Labor Day Weekend 2015

Labor Day is one of my favorite holidays to celebrate.  I know that for a lot of people there isn't much tradition in the day.  However growing up in the Payson area meant that Labor Day = Onion Days, and that's a good time.  I have so many good memories associated with friends and family, also it has usually started to cool down so it is actually fun to be at a parade and carnival.  Before we can talk about Onion Days though, we have to rewind to Friday because we packed a lot into the weekend.

This is the first weekend since I got hurt that I have actually felt like doing something that required an outfit other than pajamas - I may have overdone it (considering my throbbing wrist), but it was nice to be out of the house and spend time with the ones I love.  So Friday my mom and I adventured out with the babies to Thanksgiving Point Farm Country.  It had been a few months since we last went and I was amazed at how much they remembered and which animals they were excited to see.  We loved having my mom along - I needed an extra hand, but the babies just loved the fact that she was there to see it all with us.

Patiently waiting their turn, and picking out their ponies.

Not only did Ruby not cry this time, I heard a couple of yee-haws from both kids.

I know he doesn't look too excited, but there is a scarecrow on a Curious George episode
So Luke actually asked me to take his picture.

Wagon ride.

Earlier in the week Taylor's car had met an untimely end so he had been pretty stranded.  He and Tim did lots of looking, weeded out the lemons and Taylor is the proud owner of a new car.  Freedom!

Saturday Tim got up super early and headed out to run the Mt. Nebo Half Marathon.  I'm the one that got him into these crazy races and I love/hate that he signed up and ran without me.  He told me that he would run it for me since I was the one that really wanted to race.  He hasn't had a chance to train much and I'm always amazed at what a natural he is.  He finished with smiles for all and hugs for the babies.

Jarin ran the full marathon.  He also finished like a total champ.  He has been so dedicated with his training and put in the work for a great race.  He also had plenty of energy for high fives and waves.

Showing off their bling!

We had been telling the kids for a few days that we would be going to a parade so they were so excited when Monday finally rolled around.  I thought parades and celebrations were fun before, but I have absolutely loved re-discovering the magic while watching my kids.  We always meet up with my cousins at the parade so there is the added bonus of more family time.

When we asked Luke his favorite part of the parade, with no hesitation, he said the dinosaur float.

At least Tim and /i will look at the camera.

Cousins - and which one looks like she should be Ruby's mama???

I loved this one of my dad and my Uncle Kim.

Juniper wanted to sit on Luke's chair, I'm not sure she was as excited to sit on his lap.

Hmmmm, this one was a little tricky.

Lunch in the park.

And then it was off to the carnival.  My kids have never really been to a carnival so they had no idea the fun they were missing.  I was surprised when Luke said he wanted to go on the Ferris wheel.  I'm sure it helped that by going, it meant that he got to be a part of the big boys. Thanks guys for showing him the way. Oh, and it turns out that taking pictures of your kids on carnival rides is not as easy as it looks.  We are just happy to have some shots to document the memories.

The fun is clearly just beginning.

They were told to "hold on tight"

High fives from everyone.

This ride started off with all smiles...

Approximately 5 seconds after it started Ruby started to cry with a look of pure terror,
They had to stop the ride to let her off.  Poor baby.

Luke loved it so much, he went a second time.

Nothing like a great weekend to wear everyone out.  The babies were in bed by 6:30, exhausted by all the fun.  Life is pretty good.

First Day of Pre-School

My baby went to preschool......oh wait, this is supposed to be about Luke, not his mama's trauma that he has grown up so fast.  For the past several months we have been talking about Luke going to preschool.  Miss Nikki, his teacher, lives in our neighborhood so every time we would see her  she would tell Luke how great it would be when school started.  Knowing her so well made it a little easier to send him out into the world.  And Luke could not have been more ready.  He went and did the placement testing and was proud to tell me tat he knew his shapes and could count to 13.  A few days before we picked out his clothes and he was so excited to wear his new preschool clothes and finally have a use for his Spiderman backpack.

For his first day I came home to get him ready and walk him to school.  He was so fun.  At one point I thought my heart might burst with love, that and how adorable he was.

Ruby gave him a hug just because he adores him.  Little did she know that she would be leaving her best brother behind for a few hours.

A little too sunny, but we had to have a shot of his grand entrance.

Luke went right in, found his spot and hung up his back pack.

I loved seeing how happy he was to follow Miss Nikki's instructions.

He joined right in with the class.

As we were leaving I told Tim that I was a little sad Luke hadn't cried or cared that we were leaving. Mostly though /i was thrilled to see him so anxious to begin this new adventure.  Beides, /i shed enough tears for both of us.

When Tim picked him up he said he was

Tired, hot and sweaty from playing, and happy

Sounds like a perfect first day

The first week and he already has a friend.

Oh the places you'll go little man.

August 2015

August started out on a high but did  serious nose dive after that.  Because of my injury, a lot of our plans for the month have been canceled or postponed and we have spent a lot more time at home. Tim and the kids have been total troopers and have managed to sneak in a little fun.

We will start with some of my favorites of the month.  These definitely fall under the label of Sunday Shenanigans.

Most everyone knows of Luke's spider man obsession.  My sweet friend Kacey bought this as a surprise for him.  It was 100 degrees outside, but he still insisted on wearing his new "sweater"

Practicing for pre-scool with his back pack

And a crayon behind his ear.

The kids had a great time at a birthday party in the neighborhood,

Nicki, the host, had plenty for little and big kids.

Close to bed time is when they usually get the silliest.

Spent the afternoon at Vivian Park,

Don't worry, when the train does arrive, it is super slow.

Tim has spent so much time taking care of everybody that I have been happy when we can send him for a little break.  He spent one Friday with Erika and Clark in the mountains.  The plan was for the kids to mountain bike and Tim was going to ride the roads.  Unfortunately he ended up with the wrong shoes and couldn't clip in so he had lots of time to enjoy the scenery.

I tease Tim that by now we must have hundreds of pictures of the hike to the hot pots, but I love that he enjoys the trail so much.  He and Taylor were able to get away late one Saturday afternoon for a quick hike up.

Swing time for big and small.

I promise, Brycen really does love Pizza Pie Cafe.

Saturday afternoon errands,

Just happened to run into a moose.

My Uncle Gary turned 80 so we went to help him celebrate.

The kids were mostly impressed with the balloons and water fountains

But I was happy to see so many cousins and family members