First Day x3

The kids have started a new school year. This year they all started on a different day, so I took first day of school pictures on three different days. 

(I am a little late on my post so they have been in school for about 6 weeks now)

Tanner is a Senior at Dixie High School

Chloe is in 8th Grade at George Washington Academy

Bryce is in his second year of preschool at Barefoot Montessori

Looking forward to a great year, and great things to come from these awesome kids.

The kids going back to school means that I am also back to work. It has been a little bit of and adjustment, as it usually is, but I think we are finally getting back in a "school/work" routine.

Mural

We needed the sensory room painted in the class I work in, so I called in a favor from my sister Sandi. She sketched and painted this awesome mural for us. It took her 2 full days. Chloe helped her for most of the time. Sandi would sketch and do details and Chloe would fill everything else in. We love it and so do the kids. 

Ellison Family Reunion

Over the summer we went to the annual Ellison Family Reunion. This year is was in Escalante, Utah. We camped at Posey Lake, which is a beautiful mountain top lake. The kids had fun playing card games, kayaking, and roasting marshmallows, catching squirrels, and just having a blast with their cousins. (Bryce's favorite part was catching squirrels-HA!)

We did get a little bit of rain while we were there, but nothing too serious. One day we took a hike to Calf Creek Falls. I think we figured it was about 7 miles round trip. Bryce was a trooper and hiked most of the way in by himself. He was pretty tired on the way back and at one point just laid down in the middle of the trail. Landon picked him up at that point and next thing you know he was sound asleep. He slept most of the rest of the hike out.

After the hike we stopped for some shakes at Nemo's. Landon's brother had been raving about the peach shakes all week, so we thought we'd give them a try. They were pretty good, but I don't think they were any better that others I have had. It was a nice refreshing treat though. Bryce had berry instead of peach.

Another day we took a drive to see Hell's Backbone Bridge. I wasn't sure I wanted to go because I don't do heights and steep roads to well, but it wasn't as bad as I though in fact it ended up being pretty cool. *Fun Fact over 10 years ago Landon helped to pave this bridge.*

 It was a fun and successful family reunion. I'm glad we are able to do these things. Our kids always look forward to spending time with the family. It was also nice to just be able to truly relax and take a break from life while we were here.

Memories Made Around the Campfire Last Forever

Cousins Make The Best Friends

(We are missing Kylie and Cam's kids in these pictures, but otherwise we have everyone else)

Oh yeah-this was on the bucket list-attend family reunion.

#ellisonsummerbucketlist