8 years...

In the midst of all the excitement of Tucker starting pre-school, I forgot to mention that we celebrated our 8th anniversary! It all happened on the same day, so excitement took over at our house. It seems that all sorts of exciting events happen on September 13th! 5 years ago on September 13th, we closed on our house and officially became home owners, and this year Tucker started school! :) Anyway, I can't believe it's been 8 years!

I remember 8 years ago people commenting to me that I didn't seem nervous about getting married at all, and I wasn't! I knew that I had found a keeper and I was so excited! 8 years later I can honestly say I feel the same way. I feel so blessed that our paths crossed and we found each other. It's sometimes been a trying 8 years, but also wonderful and always (with Ben) FUN! :) He honestly makes me laugh every day and I am so lucky!

Preschool...

We have survived the first two weeks of pre-school! I can't believe my big boy is already in pre-school! He has been asking me when he's going to start school for the past two years now, so it is so fun for him to actually be IN school--He's been ready! He loves it! Every morning that we have had school, he comes out of his room in the morning already dressed and ready to GO! I have to bribe him to even eat breakfast! Last weekend seemed like it was forever because every two minutes he was asking me when he got to go back to school. His teacher is Teacher Barbara. She is in our stake and is wonderful! I got to know her well when I was in Young Women's and she was in the Stake Young Women's Presidency. She is fabulous. His class seems to be lopsided with boys, which he loves, a lot of which are already his friends. His friends in his class are: Garret, Owen, Drew, Milo, Maggie, Anna & Kennedy. And he has already made some new buddies, Bowen, Mason, Ty. Those are the ones I've heard about anyway. It is funny how Spokaneites tend to return to Spokane to raise their families, because a lot of the kids, even if Tucker doesn't know them too well, I know their moms & dads. It's going to make for some fun play dates this year, I can't wait!

Here he is on his first day:

And with Teacher Barbara after getting dropped off the first day:

Some things that he has told me about pre-school so far are that; his favorite thing about it is playing in the back yard. When they get there every morning they play for a while, then have circle time, then snack time and that's about all I got out of him. I am just so happy that he is so happy there, and wants to go every day. On the next Monday after his first week of school, he got all ready for school, but I told him that there was not school today and he said, 'oh yeah, we have three days of school, then four days of no school!' He was sad to have to wait another day to go. I'm just glad we are off to a good start with the school thing, it has been wonderful so far! :) We are so proud of you Tucker, you are such a sweet and smart and fun little boy!

Labor day in Seattle...

We couldn't pass up a three day weekend without a trip to Seattle! Especially now that we have such a luxurious ride, we had to break it in properly with a trip across the state. :) It was so nice not being crammed into the little Jetta! :)

Doug & Sadie just moved into a house that is right down the street from a great little park. We walked there every morning to play a little basketball and let the kids run around and play on the playground...

This two love their daddy's and loved watching them play basketball...

We went downtown one night to walk the pier and just hang out by the water...

One day was spent at the zoo. I was telling Sadie how I must really love my kids because I DON'T love animals but somehow have managed to make it to three zoo's this summer! :)

They had a really cool dinosaur exhibit that Tucker thought was pretty cool!

The Agurkii... (Jacob was really impressed if you can't tell!) :)

We met this really cute Gay couple. They were so in love!

Taylor was happy, she somehow got a hold of a chocolate cookie...

BBQ'n one night at Doug and Sadie's adorable new cute little house!

That Taylor is one crazy lady!

We went to the beach one night to make s'mores, but all the fire pits were taken, so we just played for a little bit. I couldn't believe how crowded the beach was, but the weather was beautiful!

They all made fun of me for putting Tucker in his PJ's to go to the beach, but how can you not think that this is the cutest thing ever? :) I love jammie kids.

Walking home from the park one morning, this is what we saw. Tucker looks really excited to be on top! :)

Fun at Papa's...

With summer coming to an end, we've been trying to soak up as much as the good weather before it's gone for good. Papa's house is the perfect place to do that.

4 wheeler rides with dad:

Tucker actually told me to go get my camera so I could get a picture of them. That's a first!

Making s'mores in papa's backyard. Always a summertime favorite!

And this little girl loves her some roasted mallow:

Officially a mom...

I just need a child in soccer and you can officially call me a soccer mom! :) With peanut #3 on it's way we knew we needed a car upgrade, majorly! I've been driving my little Jetta for the past 8 years. While it has been a good car, and it was perfect when we were first married, it is teeny tiny! When the four of us were all in it together, we had to maneuver in particular ways in order to all fit comfortably! Even when he wasn't trying to, I could feel Tuckers feet in my back at all times! And it's a stick, which is hard for me to begin with, and even harder when you have two children in the back seat. It was a hassle never being able to bring friends anywhere. Once in a while we would unlawfully sneak a friend in the middle between the kids. But forget about a car seat or even a booster fitting in the middle, even without a seat it was tight!

Anyhoo...anyone who knows my husband knows how frugal he is. I was worried that I would end up with a sedan and be in the same position with three kids as I am now with two! :) Luckily good sense (and a great deal) got the better of him and he came home with this baby:

I was in shock! I actually had a dr. appointment that morning and after picking up my kids at a friends house went home. I opened the garage door and saw this mini van sitting in our garage. I figured Ben was home and that he was test driving it. I had to go to the bathroom so bad, so I ran inside and didn't really take a good look at it. When I was finished, I called for Ben, but he WASN'T home. So, I ventured back into the garage for a closer look. After opening the driver side door, I saw this:

People think it's pretty crazy that he bought a car without even telling me, but I totally trust him! He isn't going to stop until he finds the best car for his money. And my dad went with him to take a look at it, and he got the ok from him. I totally trust those two together to get a great car! And it has been great! I swore years ago that I would never drive a mini van, but I really am in love! :) Taylor and I sat in it for like an hour after I realized it was ours to keep, just playing with the knobs and buttons and seeing all the cool things it can do! I love it-it's a dream!!! :)

Taters...

This little bit turned 18 months a few weeks ago and started nursery. Hallelujah! This is on her first day of nursery! What a sweet girl! I love this girl so much! Also her first time wearing little piggy tails! :) So cute!

Some info about our little lady:

She weighed 22 lbs. which is the 25%

She was 33 inches tall which is the 50%

She is the funniest little girl I know. She is sweet and sassy all at the same time. How is that even possible? She is all girl and all drama. She can go from crying to laughing in a single breath. She is so loving and sweet, and always gives kisses and snuggles. But will for sure let you know the MOMENT she is unhappy about something. She is also the most beautiful little thing-I love those big blue eyes. She is so fun and playful. She is independent and is starting the phase where she just wanted to try everything on her own. And boy does she love to scream. She is addicted to her blanket and her binki. I can't tell you how many times a day I have to fetch those two things for her! She is so fun to be around, when she smiles she scrunches up her nose and it's so dang cute! She sings to herself ALL the time! Especially when she's tired. She is just a chatterbox, talking to me all the time. Some of her nicknames are: taters, tater tot, stinky lady, stinks mcgee, lady love, and little bit. She currently knows her animals and sounds and she LOVES animals. I think even more than Tucker does! She stops at the sound of any music to dance, and she is absolutely the best dancer around! (She learned all of her moves from me) :) And we just couldn't love her any more! What we do without our tater tot? She means everything to us!

Oh, and she is going to be a big sister-which should be quite interesting!! :)

Carter & Angie come to town...

While my mom was here Carter and Angie also came for a week. We were sad that Uncle Nathan couldn't come with him, but we'll take what we can get!

We, of course went swimming...

Tucker has decided that he doesn't even want to wear a life jacket anymore when swimming. I am not sure where all this confidence has come from, but I am so glad he is finally confident and enjoying the pool and swimming. He is like a little fish and even swimming with his head under the water! I am so proud of him!

cute cousins...

cute Carter...

Angie had a wedding to go to one day so we got Carter for the afternoon. Angie told me not to worry about putting him down for a nap. Apparently he wanted a nap after all and gave himself one. He fell asleep like this while watching cartoons. :)

We loved having our cousin Carter here to visit! :)

Grandma's visit...

My mom came into town again to spend some time with the kiddies. They always love it when grandmas here! Since we were in full summer swimming mode here, she accompanied to the pool a lot, we ate out a lot, we played a lot and we got spoiled and loved on a lot! :)

We decided to play tourists in our own town one night and spent the evening playing at riverfront park...

We love riverfront park!

Tucker trying to act upset. He couldn't hold it for long...

This girl loves her grandma...

I don't know why we even bother with the carousel. Both of my kids start out like this; all smiles:

Yet they both always end up like this:

This is how Taylor looks whenever Grandma's around. She knows Grandma will hold her and be at her beck and call...

Thanks for coming grandma, we had a great time! :)