The Camping Woman

This was our home for a few days this week. We decided to go camping up Diamond Fork for the weekend.We had so much fun with the Bills even if our trailer batteries were low so we had no heat at night.

Dakota is in seventh heaven when we take her camping with us. Even when she is being mauled by Linx.

Dakota even let the boys get in her kennel.

Lincoln chasing Dakota around camp.

 Finally Dakota had enough of being mauled and chased and took to the bushes to hide from Lincoln. But Lincoln was not going to let her off that easy. He was going in after her. Poor Dakota, good thing she is such a loving dog.

Bad Boys, Bad Boys. (Joe the gangster and Jason the Wild West Shooter.

Is that Billy the Kid? Wait it's just Jason with his revolver. One morning I told Jason I was going to get up early and go running. He told me I could take his gun with me. I told him that I didn't want to hold  it while I ran. He said I didn't have to because he had a holster, that is when he pulled out this revolver and holster I was laughing so hard when he showed me.Can you image me running in the canyon with this wild west gun and holster on.

Target shooting while the kids went on a atv ride with Joe's parents.

We had a great time target shooting. 

I had a great time target shooting. I have not fired a gun in over15 years and I had forgotten how fun they are to shoot. I was not accurate at all, but that will come with practice.

One of Charlie's angels in training.

When the kids got back from their atv ride and saw us shooting the guns they wanted to have a turn. I was really surprised that Talan wanted to try. He really liked it and wanted to keep shooting it. I thought he would hate it because it was so loud and had quite a kick.

 Little Crew probably liked it the most. Every time the gun fired he would smile and laugh. It was so cute to watch.

The afternoons got hot so the kids spent the afternoons cooling off in the river.

Talan and Dakota waded over to the little island in the river.

Crew had fun filling up his buckets with water and dumping them over his head.

Water Time!!!

 I think that Talan had roasted marshmallows for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Oh wait Talan doesn't like marshmallows he just likes to roast them over the camp fire.

 If you ever need a marshmallow roasted then Talan is your man.

 The little boys had a great time playing with all the camp toys. We keep some toys in the trailer so when we go camping it is like a whole bucket of new toys.

 

The popular place to play was the trailer stairs so we did have a few bonked heads.

 

Talan loves to play baseball. 

 Every day we would fill up a bowl with rocks and it would keep Linx entertained by throwing them in the river.

Surprisingly no one fell into the river. It was a camping miracle.

Our favorite thing to do while camping is to ride our atvs. Anytime someone would start one up Talan was right there wanting to go for a ride.

The Bills gang ready to head out on a ride. The kids had been begging to go for a ride to the tub so we loaded everyone up and started off.

Unfortunately about 5 miles into the ride our atv decided to die. Of course we were at the end of the line so no one knew we had broken down.We had tried everything but it just would not run.

We decided to take off the the seat and sit in the shade and wait for someone to rescue us. After waiting for awhile I decided to walk around the corner to see if I could see camp. On my way back some people in a Razor stopped and offered me a ride back to camp. Lets just say it was one wild ride back to camp. Joe and Jess finally realized that we were missing and came back down and towed us back to camp.

 This is were our atv spent the rest of the camping trip. You can see how happy Jason is about his atv not working. Boo!!! Camping is so much more fun when you have an atv to ride.

Since we were not able to go riding Jason spent the evening playing horse shoes.

 He also spent some time just hanging out with Linx in the shade.

 Talan wanted to take some photos.This is one of his favorites he said. I am so glad that he likes me so much.

 Me and my first fish!! It definitely was no trophy fish but lets just say "I am Hooked". I also landed me a new fishing partner. Addy loves to fish and I promised her I would take her on a fishing trip.

After 3 days of camping we were headed home. We were Dirty,

 

Sunburned,

 Smelled of smoke,

 

but I wouldn't give up this time with my family. My kids love to camp and if they are happy so am I!!

We have so much fun when we go up to Diamond Fork, it is our go to camping spot. We like going there because it is close to home and we can ride our 4 wheelers from camp. It is a lot of work to get ready to go camping but the memories that are made while playing in the dirt with my family are priceless.

Last Day of Preschool

I can't believe that Talan is already graduating Preschool. Next year I have to send him to "Real" school. I don't know if I am ready but he is sure excited to go to Kindergarten.

 

I told myself I was going to be strong and not cry when I dropped him off, but as I watched him walk down those stairs for the last time it brought tears to my eyes. I finally realized how fast he is growing up and how I need to make the most of this time.

 Talan receiving his diploma.

 Talan loves his preschool but he is ready for summer fun.

 

Talan, I am so proud of you! You have a love for learning and I hope it is a trait that you will always keep.

Talan's final report card. He is doing so well in school. 

 End of  Year Questions:

1. What is your favorite thing you learned about at school?

~ Pluto not being a planet, just a star.

2. What is your favorite thing that you do at school?

~Playing with Evan.

3. Who are the friends that you like to play with?

~ Sadie, Evan, Landon and Lucy

4. What was your favorite field trip?

~ The Planetarium at BYU.

5. What was your least favorite thing about preschool?

~Nothing (I like everything)

6. What was your favorite snack?.

~The cookies I brought.

7. What was your favorite toy to play with at preschool?

~House (Because I get to be the dog.)

 This is the learning room and the play area.

This is the exercise room at Talan's preschool. They also have a computer room, but I didn't get a photo. We are so lucky to have Mrs Jackie, she has taught Talan so much these last two years.

Ahoy!

Talan had his end of year preschool program this week and we had so much fun spending the afternoon with him. This years theme was Island Girls and Pirates. This year beside a program she had a parents playdate. We got to spend the afternoon playing and doing crafts with Talan. I think he really enjoyed an afternoon with just us.

Talan and I at the fishing pond.We object of the games was to see who can catch the most fish in one minute. Talan won but only by one fish.

One of the cutest fisherman around.

Talan and I working on this pirate hat.

 

We had to make a hat and necklace to wear for the program. 

 

Talan just before the program.

Talan doing the ARG!!!!

Mrs Jackie always puts on the cutest program.

The kids singing some of the Pirate songs they learned this year.

Talan and his best preschool friend Evan. They were lucky to be in the same class for the last 2 years. To bad Evan won't be going to Sage Creek with Talan.

Talan and Mrs Jackie. Talan has learned so much this year and is defiantly ready to move on to Kindergarten. We are so gratefully to Mrs Jackie and all the hard work she puts in to make sure the kids will be successful when they start school. It is kind of a bitter sweet day, my little guys is moving on to "real" school. I am going to miss having him home all day but his is ready to move on so I guess that mean we are doing an okay jobs as parents. We are so proud of  you Talan you are excelling in so many ways. You have such a bright future and I hope you always remember how special you are to me and work hard to achieve all of your dreams.

Mother's Day

 Mother's Day was great this year. As soon as Talan was awake he was in my bed with a card that he made.

 He was so proud that he made the card all by himself. He wrote all the words and drew all the pictures. On the cover he drew a Train.

Some of the many goodies that my boys got me. They sure know me well. Talan picked out the cute new skirt for me to wear to church. Jason said that he had a hard time choosing between the skirt and a Pink Panther shirt he thought I would like. But with a little gentle persuasion from dad he chose the skirt. He also made me a Message Center at preschool.

 Me and my miracle. I am so grateful to be his mom. He keeps me on my toes and there is never a dull moment when Lincoln is around. I love his high spirited personality. He is my loving ball of fire and I wouldn't have it any other way.

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 My cute little guys.

 I love that Talan still loves to play with his mom. I know one day he won't think I am so cool but for right now I am still fun to hang out with. Talan is such an amazing boy. Anyone who comes in contact with Talan always tells me what a special kid he is. His primary teacher calls him her angel. I think Talan sometimes teaches me more about life than I teach him. He seems to be an old spirit in a young body. At 5 he already has learned what life is really about.

 I am so thankful for Jason. He helps me so much and I don't think I could do it with out him.

Everyday I am so thankful that I get to be mom to these two special boys. They are the world to me and I try to remember to take in all these special moments while they are young. Some days are trying but I wouldn't trade them in for anything. I am so blessed to have a mom who has taught me how to be patient and to love others unconditionally.

Talan's Preschool Field Trip

Talan's preschool class went on a field trip to Fresh Market to learn about healthy eating. We got to go behind the scenes and see all the workings of the grocery store. In the bakery we saw the large ovens.  In the produce we got to go in the big freezers and we even got to try some food from the deli.

Talan and his class having some milk. They learned which foods are always good foods and which foods are a sometimes food.

We even stopped by the Pharmacy to learn how to stay healthy by washing our hands and how to keep our mouths healthy by brushing our teeth properly.

The next stop was the city park were we learned about getting outside and exercising. Talan and Landon playing on the swings.

Landon has been one of Talan's favorite preschool friends.

After playing at the park we went down to Bobby Lawrence Karate for a lesson.

The kids had such a great time learning some basic karate and they even let the kids try and break a board. Talan had a great time with his friends. He loves his preschool class and is so sad that this year is almost over.