Sunflower

We planted a sunflower this year (thanks for the seed sets papa & gg).

The kids had a blast pulling the seeds out. I guess it one of those things like popping bubble wrap or peeling sunburned skin or something.

now what do we do with them? Brad isn't sure he trusts them enough to eat them, the kids want to plant more next year, or we can put them out as bird seed. hmmm

my first decoupage

I swear that I took 'before' pictures of this chair but I can't find them.

anyway this was a plain brown wooden chair that I had taken off the hands of one of my friends that was moving. They'd used it as a step stool while they painted. It used to belong to a set with another chair and a table.

When I took it I was thinking I could turn it into something cool. (like I need another project right?)

This is what it ended up looking like when I finished. I didn't plan to decoupage it just sort of came to me. It may not be everyone's style for sure. But I was happy with it. What do you think?

So you think you can run?

In September Garrett's school held a fundraiser. The kids were going to do a fun run and ask their family and friends to sponsor them to run for 15 min around a track.

Garrett was very excited. The week of the run the school got all pumped up. As kids turned in their envelopes with their pledge money the teachers wore mustaches, polk-a-dots, and the principle even wore a tutu, blue fairy wings and rollerblades.

Garrett was excited when his teacher handed out mustaches to all the kids. I think he wore it for 3 days straight as long as he could get away with it.

families could run with their students so Embrie was excited too, she and Garrett got all warmed up for the race. 

I was really proud of Garrett. He took off running and he ran the whole time! That is a long time for little legs, but oh how I know he's got the energy for it, he proves that daily.

Garrett shot ahead, but Embrie and I stuck together. She did pretty good too! Only stopping a few times and on those times were pretty short breaks. She wanted to keep going. She looks up to Garrett so much.

as a little side story I found Garrett and Embrie in their room before the race and they were digging through Embrie's piggy bank. I asked what they were doing and Garrett said he was getting money for the race. (He'd been telling me that the school assembly said they could ask brothers and sisters to donate.) Our conversation when like this:

me: No don't take money out of her piggy bank. Don't ask Embrie to donate she doen't have any money.  

Garrett: oh. ok. .... Well I can give her some out of my bank and then she can donate it.

me: no don't do that either. -then I paused to think for a minute, they were both so excited.-  ah, ok Embrie do you want to donate money to Garrett's school?

Embrie: yes

me: ok you can give Garrett 50 cents.

and that is how we ended up with 50 cents in the envelope. they were pretty cute.

Thanks so much to Grandma's and Grandpa's that donated money to Garrett's school. And he didn't let you down he ran and did hs best! They said it was a huge success!

Employee Appreciation

Fun at the Employee Party for IHC Riverton

End of the Season

We usually go to the Bee's game a few times each summer but this one seemed so busy that we barely made it the last weekend of the season.

It's always a pretty good time.

Lucky us! we met up with some friends that went to the game too. The kids had lots of fun riding the train together.

Garrett with his buddy Ryker and Embrie with friend Lydia

Maren got to ride too and loved it. 

 We interupt this post for a quick explaination:

You know boys, they're always climbing on things and taking risks (ok lets face it this could apply to many girls too). Garrett had been climbing and walking along the big base of the huge statium light and slipped off. His shirt got caught and he scraped his back down the mega sized metal bolt on the base and hung there. Poor kid was hurt pretty bad. Brad went and asked if there was a first aide station and they pointed us in the direction. Embrie was pretty concerned so she went with Garrett and me.

I did NOT take these pictures there, just so you know, I think that would have freaked the first aide guys out a little. But they were so nice to us and when they finished patching Garrett up they asked him if he'd caught a baseball yet. He said no so they pulled one out for him. Well ask the guy is handing it to him both Embrie and Garrett reached their hand out to take it, so they gave Embrie one too! (Man what could we have gotten if I had been taking pictures, maybe season tickets? ha ha). Guess it pays to get hurt sometimes?? 

And just as we got back to our seats Bumble came out. My kids are interesting, they go between being excited and thinking its so cool to 'no way I am not touching that guy!' Maren was the same she wanted to touch him and then once she'd touch she start to cry. But Garrett got daring enough to toss his ball to Bumble so that he could sign it.

So they both have a Bumble autographed SL Bee's ball. And Garrett was pretty excited that is says on his "Bee-some throw of this ball!"

Maren was not without her mishap. We sat in the grass (even though we had stadium seats, sometimes its just easier) and it is on a hill. She eventually found herself sliding down it face first, it had rained earlier that day and so she had a glob of mud on her head. And being the nice mom that I am I had to laugh and snap a shot.

It was an exciting night to say the least, and the Bee's won!

a glimpse of summer gone by

Back to School!

My big first grade boy! I can't believe it.

I didn't cry for kindergarten but I definately had it a little rougher for 1st grade. 'He's going to be gone all day!' I thought. They spend more time away from home than home. Brad even said, "he's going to be away from home almost as much as I am." Geez. But don't worry I didn't cry in front of him and I am not even sure that Embrie noticed I cried on the way home. I told Garrett on the way to school that I was going to miss him so much, started to get choked up and decided I'd better quit that kind of talk.

The whole day it was on my mind. I almost cried at the grocery store too! The cashier was talking about my girls and said how fast they grow up so I said " I know my oldest started 1st grade today . . ." again decided to stop right there. ha ha I usually don't get too emotional but it was a funny day.

That is enough about me lets get down to Garrett's feelings.  I didn't realize that he was nervous about it until the day we met his teacher (day before school started). I thought, "oh he loved Kindergarten he'll be excited for this too." But he was nervous. However, once we left the room he was totally excited again. Turns out he was mostly worried about having a different teacher, but he has decided that Mrs. McMullin is really nice.

It is definately more quiet around here now during the day. Embrie is doing well without him though she does seem a little lost sometimes without Garrett to play with (and tell her what to do ;)  She's getting used to it.  He doesn't seem to be too tired when he gets home maybe a little more restless somedays and trying to get his energy out ( I didn't know he could get any wilder).

So far he is doing great with all his school work. I'm imressed with how easily he is learning and taking the transition especially with the day mostly gone and more homework to get done too. What a great kid. We sure love him lots!