Park City... Take 2!

Last year we took a girls and kids trip to Park City, Utah while the guys went elk hunting.  We had so much fun that we decided to do it again.  This time, Jenny and her kids and Kim were able to join us.  So the group included Mom, Jenny, Kim, Me, Cole, Troy, Mason, Cooper, Kade, and little Paige.  We drove two cars and only had to stop a couple times for food and potty breaks, which was pretty impressive with all the kids. 
We stayed at the Marriot Mountainside Resort... it was INCREDIBLE!  It butts up right next to the Park City ski mountain and was absolutely amazing.  The trees were turning incredible red, yellow, and orange colors and it was all in our back yard.  They had a huge pool and 6 hot tubs of different temperatures and age limits.  I certainly would have frequented the adult only tub had it been just Adam and I, but as it was, I spent most of my time in the kiddie hot tub:-)  The temperature was perfect in the day to swim in the heated pool and cool enough at night to dress in jackets and make smores over the fire pits on the back patio.  There was an amazing kids activity center with video games, toys, a play loft, and lots of free activities throughout the days for the kids to participate in.  My mom had arranged for us to be close to the pool and activity center so it was perfect! 
I have an incredible mom and sister-in-law who helped out a TON with the kids and we all pitched in to make sure no one had to shoulder the load alone.  My mom even watched all the kids one evening and let Jenny, Kim, and I go to the outlet mall for a little shopping without all the whining!  We ate almost all our meals in our full kitchen in the "villa" we stayed in.  We had 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms,a living room, and kitchen, including a washer and dryer.  How much nicer can it get? 
There were plenty of adventures, from Kim getting charged by a bull moose, to kiddos throwing up in the middle of the night.  Doesn't sound like fun but those were definitely overshadowed by the incredibly fun memories we made. 
Hopefully it becomes an annual tradition!

 

 

 

 

 

 

And just like that, he turns 6!

It seems like Cole has been with us forever but it is also amazing to think that he is already 6 years old.  He started kindergarten this year, has made new friends, is reading really well, and has really just grown up!  We are so happy to have such a helpful, smart, fun-loving oldest child!  Mason wants to do everything he does and Kade walks around the house saying, "Cole, Cole, Cole."  Everyone loves him!!!
We celebrated Cole's 6th birthday with a family party and then he was able to pick one of his new school to take with us to Wahooz for an afternoon.  His first good friend at school is named Jaron.  He was so excited to have him come with us and they did bumper boats, mini golf, and video games.  We had a great time celebrating what a big boy Cole has become!!!

Bucher Campout at Johnson Creek

We did a fun Labor Day camping trip with the Bucher fam for opening elk weekend.  Keith, Michelle, and Gage, Nancy and Phil, and our family gathered up campers and tents and got an incredible spot next to Johnson Creek.  Thankfully the guys had gone up the weekend before and found the spot, or else we might have been paying for a slip in a campground!  The weather turned out great and the boys were able to do a little swimming/wading in the creek.  There was a perfect sandy beach on the opposite side that was great for playing on. 
No elk were to be seen but we had lots of fun and made more fun memories! 

Off to Kindergarten

We had a HUGE milestone today in our family.  Our very first, first day of school!  Cole was off to Kindergarten this morning and could hardly contain his excitement!  He has been counting down weeks, then days, then hours and minutes until he started school.  I'm absolutely sure he is going to thrive in school and have such a great time.  He makes friends so easily and just loves to learn.  I've been so excited and a little nervous for him, as a mom, wanting to make sure he is safe, well liked, not bullied, and doesn't learn anything he shouldn't:-)  Not that I can control any of that, so I will just pray he has a great school experience. 

I think Mason is a little put out by all the attention Cole has been getting for starting school.  The other day I told him we would have to do some special things together while Cole is at school.  He said, "I don't want to do special things!  I don't like special things!"  I knew he would come around and this morning when we got home from walking Cole to school, he said, "Can we do some special things?".  I hugged him and kissed him and said, "I was hoping you would say that!".  Hopefully Kade will take a little morning nap so I can have a little Mase time! 

Adam went into work a little late and walked with us to school, which Cole was really excited about.  The other boys didn't quite make it out of their pj's but we'll get the hang of this having to get around by a certain time in the morning thing soon enough.  I wanted to hang around and be a little fly on the wall today in Cole's class but I'll be super excited to hear all about it when he comes home! 

Breakfast of choice of the "Special plate"... egg in a hole and bacon.

"K" for Kindergarten!

Walking to school

Enough picture already

 Happy First Day of School!!!