i did survive

We planned a rafting trip (Ocoee Outdoors) for the youth at church.  It was a bit stressful and scary getting things all ready, because I didn't know WHAT I was getting myself into having never white water rafted before, but in the end it was worth it.  The kids loved it and I have to say - me too.

Can you see me?  I chose the blue helmet to match my eyes.

My friend there in the front with her eyes shut tight made the trip quite entertaining.  Among other things she flipped heels over head right over the edge on one of the rapids.  

Being the sensitive, soft hearted girl I am I could NOT stop laughing.  

The visual of that moment...ohhh.  

She was turned around telling me something.  There one moment and the next - Woops!  Right over the edge.  Of course she is fine otherwise I would have been more helpful, but oh!  To see that again!  

 

Maddie was on a different raft.  White shirt, orange helmet in the middle.

She was too busy with her paddle to wave. 

We lived!  We loved it!  And we'll probably do it again.

Wanna come?

*

AHHHH! It's Happened!

And I'm still alive and breathing.  In fact I'm a little out of breath 'cause, like I said...I'm running again now the kids are in school.  Now that ALL the kids are in school.

WORD.

It was so...quiet... in the car on the way home.  My eyes did sting a little and my nose tingled, but no tear escaped my bottom eye lid well thing.

Actually...I am more nervous for my new middle schooler than that ADORABLE new kindergartner.
He has to find his locker, OPEN IT!, get his stuff, find his first class...and all that jazz.
Yes.  I am more anxious for him to get home and tell me "No worries mother dear, all is well."

Two in the middle school.
Two in the elementary school.

And you know what I want to do today more than anything?

CLEAN MY NASTY SUMMER FUN ALL OVER THE PLACE FILLED HOUSE!!  And hopefully I'll finish in time to bask in cleanliness for a little while before ALL the school aged children of MINE come home.

I can't believe I'm there.

Love to all.

Madeline Got Braces!!!

Sheesh!  She's so CUTE!

*

When the kids are in school...

When the kids are in school I'm going to run in the mornings.  again.

Just so you know.

*

stuff we're doin'

Man that creek water is cold, cold, cold!

Meet Dodger.  G & G's new deer chaser.  

He keeps the deer out of the garden and the girls LOVE him.  

The boys are warming up.

We went into Waterton for ice cream and the traditional sight seeing.

Cameron Falls 

It's hard to get a good picture there.

We always show up when the sun is right in our eyes.  

This, below, is Gopher Village.  Unofficially named.  

Gma sat us down with a bag of Cheeto puffs and we fed those little varmits.

It was kind of disgusting, but the kids sure loved it.  

This is Carter deciding wether to follow the rest of the crew 

into the chicken coop to look for eggs.

He did finally go.  Quickly.

This is the Cardston Temple.  I love it.

G & G were married there.

When the kids are in school...

When the kids are in school I'm going to do some Geneology.

I am indeed.

Just so you know.

*

To Grandmother's house we go!

Happy faces on our flight (after waiting out a storm on the tarmac and a layover in St. Paul) to Great Falls where Grandma will pick us up and drive us 3 more hours north into Canada.  It's cheaper this way.

We had quite a late arrival in Great Falls.  

The next day, after a night in a comfy hotel and our long drive to Beazer,

we headed out straight away to Lee Creek.

Then we stopped off to see some goats.

Madeline, Erin and I loved it!

The boys... not so much.  

We're having a great time!  

I'm not 'kid'ding!

Miss you, Brian.