couldn't get up in the morning

As it does in Tennessee, it rained A LOT. As they do, these boys took full advantage of the situation. As he often is, Wade was nearby with camera in hand.

Jack

update, 9/10/09

Peter is an excellent prayer giver. He said his best prayer yet at dinner time recently: "...please bless that mommy doesn't make this dinner ever again...." (Note taken, no French Dip!)

He also drew a picture of our family at school. It included all the regular people, ie: mom, dad, peter, peter, jack, and ben. When I asked him why he drew himself twice, he showed me which one was him and which one was Big Peter, "You know, L's daddy." So, apparently, Big Peter is now an honorary member of our family. Welcome to our family! You are on dish duty tomorrow (don't forget).

In other news, I had a super sanitation experience. I forgot to take our garbage can out to the curb last week and today is garbage day again. I left the house with the boys for a morning of fun at the park and then to a luncheon (yeah it's a rough job, but somebody's gotta do it). At about noon I realized I had forgotten to take the can to the curb AGAIN. I couldn't let three weeks of trash pile up, so I drove as quickly as I could safely and legally go, obeying all the traffic laws etc. of course and arrived at home as the sanitation collection truck (pc enough?) was two homes away from mine, literally just in the nick of time! Boo-yah- they even helped me carry the second can to the curb as I was just getting it out when they arrived in front of the house. Made my day! And yes I am aware that I just said sanitation collection made my day. It did.

rocketeering, or the best fhe EVER!

beaman park, no girls allowed!

Post edit: I changed the name of this post from "radnor lake", to "beaman park", because, well, it IS actually Beaman park!

kindergarten, day one

Pete asked if we could please NOT come with him on the first day (we put him on the bus, but still met him at his class). He informed me that 5-year-olds wait for the bus by themselves (but dad still stood with him at the bus stop).

Kindergarten Pete

Kindergarten Danger Boy,
waiting for the bus.

When we arrived at his classroom, he was already busy coloring (and breaking crayons).

Coming home on day one.

After school cookies and milk.

From what I could get out of him, he got to color on a huge piece of yellow paper. He ate ham and cheese for lunch in the cafeteria with an apple, apple juice, and milk. He played a "pretend bat" game on the rock wall/cave/tunnel at recess. He made a new friend at recess whose name he does not know. He also says his favorite part about kindergarten was riding the bus and when I asked him if he had fun and wants to go back on Monday, he replied yes!

All in all,

fallon, nv, july 11-18, 2009

While Wade was on his mancation in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming, I took the boys to my home town of Fallon, NV and stayed with my mom and Carl. I was met by my sister Corrine and her girls, brothers Todd and Brad with his wife and son, and my dad. It was great to see everyone and enjoy the dry, hot summer that is northern Nevada.

All the cousins together (cousin #7, Chase was the born just days later)

Ben, Owen, Jack

At the lake, Uncle Todd was the favorite water pal.

Jack at the lake.

Pete and cousin Brielle swimming with my dad, Grandpa Danny.

Ben at the lake.

The boys could have played for hours, in fact they did! We had so much fun, thanks for letting us stay with you Grandma Leslie and Grandpa Carl. And thanks for coming to meet us Grandpa Danny, Uncle Todd, Aunt Corrine and girls!

mancation: wind river mountains, wyoming, july 12-18, 2009

macantion: a male only vacation.

I can't think of many women would enjoy hiking over 60 miles in a week over icy, rocky mountain passes, just to fish in unnamed lakes in search of the rare Golden Trout. But then again, just look at this gorgeous scenery!

The rare "Golden Trout"

old friends and fireworks, July 25-26 in SLC

I was able to meet up with some of the fabulous ladies I taught with at Alpine Elementary. It was so good to see them and some of the little ones they brought along!

Ashley, Misty, Cristi, Condita
2002 4th Grade team- We had such a great year teaching together!

Ben, Keeliya (sp), an unnamed new friend we met and the park, and Pete.

With cousins Colby, Katie, and Trevor

We got to visit with some friends from Nashville, the Nordstrom family and the Keller family (not pictured)! I'm so glad they stopped by to see us.

It happened to be the 24th of July weekend, so we had a little backyard pyrotechnics.

Jack and his fire

Ben

Pete