First Day of School

I have dreaded school starting for sometime now. Max is starting 5th grade and my little Ash is starting 1st. Lot of moms cry when their kids hit kindergarten, but that is nothing. You get your kids back after 3 hours. The thought of first grade has been killing me. I am losing my little buddy. We have had some great chats and spent lots of time together. I almost started crying during our morning prayer on the first day of school. I told them after and Asher said he hoped they were happy tears. The kids sure are excited to go back and be learning but I bet most of all being with their friends.

I then started thinking only 2 more years in elementary then my boys will never go to school together again. That then made me sadder. I guess I just need to save myself from my thoughts and not focus on that stuff. Love that the kids are able to go to school together for now and watch over each other.

They both got super teachers this year (Miss Dickemore and Mrs Deamer). They were excited to head out the door for school. Hope the year treats them good and they have lots of fun experiences. I on the other hand am going to miss all of playing and need to gear up for the homework headed our way!
Max (10)- 5th grade













Ash 6 (1st grade)













My crazy boys













At the bus with their friends. Not sure what happened with Max & Emily








We did have a super fun summer and definitely got a lot of playing in. Nelson teases me because he thinks we played too much. I remind him of the church talk that says "A family that plays together, stays together." He does not think I am very funny by the way. I just hope they remember the fun things we did. When we were at back to school night the teacher and principal asked what they did this summer and they both said "swim". Oh man I might just have to only put that on our agenda next year, we did a lot more than that. Here is to the end of our super fun summer and welcoming the next school year.

Bear Lake last hoorah

We are lucky to get to go to bear lake 2 times each summer. They are usually just a few weeks apart of each other. This time we headed up with the Bowen Family. It is always super fun because all of Nelson's Aunt and Uncles are up there as well. There is always a big group of us. We have a great time hanging out and spending time together.

This year was super nice because the beach was just a few steps from the Bowery. We did not have to walk forever to enjoy the water. The kids played in the water from sun up to sun down. They spent most of their time in the kayaks. My kids loved playing around. (Max)








When we were in bear lake with my family Asher wanted to be buried so bad. We got smart this time and brought a "big" shovel this time. No matter how much we may have been teased about that shovel it was a hit. We spent hours burying all the kids











More Kayak fun with the cousins:









Asher even got so daring to try his hand at standing up on the kayak








Asher spent a lot of time wearing "the diaper" and hanging off of Uncle Kirts boat.








Last but not least the time we spent burying all the kids








We also had a great time getting together a volleyball match, family amazing race and chatting. Grateful we were able to spend time with the family.

Max is 10 / I-FLY

Wow I can't believe how fast time goes by. Our oldest kid, Max, just turned 10. It is sad how quick time goes by. This year he was not home for his birthday. He was able to go back packing with his dad. I was a little sad not having him home to celebrate the day with him.

We have a thing in our family where we don't do birthday parties. We decided we would rather take the kids to do something they really want to do and spend time as a family. The stipulation is that it be something they have never done before. This year Max picked I-FLY. It is has indoor skydiving. We found a little deal and told him he could take one friend with him. I was really thinking he would pick his dad. Maybe since he was backpacking with him for a week he felt he would be ok to pick someone else.

Max & Logan headed to I FLY and started getting ready. Max was so excited he could not stand it while Logan was not sure what to think (a little nervous). As you can tell from Max he loved every minute of it. It is a little expensive but I hope the memories it creates is worth it to them.

The place was great, they gave Max a T-shirt as well as a DVD to watch of the flight. I would dare say at this time he has watched that DVD atleast 20 times and made sure everyone else has seen it.

Max & Logan getting ready to go in:


Max waiting his turn to go in the air tunnel

We had such a fun night celebrating his birthday. Our home has been very blessed having Maxwell in it. He adds so much to our family. We are definitely thankful for him and all the joy he brings to us.

Boys Annual Backpacking Trip

For the past few years Nelson's brother Spencer has been planning back packing trips to various locations. The trips are always filled with family and friends with Max being the only kid so far. Even though Nelson's summers are usually busy and over packed with church and family outings, he makes sure he is available for these trips. Honestly I think these are some of his favorite trips to go on. Spencer honestly puts a lot of time into planning these things. This year the spent a week in the Wind Rivers.

It was fun listening to them when they got home. I don't think Nelson could have been a prouder dad. I think I heard him say close to 50 times how proud he was of Max. I don't think all kids are cut out for that type of labor and work. For some reason Max loves it and enjoys every bit of it. Max even spent his 10Th birthday back packing in the mountains. Nelson was good to pack an extra dessert and candles for Max. The whole group sang happy birthday to him. On the other hand I was super sad to not even be able to talk to him on his birthday.

Asher and I missed them a ton while they were gone but we were so glad they could go. Made me realize how sad it would be if something tragic happened to a member in our family. Asher would wake up every morning just crying "I miss Max". Good to know that even with all their fighting- they still love each other so much.

As always Max always learns something new on the trip. This years was farmer blowing. The "men" decided it was about time he learned this technique. I was fine with it until he came home and told me he decided it to try it at recess. Oh man I think this can get ugly. Let's just hope he has figured out how to not get his snot all down him. What happened to good ole tissue

Here are some highlights from the trip:

Fishing & Hanging in the tent- good thing they don't have a problem being in small spaces because some of those tents are super small.








Just a few of the trails they hiked up. They estimated they hiked 26 miles. Max was happy knowing that he went the distance of a Marathon even while carrying an extra 15 lbs on his back. Not only did they hike, if you know Max of course he jumped off every rock he could find. He loves to explore, climb and jump (he always has).









The gang hanging out and all of their bags. I always love the pictures of the bags. I could not imagine living out of my bag for a week. I am sure I would try taking all my favorite snacks as well as my comforts. No wonder I have not been invited on the trip (ha ha)








Hanging out at some of the water areas. In some of these areas they swam and took their baths. Notice the snow in the back ground. Ok it was August, there is no freakin way you would catch me in water that was surrounded by snow- no thanks








In this area is where Spencer dropped his shirt. Max was held by the ankles by a bunch of the men and lowered down into the cracks to get it. He was the only one small enough- no wonder they take the kids along.









The whole group and Tyler, Nelson, Max & Spencer (all family)









Nelson & his brother Spencer













Nelson fishing













Thanks guys for letting my boys come along. These are memories they are always going to have. They love every minute of it.

Weston Family Vacation

Both my parents were raised in the Bear Lake area. My mom on the Idaho side and my dad in Laketown. Ever since I could remember each year we spent time up at Bear Lake. I have fond memories of spending time on the lake with the family. We still carry on this tradition.

Before Nelson and I were married he said he wanted to bike around Bear Lake. I asked how far it was to ride around the Lake and he replied 50 miles. I was too wrapped up in my busy mind and did not think before I spoke. I asked if that was one way or both - duh it is a circle. I figured that out pretty quick but have never lived that comment down. Hope someday that will get forgotten but after 13 years it is still brought up every time we are in Bear Lake.

We can never get enough of our vacation at Bear Lake and are super sad when the time ends. Here are some highlights of the trip. This year the boys (Nelson included) were able to try something new- Max learned to wake board (he was super excited about that), Nelson learned to wake skate and Max and Asher both learned how to skim board-
(Lonnie teaching Max and Max looking like he is a pro:)



















Asher was super brave on the diving board this year and tried many things. His favorite was the parachute (1st picture) which is basically a belly flop. I am sure he will figure out quickly that self inflicted pain is not the best, but for now it is his favorite trick. He even ventured to the back flip a few times.









My kids are fish and love spending as much time as possible in the water (Asher)



















We spent plenty of time at the park playing and climbing on everything






























Spent time playing hockey on the basketball court with the cousins. Max was an animal out there. He was playing super hard. Of course Max spent as much time as he could hanging out with Nelson.








The family








Spent hours and hours at the beach digging and playing in the sand as well as hanging out with cousins. The favorite seemed to be clogging up the slide.








Spent time at the Weston Family reunion in Laketown playing around








Of course the trip can't be complete without some adult being thrown into the water. Here is Lisa getting tossed in by Brenda and her kids.








Last but not least the big Hockey game on the basketball court. My dad decided to play and the kids had a ton of fun. Picture listed below of Asher is when he was completely done with Hockey and could not play for one more second.









Grateful for the time we get to spend each year enjoying the relaxing fun at Bear Lake.