September

Mike had a Young Mens activity on my birthday, so we sent the kids to Grandma's house and I went on the hike to Punch Bowl Falls with Mike and the boys. It was a perfect day for a hike and the falls are beautiful.

Mike and I with the falls behind us:

more falls:

Here's our group next to a really tall cliff: Mike, Dillon, Jodi, Sean, Ben, Conner, Hunter, Adam, Ammon, Skyler, Spencer

The boys getting ready to jump off the 15-foot cliff:

And here I go.....!!!

Brrrrr...... FREEZING COLD! swim fast! swim fast!

On the way home we picked up a pizza, a pie, and then picked up the kids to celebrate my birthday:

(No, I'm not 35, Mike did add 3 more candles - can you tell?)

Ukrainian bag, baskets, and potholder from my parents:

AND my very own ipod! Look at all the happy smiles on the kids! They can be bribed with about anything for time on the ipod. (When I let a kid be the photographer, I get 1/2 my face cut off in the picture. Oh well.)

On Labor Day we had a picnic at a nearby park with some friends. Here is David giving his good buddy, Kai a ride:

Labor Day barbecue with Dixons, Braithwaites, Mortensons, Podwys, Noels, and Keannaainas:

First day of school! Look at Nicholas and Zach's forced excitement:

Brooke's first day of kindergarten was a couple days later:

Nicholas and Zach tried hard to share in her enthusiasm:

Brooke waiting at the bus stop with her good friend and neighbor, Elliana:

Elliana's brother, Oliver, with Nicholas and Zach:

Getting on the bus:

Brooke waving from the bus window:

Mike in his new suit that actually fits him since he lost 35 pounds:

Neighborhood buddies: David, Paige, Brooke, Dante, and Sarya:

Kai and David playing one of their favorite things- marbles on a car track: