"Heavenly Father...please HELP me!"

Every single night...every single prayer...this is how Eli starts his prayers. Mostly its my fault, because once he started his prayer "Heavenly Father..." and then peeked at me and said in a funny voice, "please help me!" Of course I giggled, so a habit was forged. And not that he's not more than capable, because he is, but his prayers require quite a bit of prompting. So, I say 'I'm thankful for...." and he fills in the blank, over and over again. Then we do "please bless...." and he fills in the blank. So, imagine our surprise last night when Nate and I knelt beside Eli for another prayer and I said 'please bless....' and he said in a naughty voice, 'HAYWEE'S WEINER!' Well, Haywee is Avery, and she certainly doesn't have a weiner...much less one in need of blessing! So I tried really hard, but I opened my eyes and his eyes were dancing and he was smiling huge...very proud of himself, and then I caught Nate's glance and it was over. We were laughing out loud! I fully realize the importance of reverent prayers, but I also am thankful for the moments that make me appreciate the innocence of life!

The lake

We went to holter lake with are good friends yesterday it was so fun we want to go again loved it

Holter and Gates of the Mountain

Eli spent the entire day with a rope in hand! He didn't love the water but he was the 'rope guy'...pulled on it all day long. Pretended to rescue me and once I bobbed down and came back up and he said, 'TOO BAd....You missed!!!" So funny!

Kenna was gut laughing and Kolbe was chanting 'I'm gonna die...I'm gonna die..."

so..obviously not so photo-esque....but the love of my life and some gorgeous background!!!

Love love love the Simmons Family!!!

Love love LOVE the Pitcher monkies! Each stage is so fun...sometimes so stressful, but I am thrilled with the fun we have!

What person in their right mind takes this many children up the mountain on a winding hike???

the boys damming up the muddy creek....SO dirty...which equate to SO FUN!

There was a mudslide that brought tons of the most beautiful mud! I know...I said beautiful mud! But, now this will make more sense to you, it looked like tons of silky melted chocolate had run down the mountain. The kids loved swimming in it...and then they had to bath in the spiggit before re-loading on the boat!

Dad, Kenna and Dereck...can't hear the children over Nate's loud whooping!

Kolbe jumping off the nub of Split Rock!

Kolbe and Rob

This is as wild and crazy as it gets for me. This is the little jump...obviously as you'll see. But I'm terrified of heights. Nate and Rob were crazy enough to do the big jump multiple times. Kolbe did the little one with me...we're very adventurous!

Insane!!!!!

I have no idea what they're really saying, but I think it went something like this: "Holy crap this is high! But we HAVE to do it now...our wives and children are watching!!!"

A boat load of TROUBLE! They were happiest sitting on the bow of the boat...'king of the world!'

Miss Taylor taking a break from her tan to pose with Kenna...she was a hoot...totally vegging on the boat tanning. Kenna was willing to try the tube, though none of the kids were too crazy!

Our good friends Rob and Tami took our family to the lake yesterday to go boating! What a riot! We are all sunburned today, but it was so worth it. We left about 11 and packed our lunch to picnic at the Gates of the Mountain. We took a short hike and the view was amazing. Couldnt' have asked for better weather...since this summer its been COLD!

All in all, a super fun day with family and friends...and the kids loved the movie player in the suburban! Serenity!

Okay...here they are!

Not so flattering...but apparently pioneer men liked the look! I haven't checked with Nate, but I'm guessing its not his favorite look!!!

The must see dresses....this is what Julie would have looked like some 200 years ago when my ancestors crossed the plains. I think you'll all quickly attest to the tender mercies of a Heavenly Father who knew that I looked beyond ridiculous, and allowed me to come to earth in a time when shorts and t-shirts were a perfectly accepted form of clothing. Don't get me wrong...I love my apron...but seriously, who can honestly say they're not laughing their can off looking at these pics? Not me! Thankfully I am at least fully aware of my situation...it makes it that much more fun! I've opted against bloomers...one more layer in late July-NO THANKS! My one dress needs shortening...though its my favorite cause it looks like Laura Engels...but the other one is way way way more comfy.

Seriously, I am looking forward to this trek. I have thought alot about the pioneers...I know they sacrificed much so I could enjoy my faith and freedom. Anyways...here's to good giggles~

oH, You kNoW yoU wANt Em

That's right, my fabulous dresses are done for the trek. Got them today at church, huge thanks to Chris for sewing them. I'm no good for anything beyond a straight seem! Laura Engels move on over...cause I am scarily HOT in my flower, floor length dresses, my striped bonnet, and matching apron. Nate loved it...he said he wants a matching shirt. Kenna asked if she can have them when I die, the usual request if she likes something. They are fun...just not my choice for wardrobe in HOT summer weather. So...to post a picture or not to post a picture...

The best...

Of course we forgot our camera, but we had the funnest weekend camping in Kalispell. I didn't look for a campground until the morning we left...so the one that I found that had vacancy had us worried! Who cares...a place to pitch the tent! But, we were psyched when we drove into the campground...you crossed the bridge and off to the left the creek was dug out wide for a swimming hole with 2 floating docks. To the right it narrowed into a fast creek that was perfect for catching crawdads....There was a huge playground with several play buildings like a bank, saloon, hardware store...there were tunnels connecting the buildings around the bank to it...like, for robbery! So fun...of course Eli peed in one of them...whatever! He is determined to leave his mark wherever we go...which we learned, gets WAY worse than peeing! Anyways...the campground was awesome...bathrooms and showers...electricity and water to every campsite...and CHEAP! I can hardly wait to go back! There was a beaver that was working on a little damn just across the creek from us.
So, this is how our trip started: Eli pooped his pants at McDonalds the night before we left. When we got to the campground...there was a creek literally 5 feet from where we parked the van. So, Nate and I are trying to set up the tent and Kenna asked, 'what's floating down the creek?' That would be Nate's sleeping bag...so I barreled in to the creek fully dressed and it looked shallow...proved otherwise! Oh well...the men went golfing and we headed to Shopko with Marissa and mom to find flip flops for the creek. Yeah...again...when he pooped his pants there. So I cleaned him and then stuck him in the sink to scrub him down...and of course a Shopko employee walked in. Nice...she wasn't impressed. I don't blame her! I washed it out...with soap... but she was thoroughly scrubbing it 10 minutes later when my mom walked in. The next day we had a repeat at the pool at mom's hotel. Don't have a clue what to do with him...anyways... the rest was totally fun. We told scary stories in the tent, which were hilarious...Eli wanted in on the fun and said, "once...upon a time....there was a y-ion(lion)...in our sTuPID tent....the end!" Avery is the only one who wouldn't tell a story...she was scared, even though Kenna was in tears laughing from her own stupid story! Anyways, what a perfect weekend...except for the fact that I ate myself sick at every single place! I love my sweet family...

"Robot Leg"

I took the girls with me on a mad dash to Walmart this morning for oreos, twizzlers, chips and pop...you know, the essentials for camping! Well, there was a man with a prothsetic leg walking in front of us, and it was just a metal pole kind. I was sort of bracing myself for a comment from the kids...and Avery said, "Hey mom, that robot leg is freaking me out!" I hushed her and quietly said, 'sweetie, something cut his leg off and now with that he's happy he can walk again. if something happened to your leg, wouldn't you want a robot leg to help you walk?" She stinking puckered her face thoughtfully and asked, "welllllllllll.....do you think it comes in pink?"