Back to School

So starts another year of preschool for Garrett. And this year he is in the "big kids class". Which means kindergarten next year! YIKES! but for now we'll enjoy pre-k and being 4 while we can. He is so excited to be back at Tiny Minds Preschool with his friends from last year and a teacher that he loves.

First Day of School!
holding his homework assignment from back to school night, a spotlight poster all about him!

They made their own school bags on the first day!

My little man is growing up!

The Cabin

... that belongs to my grandparents is one of my favorite places to go. We spent a lot of time here while I was growing up. I think that my children love it too! Here are a few pictures of the fun things we did while we were there.

The hike! What determined little troopers we have. The trail was a little more tricky than Embrie is used to, but she stuck with it. (this was obviously a little bit easier part of the trail)

Papa lead us on a trail up the mountain that I remember going on often as a kid. We didn't see any big animals on this trip to the Cabin but on the trail we spotted a lot of areas where they'd been.

We got to do some 4-wheeler riding.
(and in case you are wondering yes it is a halo, my grandpa and grandma are angels.)

The kids loved playing on the teeter-totter near my uncle Mont's cabin on the property next door (so to speak).

Hmmm . . . anything funny about this picture?

I used to (still do) love to curl up in a blanket in the morning while waiting for G.G. to make hot chocolate! Looks like it runs in the family!

sneaking down the stairs

Garrett was pretty excited to sleep in the loft and then he found out he got a big bed too!
Embrie was excited too (luckily she didn't complain when she was taken to the port-a-crib).

This little owl was a hit with the kids, it hoots when it senses motion. They spent a lot of time running back and forth.

Papa and Embrie getting ready for s'mores around the fire.

Garrett and G.G.

I could be wrong but I really think this was Garrett's first s'more. He didn't finish it though. He decided to forget the other ingredients and keep going back for more chocolate.

My grandparents!

I love them so much! They have been amazing people in my life and I am so glad that they are part of my children's lives also! I am so glad that they wanted to build a cabin and that they have put so much work into it over so many years. It is such a wonderful place to go and be part of the world as God created it.

Sometimes I feel like I am in a Zoo

Here is the documentation of our yearly trip to the zoo. We were happy this year to go with my brother Jared and his family.

Now who doesn't have a picture of themselves as a kid with their head in the lion's mouth?

Ok this is simply just gross and I did not realize what was happening because I was focused on getting the shot, but I was made aware of it by the "ugh!"'s and "eww!" 's of those behind me.
(here's to hoping we don't take any illnesses away from that one)

That is more like it!

let's just feed them to the lion shall we?

hanging around in the monkey house!

Baby Zuri and mom!
Now this was interesting because the mother was spraying people with water from her trunk after the show. I wish I would have gotten a shot of that but it was kind of crowded. Crowded enough that by the time I got through the crowd Zuri was walking away instead of cutely standing between her mom's legs :(

trying to enjoy the bird show (Embrie was eventually taken out because of her bad behavior)

I just love these majestic creatures!

Garrett wanted to give the bird a dollar to help out the zoo!

. . .and we end with a ride on the train yay!

Miss Em'

We could definitely see more of this crowd!
We got to go to the Bee's game with our friends the Stilsons over the holiday weekend. Amber was my best friend in high school, room mate in college and obviously I still miss her and love her dearly! Her husband Jay was Brad's friend and room mate in college. We all dated for about the same amount of time and got married within a few months of each other. Weird but cool. Since then we haven't been able to see each other very often because we don't live near each other, but every once in awhile (and hopefully more often) we get to hang out.

They have a cute little family!

Garrett and Embrie climbed on the fire truck right outside the station so this is a pretty random picture for a baseball game.

I just threw this in there. ;) Obviously guys don't pose for pictures much.

Happy Birthday Papa

**Warning** this post may contain partial nudity ;)

Apparently I missed out on getting a picture of The birthday man himself (seated far right). But we had fun visiting for the birthday celebration! We love you Papa Clyde!

A little friendly game of 'I don't know what you call it but it was fun' ;)
(team game where you throw four balls & add up points for which balls are the closest to the small white ball)

You might look at this next picture and wonder why there are two boys riding a pink bike in their underwear . . . unfortunately we don't have any answers, but I am sure it is not how it looks ;)

this was just really funny!

well here is the reason for everyone in their underwear: water fight!

and if you get to the point where you are in your underwear things are bound to only go down hill from there. Don't worry of course these are censored!

Here is to another year Papa!