See ya Summer, School is Cool!

In my entire lifetime history of blogging, I have never gone this long without a post, and I may have even started some vicious rumors with my last post! I would try to make up some outlandish excuse, but I have none. This much is true: I have dearly missed blogging! I didn't realize how much I love it and how much it helps me wind down. It is real 'me' time, which I don't seem to make a lot of these days. So...here it is, our entire summer recap.

The Fourth of July weekend was a blast. We didn't go anywhere camping for the first time since Jeff and I have been married, so off we went to the City Carnival at the Park. I had a great time because it reminded me of how we celebrated the fourth when I was growing up. Daisy's dance group performed, then the kids played the carnival games and got their faces painted. That night we were all set to go for fireworks, that is until it started raining. The next day was Isaac's blessing day. Our fab family traveled from far and near to be there. Isaac cried the whole time, but Jeff still gave a beautiful blessing.
Soon enough it was time for the much anticipated Ute Stampede. Jeff, Daisy, and Levi rode in the parade. The rodeo was a grand ol' time, as always. We went with the whole family on Thursday night, took the kids to the nasty carnival on Friday night, and then went to the rodeo again on Saturday. Each day is complete with a parade, and my favorite part of the Stampede: chuckwagon breakfast at the park.

We spent Pioneer Day in Antimony for our second annual Sullivan Stampede, which is code for family reunion. We took the horses (of course) and really enjoyed ourselves. How cool is it that I come from one of the greatest families around?

Before we knew it we were celebrating Levi's third birthday! He has been waiting and waiting. He wanted EVERYTHING for his birthday, but mostly just trucks. He had a great John Deere cake and a party with our family. Now he reminds us every day that he is big, and he asks me several times a week if he is still three (as if being three came and went like his birthday did.)

I am a director on the County Fair board, so fair time is a big deal at our house. This year was just as much work but not as much stress as last year. The kids entered their roosters and Daisy competed in the walk/trot event on her horse, earning a blue ribbon. After all of the events and competitions were over, we took the kids to the Demolition Derby (or the Crash Cars, as Levi calls it.) While I am convinced that Demolition Derby is just a more appealing way to say Trailer Trash Convention, the kids totally loved it, and that's what matters.

For a Fun Family Finale we took the kids on a weekend getaway to the zoo, since we have NEVER been, and did some school shopping for dad and Daisy. Jeff worked like a mad man this summer so we were overdue for some family time before school started up again. The zoo was everything we imagined. The kids were awesome, it was not too hot or crowded, and we got to see tons of animals. Levi's favorite was the crocodiles (which he calls alligators) and Daisy's fav was the new baby giraffe. Isaac was just glad they didn't put him in with the monkeys since he kind of looks like one.

Just a few days after we got home it was Daisy's first day of school! It is no secret that I have been dreading this day for months. It tells you something about my emotional state when I confess that I have cried about this day several times a week since June. But ready or not, here it is. Daisy, on the other hand, was ecstatic (which actually made things much easier for me.) She is SO ready to be a school girl. She is so cute getting ready every day, and I love to hear what she has to report when she gets home. I still get a choked up when I drop her off each day, but I just say a little prayer and smile and wave.

Jeff is back to school next week. He has a killer semester ahead, but we're ready to jump in with both feet. Even though the summer has flown by, we have had so much fun, and we're ready to buckle down and get into a routine again. By next summer we'll be one year closer to Pharmacy school, Daisy will be all done with Kindergarten, and Isaac will be a year old. And maybe I'll make the time to blog between now and then.