NTP & Birthday

Most of you probably didn't know that we lived in the town where the National Tractor Pull is held.:) Every August for about 3 days our little town about triples in size. We have people come from all over the United States, Canada, and even Europe. I decided that this year we were going to attend. It also was to celebrate Lee's birthday. It was actually really fun! I never knew they had such a thing. It was very cool to watch and hear these massive tractors go down the track. I was impressed with all the rules, and all the work these owners go to. The kids liked how much smoke they would blow out, and how very, very loud they were.

We highly recommend this experience if you ever get the chance to attend.

Lee turned another year older last week. Besides going to the tractor pull, Lee started back to his LAST semester of graduate school. Yay! He wanted some peach custer pie for his birthday so I obliged.

I also suprised him with the game cornhole. (Yet another thing I have only encountered in Ohio.) It consists of throwing bean bags into wooden boards, and trying to get it through the hole. Harder than it looks., but really fun. Happy Birthday Lee!

New School Year

The new school year has begun! Carson and Mara were very excited to start school this year. (So was Mom.:) They loved shopping for new school clothes and school supplies. Is it me, or does the list of supplies get longer, and more expensive? They seem to like their teachers, and of course playing with all their friends!


Carson is in 4th grade this year. Wow! I can't believe how grown up he is getting. He is a great student and a very good big brother, and great friend.
Mara started 2nd grade this year. She loves her teacher, and was excited to see some of her same friends from 1st grade. She likes school very much, just not homework. I don't blame her at all. I don't like homework either.

They still ride the bus, which they like and so do I. The year has started great!

Utah Trip

We spent 2 weeks traveling to Utah, visiting with family, and coming home. We couldn't do everything we wanted, and some things were done that shouldn't have happened, but in all it was a good trip. Lee's grandma died while we were visiting, so we had the chance to go to the funeral.



We had a great time riding the 4 wheelers up at Monte Cristo. The kids had a blast!
We had to visit The Dinosaur park with the cousins while we were there.

Throwing sticks and rocks in the river up at the cabin is always a favorites with all kids and cousins. They could spend hours there.

We had an awesome experience pulling a handcart while we stopped in Nauvoo for a few days. It was actually a very difficult trail, and our kids did a super job. Carson pulled the handcart the whole way, and never complained. We were very dirty and muddy, but glad for the adventure.

We had to walk down and visit the Mississippi River.

The kids LOVED dressing up as pioneers. They had so much fun playing games children used to.

The Nauvoo temple was so beautiful. We loved the outside and the inside. (Lee and I were able to go inside).

They tried to keep the outside an exact replica of how they originally built it.

I love to see the temple. It is so peaceful, and such a great comfort to me.

P.S. Thanks for reading my blog even though it is private now!:)