The Graduate

My Miss K has graduated Kindergarten! Her program was so cute. The 3 kindergarten classes all sang some songs while wearing their paper hats (morterboards). Katelyn was so happy and excited. She has loved school and her teacher Mrs. Coles. K has come a long way this year and is caught up academically to where she should be. She is looking forward to first grade and the promise of getting a lunchbox.

Ethan's 12!

It's hard to believe that I am the mother of a 12 year old! Ethan celebrated early with us on Saturday at Tucanos for his birthday dinner date with just mom and dad. He got to pick the place and we all enjoyed a delicious feast. Ethan expanded his palate by trying a passion fruit lemonade, filet mignon and chicken hearts. Today we celebrated big. There was no school because of Memorial Day. We hosted the family BBQ at our house and had lots of fun with cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. We have expanded our family this week to 10 people with the addition of 4 cousins while their parents are out celebrating a wedding anniversary. Because of that we decided to host rather than travel. Ethan received lots of wonderful gifts including a Lego set (wouldn't be a birthday without one), a Newton's cradle, plasma ball, fun cards from the cousins, and cold hard cash. He really wanted all money, but wasn't quite ready to give up all the opening of real presents. So he settled on a compromise of a few gifts supplemented with moolah. He is growing up! He wanted an ice cream cake this year (Reeses, yum!), and he even was allowed to man the lighter to light his own candles.

I am so proud of Ethan. He survived his time in Primary. The last month hasn't been easy, but he has kept a positive attitude. He is a great example to his younger brother, sisters and cousins that look up to him. He earned his Faith in God award for church. He is a good boy and is maturing into a young man. I am excited and apprehensive to watch the transition. I am not ready to let him go, but know that he needs to make his own choices and learn things for himself. It can be tricky being a mother. He has a giant piece of my heart and will forever.

His summer plans include band (trumpet), youth conference, scout camp, lots of time swimming and hanging out with friends. On to the next phase in life- Jr. High!

Trouble

Ryan's new nickname is "Trouble." It has gotten progressively worse as he has learned to get around on his own. First the army crawl at age 7 1/2 months. Then he mastered the hands and knees crawl by 10 months, which was quickly followed by the pulling up on everything. Finally, a few weeks before his first birthday he took his first steps. I can only imagine that the trouble will get worse!



June 30, 2011- Ryan was just learning to stand. He always came crawling whenever I would do laundry. The front loading washer is one of the best babysitters I ever bought.

















Washers are cool, but so is the camera. Let me see that...














July 21, 2011- Ryan in the dryer. It is so hard to do laundry sometimes with all of his "help." But he is one of the cutest laundry helpers I have ever had.









July 30, 2011- Ethan was so kind as to share some of his ice cream cone with Ryan.













September 9, 2011- He must have the same talent as his big sister Erin. I can always tell when those two get some chocolate. And usually so proud of it too.







September 18, 2011- Another incriminating chocolate picture. Just a few chocolate chips please...












September 24, 2011- Ryan figures out he can get where he wants to go by pushing the kitchen chairs around on the tile as a walker. Then he doesn't have to stop and crawl the rest of the way if he falls.







Now he has moved on to walking unassisted, and is getting faster and better everyday. Last week he was upstairs with me while my visiting teacher was over. Ryan disappeared from the room for a while. I just assumed he was in the kitchen. Moments later I heard Katelyn yelling from downstairs for Ryan to get away from her toys! He had crawled all the way downstairs by himself. I knew he could come up, but not down. He does it all the time now, usually by sliding on his tummy backwards on the kitchen tile toward the stairs. Then he heads feet first all the way down like Superman in reverse. What a crackup! The entire house is now his domain and he comes and goes as he wishes. (Much to the dislike of his sister Miss K.)

The Painting of the Purple

When we bought our house, Katelyn got the boy Mario room. We promised her a new paint job soon. Soon has come later than sooner, but it is finally finished! She helped to pick out her new purple butterfly bedding and the coordinating wall color. Only two walls were painted purple, and the other two white. Sometimes there can be too much of a good thing. It took two days (thanks to the four coats it took to cover, even with primer), but she is happy. She was excited to help on every coat and is so excited to show it off to everyone that comes over.




Katelyn happily gets things going. She has been patiently waiting a long time for this.














One coat is never enough. It ended up taking 4!















Some of the not-so-happy help.










Finally in the new purple room with her new bedding.












Ryan shouldn't mind for another year or so, right?

Discovery Park

(Click on the picture to make it bigger)

We have been trying to have lots of low-cost or free fun while dad is home to play too. One night we headed over to Discovery Park for a picnic and to play and enjoy the evening. The kids had so much fun. What a great find for adventures close to home!

Sego Lily Carnival

We decided to check out the school carnival this year. It was perfect weather and there was so much to do. There were pony rides, train rides, face painting, hair coloring, sno cones, cotton candy, a dunk tank (Erin and Ethan dunked the principal!), small carnival games and lots of silent auction baskets. Ethan won a 2 liter of orange soda from a ring toss game. Even Ryan had a fun time riding around in the stroller watching all the events.

Back to School

"The days get short, the nights get cool, and all the kids go back to school."

That's exactly how I am feeling. School started. Back then it was still hot and summery. Ethan and Erin took the plunge first. Then a week later it was time for my youngest daughter, Katelyn, to take her first adventures in school too. They are all adjusting to earlier bedtimes and routines that include homework and after school snacks. We are learning to love a new area and a new school all at the same time. The kids are making new friends, and Jeff and I are contributing members to a ward once again. The summer days of play are over. The crisp of fall is in the air again. It is my favorite season. Perhaps I am ready for a break from the summer heat. Maybe it's the changing colors all around. I do enjoy some hot chocolate and a blanket too. So welcome fall! You have been missed.

Here are some traditional back to school pictures from this year.

Erin's first day of 3rd Grade

Ethan's first day of of 6th grade

Katelyn's first day of Kindergarten

The new purple backpack

The oldest three on Katelyn's first day.

Go Roadrunners!