Colored Balloons in a Box

This lovely box never got another photo. Didn't get to show you what was inside. But we did create a video. That won't load here...
It's filled with blue balloons!

We're blessed to have another little boy join our family!
I'm starting to feel the expansion in my belly. Now I can start going through all of our baby boy clothes. We can start deciding on making some of the bigger baby purchases that we no longer have like a carseat, a place to sleep, a place for all the baby clothes. We can start trying to narrow down name choices.
While part of me hoped for a little girl, I have known for several weeks that I was carrying a little boy. And, its a bit of a relief to know that I was right and to know that we're expecting another adorable son! We certainly have created two adorable boys so far, and I can only imagine what personality and joy this new one will bring into our house.

School Time

Another cycle of life has begun. Oliver has begun his third year teaching at the high school. Evan has started 2nd grade and Ryan is so excited to be a 1st grader.
Oliver is teaching 7 out of 8 periods with one class is an entire Honors class. He has stepped away from one responsibility that he was so willingly participating in last year, but that was stressful and time consuming. So outside of Biology, he still has the Escape Club, IT stuff(he's the go to guy for teachers who have computer problems since the real IT guy isn't in the school every day), and Band. Always a busy guy.

So excited for the first day of school!

Carpooling with Kaylin down the street. (And what a cloudy day!)

Watching his brother go to school before him.

Evan's schedule is slightly different than last year. Where as he only went half day last year, he's starting out at 3/4 time this year. But because of this situation, he's not starting at 9, but a little later, which means I had to give up my volleyball exercise time. I'm slightly sad about that, but its important for my son.

Time to go! He's ready!

Saying goodbye to Mommy at the school!

Ryan is in for the biggest adventure. He is starting with the French Dual Immersion program. He wasn't so excited about it back in February when we were trying to decide whether to sign him up for it or not, but he has been so excited these last few weeks. We attended the back to school night the day before school started and he was able to meet his two teachers, one English and one French. At the end of his first day, he said it was really cool to hear his French teacher speaking in French. He said she brought a book about where she is from and her family.

End of the first day!

Surprised with his very own "R" brownie!

A brown"E" was not as enticing as the chocolate milk at the end of his first day.

I'm hoping to continually see Ryan's excitement, Evan's improvement, and Oliver's enthusiasm. Happy school year!

Time with Grammy & Papa

Grammy & Papa came to visit us at the beginning of August. We went camping with them in the Great Basin National Park in Nevada. This was a precursor for Oliver and Pop to camp at a higher elevation than in our house. A few days after camping, those two would join Beth & Charlie to climb the tallest peak in the lower 48 states. It was fun to camp at the Upper Lehman Creek Campground. All these photos are due to Grammy's new camera and her desire to document her trip.

Me & my baby

Riding in the truck

Buddies

Their first time in Nevada, with a courteous drop in the mud.

Everyone helping set up a tent

He's hilarious. And awesome.

We forgot to pack a knife, so he thought he was being resourceful. Luckily, Pop found a pocket knife.

Using the hatchet the way its supposed to be used. 

He loves the hammock.

It was a rainy time so we had to create a make shift pavilion.

So happy to have a hot dog (& marshmallows). 

"Hey, let me in there!"

Breakfast! And he decided he doesn't like blueberry yogurt.

Attempting to play in the creek. The very cold creek.

Teasing Grammy, not wanting to let her take his picture.

So happy to be playing ball with everyone.

I honestly don't know what was so funny.

We found a grouse!

"Oh look at the turkeys" Oliver's comment as he was looking through the photos.

Ryan was a little nervous at the beginning of  the Lehman Cave tour.

Evan loved it-I'm glad he could see at least some of it.

These two were plotting dangerous things if they were allowed off the path.

Leading the group to the end.

By the end of the cave tour, he was much braver. He even was willing to turn the lights off.

He was so excited for some ice cream that he was sitting like a big boy waiting patiently.

They attempted to hike to the top of Wheeler Peak (which is behind them).

We're looking at Wheeler Peak.

I like these people.

"Dad, look at this!"

I love him.

I love them.

I love them.

The day after we got back from camping was Root Beer Float Day.

Evan didn't object.

And then we found our tree down on the ground instead of standing tall in the backyard.

 

Hugs to Natalie.

 

Swords.

Last night snuggles

One more hug to Grammy.

One more snuggle.

A Day in Utah County

I planned on attending a play in Provo and Oliver planned on going to UVU's Herbarium so we spent some time in Utah County on Friday. After Oliver was done at the Herbarium, we went to the newly renovated Bean Life Science Museum. Besides the regular exhibits of animals, there was a beautiful exhibit of Boyd K. Packer's wooden carvings of birds and other items from his life. We liked it a lot. 

Ryan and the Rhino

Evan getting pushed in the new addition of the museum

"Da moose, da mo-ose"

I know this guy!

A few of the former and current Hall Advisors who gathered to see our old boss in "Into the Woods".