It's the day after school started. . .

The backpacks were packed. . .

The "night before school starts feast" was eaten. . .

New shoes were purchased. . .

Hair was cut. . .

Blessings were given. . .

and just like that it was time to send this kid off to 2nd grade. . .

and this kid off to 6th grade - at the MIDDLE SCHOOL!!!!!

Kale's school starts much later than Kris's so Kris and I walked to school together.

A fun way to start out the new year, just me and him.

And then the bell rang, and he was off.

He was a little sad this year, which is an emotion I don't see from Kris very often.

He gets angry, but not sad.

He didn't think he had any friends in his class this year and was worried that he got the "strict" teacher. . .

but when he came home he informed me his teacher wasn't as mean as he thought and she plays the guitar so as far as he's concerned she's perfect. And as far as the friends go he now loves recess even more than last year!

Then I walked home.

By myself.

Realizing that when I got home I would have to send my first child to MIDDLE SCHOOL!

Middle School, where everyone tries to act older than they are, cooler than they are, and smarter than they are. . . uggghhh middle school.

But my son was excited.

My son who's always nervous about everything was excited.

So I tried to be excited for him.

He had everything he needed including a handwritten note on a napkin inside his lunch that may have had a few tear stains on it. . .

So off he went, with the biggest group of friends ever to make the little trek to the

MIDDLE SCHOOL!

And after spending all morning walking around the entire house calling for her "boys",

this one finally realized she had some major freedom and this is how she spent her day!

And so begins another year!!!!!

It's the day before school starts. . .

These are Kris's favorite shoes.

He wears them everyday.

He thinks he is wearing them to school tomorrow. . .

Guess it's time to stop pretending summer is never going to end and do some back to school shopping. . .

Check back tomorrow to see how the shopping went.

Kyle and I Are Having. . .

A FOURTEENTH Wedding Anniversary Today. . .

Not much has changed. . .

FOUR is kinda a crazy number to us.

We've been married "FOUR"teen years.

(obvious)

We've always referred to our FOURTH anniversary as our "lucky" anniversary.

We had just moved to California. We were living with Kyle's parents.

We decided to go to Tahoe for our anniversary.

We had no money so we camped instead of paying for a hotel room.

We went into the city the first night we were there and had a "buy one get one" dinner coupon for a restaurant inside one of the casinos. Since we didn't want to drive back to the campsite in the dark we decided to eat an early dinner.

We got to the restaurant to find that it didn't open for another hour.

We had an hour to kill in a casino.

We gave each other five dollars and for the first time in my life I pulled a slot machine.

Kyle burned through his five dollars pretty quick, but I was more patient (I had no idea what I was doing. . .) I won a few here, only to lose them back, but on my last quarter I won $95 dollars! You would have thought I just hit the million dollar jackpot, but to me at that time $95 was the jackpot!

We ate dinner and then headed back to our tent. I've never pulled a slot machine since.

We have owned FOUR cars since we've been married. . .

We've moved FOUR times. . .

We've lived in this house for FOUR years. . .

All of our kids are FOUR years apart. . . .

Kyle went to FOUR years of college and then FOUR years of Law School . . .

We've been to Disneyland FOUR times since we've been married . . .

(ok now I'm reaching a little)

Our phone number has the number FOUR in it . . .

(ok now I'm totally reaching)

In all seriousness, I can't believe it's been FOURteen Years!

FOURteen Years and

FOUR kids later. . .

I wouldn't change a thing!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY KYLE!

What makes a Good Camping Trip?

We've spent a lot of time in the Great Outdoors this Summer and loved every minute of it!

So What Does Make A Really Good Camping Trip????

First you need a beautiful spot with a beautiful lake (and a kayak). . .

Then you need some good friends!

Thanks Lencioni's for putting up with us for another year. . .

and thanks to the Danielson's who stepped up and came at the last minute too!

And after that all you need is:

Water Fights. . .

And when water just doesn't cut it. . .

throw in some sand fights!

Brotherly Love?

Kayak Rides. . .

Yummy Food. . .

Naps. . .

(anywhere you can get them)

Dirty Feet. . .

No Rules. . .

(no seatbelt in this case)

Quirky, Crazy Moms!

Me in this case. . .

A little laughter. . .

Fun on the Dock. . .

Neighbors putting up tents in speedos!

And yes I do have a picture. . . and yes I thought about it posting it. . . but then refrained. It was bad enough to see it in person. I don't need to relive it here on the blog.

I don't suggest ever watching a grown man in a speedo put up a tent.

(and then maybe he put on a pair of gloves and starting cutting wood for the fire)

I can't make this stuff up I promise!

Giant Slingshots. . .

(for rocks. . . I'm not still talking about our neighbor)

Sugar Cereals. . .

Awesome Campfires. . .

Smores. . .

Ghost Stories by the Campfire. . .

And what camping trip wouldn't be complete without loading up your kids with sugar compliments of giant pixie sticks right before heading home?

Only when you're CAMPING!!!!