Wanderings

How did it ever get to be the end of October??  Three months since I've put any pictures on our family journal.  It's a testament to how crazy life is and almost a little scary how fast time flies!  What a busy few months we've had.  Summer ended.  School began.  Cooler weather began.  Less sun, more rain.  Winter coats in the morning, short sleeves in the afternoon.  Leaves faded into beauty, grass faded into yucky.  Fall clean up, talks of Christmas preparation.  Piano lessons began, Halloween costumes came out.  It's been going by entirely too fast.  Slow down already!!

Is it redundate to say how much you love your kids.  Far from a perfect mother and many faults in our family, but we love.  That's what's important!

Cannot get enough of my kids sleeping.  It's just amazingly beautiful.

Cool as a cucumber he is

What a fun day!!  We went rock jumping and swimming on the Snake River in St Anthony.  My kids were so brave. There were high school kids not jumping.  The kids couldn't get enough.  While initially paid to jump, they went over and over.  I think this will be our fun spot next summer:)

Reagan has been wanting to play the piano forever.  We finally decided she was probably old enough, but after seeing prices of pianos we weren't ready for the committment until I stumbled across this ol' beauty on Craigslist for $150 bones.  It's seen better days.  The front legs need repair and it would have been nice to sort of refinish and spiff it up a little but, it was heavy as sin and Mike nearly threw out his back, but it is here, sounds beautiful, and aside from the redneck cooler piano bench in this picture, we love having it.  Reagan started lessons the first of September.  She has done awesome.  She's definately always had a little musical talent in hearing tunes, melodies, etc and being able to pick them up.  She's done the same with the piano.  My mom spent a few hours trying to teach her a church primary song.  She was not giving up until she had that sucker memorized.  She's now trying to play songs she loves from the radio.  While she only picks up a few keys, it's fun to hear her try.  

She had her first recital on the 26th.  So technically only 6 lessons and I think she did great. She loves going to lessons, loves practicing, and loves to have it in the house. 

Aunt Heidi came up for her very first recital.  

Reagan and I joined my friend Tracy and her daughter Stella for a fun day getting pampered.  Love these two girls :)

Along came the fair....ick.  But you know ya have to go just for the food, er, the rides?? Maybe just for the kids to get hot and sweaty and cranky and then the parents to remind themselves why they dislike the fair??
On a side note, look at that happy face!!

And then she was in 2nd GRADE!!  She loves everything about it.  Her teacher, reading, studying, homework, and succeeding.  We are having a great experience this year.

And this little man is off to preschool two days a week.  He talked about and wanted to go back to his school for weeks.  They do a great preschool program and he loves going.

Seriously can't say enough how much I love this little guy.  He totally photo bombed sister's back to school with buddy picture with a wide grin.  Just look at his eyes and the excitement that radiates!

Our Welcome Back School dinner of fondue.  Can never get enough fondue.  The kids love it.

He's such a crazy kid.  He loves to pick up our books and act like he reads them.  He'll say, "Now, where was I"? and flip through.

Dad teaching the kids leap frog.  This...is what makes him such an amazing dad

Sunday football fun

Reagan FINALLY lost her two front teeth.  She has been so jealous all the other kids have lost theirs.  She was late getting teeth.  Definately a late bloomer losing them!  It was quite tramatic and exhausted though.  It was a week ordeal with them needing to be out.  We were lucky though....the perm teeth were already through!!

Obert Skye is a child/tween author that lives here locally.  He does book tours around the schools and she was SO VERY excited to meet him.  We waited in line for at least an hour but it was worth it.  Look at her excited face!

Reagan also received a very awesome reward for reading.  Her school had a challenge for AR reading and point level system.  We didn't even know about the challenge but she came home with a request for permission to be able to ride the Ammon City Fire Truck.  She loves reading and this year has excelled in her testing of the books as well.  She was so excited for this day! Her favorite teacher rode with she and 2 other kids.  She was first to be picked up since technically we live only 2 blocks away, and she got to ride along for about an hour while they picked up the other kids.  Great reward and so very proud of her desire to read!

The last picnic in the mountains!  Sunday afternoon drives/picnics are the best.  Kids always have fun and the fresh air is great!

Trying their hand at Pine Cone Slingshot

 Looking like the Statue of Liberty??

 Kids wanted to have the picnic in the back of the truck.  Kade, who is know to periodically be a very picky eater, said "Dis is the best picnic ever!".  Soup in mugs and yummies to go around.