Since summer is drawing to an end...

I guess it is time that I posted a few pictures of what we've been up to.  

The children had their very first lemonade stand.
Evelyn: flag down the cars
Max: in charge of money and lock box
Jude: fill up and drink out of every cup

 We spent the entire month of July out West beginning with a trip to Bear Lake 

(which wouldn't be complete without everyone getting sick).

We then spent the rest of the month hanging out in Twin Falls doing things like...

helping Grandpa with yard work (That is Scarlett, by the way.  Not Jude.)...

trying out different 'dos...

 and swinging in our {cousin's} jammies.

To complete our visit out West, Jason joined us on the last weekend of July for a wonderful trip to Sun Valley.  It was the highlight.

Evelyn sure misses her cousin Audrey.

Redfish Lake

We even met up with the Grandma and Grandpa Lloyd, Derek and Kendra, and Paul, Sherlyn, and their kids who had been camping near Ketchum.  

Max had a blast exploring with Porter.

Evelyn loved walking Ellie (her puppy cousin) around on the leash.

 While in Sun Valley, Max celebrated his 6th birthday!!!  It was great to be with family on this special day.  We had brunch in town, lemon cake, a trip to the hot pots, and he found out a bike was waiting for him at home.  

 On August 15th, Max started 1st grade.  He didn't want to be nervous, but as you can see in this picture, it was inevitable.  He has done so well and is really loving school.  It has been amazing for him. 

While Max is in school all day, these two get to run freely in the backyard thanks to Jason.  While we lazily played in Idaho, he spent his evenings putting up a fence (not the one along the back).  

Jude loves exploring the back yard and I love not having to worry about living on the highway.

In addition to being outside, Jude has recently discovered that he loves books.  I love that Max and Evelyn can read books to him once in awhile.  I'm finally finding that precious balance to motherhood. 

 And now we are up to date and on to our Labor Day/Birthday weekend.

For Jason's birthday and Labor Day combined he spent the morning cycling and in the afternoon we discovered Turkey Run.  I had been hearing about this state park from friends but was really amazed when we finally went.  It was so beautiful.  Jason remarked that he didn't realize we could be so close to home and find terrain like this.  It reminded me a little of being in the Smokey Mtns. in Tennessee (probably because it was such a humid weekend).  As a family, we decided we were adventurous enough to go on the most rugged hike the park had to offer.  It included straddling through ravines, going down three steep ladders, and hiking up lots and lots of steps.  It was muddy and humid and the kids were awesome!  Max did the entire thing with no assistance.  Evelyn mainly needed to be reminded to watch where she was stepping.  Jude loved his ride.

Not us, but a picture of one of the ladders.

September 4th was Jason's birthday.  Evelyn was in charge of the treat (brownies) and the candles.

Jason extinguished all 33 in one blow!

He's a man of many talents.  Apparently including the hula-hoop.

And the day Evelyn has been dreaming about came at last...

PRESCHOOL!!!

Here she is- ready to go!

Jude wants to go to school, too.