Our Mountain Retreat

Soo, we miraculously sold our home in S.F. and the new buyers wanted us out in 2 weeks. Needless to say, the month of August was crazy for us. Aside from transfering schools, packing, unpacking...We frantically searched for a home to rent until we start building in two years. We stumbled across a home up a canyon on 50 acres. Rhett was able to use his magic and get a sweeeet deal...he has a little trade work he gets to do. It is quite the drive to get here, but it is so beautiful and peaceful...especially with the colors that are starting to change. So, here we are, finally feeling settled with school started, most of the boxes unpacked, and the internet working. :)

A picture of the front of our "Mountain Retreat".

This is what we see when we look out our kitchen window in the mornings and evenings. The kids love scaring them away...Rhett gets upset when they do. :)

As you can tell, the boys are in heaven. So much room to roam. They are serioulsy outside for hours riding the four wheeler, "hunting" for animals, playing soccer, capturing bugs, and everything else boys do.

This is a picture of the back of the home. The kids love the hill to run down. We plan on getting a slip-and-slide going here soon. Visitors are always welcome!!

Feels Good to Be Back

We are back! ...and it feels soo good! We have officially been in our new home for a month now, and we just got the internet two days ago. Yeah, it was the longest month, ever, to go without the internet! I don't recommend it. I tried several different internet companies out there...and none of them could get service up here in the mountains. Finally, on the third try, I found one! And it was a glorious day.

Soo, the kids started up school. Hailey is a big 2nd grader, Hunter a kindergartener, and Tate is in his 1st year of preschool. They are all loving it! Yeah! So far, the transition of schools..and everything else..has gone smoothly.

Tate loves to greet Hailey and Hunter when they get off the bus. Up the driveway they go!

Hailey and Hunter LOVE riding the bus...and I LOVE the bus.

Tate on his 1st day of school. He was so excited to go to the same preschool that Hailey and Hunter went to.

Hunter on his 1st day of kindergarten. He was a little disappointed that he couldn't take a lunch...next year!

Hailey on her 1st day of 2nd grade..new school...new friends...and she is doing great!

Roughin' It

We went camping for a night up Mapleton Canyon. One night is perfect for our little, young family. The kids love being outdoors. Their favorite part is being able to sleep in a tent. Sooo cool...
Our breakfast: Cold cereal. The perfect breakfast for our kids. They would prefer this over eggs, pancakes, and sausage anyday. As for Rhett and I?...cereal works fine.

Mmmm....

Lots of little helpers willing and able and ready to help start up the fire.

Rhett's favorite part of camping is putting the tent up....Right.

The second best thing about camping, is playing in the fire....and blowing bubbles.

Summer Time Fun

Just hangin' out around the home....

We scored at a moving sale with this fun 4 wheeler..the kids love it! I told myself that I would never own one of these...because the kids would fight over it. They surprisingly have done very well.

Gotta love their one true love of the summer...popsicles!

I think Rhett has more fun than the boys in the sandbox.

Hunter is all decked out.

We also scored, at that same moving sale, with Rhett's first bullet bike. It is quite the sight to see him riding on this minibike. All the neighbors know when Rhett's riding..it is soo loud.

IT''S A.....

Well, we went in for our ultrsound today... with the intention of not finding out the gender. But...it soon became very obvious what was inside my belly. I really don't think the ultrsound guy could have performed an adequate ultrasound without showing us the gender...it was that obvious...and, lets just say, very open....yep...it's a BOY! We are excited for another little boy to arrive in November. Hailey was quite devastated about not having a sister, but I think it was good for her to find out now so she can cope with it all. :) ....it's rought being the only girl. :)
So, we are open for any suggestions on boy names'...

Hailey's First Swim Meet

Hailey had her very first swim meet on saturday. She was a little nervous when she first heard the news about a swim meet, but once she was there she had a good experience. She swam the 25m freestyle and backstroke...and did a great job.

Hailey getting ready for her race.

The lineup...

Hunter and Tate were way into the racing aspect of it all. They are a little competitive and can't wait to be on the swim team and race people.

Hailey and her friend Meg getting ready for their next event.

Hailey did an awesome job swimming backstroke. Way to go Hailey!

Aloha

Rhett and I always said we would go to Hawaii for our 10 year anniversary...and we did it! We celebrated our anniversary a month early, due to the our baby's arrival in November. We had an amazing time. It was incredible. I really don't know what else to say but that if you haven't experienced Hawaii...you need to go! There are so many pictures that we took, and none of them due justice to what we saw. But here is a little snippit into our week in Maui.

Every night at Black Rock, a native does a ritual dance and dives off the rock.

A trail we hiked on the road to Hana.

A sunset photo op.

One of the many waterfalls we saw...and enjoyed.

Can't go to Hawaii without eating an Hawaiian shaved ice. -Lahaina

On our way out to Molokini Crater for some amazing snorkeling.

Some delicious local favs...banana bread, coconut (dipped in sugar), and mangos.

A quick pic at Blowhole.

Rhett's beach creation.

My beach creation....

Of course, we had to get a pic of some stonework in Lahaina.

Our jeep we rented. We sure felt young and carefree again!

A picture looking out of our hotel.

The pool area where we spent some time. We stayed at the Sheraton Maui...beautiful.

A rainbow out our room balcony.

From hiking to exotic waterfalls, driving the road to Hana, swimming with huge sea turtles, eating at every restaurant imaginable (I guess there is a reason why Rhett and I gained 10 pounds in week..), laying by the pool, stolling along the beach, driving around the entire island of Maui in a red Jeep, eating "real" Hawaiian shaved ice, to just having time alone was just a snipit of what we experienced.

A huge big thank you to Mom, Lauren & Evan, Kristen & Andrew....we couldn't have gone on this trip without you watching the kiddos!