Back to School

Today was the first day of School.

Maddie is in third grade and Abbie is in first.

They were both very excited this morning.

Here's to hoping for a good school year.

Hair Today Gone Tomorrow

New school year means new hair cuts.

Maddie has had long hair for a while,

so it was time for a change. She chopped it short -

 so she would have enough hair to donate.

She looks like a new Maddie.

Love it Munchkin - you look Beautiful.

Quick Trip to Papa's House

We've never been to Papa and Judy's house in Idaho.

Last week my Dad called to see if we would come up.

I took the kids for a few days of Fun.

We went on a boat ride, fished, had four wheeler rides,

had a picnic at the lake, went swimming, went to a parade

and the kids played a ton.

The kids came home extremely dirty and tired.

But they sure had a good time.

Check out these pictures of when

Jarem found a good drink. 

Ten Year Anniversary Trip

Shem and I have been married for almost ten years.

We never did a honeymoon - 

so ten years had to be something special.

Shem planned everything and it was surprise trip.

The first time in ten years we've left all our children.

My mom and sisters stepped up to help watch our kids.

Thanks guys - family is great.

We were gone for five wonderful days. 

The surprise destination was Lake Tahoe.

A place I visited often as a kid.

We did so many fun things but

we also had a lot of time to relax.

This trip was full of firsts for us.

First time leaving our kids, first couples massage,

first Hot Air Balloon ride, first river boat dinner cruise,

first time parasailing, and first real live magic show.

 Early morning balloon ride. 

We took off and landed out on the lake.

So BEAUTIFUL AND PEACEFUL! 

 Nico shirts for the balloon ride.

 Sun coming up on the Lake.

We actually got to touch the lake while we were in the Balloon.

 Our dinner dance cruise later that night.

A full moon over the lake.

We got to see the sun and the moon 

come up on the lake in the same day.

Parasailing was totally my idea.

Shem does not like heights - 

But he did enjoy the ride.

The views were so pretty.

We also did a gondola scenic ride.

It is such a beautiful place.

After parasailing we decided to do one last thing.

We had heard there was a magic show in town.

We saw the guy perform at the local shops.

We met him on our dinner cruise.

He told us how he became a magician.

So we got tickets before it sold out and we went.

It was truly AMAZING!!!

Shem got to be part of the show.

 He needed a strong guy to help and Shem was there.

Everything was seriously so entertaining.

After the show we talked with him 

and he signed our tickets.

He ever remembered it was our anniversary.

THANKS BABE - for such a great trip!

It was simply magical.

One last surprise when we got home.
No way - are you kidding me?

Finally a BOSCH!
I guess that means I'll be learning a lot of new things.
Shem you're the best!!!

Water boy!

This kid LOVES WATER!

The pictures say it all.