October

October flew by fast. I only write on this while at work - so you can probably tell I've been pretty busy at work. Honestly, I have tried - but never got to it.

The kids finished their 1st quarter of school and got great report cards. "Jake is pleasant and a joy to have in class." I knew Jake's would be good. I was a little nervous about MaKenna's - but had to laugh when I read: "MaKenna is doing better at following directions with out negotiating." Since then I have paid more attention to what she does when she is asked to do something. O My Goodness - she negotiates on everything! Even the simplest thing has to be done with some challenge and resistance - her way!

October was beautiful month. We had mostly nice warm days and cool nights. Halloween this year wasn't cold and snowy - the 1st time since we've lived in Colorado. We took the kids to HP and they got way more candy then they ever needed in about 40 minutes. Kyler asked "can i have this one" for each piece of candy he picked up. Jake and MaKenna would take a piece, say thank you and move on. They got tired of waiting for Kyler.

Kyler was Farmer Jones, MaKenna was a Ballerina, and Jake was a Baseball player. (Since Jake has lost both his front teeth - he should have been a hockey player.)

School Pictures

Back to school always leads to fun things. One of those things is School Pictures. Here they are:

JAKE - 7 Years old


MaKenna - 5 Years old


Kyler - 2 1/2 Years old

Fall is in the air

What a great week. I love this time of year. It is perfect for jeans and sweatshirts in the mornings and evenings and shorts and t-shirts in the afternoons.

I can't believe we're into September already. This kids are doing great at school and we seem to have a routine down. I get to volunteer in Jake's computer class every other Wednesday and in MaKenna's classroom every other Thursday morning.

The kids went to their 1st 4-H meeting Monday night. They are both too young to show an animal, but there are other activities and project for them to do. They will be "Cloverbuds" this year. Next year - since Jake will be 8 years old, he will be able to show an animal. I was thinking a pig (Bacon) or a cow (Hamburgers). We'll see what he wants to do.

Kyler

In all the commotion of the other kids going back to school, we changed Kyler to a new daycare. We moved him to a center in Windsor. The Windsor center is in our school district, which will help out when Jake and MaKenna are out of school. We also convinced Stacie to move Taylor, so Kyler has a friend in his class. The new center has a 2 1/2 year old class. So Kyler is with the older 2's and younger 3's.

Kyler is really enjoying it and loves the new slide. Since Steve comes home early to be with the other kids when they get off the bus, he takes Kyler to daycare and picks him up. Kyler thinks he is something because he gets to ride in the Jeep or Truck a lot. He also gets to go to the bus stop and wait for "Jake and Kenna".

1st day of school

Well, school has started We are wrapping up the 2nd week. The kids ride the bus to and from school each day. Steve goes to work early, so he can be home when they get off the bus.

Jake is loving 2nd grade. It didn't take him any time to get back in the swing of things. He has a couple friends from last year in his class. He has become friends with one the little boy across the road - they ride the bus together.

MaKenna is in the All Day Kindergarten class. She was so excited about starting school. There were parents and kids crying the 1st day and then there was MaKenna... she had the biggest grin on her face. She was waving and saying "Bye Mom, you can go to work now...

Birthday Pictures...

I'm not clever enough to figure out how to make the slide shows, so this is the easiest way for me to post pictures from this summer.

Jake had his 7th birthday cake camping...


MaKenna wanted pink sprinkles on her 5th birthday cake...

Summer Update

Wow, it's been quite a long time since I've written anything. I'll try to give a quick update of what has been going on.


JUNE
We had a great trip to Oregon the beginning of June. We had some issues getting there, but we finally made it. We had hoped to make Alyssa's graduation, but got held up in Winnemucca. We made it in time for her Graduation BBQ though.


After our stop in Grants Pass, we headed to Myrtle Point to visit with Great Grandpa. It so awesome to have Daniel, Laurie, Emme, Calvin, Joleane, Logan, Taylor, Nana and Papa there too. Jake and MaKenna had a blast camping in the back yard with Nana, Papa, Emme and Calvin.


We got the chance to take the kids to Sunset Beach and walked way out on the rocks looking at Tide Pools. The kids really enjoyed it.


We made it back to Colorado and the grindstone without any issues.


JULY
We had a good 4th of July. We went camping at Old Roach. Old Roach is an old Railroad Tie camp. We found the Dam and the Log Flume while we were there. It is a great place to camp - there are remnants of a fireplace, open area for the kids to play, trails to ride on and close fishing. Each of the kids were able to catch a small fish.


AUGUST
The beginning of August we went on another camping trip with neighbors and friends. We've gone to Aqua Fria the last couple years, and we all have a great time. This year was also fun, but Kyler was sick, it rained most of the time, and Jake got hit in the head with a golf club. Saturday is always the big ride to the lake - Steve took Jake and MaKenna. Kyler wasn't feeling the best and I wasn't about to go on the trail again, so I stayed with Kyler in the trailer.


The Aqua Fria trip was the start of the summer wind down. After we got back from the camping trip, the kids had to focus on getting their school routine going, and "Texas Grandpa" went home.