Crash and Burn

Tanner crashed on his bike a couple of weeks ago and messed his face up pretty good. Being the loving mother I am ,before I cleaned up his wound I took a bunch of pictures. He was such a good sport and tried very hard not to cry. His hair covered the damage on his forehead but there was no way to cover the damage on the nose. We had been planning on taking family pictures that weekend but with the lovely scab we decided to hold off. He is looking better already, but I hope it doesn't scar to bad. Hopeful we can get some good pictures this weekend in St. George.

First Day of School!

Robbie had his first day of school last Monday. I can't believe he is in 3rd grade! He seems to like his teacher but has commented that he wishes his class was quieter. He is lucky enough to have some of his good friends in his class so hopefully that will make up for a noisy class.

Here are a few of the kids that the boys ride to school with. We have added 5 or more kids to the group. Some of them are Kindergartens so only go one way with the big kids. They are quit the sight to see coming down the road.
Tanner had his first day of 1st grade on Tuesday. He has a teacher share so has two teachers. He seems to already love school and is making new friends. He told me that at recess his job is to protect all of the kids. I love his middle personality where he needs to make sure everyone is alright and happy.
Wes had is first day of Kindergarten today. I can't believe he is in kindergarten! He has the same teacher as the other two boys and so he already knows her very well and is so excited. I am excited as well because it means that I have one kid home and she naps while all the boys are gone. I have about 3 hours to my self. Maybe I can actually get something done, or I could take a nap. I am just amazed at how fast life seems to go by.

Sleep Over

The boys had a sleepover with some of their best friends the Friday night before school started. We had a great dinner of hamburgers and hot dogs. Then Rob made us all brownies, and he also got a nice fire going for us. The boys started out in the tent but then after to many complaints they ended up in the basement. I think they finally fell asleep at about 10:30. I had to wake almost everyone up in the morning to head over to the friends house for a delicious breakfast. Thank you Mark and Celia for all the wonderful food over the weekend, I think I may have gained a few pounds because of it. There really isn't anything better than having friends that are like family!

Idaho (Week of Photos)

The kids were so excited to see their cousins. Kathryn loved the "baby" and wanted to help feed her and one minute she seemed like she loved her the next she had a look of hate on her face. All in all she loved having someone her size around.
Syd loved Tanner she kept crawling over to him and she even gave him kisses. He loved all the attention. He is so mellow and great with the little ones.

Jennie worked the first night we got there so Brandan decided we need to go to this kids festival in the park. It was in Sand point and by the time we got there all the kid stuff had been taken down. They had a children's symphony playing Peter in the Wolf. The kids loved the symphony and The ballet dances that represented all the characters. I was surprised how much the boys liked it, and realized we need to do more around home like this.

Our crazy group! We had one the security guys ask us if all these kids were ours. Yes, we have quite the crew. By the end of the night we had very tired kids.

Day 2 we tried to let Jennies sleep after her night shift and took the kids to the park, target and Costco. It was an experience! The kids were a little to excited to be together and so they were not on their usual good behavior.

We have a little monkey for a daughter. She fell a couple of times and still insisted on climbing and hanging on everything.

Syd loves to swing. She is so dang cute!

The kids put a play on for us that afternoon. They made masks and had a whole story line to go along. Tanner didn't want to participate so he became the sloth. The sloth's part in the play was to point the characters in the direction of the castle. So funny, he would lay there and then when asked where to go he would point to the sky. I love his sense of humor!

In the later afternoon we decide to head to the beach. It was a great beach with grass that ran into the sand. The kids had a great time playing in the little raft, jumping off the dock and just playing in the sand together.

Day 3 we headed out on the boat. The kids had a blast on the tube and playing in the water. It was a little chilly so most the adults didn't get in the water at all. We are so wimpy.

Ani is so cute and the boys miss her so much already!

Kathryn was fine when the boat was moving but we had a total melt down at the dock for lunch. She screamed and screamed, when we finally started moving on the boat she fell sound asleep. When she woke up she was a happier camper and enjoyed the boat ride a little more.

The kids got in a little Wii time at night. It was funny to watch them play "just dance" the boys were definitely not as good with the dancing. But they had a great time trying.

Day 4 it rained and was cold in the morning so we decided to head to Tub's hill for a hike. By the time we got to the hike the weather had cleared up and was little warmer. We hiked to a great little beach and the kids had a great time throwing rocks in. Ani, Wes and Kat stripped down to the skippies and played in the water. The two older boys are more aware of modesty and where not about to take their shorts off. Tan wouldn't even take his shirt off. It was a great hike and we had a lot of fun.

Our pack mule, Brandan was awesome and decided to push Kathryn and carry Syd. We did help lift the stroller over some of the tougher spots. He made it look so easy and I realized I really need to get back in shape.

After our hike we went to the park. The kids had a great time playing around and being wild. We then headed down the road for a little walk and saw so very neat houses right off the lake.

I so miss having my sister and best friend around!

Kathryn had her own private golf lesson later that night. She kept coming back to Brandan to help her hit the golf balls. She loved it!

The kids got some movies in over the course of the week.

Day 5 we were crazy and headed to the beach in the very cold weather. We even had sweatshirts on for awhile. The kids played in the water and made sand castles.

Notice the size difference, not much of one and Kathryn is 10 months older. I hope that they will be best of friends as they get older.

Notice the family resemblance? One year someone actually asked if they were triplets. Poor Robbie is just the odd man out with his dark hair, he looks to much like his dad.

Day 6 Dad and Papa showed up the night before so we decided to head to the lake again. The boys loved showing Dad and Papa what they could do on the tube.

It was nice to Have Dad around to hold and love Kathryn as Mom was done. She was a little sweeter and easy with Dad and Papa around.

We put the little ones in the water. Syd thought it was great but Kathryn screamed, I think it was a little to cold for her.

Kathryn enjoyed her little tube ride to the beach where she was ableto play in the sand. Thank you Jennie for the tow.

Robbie was a wild man on the tube and didn't want to get off.

We went on walks and, climbed trees and had a whole lot of fun. The men and Grandma got to go golfing a few times and Robbie loved being able to go with them.

On our last day Kathyrn was miserable with a fever and cold so Rob and I stayed behind to get everything packed and ready to go the next morning. We got huckleberry shakes for everyone and were able to let Kathryn take a good nap. I was a little sad to miss out on the boat again especially after hearing how wild and uncle Brandan got on the tube. I was told that they were jumping off the back of the tube and thinking it was a great time. THe boys had a blast and I just wish some one had taken a camera that last time on the boat.

The car ride back wasn't to bad. I had to sit in the back with Kathryn for a while and Rob drove most of the way. The boys enjoyed the mocvies and wanted me to keep reading book four of Percy Jackson. We stopped and got dinner at wingers to give everyone a longer break from the car. I love that the boys are so easy to travel with, hopefully Kathryn will be someday.

Jennie and Brandan thank you for the awsome time at your house! Mom thank you for making the trip happen we love you guys so much!