What's up at the Nelson home these days...

It's here.. The end of the summer. The last week of freedom for my children before they return to the task of schooling. It has been a great summer for us. We have had many adventures and road trips.
We got out and did some back to school shopping the last few weeks and I can not believe how much Emeline and Micah has grown. Emeline has gotten so tall she has almost jumped two pant sizes in the last 3 months.. yowza! We found what they needed and all in all spent surprisingly little. (I love clearance and yard sales)
Just a little change in our lives. Trent and I are both taking classes this semester at the University.With Hannah being born so early Trent never finished the few classes he had left for graduation. The HUGE bonus is that now he can take those classes at an amazing price of 5 dollars a credit.. I mean we would be nuts not to advantage of that! Trent will be taking one class and his boss is more than excited to let him break away from work and hour three days a week to do it.
With all this happening I had a huge impression that I needed to see what I needed to do to finish up my degree as well. It turns out that taking about 6 credits a semester will get me my degree in 3 years... so I am going for it! This semester I am taking 2 on line classes. I have made arrangements to trade care with another friend that is also returning to school that happens to live right next door. It is really working out.. oh and I get to attend classes for the same rate as Trent.. did I mention that? Awesome, I know!
Life may get a bit nuts at times around here but I know what we are doing is so important that it will all work out.
I will update with back to school pics in a week.. til then later alligator!

Family Photo session

After the Crook reunion and some showers... we went and had family pictures taken by Aunt Becki and her friend Andrea. They did a great job and with some playing on my photo editing I really love the last picture! Not perfect, but great! The picture of the children with grandma and grandpa was at the end of all of this and you can tell that most of the children had enough of pictures... It was great! Thanks!

Camping with Friends

Down by the water

Emeline and her best friend Maren listening to music on an IPOD... I think they are growing up to fast for me...

Hannah was very happy except when I had to wash the sand off her bum and when she had to go to bed..

Micah and his two best buds decided to create the grand canyon with water erosion... they had fun watching the water carve away at the sand as they poured it

Hannah and Kenzie playing on the older girls scooters.

We had so much fun camping for an extended weekend with some of our closest friends here in Moscow. The moms' were really brave and set out two days and one night before our husbands with all our children ( 3 moms to 12 children under the age of 9). When we arrived at the campsite it was crazy for a bit until we figured out where tents would be best and set up camp, but we got through it all and I have to say.. we did a great job ( I however do not want to go set up camp ever again with out my hubby) It was hot and sunny everyday we were there, we spent a lot of time at the river bed.
the last night we were clouds moved in and it rained.. we had to pack up in the rain and then set out our camp gear when we got home. As you can see by the photos we had a great time and look forward to finding another new place to camp next year.
On another note:
Trent and I have both decided to start taking a few classes again. Trent will take some classes as his work schedule will permit. I am going to start off with taking a class or two online and as I go I have worked out some trade for childcare with a good friend that lives not two houses down from me, She is taking a few classes too so we will both benefit. We hope to both be done with school slowly in 3 years. It will be busy and nuts at times I am sure.. but what else is new!
Micah and Emeline start school on the 2nd of September and are so excited. I have to admit so am I. Cassie is going to do home- preschool two times a week. A small group of moms are going to take turns teaching and it should be really fun!
Hannah is doing really well on her new meds. (It has been three weeks since she threw up and It is awesome!) We see her eye specialist in a month and she has an appointment In December to re-evaluate her digestive track and see where we are at.
Well that is enough from me... hope everyone else is having a busy, fun summer!