Hi Ho! Hi Ho! It's Back to School We Go!

When I was a kid it seemed that summertime always flew by way too fast. Now that I'm a grown-up I think they go by even faster! I love it when school gets out. I love having my kids back home with me. I love being able to create my own schedule a little bit. I always have a big list of cool activities we will do together, terrific projects and chores we will get done. I love those warm, muggy summer evenings when it is way past the kids' bedtimes but we are all hanging out in the back yard goofing around and it isn't even dark yet.

But I blink once and it is time to heave a sigh and send them back to school. Now I also have to admit that there is something exciting about the newness of a new school year. A few new outfits, new shoes, new teachers, old and new friends, etc. Even the return to an imposed schedule feels nice. I can't help but catch the enthusiasm my kids feel. And we couldn't do without the age-old tradition of first- day- of- school- pictures.




Jayden tried to act like he despised the whole idea of starting school again, but I could tell he really did look forward to it. I could also sense the slight apprehension and remembered what it was like in middle school. Jayden is starting seventh grade. It's a tough age, but he's a good kid and he's handling it okay. (Although I wish he'd slow down the growth spurt. At the moment I'm posting this in late September I've already had to buy him new jeans because the ones I got him in July in preparation for school have become high-waters!)



Makenna is starting fourth grade! She was nervous because she had a male teacher for the first time. I shared with her that in fourth grade I also had my first male teacher and it turned out to be my favorite year of elementary school. She seems to be having the same experience. It is fun to see the very big-kid stuff she is learning.

Kyler is off to first grade. The jump to all-day school hasn't phased him a bit. His enthusiasm for each new day is contagious. He loves reading, loves P.E., loves music, loves computers, loves riding the bus...



Miss Shaylie had her own first day of school because of the crazy schedule the kindergarteners are on. Our school district is trying out an all day kindergarten program on alternating days. Just look at that little face! New backpack, new lunchsack, she's so excited to start this new adventure. I've never had any worries about how Shaylie would do - I knew she'd love school. She automatically loves everyone, so everyone loves her back. But I do hate to see my babies growing up! Here are a couple more pictures of Shaylie's big day.





I love this one of her grinning at me over the seat on her first bus ride.

The all day school schedule has been an adjustment for my little girl. On her second day of school she came home and immediately lost her temper with her brother, whacking him with her backpack. I sent her to her room, and then called up the stairs a few minutes later for her to come apologize. This is what I found:



And even little Brennan had a first day of preschool!



I'm participating in a preschool co-op with some friends. Brennan is loving it! He has his paint and scissors and he's ready to go. What a little cutie. It is fun to see his pride in his accomplishments when he brings home some neat little project he made himself.

So we're off and running. I am personally thankful for the wonderful teachers who care for my babies and who do such terrific jobs teaching them each day. And what a blessing to live in a place where my kids can receive a great education!

Summer + Family = Fun

We had a terrific little family reunion this summer which was a nice "staycation" for two of the three families involved. We are so thankful Amy and Todd were willing to make the trek from Nevada so we could all be together! We loved seeing them. We spent one day at Eagle Island Park. It was one of those completely perfect summer days. We swam, we played, we ate great picnic food, and we made some terrific memories!


Bob was enjoying a quiet moment in the shade.



Here's one memory, for example. This is Carter and Todd trying to flip the burgers with a paper plate and a melted plastic fork because I forgot the spatula. Sorry about the singed armhair and eyebrows, guys. The burgers were great.


The cousins had a blast swimming and playing.


I love this shot of my handsome son!



One day we went to the Discovery Center. Mom and Todd were chillin' with the puzzles.


I think Amy was the only one who could get the stinkin' legs pedaling forward. It's harder than you'd think!




We had a lot of fun with this... There is a camera and a green screen set up in the back of the Discovery Center. The kids draped themselves in the green blankets and got a kick out of watching their heads float in space on the moon. Jayden, Makenna, and Kyler were floating here with Anachel.






Our theatrical special effects abilities might leave something to be desired, but we had fun setting up this shot, too. We told Brennan, "Look at your feet and SCREAM!" It made it easy to explain how they do lots of the cool stuff we see in movies, stuff I'm always trying to help them realize is not real.





We love the Discovery Center, and we love our awesome family!



This is Shaylie and Lanay very guilty because we were getting ready to go somewhere and they were told to run out and get in the van. They were NOT supposed to run through the sprinklers on the way. But they were so darn cute I just took a picture anyway.

Quality Entertainment at our House

This is what happens when you don't have cable. (J.K.)

For family home evening recently we acted out the story of Naaman, the Syrian nobleman who contracted leprosy. Here is his adorable servant, played by Brennan.






Jayden took his part seriously. Leprosy is obviously not fun. Personally, I think the dredlocks and the Rosta hat made the whole look. We stuck pieces of masking tape all over his face and arms.

The beautiful servant who encouraged Naaman to go to Israel...


Carter narrated the dramatic performance.


Here we have the King of Israel and the Queen of Syria.


The insightful servant who talked Naaman out of being offended by the Prophet Elisha's instructions to bathe in the river.


A bit more drama...

This is Naaman dipping himself in the river Jordan. Sorry, I didn't manage to catch on the film the miraculous healing, but you can imagine, it was dramatic.

We're a goofy bunch, I know. But these type of FHE lessons seem to be the ones that stick in their minds. In any case, it was lots of fun!

Stanley in July

We took our one and only camping trip of this summer up to Stanley over the 4th of July. We love it there! Carter and I couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief as we passed the spot by GrandJean where our transmission went out last year on this trip. This year we picked up Jayden from Scout Camp on our way up, so he camped for a week and a half straight altogether. I asked him if he was dying for his own bed yet, and he said, "Are you kidding me? I'd live like this all year round if I could!" I have a feeling he'd change his mind about the time the snow starts flying in Stanley. He's cute, though, and he sure does love the outdoors.



We had a fabulous time. Here are the kids in front of our awesome garage sale tent. I love this tent! I love it even more because it cost me $20, but it is heavy and warm. Setting it up is a comical process. Every time we figure we'll finally remember how to do it. And every time we lay out all the bars and then ask each other, "Now, how did this go?" I'm not sure we've ever set it up the same way twice.



Brennan was proud to pack his own heavy backpack.



How's this for camping face?! I don't know how long we'd been camping at the point that I took this picture, but I'm sure it wasn't long enough to justify this much dirt. Where's his mother, anyway?



One afternoon Carter brought out this air-pellet gun (is that the right thing to call it, Carter??) and we all took turns shooting at cans. You can do that when you're the only ones in the whole campground. We had a great time at it.





Shaylie surprised us by being an excellent shot. Surprised herself, too. I don't have any pictures of Makenna shooting because she is a lefty and maneuvered herself akwardly around the gun so that when she fired she got a scope in the eye the first time. She refused to touch it again after that.






I liked this group shot. Such happy kids. The rest of the trip was awesome, too, but I forgot my camera every time we left camp! We attended church in the gorgeous Stanley branch, explored the fish hatchery where Carter worked as a teenager, and cooked some mighty good dutch oven grub. We spent a chilly day at Redfish Lake, one of my favorite places in the whole world. We didn't do much swimming, but we did play in a paddleboat for a while, play in the sand, read, and throw frisbees on the beach. Since it was July 4th, there was music from several live bands performing on the grass by the lodge. Can you picture the scene? I hope so, it was lovely. And we enjoyed Stanley's fireworks from the front yard of the Neider's ranch; they were so sweet to invite us to join their family shindig. They really know how to throw a fireworks party! They had yummy food, a firepit, and glow bracelets! We are thankful to have them as friends. (Not just for their front yard and glow bracelets, though). I'd have a picture, but...no camera.

Camping is soooo much work! To plan meals as well as how to cook each thing, cold-weather stuff, warm-weather stuff, bedding stuff, etc, etc, it's exhausting! And then there's the clean-up of all the equipment and the LAUNDRY when we get home... At some point I always ask myself if it's worth it. And I'm sure there are plenty of other ways to make family memories, but whenever I look back on a family camping trip and the wonderful time we had all together up in the mountains, I never regret it.

What Lies Beneath...

Carter and Jayden went fishing with Uncle Justin in the Snake River this summer. I think they started out cat fishing, but soon discovered they could have more fun with their crossbow and the carp. Justin is sure this one would have been a state record if they'd kept it to be weighed. Hmmm. A state record for carp?? Now THERE'S something to brag about... Anyway, they had a ball fighting it and reeling it in. I won't be swimming in the Snake River anytime soon.

Whee Heee! Brennan's Threeeee!

It's my blog - I can be stupid if I want to.

Anyway, I'm getting behind on documenting some important days this summer. Brennan's birthday was in June, and I can't fail to recognize his great achievement. He has lived three years as the youngest of five children.




He was so excited to help by being my "Sprinkle Guy." I was amazed by the herculean effort it took him not to lick his frosting'y fingers (too often, anyway).


Shaylie was excited to sort of re-gift a Little People Zoo which she had decided she'd outgrown. He's been playing with it for years whenever he wants, but now it officially lives in his room. Funny how happy the gift made him...



That's my Bro. This is the big hug he gave Kyler after Kyler bestowed upon him all the cars in the car bucket, which he's also been playing with all his life whenever he wants to, but now they officially belong to him. Does that mean now he has to clean them up himself? Smart, Kyler!




Isn't that just like a cat?! She automatically assumes the seat of honor belongs to her!




Happy Birthday, Sprinkle Guy! I officially don't have a baby anymore... Just a big boy who keeps up with the best of them, who knows what he wants in life, who learns quickly and smiles a contagious dimply smile. Love you Brennan!

Grandpa's Wedding Day!

Not long ago, Grandpa surprised us all by revealing that there was someone special in his life, and shortly after that they made a wedding announcement. Grandpa met Susan in his ward at church - in fact he has been her home teacher for four years! Their bishop teased Grandpa that loving the people we teach is important, but this is really above and beyond! Susan is a wonderful lady, very vivacious and fun. It has been neat to see the sparkle that young love has brought into Grandpa's eyes. And when we first met Susan she was so excited to show us her ring and talk about their wedding plans - she was positively giddy. We are so happy for you both.

Saturday, August 21st, Grandpa and Susan were married in the Boise Temple. My sister, Amy is about to have a baby any day now and couldn't travel to be here for the wedding, so I promised to post lots of pictures. It was a perfect wedding day at the temple, and Susan's daughters worked so hard and created such a lovely reception.

Congratulations!! We love you both!!!

Last Day of School!!!

In addition to Kyler's graduation, Jayden and Makenna were both thrilled to celebrate the completion of sixth and third grades. On the last day of school I attended a special mathematics ice cream sundae party. The kids had to earn each part of their banana splits, like the bowl, spoon, each scoop and topping, the banana, etc, by memorizing and passing off parts of the times tables. Makenna maxed out her sundae, and loved every bite!



I also attended the ceremonial burning of what remained of Jayden's school binder. I'm not sure a good mother would have allowed that, let alone photographed it. But it seemed like a satisfying conclusion for a long and difficult school year for him. Let him celebrate - he did it!

Kyler's Kindergarten Graduation

Sitting in Kyler's kindergarten graduation program someone asked me which one was my child. I told them it is the little guy in the striped shirt who is having WAY too much fun. Several people around me all commented that they had been laughing themselves silly watching his antics. He was hysterical. He was doing the same songs and dances as the rest of the kids, but he had that huge grin and some extra pep and boogie. They sang songs about things they'd been learning and it was so cute.









That's our Bubba!


But he's officially a first-grader, and we've got the diploma to prove it!