Being the 4th child, poor little Carter hasn't been taken for pictures by himself many times in his life. He was uncharachteristically cooperative for these pictures. He was so darn cute and sweet that it was pretty hard to decide which pictures to get. I can't believe my baby is turning 3 this week! He is growing up way too fast!
This year Eric has worked really hard putting in an awesome garden for our family! Between conference sessions today, the kids went out and picked some pumpkins from our garden. The Pypers were over, so Tucker helped too.
This week Olivia went to a mini cheer camp put on by the high school football cheerleaders. It was 2 hours on Wednesday and Thursday, and then on Friday they performed during half time at the football game. I don't know if cheerleading will be in her future--unless she gains a little more coordination--but she absolutely loved it! Carter didn't want to miss out on the dancing and posing for the camera, either.
After driving 18 hours home from Lake Powell on Labor Day, the kids were up bright and early to make it to the 1st day of school. The boys headed on the bus, and I drove Olivia--since it was her very first day of Kindergarten. We had to stop in Provo on the way back home to pick up some new BYU shirts for the boys. They were so excited after their big win over Oklahoma. It's too bad they didn't keep up that winning streak!
Carter was feeling a little left out that he didn't get 1st day of school pictures.
Olivia's Kindergarten teacher Mrs. McNeice is so great for her. We love her!!!
We had one of the greatest vacations ever with Eric's family last month. We went to Lake Powell and stayed on a house boat for our last hoorah of the summer. It was so relaxing. It was great to have absolutley nothing to do and just hang out. The kids love being with their cousins, and we all have the best time together.
I love my sister-in-laws!
Olivia and Hayden like to show off for the camera. Carter was crazy with the front flips, too. I guess we never had the camera when he was doing them.
Camden turned 6 while we were at Lake Powell, so we had smores out on the beach--after birthday cake ofcourse.
Eric and Lindsey
Jackson is a great big brother!
Hillary's pug Chuck wanted his turn on the surfboard. 
I'm realizing I have a ton of pictures of Olivia. I'm pretty sure the diva jumps in front of the camera any chance she gets.
I think this was my favorite part of the trip. We played cards everyday and loved it!
Papa Ron looked after the kids sometimes when we were playing cards.
There is the diva again!
All the kids adore Hillary's dogs Chuck and Toby. The poor dogs had to put up with a lot from the kids.
It is impossible to resist this face. Carter went down the slide off the back of the boat any chance he got. Then he would run up these stairs and go again. He is such a daredevil. He has no fear at all--which is a little scary sometimes.
A very tired girl. I swear the boat puts all my kids right to sleep!
August was such a great month!!!! I need to get pictures from all of my family, because I realized that the extent of my pictures is pathetic. So here is August from my camera....soon I will post August with other people's pictures of us. Last weekend we took the boys to Las Vegas where the Shock played in and won the Arena Cup. It was so fun! We were behind 20-21 at half and came back in the 2nd half to win 74-27! It was great to visit Hillary and Jeff and Betty and Jeff, since they live there. Eric's parents, GG Lois and Lindsey also came. When we were at lunch with GG Lois, she was sitting across from Jackson. She told him, "you know Jackson, I want all my great grandkids to sing at my funeral. I want you guys to sing I wonder when he comes again, and I want you to sing the 3rd verse as a solo." He thought about it for a bit and replied, "I guess I could do that, but when should I start rehearsing?" We all had a good laugh. I had to explain to him that he was basically asking her when she was going to die. These Shock pictures are for you, Danielle--since you think every post is Shock pictures. I didn't want to disappoint you.
It was so fun hanging out with Betty and her new family.
Reagan and Hayden--and you can kind of see Lindsey and Jorie.
The Zumbrunnens came back for a visit. Olivia loves Emily and Kejia--she had to pose for a picture. She is so crazy! I think she learns a little too much from tv. She told me the other day,"Mom, there is this thing that you only have to do 3 minutes a day, and in a few short weeks your abs will be transformed! Also mom, I think you would really like a 'bump it' for your hair. They have little ones for your bangs, or bigger ones for the back of your hair. You would look soooooo beautiful!"
When Mark and Heather came, we had family pictures out at the lake. (Pictures of the whole family in future posts!)
On the way back from Blue Lake, we stopped for some bridge jumping. Here is Jackson climbing up to take his jump.
One of the highlights of Mark and Heather's visit was going up to the Priest Lake cabin. We took an awesome hike. Eric showed the kids a little fly-fishing on the river and we picked huckleberries. The climate is so different up there. It was crazy rainy there and cooler. It was so gorgeous! We were pretty wet, but the kids will always remember our hike. My parents were so cute. My dad was like a little kid in a candy store. This was his first experience picking huckleberries. We hit the mother-load of huckleberries. Eric has been up there quite a bit and has never seen them quite as good.
Jackson and Jake
Sharlene
We ended filling about 2 gallons worth. If you were to buy 2 gallons worth it would cost you about $80-90.
Mitchell
Braden
Hayden, Eric, Carter,Braden, Chad and Liv
Heather
Hadley
Eric's parents, Hillary and Jeff came to visit us back in July. It was a funfilled, action packed weekend for sure. For some reason I couldn't fit all of these pictures into one post, so this one is Silverwood and the next one is Silverwood and the rest of the weekend. This tube ride was so fun when you have 4 adults and 2 kids. I kept on being on the top when we went up the sides. I was screaming so loud. I thought I was going to fly over on top of everyone.
Hillary and I have the best time together! I am so thankful to have awesome sister-in-laws!
Jeff
Eric
Shar
Hillary
