Daily Life

 I typically blog the bigger things that happen in our lives.  Actually, I guess I just blog when I have enough photos to add.  So here are a few photos from some of the random things we have been doing.  I took the kids to the Houston Children's museum where they made capes and masks.  Fun day. 

 I actually got a part time job working a couple of Saturdays a month at an event venue place called Noah's.  They mainly do weddings, but they do corporate things as well.  This cake is from a quincinera (sp) with the theme 'Under the Sea' a few weeks ago.  I'm enjoying work and I like that I am getting my feet wet without having to make too much sacrifice with my role as a mother. 

Lydia had the plate in her leg removed a few weeks ago.  She did really well and was walking around by the next day.  Today she had her post-op visit and was cleared for all activities.  Yay- we can go back to the pool!  The doctor will continue to watch her leg to make sure it is growing properly due to some concern about her growth plate, but thanks to the prayers and love of our family and friends, I think she is going to be just fine. 

Family Reunion

 It's summer- which means its time to get out of the Texas humidity and enjoy some cool evenings in Idaho.  I love visiting home in the summer.  Idaho has perfect summers.  At the beginning of August, we flew home and had a reunion at my parents cabin at Palisdes reservoir.  The boys went for a motorbike ride and came home with all sorts of tales.  Some embellished (in the case of cool tricks going right) and some downplayed (in the case of cool tricks going wrong) 

 A suburban full of excited grandkids on their way to play in the freezing cold reservoir.  It certainly cools you off- and gives you a brain freeze all at the same time. 

 Hanging out at the reservoir. 

 More reservoir relaxing.  Glad to see Mom and Dad taking a minute to wind down. 

 Tesha (my sister) and I made this teeter-totter.  It kept the kids quite entertained and perhaps they learned something about weight distribution.  For example, putting the 2-year-old on one end and the 6-year-old on the other one does not result in any teeter tottering- just a 2-year-old who can't get down and a 6-year-old sitting on the ground.  I loved just seeing all of the kids playing together outside and creating different things to do.  They built workshops, went on adventures, and explored.

 I think a highlight for the adults was the cake decorating contest.  We all drew names to see who our partner would be and then we had to work together to decorate a cake which the kids then voted on to see whose was the best.  Now in the actual voting, there was much politicking going on, so I don't know if it is fair to say who won.  Lets just say the grand kids were easily swayed by uncles whispering in their ears.  ;)    My brothers, Bruce and Eric,  created a volcano spewing out candy. (Their logic was the more candy on that thing, the more the kids would like it.)

 Mom and sister-in-law Jill made a popcorn tree with real popcorn on it.  It was very creative. 

 Tesha and I had fun making a bed and then adorning it with Sully and Mike Wazowski from Monster's Inc. 

 Mike and my dad were probably the underdog going into this competition.  Who would have thought they were going to put so much effort into making a car complete with headlights, a tail fin, windshield and passengers. 

 Lydia and Colton on the boat. 

 Josie on the boat. 

 Dad taking grand kids in the canoe.  Dad was using a paddle in both hands, but still struggling to keep up with the additional rudder created by the butterfly net being dragged alongside. 

 Colton, Josie and I on the banana boat. 

Taking a break from boating to enjoy a picnic lunch.  While all the adults were in the shade, the kids . . .

 were piled onto the banana boat.  This is all 9 grandkids. 

 After the cabin, we spent a few days at home.  We all enjoyed the hammock in the backyard. 

 Colton celebrated his 6th birthday with a Lego cake. 

 He opened some presents- a Ninja Turtle shirt. 

 And the kids went on a tractor ride with Grandpa.  This was something Colton had been wanting to do while we were in Idaho. 

 Oh I do miss the farm some days. 

 To complete our trip, we spent a day or two in Provo with Mike's sister Jenny and her family.  Colton loves hanging out with Jackson and Landon. 

 Lydia and Olivia bowling. 

Some great friends we knew in Indiana just moved to Provo, so we stopped in and visited them.  It was so nice to catch up.  Since we move so much, it is sometimes a breath of fresh air just to spend time with people who you already have built a relationship with. 

1st day of school

 I haven't looked at anyone's blogs for awhile, but I imagine there has been a lot of talk out there including first day of school.  I add our first day photos to the mix of it all. 

 The kids ready to go- even Josie who has felt a little lonely without her older siblings to keep her company the last few days. 

 Josie followed the lead of her older siblings once we got to school.  She put her backpack on the back of her chair and started getting her things out.  Even though it was 8 AM it seemed like a good time to get out her lunchbox.  That juice pouch had been calling to her since the night before when all of the kids energetically packed their lunches. 

 Lydia took this photo for me.  Colton looked so ready sitting in his seat for his first day of kindergarten.  He has been so excited for "The best day ever" to arrive.  He has even requested that he starts going to school on Saturdays.

Since Colton was already safely deposited in his kindergarten class and I didn't feel like trusting my 2 year old with my camera, Lydia and I did this selfie in her classroom.  Lydia didn't look quite so sure of her self as Colton, but give her a few days to get into a routine and I know she will be fine.  
Now it is just Josie and I at home.  It's a lot quieter.  She doesn't scream as much without older siblings there to get in her face. 

Flying

Saw this at the airport yesterday. It seems someone had a bad flight.