How did this happen?

My baby boy........a kindergartner? I really don't know how this day snuck up on me so fast. I have been mentally preparing myself all summer but it still blows me away that my little guy is old enough to go to school. i am so excited for him becasue I know he will love it, and he will do great. I am excited for myself because I know I will get a little more quiet time and will enjoy the break especially when the baby gets here. Yet, I am going to miss having my buuddy around all the time. When Aidan woke up this morning and came and cuddled with me in bed I got teary and told him I was sad that he is growing up and will be goign to school every day. What is so special about this kid? He was bummed for the rest of the mornign and when I asked him what was going on he started crying and said "I am sorry that your sad mom. I'm sorry that you are going to miss me. I will miss you too." Seriously? He wasn't worried about himself, he wasn't nervous. He was just sad for me. I had to explain to him that even though I was a little sad that I was even more excited for him because I knew how much he was going to love it and how many new friends he would make. He was totally fine after that. What a kid! Anway...for some reason he was having a hard time with his smiles today. The are pretty cheesy, but he still looked super cute for his first day of school! Love you buddy!

Baylee giving her big grother a good luck hug! I know she is going to miss him like crazy!

Showing off his new GI Joe backpack that he has been SOOOOO excited to use!

Aidan and his best buddy Riley are in different classes but go at the same time which will be perfect!

Playing on the playgroung while we waited for him to go into class!

Lining up with his new classmates!

Relaxing on the couch and watching a show after a successful day at school! can you tell Baylee skipped her nap today? lol

Timpanogas Cave

Last Sunday we decided to hike the Timapanogas Cave Trail. Neither Barry or I had been since we were young and thought the kids would probably enjoy it. It was a lot of fun! I have to admit Baylee got a lot of help from daddy but Aidan walked the whole way without any whining! He did great! I was quite proud of myself for doing it as well. My physical therapist was not! I probably won't be making that trip again for a while, lol. It is almost 2 miles one way and when I say it is ALL up hill on the way to the caves it's not an exaggeration! It took a little while but we made it! The caves were even more cool then I remembered. The way down was really steep and I was a little bit nervous because of the steep sides but we made it. Baylee fell asleep on daddy's shoulders about half the way down. I am not sure how she slept up there but she did! For those of you who have never done it I highly recommend it!

Not sure where Baylee picked this up from it but she had been doing it in a lot of her pictures. lol

Again with the funny face. Good thing she is still super cute!

On the way up! Still full of energy at this point! lol

Taking a break! The one on top anyway!

I thought this was super cute of them walking through the tunnel holding hands. Man I love these guys!

We made it to the top and had a minute to eat a PB & J before we went through the caves.

Sleeping beauty! I couldn't believe she slept like this. We wore her right out!

Yellowstone

A couple weeks ago we were able to take our first family trip to Yellowstone. It was our first trip in our new trailer and was a pretty long drive but we made it without any major mis-haps and had an amazing time! We actually stayed at Hebgen Lake which is about 13 miles outside of West Yellowstone. It was a great place to stay because there was so much to do. The kids were able to fish, boat, paddle boat, canoe, catch crawdads, swim, ride bikes, and play on the beach. It was beautiful and the weather was perfect. I am hoping to make it a yearly trip. Yellowstone was a lot of fun as well but made for a long day. We spent one day driving around the park and the kids lost interests about halfway through. Luckily we were able to see Old Faithful, a bunch of hot pots, and a herd of bison before the kids got bored and started begging to go back to Hebgen.

Aidan thought it was sooo cool to drive to drive the boat.

My beautiful cheeser!

Unfortunately we didn't cach anything but he had a good time trying and looked really cute doing it. lol

Daddy and his princess hanging out on the boat while Aidan fished.

Baylee even got a chance to drive the boat.

Aidan catching his first crawdad and not to sure what to think about it. He wasn't nervous for long. lol

Baylee got to hold a crawdad too.

These bison statues are everywhere and the kids loved pointing them out. By the way......they posed themselves like this I promise. They crack me up.

In front of some of the hot pots. It was fun to walk on the trails and see tons of them!

Baylee was super excited to Old Faithful! Isn't she stinkin cute? lol

An up close view of the bison. They are a little freaky, especially this close.

This bison walked right down the road in front of us and blocked it forever.

Aidan and daddy on the canoe at Hebgen.

Baylee hanging out on the beach with my while we waited for the boys on the canoe.

We went into town for icecream one night at a cute little place calle "Buffalo Bill's" I think.

The trip wore Baylee out. This was her on the way home.

Zuchinni Bread

This time of year I am usually taking full advantage of all the zucchini that is growing rampant in other people's garden. ( I have yet to develp my own green thumb) Thankfully there isn't usually a shortage of zucchini. My family absolutely love's zucchini bread so I bake and freeze as many loaves as possible. I think I have made 10 so far this year, and will be making about that much more today and tomorrow. I have found the perfect recipe over the years and this year more than ever I have gotten asked for it a whole bunch so I thought I would share. Here it is, hope you enjoy. Please let me know how it turns out for you!

Zuchinni Bread
3 C. Flour
1 Tbs. Cinnamon
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Baking soda
1/4 tsp. baking powder
3 eggs, beaten
1 C. Sugar
1 C. Brown Sugar
1 C. Veg. Oil
1 Tbs. vanilla
2 C. peeled and grated zucchini
1/2 C. chopped nuts (optional)

Mix flour, cinamon, salt, baking soda and baking powder together. Set aside. Beat eggs, sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, and vanila. Slowly mis in dry ingredients. Blend in grated zucchini and nuts. Pour into 2 greased and lightly floured 8" x 4" loaf tins. bake at 325 degrees for 60 to 70 minutes.

Side note.......I don't use nuts but I LOVE to put chocolate chips in half of my loafs (my hubby doesn't care for it or I would make them all that way.) I just add them at the end with the zucchini. YUMMY!

Get Comfortable!

Okay.........so here's what happens when you go three months without blogging. I don't have a real good excuse for going so long. Just busy, procrastinating, and uninterested, lol. So here it goes....the world's longest and most disorganized post ever. This is basically just an overview of what we have been up to this summer. So far we have been busy with weddings, new babies, Aidan's 5th birthday, Baylee's 2nd birthday, karate, swimming lessons, play dates, a new puppy, parades, the 4th of July, bike rides, camping, Yellowstone, and lot's more. Like I said the pictures are all backwards and mixed up but you get the idea.
Also, I have been getting asked about the pregnany.....I am 16 weeks plus a little. We find out on Sept. 9th if it's a boy or a girl. I am doing much better. I had a lot of back issues but have gotten it under control with Physical Therapy and watching my activity.
So get comfortable and get ready for picture overload.

Baylee and my dad at our annual Anderson 24th of July Breakfast up Millcreek canyon.

Have to get a picture of the kids on this rock every year cause I remember always climbing on it when I went to the breakfast as a little girl.

Aidan, Baylee, and friend Cohen feeding the ducks at Wheeler farm.

Going for a wagon ride at Wheeler farm.

Miss Baylee and Miss Kobree laying dress ups. Hopefully Baylee will get better at applying lipgloss.

The princesses playing house with Baylee's kitchen.

One of the many reasons I love having a girl. There is just nothing like watching them play dress ups.

Isn't she just the cutest princess ever?

Aidan doing some karate moves with his sparkler.

Baylee and Nanny (my mom). The fireworks were a little too loud for her.

The most delicious fourth of July cake ever. I was very proud of this cake and it was a huge hit.

Aidan took part in his first parade with his karate school. He did a lot more riding on the trailer than walking but it was a really long parade and he was pooped. he had fun though.

Baylee watching for Aidan during the parade.

It didn't take her too long to figure the parade thing out. She loved chasing all the candy and all the music and pretty floats.

Baylee and daddy at the parade.

Getting ready to walk in the parade.

This is baby Damien. He is my 9th great nephew. He is the son of Barry's niece Annie. Such a cutie.

Baylee chillin in the pool.

Apparently Baylee thought she would cook some malt-o-meal in my Scentsy. Ah....what a mess that was.

Showing me her breakfast creation.

Trying on her birthday high heels for the first time.

Aidan and Baylee with their new second cousin Jacob. So he is the son of their cousin Alicia. (My 8th great nephew) Adorable......I think Baylee and Aidan are going to be big helpers iwth the baby.

Aidan and Baylee with Jacob again. Adorable!

Baylee with her first flowers. Barry brought these home for her on her birthday. She was so excited. She smelled them every single day and would just smile and say "My Fyowas"

Baylee with her flowers that were as big as she is. By the way.....I have no idea what was up with her hair that day.

Baylee after the bike ride. Don't worry that's water in her lap. She didn't pee, lol

getting ready to go for a bike ride.

Aidan and Barry on the tagalong. That thing is sooo much fun!

Baylee with her birthday cake.

Aidan danced the night away at my cousins wedding. So cute!

Baylee was partied out by the end of the night at my cousins wedding.

Me and my beautiful cousin Lindsay at her wedding. Such an amazing night

Cute little dance partners.

Baylee and the beautiful bride.

Ice cream night

Aidan surprised me with a whole sheet of tattoos on his stomach. Silly boy. lol

Aidan after placing 2nd place at his karate challenge.

Aidan and his awesome teacher Mr. Hatch after the karate challenge.