AUGUST - Month to see how many things you can do before school starts!

Busy, Busy, Busy! We kept ourselves very busy the last few weeks before school started. We took the kids camping up past Idaho City, we floated the Boise River, and I performed at the National Night Out. Uncle Cody stopped by to visit. We drove to Salem, Oregon to visit my grandfather where we were spoiled rotten and had a great time. On our way there we stopped at the Bonneville Fish Hatchery and Multnomah Falls. Once there Grandpa took the kids to the Kroc Center to go swimming, out for an evening of pizza and arcade games, to the A. C. Gilbert Discovery Center where the kids explored, climbed and learned a lot, and a ride on a hand craved & painted wooden carousel. Since we were so close to the ocean we had to take a trip to Newport to the Aquarium, we played on the beach, saw Sea Lions on the bay, went the the Riley's Believe it or not museum & Wax Works, stopped in the Butterfly Exhibit and enjoyed the Undersea Garden. We couldn't leave before flying kites on the beach. On our way back home we stopped at the Oregon Zoo for a train ride and to see the Dinosaur Exhibit. The day after we got home the kids started school, Alysha started 7th grade, Ashley started 2nd and Owen started Kindergarten. Their first day went great and we are trying to get back to our routine. We got a surprise visit from Aunt Shelley and cousin Sarah to wrap up August. It was great to see them. Mike took Sarah on a ride on his motorcycle and we celebrated James birthday and Sarah's early.


While camping Mike made the kids whistles so we always knew where they were.

We did some exploring.

The kids learned that you can start a fire with a magnify glass.

The girls painted me a pretty mug and flower pot.

We decided to float the Boise River for the first time.

Uncle Cody stopped by on his way through town to say hi.

Alysha and Amanda enjoyed the National Night Out while I performed.

Stacy performing the ROM

Kids at a rest stop on our way to the Oregon coast.

Alysha stopping to smell the flowers.

We went to the Bonneville Fish Hatchery.

We went to Multnomah Fall and hiked all the way to the top for the first time.

Kroc Center in Salem, Oregon

Pizza and Prizes with Great Grandpa

A. C. Gilbert Museum

We made squished pennies everywhere we went.

Ash & Owen on the carousel

Alysha on the carousel.

Kids at the Newport Aquarium

Hanging out on the beach

Owen on the beach infront of our hotel.

Ashley with a jelly fish

We saw Sea Lions on the bay.

Ripley's Believe It or Not.

Butterfly Exhibit.

The Hardy's in Newport.

The Wax Works.

Undersea Garden

Kite flying on the beach.

The Hardy's with Great Grandpa Richard :)

The Hardy's on the train at the Oregon Zoo.

Dinosaurs at the Oregon Zoo

Alysha's 1st day of 7th grade.

Ashley and Owen ready for 2nd grade and Kindergarten.

Mike and Sarah ready to ride.

Mike playing hacky

Kids at the park

Celebrating James and Sarah's birthdays

Summer Fun!

Summer is flying by, here is a glimpse at what we have been doing. Mike got a kitten (Chester) for his birthday which the kids have been having a great time playing with. We had a great 4th of July and enjoyed having cousins around to play with. We went to the library for fun activities; magic show, clown, puppet shows, dancers, learning about bugs & water. We went to the Nyssa ThunderEgg days and I danced with friends and my niece Mariah. We spent a lot of time playing in the backyard on the swings, in the sandbox and in the pool. While Alysha was at her dad's in Texas I rearranged the bedrooms. Mike and I moved into the office and made our room into Alysha's own room so the kids all have their own space. We enjoyed an evening at the Boise Music Festival with Molly, Will and kids. Then we took all the kids to Roaring Springs for an afternoon. We wrapped up the end of July by going to the Canyon County Fair. Where we watched a magic show, a reptile show and spent five hours at the carnival. It was a great way to end the month. We are looking forward to all our August activities and will see how much we can do before school starts. :)


Chester our new little boy.



Kids at the Caldwell Library Summer Reading Program about bugs.



Stacy dancing at the Nyssa ThunderEgg Days




Ashley & Owen with Lincoln.




Enjoying the backyard.




Alysha's Home!! First time in her new room.




Hanging out by the fountain at the Boise Music Festival.




STOP, DROP & PARTY at the Boise Music Festival.

Kids enjoying the music at the Boise Music Festival.

Alysha, Molly & Delaney hanging out.

Me and my big girl!

Kids at Roaring Springs.

Great day in the sun at Roaring Springs.

Mike on Stage helping with a magic trick at the CC Fair.

Alysha & Owen with the BIG snake at the CC Fair.

Hippo the turtle at the CC Fair.

Kids on the gaint slide at the carnival.

Mike and Stacy hanging out while the kids were on the rides.

Rides,

Rides,

and even more rides!! They had a blast and got their moneys worth out of their wristbands!

July camping trip with Mike's family

After our 4th of July surprise party crashers invaded they insisted that we all go camping. Ruby talked to her in-laws in Weiser and reserved us a campground after reading the driving directions we realized it was just outside of Council and even on my parent's road just a few miles the opposite direction. Of course my parents had plans to be in Boise that weekend. Anyhow, we all had a great time camping, roasting marshmallows, collecting bugs, playing in the river, doing crafts, singing by the campfire and hanging out.

Alyse, Lexi, Ashley & Owen in the river.

Grandma Reva and Mike

Stacy setting up the kitchen area.

Reva aka Hermit Crab relocating her tent.



Mike and sister Ruby.

Alaina playing with paper dolls.

Mariah and Amanda working on crafts.

Ashley ready for the ring toss.

Alyse and Owen playing ring toss.

Ruby and Amanda setting up tents.

Mike sleeping with the dogs.

Owen and James painting cars.

Alaina showing us her necklace she made.

Mariah lost in nature.

Kristey I found you! Trying to hide from my camera.

Owen roasting marshmallows.

Mike with a marshmallow in the eye.

Stacy and a smore.

Hanging out around the campfire.

BEWARE of the night creatures.

Ashley and Owen at Grandma Reva's craft table.

Alaina, Lexi and Alyse at Grandma Reva's craft table.

Hanging out in the shade.

Owen and James had fun collecting bugs.

Amanda, Mariah & Kristey by the campfire.

Mike the safety police!