There Aren't Enough Pockets in Kindergarten...

Yesterday was Tyler's first day of Kindergarten. I knew he was going to absolutely love it... and he did. He's the kind of kid that thrives on structure and responsibility- and has really really loved preschool. He was so excited- he hardly ate dinner the night before.

Remember your first day of school? It doesn't matter the year- but don't you remember painstakingly picking out your first day of school outfit? I remember laying it out on my bedroom floor the night before (with the appropriate socks and accessories), and jumping out of bed in the morning to put on the cute ensemble. I remember spending hours making sure that the outfit was fresh and exciting, but at the same time trying not to look like I tried too hard. Sounds stupid I know-but there you have it.

Having a 6 year old boy however- none of this matters!! We picked out the outfit that was on top of the clean laundry pile and away we went. He was pretty concerned about his hair though- he wanted it to lay just right. It was pretty cute.

He did get pretty antsy about what time class started. He started asking me at about 9 that morning if it was time yet. He has afternoon kindergarten and was super disappointed that he still had a few more hours to wait.

When I snapped a picture of him on the front porch- he wanted me to make sure I got a picture of his new backpack too- he's pretty proud of it!
And we were off! We actually stopped at McDonald's on the way so that we could have lunch. I told Ty that it was an extra special day, so we could have an extra special lunch. I even let them sit next to the playplace. If you know me at all- you know this is HUGE. I hate the playplace- it's filthy.
Then we headed to school. We parked the car and walked part of the way.
Ryan was convinced that he could go to kindergarten yesterday too. He ran right along-side Ty the whole way. I kept telling him that his school starts next week- but he wouldn't listen. He wanted to go with Ty.
They peeked in the doors by Ty's classroom...
And I snapped a quick picture of him in front of the building. I actually went to Driggs too- it's really strange being back as a parent now...
And look who I spotted spying on us from afar... Grandma Janet was making sure we got there okay too!!



Ty's teacher, Ms. Newman was so sweet and let the parents come into the classroom on the first day... So I got a few pictures in the classroom too...

We took a minute to find his name, and hung up his back pack (the pictures are dark because all the lights were off- the air conditioning units weren't up and running yet so the rooms were all dark)
They got to sit down for a story...

I stayed for a few more minutes- but Ty was super happy and listening to the story, so I left him to it.

As me and my little ones walked away, I was pretty happy. Ty was happy and I got to have a few hours with my little Ryan and Kate. Ryan was still pretty disappointed about not being able to stay- but kept his chin up and promised Ty that he would be waiting for him when he got home. Ryan kept checking the time to see if it was time to go pick Ty up. I'm glad they are friends- before too long they will be so busy with their own little worlds that they won't have as much time for each other- for now- I'm glad they can't wait to be together again.

Cassia County Fair and Rodeo 2011

I love this time of year- every August we head to Declo for the Cassia County Fair and Rodeo. Because of Shaun's new job and the move- we weren't able to go early like we have before- but we did make it on Friday afternoon, and spent Saturday night there too for the rodeo.

Before the rodeo started, Shaun took the boys around the back of the arena to look at the horses and cows that were going to be used during the rodeo.

Chase and Deja came too!
Chase, Dani and Deja waiting for the rodeo to start...
Grandma and Papa...
And our small herd... You know- we actually have a picture of us as a family every single year in approximately the same spot- kind of fun!
And here's Ryan eating my snowcone- he spilled his all over me and somehow he ended up with mine... How that worked out exactly is still a mystery.
Tyler with his snowcone...
Dani and Deja waiting for the "moooooos"
Kate was pretty intrigued too... And did pretty well during the whole thing. She got so worried about either the riders or the animals, because every time they opened the gate- she sat up straight and started waving her arm at them saying, "NO NO NO". I'm not really sure who she was worried about though...
But she was pretty attentive- this is what I saw most of the night.
Until the barrel racing and she zonked.
We had a lot of fun again this year and can't wait until next August!

Lessons from Montpelier...

Last night I went out with my girlfriends- it was kind of a going away party of sorts... We went to the Mexican restaurant and took the biggest booth they had. It was so fun- and we were so loud (in fact nobody sat near us)... I am going to miss my girls!

Thanks Clover, Jenn, Liz, Aleisha, Kathleen, Jamie, Annie, Amber and Kristie- you made it an awesome night!

After dinner, Jenn, Jamie, Clover, Liz and I went to the hypnotist show (it's fair week), it was pretty funny- but more, I just enjoyed the company.

We, as a family, have been through a lot the last four years since moving to Montpelier. And I get a little teary as I go from room to room in the empty house...

Ty learned to ride a bike on this street. And skinned his knees on the side walk out front more times than I can count. He learned how to catch grasshoppers and how to make new friends. He learned the importance of the phrase "neighbor helping neighbor" as we served those around us and received their help in return. Ty knows everybody on our street and has made friends with them all.

Ryan was born here. He scooted down the halls of this house and learned to take his first steps here. He also was able to take comfort in coming home after his accident last March- and he was able to see first hand (even if he can't remember it- I do) the compassion that exists around him.

Kate was born here too. As I packed up her room I cried as I thought about the first time we brought her home- how small she looked in her crib and in her own room. She loved to make a mess of it- pulling clothes out of the dresser and watching Mama flip out was her favorite game.

Shaun and I also learned a lot of important lessons here. We really learned what it meant to be a family. Since we were so far from each of our homes- we really relied on each other as friends and companions. I think we got closer here than we ever have been before, and I am so grateful for the friendship that he and I are leaving here with.

I am also so grateful for the friends I have here. I think that's the hardest part about packing up and leaving- is the friends I am leaving. I have always believed in the importance of friendship- but never so much as I have since living here. Toni Morrison once wrote,"She is a friend of mind. She gather me, man. The pieces I am, she gather them and give them back to me in all the right order. It's good, you know, when you got a woman who is a friend of your mind."

I know that we've all heard the saying that it's better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all- but good-byes are just painful sometimes. I know it's not a forever good-bye, but it's enough of one that I won't be going to lunch with them next week- and that stinks. My girls have really pushed me to be more than what I was when I came here- which I wasn't expecting.

I don't know if they'll ever read this - but if you guys do- I hope you know how much you mean to me and how much I will MISS you!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

You know what time I mean... VACATION! This year, my mom and dad took EVERYBODY to Southern California to spend a week at the beach and a day at Disneyland. It was awesome that everybody could go- and even a few new ones! My cousin Josh, his wife Tamara and their son Isaac came with us this year too- and we had so much fun!!

The first night in California, we went and had dinner at this amazing little fish place on Dana Point- Love it!!

A Girl's Gotta Eat...

We picnic-ed (is that a word?) on Sunday afternoon up on an outlook above the beach. It was so pretty to eat a sandwich and look out at the ocean. It's just so pretty here- pretty sure if I won the lottery, I just may have to buy a beach house...

Tide Pools at Corona

Sunday afternoon we went down to the Tide Pools at Corona- I always loved coming here when I was a kid. There are all these little pools right there on the beach that are just teeming with sea life- it's crazy. There are crabs and anemones and fish... My kids love to play around on the rocks and see all of it too.

Family picture! One of these days I'm going to have a picture of my family where we are ALL looking at the camera...
Kate didn't care too much about the tide pools. When we did show her a crab, she just about went up and over Shaun's shoulder trying to get away.
Ty had soo much fun climbing around on the rocks and looking at the sealife... He scrambled from one rock to the next and would yell at whoever was near to come and see what he had found. Of course... the inevitable happened, and as we were leaving, he leaned over to see one more crab and fell in. He was so surprised that he jumped up and stood there blinking over and over in the knee deep water, sputtering that he didn't mean to. I think he thought he was going to be in trouble- but it was too hard not to just laugh.
Family picture of everyone! Can't think of a more beautiful place for one!

Angels Game

We got to go to a baseball game on Tuesday night. We all drove up to Anaheim to watch the Angels play- I love that our tickets were all grouped together... it made for easy picture taking. We were able to grab another one of the whole group- I love how big we are!

Melissa and Jeremiah....
Dave, Nat and Cam...
Ryan eating a hot dog. I should have taken pictures of everything he ate that night- because I don't think anyone will believe me. The kid pounded the food while we were there- please remember that he is only three. He ate a hot dog, a drink, peanuts, Cracker Jack and an entire chocolate malt... all by himself. I think his poor little tummy was ready to explode. Besides the smorgasbord of food- I think he liked the game too. For Ryan- anytime is a good time to play baseball. He even plays imaginary baseball in the waiting room of the drs office.
This was the only picture I got of Ty the whole night- he was being such a dork! I told him to show me his peanut and he gave me such a goofy face that I thought I would capture it to embarrass him with later. Cunning I know.
And I snuck this picture of Cam when no one else was looking. Isn't he sooo sweet!? I keep trying to get Dave and Nat to give him to me- but so far they won't budge.
Kate liked the salt on the outside of the peanut shell- she would lick it and scream.
I had a good time- I love watching baseball games, and since I sat up at the top with my mom and dad- I got to have a chocolate malt all to myself! You know the kind that comes with the little wooden spoon? It's my favorite treat!

Beach Babies

Now I have that song stuck in my head... "Beach baby, beach baby give me a whirl..." Anyway- I don't really want to break the beach down into day to day experiences. Because really- we sat on the beach, played in the water and dug in the sand. The adventures themselves didn't change much, just the swimming suits. But, I still got some stinkin' cute pictures of them capering about. I'm missing pictures of us playing out in the waves- but that's not because I didn't take them. I did- but because the zoom on my camera lens isn't a very strong one- it's hard to see who is who. *this is a not so subtle hint on what I want for Christmas this year*

Can you see ALL the sand around her mouth? And her chest? And her neck? I think it was caked in there pretty good with dried spit and crusty sunscreen. Anybody want a love?

Dave and Cam hangin' out on the beach...
Aunt Nat helped Kate play in the water. Kate loved being swung up when the water raced towards her.

Ty kind of got crunched by a wave and wasn't impressed. He sat out for a little bit and drowned his sorrows in a couple handfuls of Skittles and a Juice Box.
I don't really know what Kate is doing here... I think she missed the memo that you need a ball to play...
Ryan was crazy and took a nap every single day. He would play all morning and have lunch, then curl up under a towel (and usually an umbrella) and fall asleep for at least two hours every day. It was so funny! He just knows that his body is tired and instead of fighting it like so many kids do- he just lays down and goes to sleep! How wonderful is that!?
Shaun and his baby girl sippin' some milk in the shade. I'll let you in on a little secret here... Shaun HATES the beach. Hates it with a passion. So- here in front of all three of my readers- I am thanking you Shaun- for doing it anyway. Love you babe!

While Kate was a little sand monster- Grandpa JB likes to take on the personna of Sand Master. He built a new sand creation for every day we were on the beach. We got to see some pretty cool castles and even a sand shark with pistachio shells for teeth!

Kate kept trying to play strip-tease. I finally had to get the twist tie from the bag of bread to tie her suit in order to keep it on her. I hope this isn't a peek of what's to come during her teenage years... It would be easier to put Shaun out of his misery now... Oh! And see me sitting there next to Kate? This was right before I fell asleep and burned the crap out of the backside of my legs. I burned so badly that the back of my kneecaps blistered. I was in so much pain for the rest of the week- walking was probably the most painful. Good thing we didn't do a lot of that...
Kate loved to steal everyone's chair. She would climb right on up to any vacated seat and just camp out there until she got kicked out. She had her small revenge though- once she sat in a seat- she left a sandy mess for whoever removed her.

Kate was trying to share her sand with Shaun (our picture taker).

Ryan- taking a break from racing the waves.
Cute little Cam playing with his toy! His favorite was the sand though- he was so funny to watch when Nat put his toes in the sand- he literally went nutso! It was like RiverDance but instead of Celtic music playing, we could have had the Beach Boys.

The boys were contemplating the surf...

Apparently whatever they were wondering about sent them in a dead run toward the ocean.

his suit is one of my favorites that I bought for Kate this year- but after a day of her sitting and scooting around in the sand- the butt was almost black! Thank goodness for Tide or I never would have got that thing clean!