Labor Day Weekend in Bozeman

For Labor Day Weekend we headed to Bozeman to hang out with Isaac, Lindsey, their kids, Dick, Sarah, Wade, Maren, and Boyd.  While we were there we spent time together, did a little shopping, went on a hike, and then we headed back home after attending church with them the next day.  We had a few things we wanted to get done at the house while Mckay had the day off as well as celebrate his Birthday.

Brielle snuggling with daddy under an umbrella during our hike.

Most of the time while walking these two girls stayed nice and dry in the wagon, holding a big umbrella.

They were giggling most of the journey.  It was cute.

Payton enjoyed exploring a bit once we were near the waterfall.

Sarah and Brielle climbing some rocks to get a closer look at the waterfall.

It was a little slippery.

It was a fun little adventure for the afternoon.  The rain and thunder along the way made it even more memorable.

Kenzie posing by the waterfall.

Yeah for family adventures.

Hiking is one of our favorite things to do.  It is always fun to explore and enjoy nature together.

After all of the playing these kids finally went to bed.  When Mckay and I headed to bed as well, we spotted Brielle sprawled out and smothering Taylor.

Payton was pretty tired.

So sweet when they sleep.

Kenzie was out like a light.

Snuggle Time

Brielle thought it was fun to roll up in a blanket the other day.

I told her she looked like a burrito.  She had a little trouble getting out on her own though.

I don't blame her for wanting to get all snuggled up in a blanket...things have already started cooling off outside quite a bit.  Although we still have a nice day here or there, I think our days of warmer weather here in Montana are coming to and end for this year as fall/winter will be here before we know it.

Back to School 2014

Ready or not...another school year has begun.  Always such a bittersweet day for me (it doesn't seem to be getting any easier).

This is how I'm feeling:

Children are not a distraction from more important work, They are the most important work.  C.S. Lewis

It is my life, it's what I do.  I am lucky to be able to stay home with them and have my days focused on the needs of my family and home life.  Yes, there are definitely times that I feel like my patience is running thin (surprise!!) and I need a little break.  Times that I wonder if I am doing this whole parent thing the best that I can for the children that I have been blessed with.  But when all is said and done...I wouldn't trade it for anything else.  My family means more than anything to me. 

As I've mentioned earlier, I dislike the first day of school.  I try not to let the kids catch on to this too much because I really do want them to feel excited about school and learning.  It is just hard to see yet another summer go by.  Watching the kids suddenly seem to grow older also makes me feel like my time having them at home is going quickly.  This year Payton is heading into 3rd Grade, McKenzie will be in 2nd Grade, and Taylor will be joining the mix and starting Kindergarten (he is so excited).  My known schedule is about to change tremendously.  Just Brielle and me at home for a couple of months until our lives change again and another precious little one makes his entrance.  Life just keeps us on our toes with constant changes and opportunities for growth.

Here are a few of those memorable back to school photos:  

McKenzie, Taylor, Payton, and Brielle all ready to start a new chapter.

Looking sharp on the first day.

Sure do love these kids!

Trying to get a decent picture (Kenzie was afraid of a nearby bee and the others are squinting from the sun). 

Is it just me, or does this kid suddenly look a bit more grown up?

Here he comes 3rd Grade.

My pretty little girl!

It was a sunny morning.

Cutie.

Still trying to get one without too much squinting.

Ready for 2nd Grade.

He was so excited to see what this school thing is all about!

Handsome little guy!

"Kindergarten here I come!"

He has been asking how much longer until he gets to go to school for quite some time, followed by asking me if I am going to miss him while he is gone.  Of coarse I am!!

Then there is this little girl.  Brielle seemed a bit like a lost puppy without her older siblings home with her throughout the day.  We are slowly getting used to things.  (I think she is liking getting more of my attention, before things change yet again.)

Cutie Pie!

Silly girl.

Time to get going.  It sure is convenient living so close to the school.  The kids will be walking now and spending less time commuting on the bus.

Mean while back at home...later that afternoon I was asking Brielle if she wanted to take a nap.  She was sure she didn't but shortly after saying that she didn't want to, she fell fast asleep snuggling on the couch and watching TV with me.

Then we walked down to the school to see how the kids were doing and to walk with them on the way home for the first day.  I assigned them a meeting place so that they will walk home together.  So far so good, although they now like to do a little ninja warrior coarse through the playground as they make their way home.  Taylor is thrilled that he learned to do the monkey bars all the way through.

Chatting and telling me all about their first day of school!  It was a success and everyone loved it as well as their new teachers.  Sure makes this new transition easier on me, seeing that they are liking it so much and getting back into the swing of things.

Getting All Sentimental Again

Each year, as the start of school approaches once again, I begin to get all sentimental as I have a hard time letting these kids go.  I love having them home and spending time with them (that is what my life is all about at this point).  We try to play hard and soak up as much time as possible before changing our schedules once again.  McKenzie and Payton are somewhat excited, but they have really been enjoying their summer vacation and can't believe how fast it has come and gone (I feel a bit robbed by that this year too).  Taylor is sad to see summer coming to an end but at the same time, he is so excited to be going to school with the BIG kids this year.  He has been asking how many more days until he goes to school for a while now.  I'm not sure Brielle even knows what is about to happen (for a little while it will just be her and me, until baby #5 makes it's entrance).

One afternoon we took turns playing different games.  The kids LOVED it and so did I!

With all of the craziness of unpacking and setting up house... I have tried to prioritize my time with the kids this summer as well.  I feel like we did do a lot of fun things this summer and perhaps that is why it seemed to go by so fast.  There were days that I told myself that certain things could wait to be unpacked until they returned to school because I wanted and needed to spend time with them.

I sure do love my kids and the time we have together.  Change is always hard and I dread the first day of school every year.  I'm sure we will feel better about it once we get going in our routines again.

Back to School Family Night

For Family Home Evening we centered the topic on BACK TO SCHOOL.  I prepared a dinner of baked potato bar, salad, and apples with peanut butter.  I wanted this to be a surprise for the kids and wanted them to stay out of the kitchen as I prepared and decorated for a fun dinner and got everything ready for FHE.  They eagerly played in the garage riding around on their bikes and playing different sports.  All the while they were anxious to know what I was up to.  

Once Mckay got home from work, it was time for dinner and the start of Family Night.  Each place setting had a name card and a little note for each child encouraging them for the upcoming school year and a large pencil made out of Rolo's to eat for dessert a bit later.

After dinner we began the lesson.  The kids took turns drawing pencils with these as the topics to discuss.  Then we would try to explain how we could do these things this school year.  We also took the kids measurements from the start of the school year so we can compare how much they've grown by the end of the year and each set a goal.

Here are the kid's stats:

Payton:  66.8 pounds, 52 inches, Goal: To work on multiplication and his handwriting.

McKenzie:  43.6 pounds, 45 inches, Goal:  Lean to love math.
Taylor:  34.6 pounds, 40 1/2 inches, Goal:  Learn to read.
Brielle:  28.6 pounds, 35 inches, Goal:  Have fun leaning ABC's.

The kids were pretty excited about the pencil treats.

It was all they could handle to hold off until it was treat time.

Having a great time together!

The next evening we took turns getting a Father's Blessing for this year, it was a great couple of evenings as a family!

T-Smooth

While back to school shopping, Mckay ran into this Spurs shirt with Taylor.  With Taylor it has been a lot about sports lately, so he was thrilled to be getting a new sport attire!

Thumbs up for the Spurs (we sent this picture to both Kaare and Daniel, who are major fans).  Mckay doesn't mind the Spurs, but navigates towards LeBron James's teams and so do the boys, because of Mckay.

Funny story about one of Taylor's nicknames...

Mckay began calling Taylor "T-Smooth" after hearing that on our trip to Mexico.  At first Taylor didn't like it much but has since been persuaded to like and accept it by his father!  Anyway one time this summer we were at one of my family functions and people were writing their names on their cups in order to tell them apart from the others.  For some reason Mckay and Taylor agreed to put T-Smooth on Taylor's cup.  During church soon after that Taylor was writing on a slip of paper and he showed me what he had written, even spelling it out.  T-SMOOTH!!  I leaned over and asked Mckay if he had done that and to both of our surprises Taylor had now memorized how to spell and write this other name of his and not just TAYLOR anymore.  I am going to have to tell him to use his real name at school, while I think Mckay would be happy if Taylor chose to write T-Smooth instead!

What a little Character!

Kenzie 1st Haircut at a Salon

McKenzie was due up for a new haircut/trim before going back to school.  This time around and since JC Penny was having cheap back to school cuts going on, I decided to let them do it.  She was pretty excited and had been asking when we were going to do this for quite some time.  We were going into town to do a little back to school shopping anyway, so I scheduled her an appointment, while the boys browsed around for other needed items (shoes and such).  She was excited yet a little nervous at the same time.  Kenzie has a bit of a soft head and her long hair was tending to tangle.  With this new cut and thinning it out a little bit I think it has helped.

Getting a washing treatment, one of my favorite parts!  Although Kenzie doesn't look very excited.

She was so cute and quite during the haircut.  Just taking it all in and looking sweet in that little apron.

We all agreed to keep most of her length and added a few layers.

After drying and a curly style (Kenzie's choice).  

It looked so pretty!

She is sure growing up, it was fun to share this girly experience with her!

Baking Helpers

I needed to make some cookies for a ward function and the boys were off at a playmate/swimming with some friends.  So the girls and I had fun baking in the kitchen.  I love having help/company in the kitchen and both of my girls love to be the helpers!  Lets hope I am teaching them a few kitchen skills for their futures.

Brielle and McKenzie looking cute as ever in their aprons.

Ready to get to work making and sampling Snikerdoodles!

It was a fun afternoon with the girls!  Of coarse there was a little tasting going on and we enjoyed the finished product.  

The boys all appreciated the yummy smells and tastes when they got home as well!