Nicole turns 12!

I can't believe that our little girl is now 12!! I've been told that there is a big change from here until they turn 18 :) I'm just hoping that I recognize her!!

Nicole invited friends Berlyn, Tiffany and Matthew over for games, a neighborhood scavenger hunt and even a mini spa party (yes Matthew was a very patient friend).

On the hunt for clues..
The end of the hunt... at last!!
In the middle of their spa treatments we had to take a picture to document their shiny faces.

Cabin project

Well, what began as a quest to add on to our existing cabin, turned into a full-blown new building. When it's complete we'll have a full kitchen and bathroom with a toilet that FLUSHES. Boy, are we going to feel spoiled. We're excited to be able to have more people up to the cabin.

Breaking ground....



Bringing concrete up to the cabin... one bucket at a time. The buckets are taken up by boat, then poured into a front loader which travels up the hill to the cabin then dumped into the foundation forms.


Bringing the lumber up the river, of course by boat!!


Eventually, to cut down on helicopter time, we sent the lumber up the river on the boats then had the helicopter take it from the boat to the cabin site.


Paul and Bryan standing on the walls

Volleyball star

Nicole decided to try out volleyball this year and ended up having so much fun!! She turned out to be an excellent server and even scored 7 consecutive points for her team by serving. Her team ended the season winning several games and even one match which was wonderful considering most of the team was playing for the first time.

Ashley turns 9!!

I can't believe our little Boo Boo is already 9!! She decided to invite several friends to a party at Bumpers in the mall for arcade games and bumper cars.

Grace, Ashley, McKenna, Emma & Reanna


Ashley asked for a "group present" from all of our family. She really wanted the Elizabeth American Girl doll and she was so excited to get her. She also ended up with a new bike since she had outgrown her old one.

Growing up so fast!!

School pictures have arrived...

Nicole - 6th grade
















Ashley - 3rd grade

Labor Day fun

For our annual Labor Day rendevous we took the Leachs into Hell's Canyon to play on the river. Ann had never been up the canyon and Paul is such a great guide. We were having a great trip until we decided to pull Nicole on the tube for a little ways and OOPS I didn't get the rope in fast enough when we stopped pulling her and the jet pump sucked it in and shut down one of our engines. Luckily, we have a twin engine so it only took us twice as long to get down the river. I'm always glad when Paul is driving the boat because I have such confidence in him (especially when we're coming down in the dark, oh and the fog :) ) What a sweetheart, I never once heard him get frustrated with me.




David & Ann
Adam & Eric

Brad
Nicole tubing

First Day of School!!!!!

Oh yeah... we were ready for school. I think Ashley could have gone to school all summer and was definitely excited to start 3rd grade, especially because she has Mrs. Thompson, in the BIG hall. It makes me sad to think I'll never be in the little hall of McDonald for one of my kids again :(

Nicole wasn't as excited... I think the nerves were playing a major role in her reluctance to go back to school. She had a great first day of 6th grade though and loves her teacher Mrs. Parce.

It was sooo nice to have warm weather this year. Last year the girls started the first day in winter coats.

Berlyn, Nicole and Tiffany


SOME of our cute little neighborhood kids that come to our house every morning to walk with the girls. Ashley, Jessica, Grace, Erica, McKenzie, McKenna