August 2011

I think this year was the hardest because I was losing my little buddy!  Addyson is so much fun to be around and soooo helpful.  All of my friends were excited for school to start so they didn't have to entertain their kids all day.  I don't know if it's because I have 2 kids and they're 6 years apart,  Addyson can play forever by herself (no sibling for so long), or a big backyard to play in so that I really don't have to entertain her.  Maybe all three, but going back to school meant losing my buddy/helper with Ella and back to a routine for me!

Addyson was a little of both!  She was excited to start school, meet her new teacher, see her friends, but was sad to see summer end.  She was very happy that she had her two cousins with her (Alec 4th grade & Noah 1st grade).  Her teacher Mrs. Mello seems really nice and sweet.  I am excited for what the year will hold for my little Addyson and I know she will continue to grow and learn.

Prineville

Every year Steve's mom and her siblings and their families go to Prineville, Oregon for a week long ski trip.  This was our second year going and its something that we will hopefully do every year to come!  Steve's aunts and uncles are some of the most fun people I know.  They would do anything for you and they make you feel so special.  To say it is so much fun is a total understatement.  You water ski, wakeboard, tube, jump off cliffs and eat good food ALL day!  And on top of all that you are surrounded by awesome people...who wouldn't like that!    

Last year Miss Ella was only 5 months and a lot easier!  This year I had to be on her 24-7!  I would not have been able to do it without everyones help. This was the first time Curt and Martie had come and I realized I wont go back without them!!!!  

Everyones kid are ALL so amazing!  I wish I got more pictures of them all.  These are the type of teenagers you pray that your kids will turn out like.  They were sooooooo good to Addyson!!!  She really thought that she was one of them (I thought teenagers were support to be punks... not them)! 

Ella wasn't to fond of the water.  She hung out more on the beach and the big deck.  

One day these two girls are going to be the best of friends, but right now... not so much!  They both don't like to share!  We didn't plan their matching outfits they both just happened to have them and Christie and I happened to pack them for this trip...aren't we cute!!!

Last year Addyson was a little scared of the tube!  She was a little hesitant and gave it a go and LOVED it!  She also loved the Mermaid!  Addyson was all about the one hand!

It may not look very high from this picture but it was for a 7 year old.  She thought it was great and we jumped a few times.  Uncle Steve thought that he needed to show us up and scaled the rock and jumped off this crazy high cliff:-)

Steve was so patient and good with Addyson.  I was so proud of my little Addyson trying to water ski.  She was such a sport about it...will she do it?

1. I just really liked this picture of Steve coaching her.

2. Steve really took it for the team on this one.  She was not understanding the feel of the rope so Steve sacrificed his shins, back and arms!

3. It was all worth it because SHE DID IT!!!  I love Steves face in this picture.  I was so happy for her but a little worried that we left Steve in the water.  I was kind of hoping she would fall so we could go back and get him.  But she stayed up for like 40 sec...thats a long time when you leave you husband in the middle of the lake!

These picture are her first time getting up without Steve in the water.  She did it her first time...she is a pro!

She did not wait long to start going back and forth and of course her one- hand trick!  She would turn the rope like a steering wheel, it was hilarious!  "Stay down low, stand up slow" is what did it.  We were saying that all week long!  

Blake (Steve's cousin) was very good on the wakeboard.  We had a lot of fun watching him show of his stuff!  Debbie (Steve's aunt) didn't mess around out there.  All of his aunts and uncles are very good on the slalom ski. 

Uncle Steve was a natural on the water!

Scott found a way to wakeboard that shows off his guns!

Apparently skiing is just like riding a bike for the Westovers.  Even though she needed her sister Debbie to put the ski on for her.  You would have never known it had been 20 years since she had skied... she was amazing!

Then there's me!!!  

As you can tell I put a picture of everyone wiping out!  But theres not one of Steve, thats because he is really good!  I know they are horrible pictures and my camera is all messed up but it was so fun watching him.  He is not afraid and works it on the water!  

Curt is doing so much better from his accident but he is not all the way there...yet!  If it wasn't for that man I would not have had such a fun time.  Ella has a very special place in her heart for grandpa and he just eats it up.  So I knew she was always in "good hands"...that was for you Curt!  

It was so much fun but we are ALL soooooo tired!  Its go go go all day.  We had such an awesome time and are so grateful to all the boat drivers who were always willing to take us out.