Back to School

Today was our first day of school! Yeah!! I tried to take their pictures outside..but that was too embarrassing for the older girls :) Charissa is in 8th grade this year, Maddy is in 6th, Anna is in 4th and Carson in 2nd. Oh yes, and the kids got a kick out of taking my picture of my first day of school. Which was actually kind of fun! I am really excited for my kids this year, and happy to see them so excited about their teachers, friends and even what they will be learning. The funnest part of going back to school is getting out the school supplies, the girls are organizing all their folders as I write... nothing like writing in new notebooks and opening new pens and pencils!

Cousins Camp 2008

Can I just say that I have the most amazing parents! My mom started the tradition of Cousins Camp years ago, and each year she has a different theme and has t-shirts made just for the cousins, grandma and grandpa. They take the kids up to the cabin for a couple days and have sooooo much fun. She has tons of activities planned, they hold a talent show and the best part in my opinion, is the bead necklaces. Cousin’s Camp “Beads of Greatness” Necklaces.
The children can earn a different colored bead every time they are seen doing “great” things! For example, this year Carson earned a green bead for "gaining knowledge- learning how to do a new thing," which in his case was learning how to ride the fourwheelers by himself. Anna earned a metal bead for "bravery" because she faced her fear and got back on the fourwheelers after her accident a couple weeks ago when she took a sharp turn and rolled the fourwheeler, which landed ontop of her! Scary!! Madalyn earned a yellow bead because she "showed good works by being helpful and helping others" especially with all the little ones. Below you can see Maddy holding Carter and Nathan. :) Charissa, of course, earned an orange bead for "being responsible, being a leader and making good choices" especially when she had to deal with carsons HUGE temper tantrum which resulted with him locking himself in the bathroom! Yes, I am glad I wasn't there, I can't really say what I would have done to him!!! :) The children really get excited about the many beads they earn, and the stories they share with me when they get home.
This year was a pirate theme with miniature golfing at a glow in the dark pirate course, cannon ball fights (black water balloons), treasure hunts, and many crafts. They had a lot of fun. Thanks Mom and Dad-you are the best!

Concerts...

*I added a picture because I had to include my dear friend Tamara.*

Two Tamra's in the middle! She is my soul sista we share a name (off by a letter) we almost share a birthday (off by 1 day) and she is my dancing partner in crime, we like to say that we can shake it with the best of them (don't ask) :) This picture was after the concert and all of the jumping and singing we did that night!

I have had such a fun summer I don't want it to end. I have such a great group of friends and over the last month I have gone to two great concerts. Journey/Cheap Tricks and then The Police Concert! Brought me back to my younger days. We should have dressed in 80's clothes and wore our hair high though! Oh well, we'll just be sporting our sunglasses! I guess I should clarify...this song is playing only because this is the Police song I played on the piano when I was younger, not because of any special someone :)

I've added pictures from the Journey concert too. Sorry Mark:) I had to!