Sean, is that you?

So Scot went to get a haircut last night and took Sean along for a trim. They came home and some strange new kid walked into my house - Sean cut his hair!!!!! I haven't see that face for so long that I forgot what he really looked like. Scot said that all the hair stylist were gathered around watching Sean's cut. His hair was so long, they were all so excited to see the change.

By the way, Sean wanted me to update that he is no longer going to UCAS (no cool people and very stuffy conditions) and is now at Orem High where he absolutely loves it!

So now I don't have to drive any of my kids to school anymore, what a change - I love it!!!

End of Summer:(

This was officially our last swim of the summer and of course it rained! That did not stop the girls from getting into the pool and having fun with their cousins. I was content to watch from my comfy lawn chair covered in the somewhat dry towels, as it was pretty cool. Where did the summer go? We have one last fun trip to Lagoon planned in September, but other than that, it is gone for us. (Notice how I can never get my sons in pictures!)

School starts

So today is Tuesday and I am a free mom! All my kids are in school!

Haili and Emma are going to Cascade Elementary this year. They both have very nice teachers and are excited to make new friends. It was hard to give up going to Ivy Hall this year, but we are going to supplement Math and writing as long as they are enrolled in Public school. I have to admit that it so nice to not have to drive them across town anymore. We just hop on our bikes and ride the 1/2 mile to school.

Sean starts his first day at UCAS High school today. Yesterday they had a social for the new students and Sean claims that all the kids he hoped to never see again from CVJH (the nerdy, annoying ones), were at his new school. He said the few cool kids that were at the school were following him around (he thinks he's pretty cool). He isn't letting the fact that he is going to this school get him down, after all, he is taking college classes in 10th grade at UVU and will have his Associates degree by the time he graduates High School. He is pretty excited by that!

Alex decided that he feels better enough to go to school this year and graduate. We spent several hours working with his counselor to get him a schedule that he will be able to handle. Alex's boating accident last August, along with the other concussions made it very hard to function in school last year, leaving him with a lot of make-up credits. The doctors said that time heals and hopefully this has happened for him. He is excited about doing Unified Studies (outdoor learning through hiking, biking, skiing, etc.).

Bear Claw Valley August 7-11

The rain came tumbling down!

Our girls with Tugzi and Taylor


We found a few dry hours to go down the zipline.

One dirty dog - Sadie

We went on a hike to look for Big Foot - We didn't find him!

Hangin with the cousins!

Our weekend service trip to Bear Claw Valley started out as many others with one exception, it was pouring rain and Spanish Fork Canyon had been closed for mudslides! This of course delayed us leaving until Friday morning the 8th.

There was so much rain that upon arrival at the gate, we were unable to get our Expedition and the 4-wheeler trailer up the small hill. It was soooo muddy and our tires just spun as we tried to climb. This of course makes everyone have to use a bathroom, so we unloaded 4-wheelers and proceeded to haul people up. I should have known then that this would be unlike any other trip to Bear Claw.

Friday rained off and on so we pretty much just hung out indoors. Saturday morning was beautiful so we got right to work moving a shed, cleaning up the carnival area, and raking gravel in the parking lot. By about 2:00 P.M. the rain clouds moved in and we witnessed a severe thunder and lightning storm for a couple of hours. The kids were scared because the lightning seemed like it was touching down feet away from us.

Sunday was relaxing and we took turns riding the 4-wheelers around to see the beauty that surrounds Bear Claw. Sean and Haili, along with Jake and Alex Parratt were riding down a trail when the 4-wheeler that Sean was driving with Alex lost control and rolled. Alex was thrown off and knocked unconscious, while Sean had the 4-wheeler land on him. Jake saw what happened and ran over to them, lifting the 4-wheeler off of Sean. To make a long story short, we took Sean and Alex P. to Price Emergency room, where they miraculously left 2 hours later with a clean bill of health - just a few bumps and bruises. It was extremely draining and emotional for all of us and we were grateful for the outcome!

Monday was spent packing up to go home and wouldn’t you know it, we lost the key to the good 4-wheeler! I was not looking forward to explaining to my mom (owner of the 4-wheelers) all of our mishaps. Last time she’ll ever let us borrow something of hers!!!!