and don't believe I'll be complaining when I think he's working too much, (but don't go holding me to it).

Jaxon's busy working on his book Kid Wars. He wakes up early every morning so he has time to write before school. He is starting to really enjoy Spanish class and passed a girl his first love note. He is also turning 11 next week, so he's busy planning his birthday party. Then again, he's been doing that since March (and I kid you not).
He is also reading like a fool as usual and chooses to skip meals at times so he can meet his goal. I love that he has lists and goals just like his mama. Now if he keeps up the early mornings I'll be thrilled.

Kade is loving school and friends and is 'all business' about his school work. I love how he's always trying to do his best...what a good kid. He is great about doing all his home work without being asked, he genuinely wants to do good in school.

Sophia is trying her darnedest to talk and communicate better. It's SO adorable to hear her trying to form sentences. We were away for the night and called home to talk. She said to me "Go here now" in her 2 year old voice...melted my heart!

Other than that, we are just hoping the weather cools down soon. It's so dang hot and the older I get, the more I miss 4 seasons.

Utah Summer Trip Take 3

While in Utah this summer, we went with my brother Jeff and his family up to Bridal Veil Falls. It was a lot of fun for the kids, playing in the COLD water and having a picnic.

The sleep out...my #1 favorite thing to do in the summer!!

Here's another picture my niece Samantha took of Sophia. At this point she was sick of posing, we had to pull out all the stops, bribing her with any sugar we could find. Check out that unibrow!

Highlights from our Utah trip...

Tiger's blood snow cones, the kids had them daily which takes me right back to my 1980's childhood.

Sleeping out with McKenna and Cody. We slept on the deck, all the bigger kids took the tramp.
Fry sauce (mayo and ketchup). OK so it sounds gross but don't knock it 'til you've tried it...to which you'll become instantly hooked. Yes, I ate FAR too many fries clearly for the sauce.

Hike to Bridal Vail Falls, gorgeous and the water was so nice and cool.

A pedicure with Kaycee, the lady hurt me and my toe got infected but they looked pretty.

Baby shower for Anna and Baby Brody, she got tons of good stuff...almost made me want one.

Riding the zip line at Snowbird, scenery = beautiful, company = fab, zip line = snoozer.

Puking our guts out , everyone needs a good detox now and then.

Dressing up Sophia's for her photo shoot. My niece Samantha took these new photos...so stinking cute, so fun having a girl!!

Cleaning up the nail polish mess Sophia made in my brother Joe's guest bathroom seriously, she struck again and anyone who's seen Joe's house can imagine the sickness I felt when finding her! Thank goodness it cleaned up and the only permanent damage was a bathroom rug that can be replaced.

Family dinner and talent night at Joe and Amy's. We learned all about Korea from my new SIL Anna. the kids learned how to write their names in Korean and got to try a few foods from Korea, (thanks Anna).

Dinner with my high school friends , some of them I hadn't seen in 11 years!

Movie night outside on the huge jumbo screen.

Makeovers with Lachlan and Bree, this is a must when I go to Utah...they love it.

Playing in the woods (Terabithia) with Timmy, Tyler and Joey.

Even though 4 out of 5 of us got sick, we had a blast spending time with our family. Kade liked it so much he tried to stay. We left at 3:30 a.m. and when we were about to pull away, I noticed he wasn't in the car like he should have been. Instead of going out to the car and getting in the middle seat, he went upstairs to the king size kids bed and got in the middle of his two cousins...too funny. Their house is so big it took me a while to find him! Jaxon said he'd have been dang lucky if we'd forgotten him. They LOVE spending time with their cousins. Thanks everyone for the hospitality.

I lost all the pictures from Bridal Veil Falls...bummer!! I'll post them if I find them.