A little rain goes a long way....

Growing up in the semi arid climate of Utah, we were pretty accustom to dragging the hose around the yard and garden every day, making sure everything got sufficiently soaked. The Utah heat was too dry and intense for most anything to survive except sage brush. When I moved to the midwest, I fell hard and fast in love with the lush foliage that seemingly sprouted without the least bit of coaxing.  I've been happily avoiding my hose since moving to this great state. And yes, I regularly kill my hanging baskets. Hey- I'm raising kids here, not plants.

Enter the drought of 2012. We arrived home from our trip to Yellowstone and our lawn was DEAD.  Not only is it yellow, but it's crunchy! I can't even run and grab the mail without my flip flops to protect my delicate feet from the cactus lawn. Note - my neighbor does obsessively water her lawn during periods of drought, as seen in this photo.

Why yes, this is another babybird, Henry can seek out a baby bird a mile away. 

Enter a few good rainstorms, and look!! It's like magic.

Grass so soft and green I can plop my baby down and not worry about her getting dry grass slivers. We sure do love our midwest rainstorms.

First and Third

Where did this fun summer go? Call me crazy, but I'm just not ready for my kids to go back to school yet. I've really loved spending the summer with them this year. Alas, we find ourselves in the third week of August and it's back to school time once again. Maya began third grade and Harrison is in first.

Harrison is a little excited, no- REALLY excited. He can't seem to keep normal look on his face.

Now Maya's at it, can we just have ONE good one kids?

I love these kids!

The first day was rough on Harrison, he came home from the bus and cried "THAT was the LONGEST day of my whole life." He really wanted a different teacher than the one he was assigned, so that makes the day drag on as well. Thankfully day three was better and he came home NOT crying today.

4th of July in South Dakota

When Tadd was young, his family spent the 4th of July with Aunts, Uncles and cousins in South Dakota. The relatives still gather there, but this is the first year we've made the trip out. It sure was fun!

Lake Madison, SD

Patriotic parade!

Henry had the coolest parade vehicle!

Maya was having a blast!

So was Harrison, literally. He spent the entire evening blowing off bottle rockets.

Still hot! So hot that Grandma sits in the pool with Amelia to cool off!

 What a fun vacation! We saw so many people we've missed and loved over the years. We can't wait to go back.

1880's Town, South Dakota

After Yellowstone we headed on I90 toward South Dakota, we had planned a stop at the Laura Ingalls Wilder house, but Tadd's Grandpa passed away unexpectedly and we had to change our plans. We had promised our kids a "pioneer experience" so when we passed the signs on I90 for 1880's town, we decided this would be our stopping place for lunch and a little tour. It turned out to be a fun place to stop for a bit.

Love that timer on the camera!

Right where they belong.

Harrison thought this train caboose was pretty cool!

My girl does not do well with heat, she's about to melt! Did we mention it was about 110 degrees and HUMID?

Amelia doesn't mind the heat though!

At the sawmill.

The old fashioned school house.

Buffalos and Geysers

When we got to yellowstone, first thing we did was head to Old Faithful, isn't that what everyone does? It did not disappoint, we were amazed (oh, and HOT, it was so hot!)

Waiting for the big show! With Candise & Jarom.

...And here she blows!

This actually wasn't Old Faithful, I think it was the honey pot? Anyway, it was actually more impressive than Old Faithful!

Doesn't this look like a nice refreshing pool behind us? Yeah, if 200 degrees is refreshing!

Did I mention it was hot that day? the sun was so bright, and the steaming hot pools of water didn't help!

Amelia was still happy though!!

...and another geyser!

Look! A buffalo! We thought they were tame, but the same week we there, a tourist was gored by a buffalo. Scary!

Beautiful!!

Lower Yellowstone Falls

Since we were already so far from home, we thought "why not go to Yellowstone!" So we did... and it was so fun! We went to Yellowstone falls, there really are no words to describe how majestic the falls are, it's just something everyone needs to see once in their lifetime!

Harrison inherited Tadd's cautious nature when it comes to heights. It took some convincing to get him so close to the sheer drop.

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We took a little hike down to get closer to the falls.

Fishing with Grandpa

First on the kids list when we get to Utah (after a 24 hour drive!) is to fish with Grandpa! My dad is so kind and patient with the kids and really enjoys being with them. It's such a blessing to us! One evening  Grandpa took the kids out....

Harrison is thrilled, really! He has an especially tender relationship with my dad.

See those mountains in the background? I grew up looking at those out my bedroom window. Beautiful!

Even Maya had fun!

Timp Cave Hike 2012

My poor sadly neglected blog! Whatever have I been doing this summer besides NOT blogging? Well the next few days I'll be posting lots and you'll be seeing just what I've been doing... Up first...

Hiking Timp cave! Well, I stayed back with the napping baby, but the kids, Tadd & my sweet dad did!

Look at this gorgeous trail!

Inside the cave, it's chilly in there, you need to bring a sweater.

After the hike, sweaters are off! It was a warm day.

I have very fond memories of hiking Timp cave with my dad when I was younger, it's fun to see my kids get to do it with their dad AND grandpa!