August 2016

We started going to a new dentist called "Bergs Dentistry". The kids LOVED it. They had them dress up in super hero characters.  It was a pleasantly surprising dentist trip.

This girl likes to be free! Free of hair bows. Free of shirts. Free of clothing! Better change that quick!

Tanner and his scooter-- they are best friends. He seriously cruises around the neighborhood going at impressive speeds.  He has probably put 100 hours on this thing. He also just LOVES to be outside.  Its his happy place (except when its hot and it makes his skin itch--that doesn't go well).

She's little Miss Independent and finds a way to get what she wants.  Otter pops are nearly impossible to keep away from her.

Benson and his new sensor. This kid is seriously tough. I love how responsible he is with his equipment.  And I LOVE our new sensor. It has changed our life.  I can get his blood sugar on my phone as long as he's in a place where he can get wi-fi.  Its also nice at home because my phone will start buzzing if his blood sugar gets high or to low.  It has helped me sleep so much better at night. I can also see which way his blood sugar is trending so it gives me comfort to put him to get bed at a lower number.  Sending him to school is going to be awesome because of the first time I will be able to track his blood sugar at home. It will also be nice for the teacher because she won't have to worry about his blood sugar. His IPOD will alarm if he's high or to low so she can just send him to the office to correct his numbers.  This is going to be life changing this year! I'm so grateful for the advances in technology and for good health insurance that allows us to get these devices that make living with Diabetes just a little bit easier. But most of all, I'm grateful to Benson for being a good sport and having a good attitude about his diabetes.

It's jam season! I make a bunch of jam during August because the peaches and strawberries are cheap.  Then I freeze it and use it for the year.  I also do small batches and save them for Christmas presents. It makes my December just a little easier having neighbor and friend gifts already made.

Hogle Zoo! The kids were stoked to actually see a real peregrine falcon.  They have been obsessed with this bird for years and they had one at the bird show for them to look at.  Dreams do come true!

One of my favorite summer activities is sitting on my driveway watching the kids play in the front yard. Its magical to me and it never gets old. I wish my kids could stay in this phase forever!

Dad's fresh garden! Mom has nothing to do with the garden-- its an all boy thing.  They had a good harvest this year.  Lots of tomatoes, squash, cucumber, and carrots (that were eaten by the birds).

For a scout project, Reece decided to make a tree swing.  He made the blueprints, went to the store with Spencer, and then came home and made it.  The kids have LOVED swinging on it and I love pulling into the driveway and looking at it. It's so cute!

The only request I had on their father son date was to take a picture. This is them thinking they are hilarious for taking a picture in the car on their way home (they forgot to take a picture).

Family Hike to the twin lakes by Brighton Ski resort. This was an impressive hike-- it was rated "moderate" and I'd say it was more on the moderate to hard for kids. But the boys honestly rocked it. They didn't complain and made it to the top with few stops. It was a beautiful view and it was so nice to smell the mountainous air.

Spencer is simply amazing.  Everywhere we go, he gets an honor or award-- or all of the above.  The only award that can be received by a 1st year cardiology fellow is an award given by the Internal Medicine program.  It's called the "Fellow of the Year teaching award" and is given to one fellow within all the medicine specialties. And you guessed it--- Spencer got it! It's a big honor and a big deal to the program-- he was getting all kinds of emails from many of the cardiologist at the U.  The program director pulled him into his office and told him how proud he was and how deserving Spencer was to receive this award.  Good work babe!

The kids have played baseball in the yard non-stop this month. It's a beautiful sight and they have a lot of fun doing it.

These two are my buddies now that Reece and Benson are in school. 

We went lizard hunting in the canyon and found a cute one!

Monkey see--monkey do! haha

A selfie of us hiking in the canyon.  A Saturday favorite during the Fall.

Mom's trying to get ready for family pictures. She had to take a "practice" picture to make sure the outfits looked good together.

Playing outside with these two is so much fun.

Dad goes to Helena, Montana to work at the VA for the weekend so we can have extra money to pay off his car and do fun things with the kids.  He found a pretty cool toy store and brought the kids home a little present.

We are so happy to have our Daddy home and so thankful he works so hard for our family.

This little buddy is very imaginative.  Cars, airplanes, star wars ships are constantly flying around our home.