Hannah

So last night, Hannah comes to me and we have this conversation...

H: "where are the scissors mom?"
Me: "Hannah, you can't use the scissors right now."
H: "I prayed about it, and Jesus said I can use the scissors, and He's the boss of the world!"
Me: (trying unsuccessfully to muffle my laughter) "If you can find the scissors, you can use them!"
She blows my mind....she has amazing, creative, and effective skills of manipulation. I wonder what she'll come up with next! What a nut !

Erinns big feet

I guess Sam comes by his feet naturally...Big feet are inevitable!! Yikes!!! Our poor kids don't even know whats coming!!! Isn't this the best picture ever??? HA HA HA HA :0)

Breathtaking

These are photos taken by the Hubble telescope, and I think they are so breathtaking and beautiful. The first pic is of a spiral galaxy that is 11.6 million light years away! The second is an infant star cluster, a photo of stars being born and shot out into space...also from a whole other galaxy! Amazing!

"In the sequence of events as set forth in the scripture, God first created the earth, "and the earth was without form, and void" (Genesis 1:2) He then separated the light from the darkness, and the waters from the land. Then came the creation of vegetation of all kinds, giving the beauty of trees and grass, flowers and shrubs. Then followed the creation of animal life in the sea and upon the land. Having looked over all of this, He declared it to be good. He then created man in His own likeness and image. Then as His final creation, the crowning of His glorious work, He created woman. I like to regard Eve as His masterpiece after all that had gone before, the final work before He rested from His labors. I do not regard her as being in second place to Adam. She was placed at his side as an helpmeet. They were together in the Garden, they were expelled together, and they labored together in the world into which they were driven."
~Gordon B. Hinckley (One bright shining hope)

Funny!

Okay, I couldn't resist, this is too funny!

A bunch of kids!!

Here they are on the first day of school! We started on Wednesday the fifteenth, and the kids were all so excited! I think they were all awake about 5:45 a.m.!!! What a shock!! They are loving the new routine and happy with their teachers. Of course Jenna had to have a pic too! She is so happy being home alone with me! The first day, she cried when the kids got out of the car and she didn't get to go with them...but, that is all done now! She is so loving being the queen of the house! She and I have just enjoyed the peace and quiet together. The house is clean and life is good! Happy School Day to Me!!!

Sams first day pics

Sam gets to start fifth grade this year! (I can't believe he's that old already!) He goes to the Middle School for his classes, he gets to have a locker, and he is excited about joining a club or two. I know he wants to join the chess/or checkers clubs for sure! He is way excited about that. His teacher is Mrs.Robinson, and she seemed to be really nice. Although judging by the kids in her class, this may be a tough year!! I am more worried about him than anyone, but, he seems to be taking it all in stride...if anything he is enjoying his position as the oldest. He really enjoys being helpful to his teachers and likes his principal a lot. He seems quite pleased with himself lately. I hope this will be a good year for him!

Noahs first day pics

Noah is starting the fourth grade. His teacher is Mrs. Gaines. We have heard that she is the best fourth grade teacher so we are excited about that! He gets to have a computer on his desk that he shares with the child next to him so that is way cool!! He is so easy going and smart, nothing fazes this kid!

Isaacs first day pics

Isaac is starting the second grade and is excited to have Mrs. Kemna as his teacher. He is happy to meet new friends and loves going to school! He has told me many times how much he likes his teacher and how well behaved he is!! They are both excited about the kittens that visit from our neighbors house and insisted that they be in this picture with them!

Hannah's first day pics

Hannah gets to go to kindergarten this year! Her teachers name is Mrs. Vance and she seems very nice. Hannah gets to be in the new wing of the school and the classrooms are beautiful! She is already telling me stories of her many school adventures! Isn't she darling?!

House Hunting!

Sooo, I was looking for a house online.......and I happened to come across these nice little pieces of real estate...nothing fancy really! I just love these homes! Any of them would work...I'm not picky..Maybe next year...ummm...millenium? Not that any of them are actually for sale...Maybe my mansion on high will look something like this...I wish. Aren't they beautiful?!

Its Pre-season...Its only gonna get worse!!!

This may be the last time I can get him to look at me for awhile! Some of you out there know what I'm talking about! Football season...I didn't even know it was time! It sort of snuck up on me (like the flu!)...:)His beard will inevitably keep growing...yikes!!! I know that football season will end eventually.... I might even join in the cheering....I just hope the Chiefs do well...he's cute when he's happy.

What have I done this summer???

It seems like every summer comes with this great list of intentions...some of them may be mission impossible style but, most seem do-able. Well, I don't think I really did any of them...unless not showering until noon counts!! I have been making baby socks...they are adorable! and I finally got our basement picked up...at least the food side. It was previously set in random unidentifiable piles by whoever helped us move in last year....and I could never find anything. I also didn't know what we needed...so, this is a nice and much needed change. I think it looks great, just ignore the walls and floor, ugh...another project for the money pit! I have every intention of completing my summer to do list after the kids go back to school....I don't procrastinate....do I?

Backpack, backpack!!

So much to say...so little time! I guess since it's been a week I am recovered enough to look back on this day with fondness...yeah right!! I love school supplies so, I thought (silly me :) that it would be fun to take my kids shopping for all the stuff they need for school. Well, the day came when I wasn't feeling good, I have been fighting off a cold for two weeks now, anyway, Erinn called and said he wanted me to go that day (8/3) to take advantage of the tax-free weekend. (makes logical sense right?!) Well, somewhere in my brain fog I also thought it would be fun if my mom came along! Poor mom!!!!...it had to be the worst day ever!! The kids didn't sleep in the car like I thought they would, they weren't kind or obedient, they never stopped crying, begging, or complaining. Oh, the parental trauma! We did have some funny moments though...I had no idea that Sam's feet had grown so much...He took off his size six tennis shoes to have his feet measured...size 9 1/2! Boy, am I a slacker mom or what?! So, now my ten(soon to be eleven) year old wears the same size shoes as me!! Crazy! Then as if the day couldn't get any worse...picture mom trying to shop in another department only to hear the crying kids from across the store....and laughing to herself!! ;) I had forgotten my diaper bag so as we were shopping, I discovered that Jenna would need a new outfit and some diapers! Luckily, we were in the store that carries all things that you could wish for (Target) so she got some new duds and was changed in the parking lot! As we stood in the checkout line, of the very last store we could stand, Jenna had her final meltdown and threw the biggest (loudest) fit you can imagine at the feet of an adorable and well behaved Mennonite family! Can life get any worse or funnier??? I couldn't help myself, I was laughing...what else could I do? Well, the supplies are all labeled, the backpacks are full, the teachers lists came out....and we are ready for school! Three more days....but, whose counting? :0)

Noah and his Cranes

While we were hanging out at moms last week, Noah mentioned that he was bored! That is never a good thing to say to my mom ;) !! Well, she told him to get online and look up origami instructions. So, that night he spent a couple of hours on the computer and figured out how to make frogs and cranes. He has since figured out how to get an instructional video off of youtube and can make diamonds, cups, hats, boxes, cat, dog, and pikachu heads!! He has given away as many as he can but, he is well on his way to having a thousand cranes!! He loves to make them as tiny as possible... He is a pretty cool kid! I love it when my kids learn new things completely independent of me! I also love the internet for all the good it can teach us. Hooray for learning something new!!

What we've been up to lately....

Well, its not really that interesting but, its our life!! All of last week we spent long fun filled days at moms house. We canned pickles, zucchini relish, jalapeno jelly, and a zucchini/summer squash marinara sauce! I love canning. It is so gratifying! When you cook a normal dinner it is gone in minutes and your left with dishes to do. But, when you can food, you get to look at it on the shelf for a long time!! its so pretty too! Its even better when you get to eat it knowing that you did this yourself for your family. Its pretty special. We also spent some time making pioneer clothes for the Far West Store. Mom is amazing with a sewing machine!! I am just happy to be there=)

On Sunday morning, when everyone was getting ready for church, Isaac was crying and laying on the couch...when he was asked what was wrong he said that his neck hurt so bad that he couldn't raise his arms or turn his head! (he and Sam were rough housing the night before and he hit the back of his head on the coffee table) So, of course we were worried about him and let him stay home from church to rest. Poor guy! Well, as soon as Erinn and the kids were gone, he sat up and was just fine! Happy, busy, playing! He is sooo busted!!! Well, he of course got grounded from his favorite thing(gameboy) and with any luck he will never do that again! =) We all had a good time at Sarah's birthday dinner...Happy Birthday Sarah!

On Monday, Erinn had to go to a big union meeting where Harley Davidson made a new contract offer and the workers had to vote on whether or not to accept the offer. The vote was 411 to accept and 417 to reject! So, then they had to vote whether or not to strike...They needed 65% to strike and they got 63% So, they automatically accept the offer!! Erinn thinks the contract should have been way better than it is. But, he and I are both grateful that he is still working and not on Strike!! This has been way too stressful for us!!!

Tuesday morning I got to go horseback rinding with my friend Bridget. She took me out to our friends the Anderson's. They have property next to the Pony Express reserve, and we rode out there for a few hours. It was so much fun!! I wish I had a personal photographer to follow me around (my kids have one!=)) Well, that is why there are no pics!! I love horses!!! and thanks so much to Sasha for watching my kids! Later Tuesday evening, we played softball, the baptists beat us again!! But, this time the game was close! They pulled two runs out in the last inning to win the game! It was fun!! Well, I guess that's it for now...We have been doing things...just normal life I guess!