And We're Back...

The guilt has consumed me and I'm giving in! Blogging world here I come and though there will be sap, bragging, and maybe even numerous pictures of Bison(Buffalo) in the middle of the road so be it.

We will however have to get around the fact that our camera died sometime between yesterday and today. Maybe it was the 36 pictures I took of Cambry's first day of Kindergarten. Who knows.

Just cause our camera is dead doesn't mean we don't have a full year's worth of entries we need to post. So, we will be updating our blog alright; backdating all of the fun we've had since our last posting.

See... there is a method to my madness. I had this planned all along... and, maybe we'll have a new camera by the time we are all caught up.

Don't worry there are more captivating entries coming...and their arrival might even be faster than the traffic trying to get around these Bison.

2nd White Dress...

On August 28th, we were able to celebrate the baptism of Annie.  It was a beautiful day and we are so proud of the decision she made.  We're so thankful for family members and friends who helped make this day so special for Annie (those both present and unable to attend because of distance). I hope she remembers this day better than I remember my own!

Picture of our family right before the baptism.

My parents with Annie.

A little Daddy Daughter bonding time before.

My favorite!

Annie with Omi and Opa.

Annie with her older cousins Kelsey and Adrianne...she adores them!

Cute Cayli! 

The cake says it all!

Annie's 1st day of 3rd Grade!

Annie's first day of school was also her Birthday.  It was a fun and eventful day!

Sisters are all happy, jealous, and sad to see Annie go!

Annie with her new bag that she decorated herself.  Here's hoping that 3rd grade will be a great year!

On the Road Again... Day 1 of 4

Tent trailer... Check.
Coolers loaded... Check.
Van fueled up... Check.
Bug spray... Check.

Can you guess where this road trip took us?

If you guessed Disneyland, you'd be wrong.
San Diego? Nope.
The Grand Canyon? Wrong again.
Jackson Hole? WOOT!!!.... Good job smarty pants.

Jackson was our first stop of a three night, four day trip through four states, two national parks and three separate campgrounds. Yes, we stayed at three different campgrounds, setup the tent trailer, slept, took down the tent trailer and towed it to the next place. Call us crazy if you want.

Everyone that stops in Jackson just HAS TO get their family photo taken in front of one of the Elk Antler Arches in the town square. (NOTE: Don't worry, no elk were harmed in the making of the arches. They shed their antlers every winter and they were collected and assembled into elegant arches.) After a quick walk through overpriced stores, and getting an overpriced ice cream cone, we were off to Grand Teton National Park.

First stop, Jenny Lake. We took a brief walk down to the boat dock and enjoyed the scenery. We found these three wild animals (pictured) that were kind-a-cute. Heidi's doing her "cuckoo" (THINK Shallow Hal).

Time was ticking, light was waning and the kids were getting hungry. It was off to our first campground. But not without stopping to take a picture of Mount Moran across Jackson Lake (while stopped for construction near the dam).

First night was at Grassy Lake on the Ashton-Flagg Ranch road (sometimes called South Boundary road). No pictures. Sorry.

BTW: Early in the trip, Cheryl mentioned that it might be nice to have a little rain while sleeping one night. Little did she know the power of that statement. HEAVY rain as soon as we entered Jackson, rain several other times that evening, and during the night. Needless to say, she got her wish.

Annalee's 7!!!

Annalee turned 7-years-old on August 24th. I'm really beginning to realize how fast time goes by and how much I need to cherish these times. It was quite the ordeal bringing Annalee into this world, but the trial that came with her birth makes me appreciate that I've been given the opportunity to be in her life. She is our little guinea pig that experiences all of Mom and Dad's countless mistakes that occur with parenting and therefore puts up with
A LOT! She is sensitive, energetic, feisty, musical, talkative, anxious, intelligent, artsy, loving, etc. all wrapped up into one. She really is a whirl wind of energy that makes all of our lives more meaningful.

The one thing that Annalee wanted to do for her 7th Birthday is go to Build-A-Bear. She's been talking about doing this for the past year. She also insisted that Cambry be able to get one too. We were reluctant because of the prices but the experience was fun and memorable.

Grandma came along for the ride and made it even more fun! Annalee has a very special bond with her namesake.

Annalee ended up with a Hannah Montana bear, and Cambry of course picked a pink bear accesorised with Ruby Red slippers...we wouldn't expect anything else.

We finished off this two day birthday event with a family party with, of course, a Hannah Montana cake that Annalee picked out herself...so cool!!! She got Legos for her birthday and her older boy cousins were so cute at showing her how to put them together!!! It was a fun day.