FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!!

All three kiddos started in new classes this morning. Bella and Max moved up to the second grade, where Bella has Mrs. Stephenson and Max has Mrs. Moore for teachers. Brighton is starting school with the "Pre-K Bears" this morning, with Melissa as her lead teacher. All three of them were excited...with the twins having a bit more nerves to contend with than Brighton. They picked out their own clothes this morning (Bella's favorite color is black and she loves "half legging", after much argument, I finally relented on outfit choices...they say to let your kids pick their clothes, right?).

Here is Max talking with his teacher Mrs. Moore.

Bella and her BFF Ryan Dolan. Ryan is one of the nicest young ladies.

Drake, Riley, a friend, and Max line up for Mrs. Stephenson's class this morning.

Here is my little Bear (she would insist she was "big), getting ready to walk in to St. John's as a Bear for the first time. My baby is getting so big!

One more of the twins as they start 2nd grade. Time certainly does fly. I can't believe how fast they are all growing.

Montana Fair!

We had a great time at the fair this year with Connor and Carter (and Gage and Brody, of course). Connor, Max and Bella hit all the big kid rides while Brighton and Carter took off with Auntie Ali (and the twins) for some of the smaller rides. Yes, Ali is amazing. She had the two younger kiddos AND the twins on the kiddie rides while I had the easy job of going on the bigger rides with Connor, Bella and Max.

The kids each picked one game to play and they all won! Max was very proud of his Rasta Banana.

Three dirty kiddos. We went home and took a bath immediately after this picture was taken.

Cierra's Sweet 16 and Phoenix!

Although it was the middle of August, we still managed to have an excellent time in Phoenix when we went down for cousin Cierra's Sweet Sixteen. We went to the aquarium, shopped, swam (a lot), and celebrated with the Franklins and the Overstreets. It was a fabulous
weekend indeed
.
The kids absolutely loved this picture. Brighton cracks me up...looking in her telescope underwater.

Bella, Brighton and Max checking out the starfish at the aquarium.

The kids in one of the bubbles that allowed them to swim with the fish...sort of.

Max in one of the bubbles being silly.

Sweet Bella.

Cierra with one of her delicious red velvet cupcakes at her party...which was amazing.

The cousins (or some of them). Max, Bella, Kienna, Brighton, Cierra, Jaysha and Ariana.

Brighton and Jaysha lovin on each other...not the best picture but you can see the love. When we were picked up at the airport by Lisa and Micah, Jaysha wasn't there and Brighton asked where her "friend cousin" was. So cute! We are blessed.

Hiking the "M" in Missoula

When we were in Missoula for Kelcy and Chris' wedding, we took the opportunity to hike the M on the U of M campus. All three kids made it all the way up without any assistance ... Brighton was a little trooper. It was a lot of fun and made mom and dad quite nostalgic. Has it really been 11 years?

THIRD of July in Red Lodge

We once again had a great time celebrating the Fourth up in Red Lodge. This year cousins Karly, Brian and Tyler were up there and the kids had a great time at the parade and on our annual traveling candy tree adventure.

Walking to and from Rock Creek.

The reading of the legend...

The tree fairies clues...

And...REWARD!

Brighton enjoyed making dinner for a number of guests, including cousin Karly.

AHHHH, VACATION!

Holy smokes did we have a blast on Lake Havasu with the Bradley clan. Mom and Dad rented an 85 foot houseboat (four bedrooms, two full baths, full kitchen and huge living area) with a very large Trane air conditioner that was a lifesaver in light of the 110+ degree heat. We all had so much fun waterskiing, tubing and relaxing. It was literally the most relaxing vacation one can imagine, as we had our own private sandy cove, a full deck complete with kitchen and waterslide, and a ski boat! The kids got up in the morning, went down the slide, and spent the entire day in the water. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Bradley for a great trip!

Me, Brighton and Kendall enjoying a turn on the tube.

Connor, Bella and Max telling us to go faster.

Daddy lovin on his bug before bed.The hot tub proved to be a lot of fune for the kids when the boat first went out (the water got a little cloudy as the trip went on).

Brighton feeding baby Gage, and Carter and Brighton on deck.

Grandpa manning the ship with his two little co-captains.

More baby-love.

My two goofballs.

These three little munchkins had a great time as well and provided everyone with plenty of opportunities to get in their baby fix. This is Tenley, Gage and Brody from left to right.

Swimming kiddos. We are so blessed to get together like this. Some of my fondest memories are of family reunions on Sealey Lake every summer - camping, waterskiing, and spending time with family. I know my children will come to appreciate these trips even more as they get older.

The Murphy's Dirt

Here it is, the site of our new home: the northeast corner of Aspenridge and Canyonwoods in Ironwood subdivision. Progress has been much slower than we would like, but the foundation is now in and the framers should go to work next week.

Here is the lot before they started work...

After they had started to dig a hole...

And with the kids each standing in the general area where their bedrooms will be. This is a very exciting time for our little family as we all wait for our new home to take shape. The kids enjoy going out to the site to check on progress (as do their parents). Grandma Barbi has proven to be a very patient and tolerant hostess of our family of five - plus Mulligan. We have taken over her basement but all are enjoying this rare opportunity to spend time A LOT of time together! God bless her for putting up with us.