LABOR DAY FUN
We went to the zoo with Mollie Harlow and her daughter, Kalli, on Labor Day. The girls had so much fun running from exhibit to exhibit. I am not sure we saw very many animals, but that didn't deter anyone! It was such a perfect day for the zoo!

BACK TO SCHOOL!!!

Hailey and Amber started school! Amber is attending Desert Sage Elementary, and Hailey is still at Amity Elementary. We tried to get Amber into Hailey's school, but to no avail...

To be honest, I have dreaded this day for a long time. I always dread the beginning of school. I love having my kids at home. Don't get me wrong...I am not some amazing mom, but I do my best, and the thought of someone else teaching my children for the majority of the day is difficult for me. I have to put my whole trust in a teacher I don't even know. I have to believe that she will care for my child, and to be honest, I do not think that is always the case. So, with heavy heart I send my children to school. I send them to learn what I can't teach them at home. I send them to discover their identity. I send them to learn how to communicate properly to adults, and socialize appropriately with other children. And although I send them with a heavy heart, I also send them with a smile, because I know that even though there will be bumps along the way, there will also be great joy! And also because I know that those "bumps" along the way is what develops character. And isn't that what life's all about...working through the bumps, and finding the sunshine in every day moments?

This is a picture of Amber with her new teacher, Mrs. Witgenstien. We went to kindergarten round-up a few days before school, and Amber got to meet her new teacher!

~ Amber on the First Day of School~

~Hailey on the First Day of School~

BOTH GIRLS ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL:
They were so excited! They were practically jumping out of their skin just get to school! Good Times!

FEATHERVILLE with the DAHLBERG's

Every summer we have gone to Bryan's cabin with my sister, Michelle, and her family. This year was just as fun as the rest! We played in the hot springs (in Baumgardner), swam in the creek, climbed in the tree house, and skied like crazy! We had a great weekend...it was hard to say good-bye, and go back to the real world!

~Jake at Baumgardner~

~Popsicle Pond at Baumgardner~

The kids thought it was so fun to balance on the edge of the hot springs enclosure. I'm not sure it was such a good idea, and I am not sure why I let them???

Hailey learning how to shoot her new gun that Grandma and Grandpa Miller gave her for her birthday.

~Playing at the Creek~

When we went boating at the lake, the kids wanted to spend hours swimming. Good Times!

~Mom Surfing~

Amber got up all by herself, and even danced in the water to a few songs! When her favorite songs would come on, she would tap her leg to the beat of the music! I thought she would never stop-she had a ton of fun!

~ Bryan Skiing~

Hailey's bravery convinced the other kids that skiing was fun, and possible! She was the first kid to get up all by herself, which convinced the other kids to try! She had so much fun skiing!

VISITING Grandma and Grandpa ELKINGTON
August 18, & 19

We went to visit grandma and grandpa Elkington, and had tons of fun riding tractors, going to the zoo, and riding horses. In addition to fun activities, the company was good too!

When I was little, hauling hay was a chore. My kids definitely live in the city, because they were having the time of their lives doing what I use to deem as "work"! Each one wanted a turn riding with grandpa on the tractor! Jacob was so enthralled it made being on the farm so much fun!

~Piper and Hailey on the Tractor~

~Jacob and Grandpa Stacking Hay~

~Amber & Uncle Brent Hauling Hay~

~Grandpa, Amber, & Jacob Helping with the Hay~

~Farm Boy in the Making~

GOING TO THE ZOO
After spending all morning on the tractors, we spent all afternoon at the zoo!

~Cooper, Danner, & Amber at the Petting Zoo~

~Danner, Hailey, Piper, & Cooper at the Petting Zoo~

~Group Shot~

RIDING HORSES!!
The next day we went to the ranch (Bone, Idaho) to ride horses, and play some more with grandpa!

~Jake and Mom on the Horse~

~Amber and Mom on the Horse~

After riding once with me, Hailey wanted to ride all by herself! She was a bit nervous, but after she did it, she was so excited!

Uncle Layne took Amber and Jacob on a four-wheeler ride to the top of the mountain near the ranch! They had tons of fun!

RED FISH LAKE
August 14, 2009
We were invited to go camping with some friends. It has been a long time since Bryan and I have gone camping. We always go to the cabin when we need a quick get away-it takes less prep work, and it is still in beautiful nature. However, this experience reminded me why I use to love camping! There is just something about sleeping in the great outdoors that brings feelings of peace, and love for family. I felt so connected to my family! I resolved that camping is one of those things that takes a ton of work, but is well worth it in the end.

~Tyler Fuhriman in Background; Starting from Front-Parker, Amber, Lizzy, Jackson, & Londyn~

~King of the Mountain~
Jacob loved going from tree stump to tree stump shouting, "king of the mountain"! He wandered everywhere...someone always had to have an eye on him, or he would wander completely away from camp.

~Jacob Wandering~

~King of the Mountain~

~The rest of us roasted marshmallows, but Jakey preferred eating marshmallow after marshmallow without taking the time to roast them.~

My kids were bundled! I brought a ton of blankets, coats, hats, snow pants...you name it--I brought it! When I checked the weather report, the nights were predicted to get into the 30's, so I wanted to be sure we stayed warm. In the middle of the night, I had to tuck Jakey in with me, so he would stay in his blankets, but that was our only difficulty with the cold weather! I got a few laughs, but in the end, we were all warm!

Amber and Hannah on the boat!

~Aubrey, Hailey, Ava, Hannah, Bryton, Jacob~

~Couple Shot~

~Group Shot~

Jacob Takes Swimming Lessons
August 2009

In the beginning, Jacob wouldn't even get into the water, but slowly and surely Stacey (his swim teacher) won him over, and he began to try. By the end of swimming lessons, he was blowing bubbles, kicking his feet, and sitting on the top stair (which were all huge accomplishments). It was so fun to see Jacob progress! Thanks Stacey!

FINALLY LAGOON...

Every summer the Miller family goes to Lagoon. We arrive as the gates are opening, and we leave as the gates are closing. In June we attempted a trip to Lagoon; however, when we arrived at Lagoon, it was closed. Our spirits remained high as we drove another hour to Seven Peaks all the while promising our disappointed children that we would come back to Lagoon (we had already purchased tickets, so there was very little choice). Finally, on August 1, we succeeded in our attempt...we went to Lagoon!

~Jacob, Logan, Truman Riding the Helicopters~
I love the Lagoon tradition simply for the opportunity it provides for my children to play with their cousins!

~Jacob, Ava, Aunt Michelle, Carly, Aunt Kathleen, & Mike on the Swings~

~Aaron, Uncle Jonathan, & Tim on the SKY COASTER!~

~Mom, Dad, & Hailey getting ready for the SKY COASTER!~
Hailey watched her cousins and Uncle get ready to ride the Sky Coaster, and decided that she wanted to ride too! I think her daddy also wanted to ride, because she didn't even have to plead with him to pay an extra $15 per person...he just smiled and said, "only this one time".

~Mom, Dad, & Hailey Riding the Sky Coaster~
When we were getting hooked to our suits, the lady informed me that because of weight dynamics, I would need to be the one to pull the chord. I was scared to death! It was one thing to be hanging high up in the air, and not have control of the situation, and quite another to be creating the situation. On the way up, Bryan kept talking about how high it was..."wow, we're high...wow...we're really high"! I finally had to close my eyes, and beg him to stop exclaiming how high we were, so I wouldn't lose my nerve.

~Jacob with Cars~

Amber has wanted to ride the Bat ever since Hailey was tall enough to ride! This year Amber was finally tall enough! They were so excited while waiting in line that I had to take a picture!

~Amber and Hailey Riding the BAT~