September couldn't come fast enough

I am loving September. The number one reason is the cooler weather! I love that I can have the windows open and it feels perfect. I am so ready for fall. School is now in and everyone is loving their teachers, the summer heat is gone, and the Holidays are just around the corner. Yipee! I love this time of year. Anyways, let's stick to September or I will get side-tracked. We went on a really fun camping trip with my best friend Rachel and her family over Labor Day weekend. We had the best time. Also, Ashley is now a preschooler! I know, it's crazy. First things first... our Labor Day trip. Rachel and the whole side of her family go up to the Uintas every single year on Labor Day and she always invites us to go. We went when I was pregnant with Ash, but not since then. This year we were finally able to go. We seriously had such a great time with her and her family. Her family is so awesome and so much fun to be around. Another reason I loved this trip so much is because there were probably eight dogs up there with us. Sadie and Bear were in heaven. They had so many new friends to sniff, and for Sadie, harass. We went on a long hike with most of the dogs and they were all off leashes and just leading the way and it seriously put a smile on my face. They were so happy and so in their element. Sadie had her first swimming experience and I was such a proud Mama. I'm so glad I didn't have to fork out money for her swimming lessons too. She was swimming all over with the other dogs and having the time of her life. Ok Emily, enough about the dogs. Let's talk about the humans now. :) I know you are probably not interested in hearing what we did every hour of everyday up there so I will sum it up. We visited, laughed, fished, laughed, played games, laughed, sang some songs at the campfire, laughed, shot some guns, laughed, ate some of the best food ever and laughed. When Rachel and I are together there is usually tons of laughing. Our sense of humor is pretty much identical so we do the best we can to entertain each other. Here are some fun pics from our trip. Jake and I loved the fishing up there. I think Jake caught 14 that weekend! Did I mention it was freeeeeeeezing cold at night? Oh my gosh, I have never been so cold. You can tell by Jake's multiple layers that it was chilly. That seriously was the only downfall the whole trip. Oh wait, Ashley eating too much junk and puking in front of everyone at breakfast was kind of a bummer. She did make it to the garbage can though. Thank goodness. She was so busy having fun the day before that she wouldn't eat hardly anything so by the next morning she was starving! She had a waffle, hot chocolate, some candy, and who knows what else... Ashley thought she would add some spice to our day and do some bingeing and purging.

Here is Gracie (Rach's daughter) and the girls. Rach did all of their hair in french braids.

Here is my newest little swimmer with her friend Peggy. Rachel's brother David has two dogs named Peggy and Mona and they were so cute.

Here is Bear exiting the water. "I'm too old for this.." is what he was thinking.

While we were on our hike Haley was throwing her shoes across to Jake and one fell into the river and Jake had to chase it down. It was so funny! Oh wait, I mean it wasn't funny at all... Sorry about that Jake. :)

Ok, every time I look at this picture I laugh until I am in tears. This was during our hike and we stopped for a little break. Please note Karly's hair and expression. She seriously looks like she escaped from a mental institution. Her braid is falling out in huge chunks and she looks like she doesn't know where she is or who we are. Oh man, I'm laughing all over again. Also, Bear looks like he was on the verge of dying from exhaustion. Good times..

Rachel and me. Have I mentioned what a wonderful friend she is?! We have been super close for the last five years and she is such a blessing in my life.

We were walking down to go and shoot some guns and Ashley decided to do a little impromptu photo shoot. She was striking some serious poses.

I think she's been secretly watching "America's Next Top Model," when I'm not looking.

Here is Jake and Karly shooting.

Here's my Haley look very sober. These safety glasses remind me of something a creepy perv from the 80's would wear. I know, safety before fashion..

Now this picture and the next make me laugh. Rachel's brother Joey was letting me use his gun and I look like I'm thinking, "Ok, now let's see what we do with this..."

Here's Joey coming to my rescue. "Ok, little Missy.. let me help you."

Nobody messes with Jake and his gun. He is serious about this. Take that Diet Coke can!!

How cute is that? Seriously, that face is too sweet. Ashely loved shooting the gun.

I love my Jakey. Can you tell I mostly took pictures on the last day? I am wearing the same outfit in every single picture.

The girls preferred the archery over the guns. Imagine that. Now on to my little Ashley Kathleen. She is now a preschooler and she is loving it! She loves her teachers and she already has a new friend named Grace. I am so glad that she is loving it. It was hard to drop her off the first day but I still have afternoons with her so I'm handling it ok. Now when she leaves me and goes full time in first grade I might have a nervous breakdown. Well that is September so far. Next month my little sister Abbey is getting married!!! That will be a fun day to blog about.