Makena's and Bryden's Big Day!!!

I can remember laying in my bed the night before the first day of school pondering so many questions. What am I going to wear? Who is in my class? Did my mom give me the turkey sandwich instead of the PB&J? As a mom the routine still has not changed and the questions I lay in bed and ponder over haven't changed much either. What will THEY wear? Who will be in their classes? Did I put the right sandwiches in the right lunch bags?
I did run a few other scenarios through my mind. How can I get pictures of both of them when they go into the school on different sides of the playground? What am I going to do if Bryden will not go into his classroom. (Note to self: Don't loose Hayden on the playground during all of this!!!)
Having survived the morning I think it went pretty well. Makena wanted nothing to do with me and was off across the playground to find her friends and compare summer stories. She didn't need her mom there with her on the first day anymore!!! She is getting so big.
Bryden played a little basketball before the bell rang and checked in with me every few seconds. "Don't move mom. It freaks me out if I cannot see you" At least my little boy still needs me. (Note to self: Hayden has now wondered to the monkey bars and if I move to go get him I might "freak" Bryden out.)
Saved by the bell' Hayden and I walked Bryden to his line and watched him walk into the school. And like that he is a First Grader!!!
Now what are Hayden and I going to do today????

Mommy and Hayden's Big Day

Now that Hayden and I have the big kids off to their first day of school we had one important thing to do today. There are two things that you cannot argue with in our house. 1. Cereal is expensive these days considering my kids can go through a box a day. 2. My kids love their cereal!! With this being said Hayden and I hit the 13 hour cereal sale at the local supermarket. $1.79 a box is a great deal in our house.
I guess it was safe to say that when you walk into a supermarket and there are no carts you know you are in trouble. With a lot of patience and a little endurance we made it out safely with our 40 boxes of cereal. What a deal!!!

Now who is going to unload all of this and put it in the top of the pantry???

Eight Going on Eighteen

Yesterday my baby turned eight. Can you believe it!!! We are now passed the Disney Princesses and onto Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers. Whats next? Rock concerts and dating. I am just not there yet. I am not sure which is worse, the fact that she is growing up or the fact that the older she gets the older that makes me. I am still 27 right?

For her Birthday this year Makena chose to have a tubing party at the lake and go to the resort for Gooey Desserts.
We took a group of girls out on the boat for the day and had a great time. Blaine, refers to it as the day he had six backseat drivers. Boy little girls ca be opinionated.
It was a great day and now I have until March before I have to do another Birthday party Phew!

Saying Goodbye

Yesterday we all said goodbye to one of the most honorable and courageous people I will ever know. Uncle Jason lost his battle with one of the most horrible diseases I will ever know, Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS).

Jason was the Chief of Police for 27 years in the small town that I spent every summer growing up. It was always comforting to know he was around in his blue patrol car if we ever needed him. He always had a great story to tell when he stopped by Grandmas for a cup of coffee.

I found out yesterday just how many other people loved Jason and how many lives he touched. His service included over 100 law enforcement officers and a motorcade of at least that many police cars from 3 states. It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen.
This was a man that was a friend to everyone and who loved his job and family. I know my dad will miss him dearly and treasured the last days he had with him. My sister says that "The Good Die Young". Jason was beyond good.
Jason, I know you are finally at peace and although you are not physically here with us on earth you are in our hearts and our memories forever. You fought this battle with courage and faith and you will never be forgotten. We know you are in a better place now, free of pain and finding answers to all of your questions. We love and miss you.
Your niece Kristi

The Great Ride

We have had it planned for weeks. Bikes, check. Helmets, check. Snacks and water, check. Alright hold on for an amazing ride!!!!

We hopped in the car and in less than one hour we were two states over and riding a 15 mile bike trail through the old mining railroad tracks. The ride included 9 tunnels and 5 train trestle bridges. It was amazing scenery, great weather and a ton of fun.



This was coming to the end of the first tunnel which was 1.7 miles long. It was VERY cold and VERY dark. The kids were a little scared but we conquered and we succeeded.
At the end of the first tunnel we were greeted by this amazing waterfall. It was better than some of the Hawaiian waterfalls we have seen and it is in our own back door.
This was our first train trestle.
Haydee just along for the ride. I think he did eat an entire bag of licorice during the ride.

It was a great ride!!! Blaine and I would love to go back and ride UP the trail next time.

The Summer Fights

After having daddy home for a week the kids are bouncing off of the walls!!!! Most of all the ongoing sibling rivalry and fighting has escalated. If I hear one more "He did this" or "She started it" I think that I will start to bounce my head off of the wall. I do have to snicker a little at the fact the Hayden is now almost as big as his "big" brother. If Bryden gets Hayden mad enough Bryden actually runs from him in fear. Here is a picture of the fight that is still going on as I have locked my self in the office to hide.
They are fighting over the whisk from the kitchen drawer. I have no idea why but it must be a pretty important whisk. The funniest part of this whole thing, Hayden just starts repeating what ever he hears when he is mad. He is chasing Bryden through the kitchen yelling
"Stop Poo Poo dot com" Poo Poo.com. Maybe that will be the new name for my blog site!!

Vacation

Daddy was on vacation last week so we tried to fit as much as we possibly could into 7 days. With the awesome weather and fun things we have around here we stayed close to home and had a blast!!!!



Sissy loves tubing!! We are still working on getting the boys back there.
Playing on the beach out at the lake is more the boys cup of tea. The investment in sand toys has been well worth it.
Uncle Chaddy has set up movies on the back of his boat a few times this summer. Those "Three Amigos" are so silly.
Mom and Dad have gotten new bikes so Hayden is bound and determined he is going to be a part of the biking club.
A trip out to our local amusement park was great. We spent the first half of the day at the water park and the second half at Roller Coaster Alley. We had to tear Sissy off of the roller coasters at closing that night. She defiantly does not get this from me.

Daddy is back to work today! Wouldn't it be great if he was home everyday!!! I better go try and find something for the kids to do today. Its back to the grind with mommy and she has A LOT of laundry to do today.