you never know what you'll get

I love finding random photos on the computer that I didn't take or have never seen.  I kinda love these kids!

mormon battalion

In January we took a ride down to San Diego to visit Old Towne and see the newly renovated Mormon Battalion Visitors Center (I would highly recommend this outing - lots to see and do & way fun for the kids)

Here's a quick summary of our day...

Lots of sliding down rails - we all did this (yes, even me) 

Modeling the clothes and supplies that the Mormon Battalion soldiers used.  The boys were so excited to be chosen to do this.

Panning for gold.

Actually got my boys to wash some clothes :)  Maybe I just need to install a hand pump in the backyard to get them to help more with laundry.

Got to check out the beautiful San Diego area from an observation tower at the visitors center.

 

Explored all of Old Towne.

Emily's nickname is Pie - hence the photo.

Megan has a slight obsession with boots.

Way to ruin the adorable picture of Emily.  Chalk me up another good mom point.

my superman

Superhero day at school.  And yes, yes I did allow my son to go to school in tights, boxers and a pillowcase cape.  You got a problem with that?

school projects, oh how i despise thee

I hate school projects yet they are a part of my children's educational careers so I press forward with a smile (all the while grumbling under my breath)

Emily had to design and make a doll that represented a character from a book her English class read.  Don't remember the book or the character but trust me the doll was a good representation.

Nate's project was for Math.  The kids had to take an object and enlarge it using correct proportions.  My brother would be proud of Nate's choice...a lego.

Now I can sit back and only hope that there are no more projects for the rest of the year.

this is a first

I think this may be the first year that I haven't loved Halloween...shocking, I know.  I have been so tired and overwhelmed with health issues that the house never got decorated, no party planned and I murmured during most of the costume making process (who am I kidding, I always murmur during the costume making process)

Having said that I think the kids looked adorable this year.  We ended up with Robin Hood (Megan), Circus Ringmaster (Emily), Mad Hatter (Nathan) and Dracula (Luke)

Lets start with the  most time consuming costume of the lot - The Mad Hatter.  I found a tutorial on the internet for making this costume and it deceivingly said it would take 4 hours to complete - lies, all lies!  I started it Thursday afternoon at about 2 pm with Derek jumping in to help later in the evening.  He went to bed sometime around 1 am and I finally put down my elementary school child safety scissors (yes, we created the whole costume with a stupid little pair of scissors) at 3:15 am.  Four hours, my foot!

Looking at the costume I'm trying to figure out what took so long since there wasn't much sewing (jacket was a brown jacket from Goodwill and pants were khakis from Target - both dyed) but trust me when I say it took us forever.

The hat was the hardest to create but since I'm married to the best man in the world I had lots of help.  Let's just say we can now understand why the hatter was "mad".

Megan was on make-up artist duty and I think she did an amazing job.  This was one costume where the make-up really added to the whole appearance of the costume.

Emily looked adorable in her "I didn't have to sew a thing costume"  I love those types of costumes!  The shirt and jacket were purchases from Goodwill (man, I love that store) and the rest of the costume was pulled together with stuff from Target and a local Halloween store.  

All Megan wanted for her costume was something that allowed her to carry weapons and wear boots.  She would have loved to have been Katniss but I was not feeling terribly creative with that idea so we went with Robin Hood.  The only sewing here was the vest which turned out cute but while sewing I decided that sewing isn't really my thing.  I don't have the easiest time with it so I'm not quite sure why I keep sewing costumes every year.  Her shirt was from a costume I made her in 7th grade and everything else was Goodwill or Target.

Then there is Luke.  He wins for easiest costume...church pants, shoes and shirt put together with a purchased vest and cape from the dress up box.  Oh yea, I forgot...also a sweet little Dracula necklace.  My little blood sucker looked fantastic.

I'm glad the costumes are done and that Halloween is on its way out but I am hoping I'll be back into the Halloween spirit next year.  I'm also hoping that all my kids want to dress as Dracula next year!


And just because I love these pictures I'm including some photos that my girls (and their friends) took Tuesday after our youth Halloween party at church.

even nerdier

Apparently Derek and I are raising a family full of nerd kids.  First it was these two

and now its this one...

Nathan had Nerd Day at school yesterday and obviously was inspired by his older siblings.  I was pretty impressed that he went off to school like this.  I don't remember the girls being quite so brave in 6th grade.  I think Nate has the advantage of watching his sisters and their friends who are in High School dressing up and having fun.  What Nate doesn't realize is that when they were all in 6th grade most of them probably didn't do this type of thing - they are more secure in who they are now than when they were in Middle School.  I'm glad that he is unaware and having fun now and not waiting 'til High School.  He'll have much more fun in life this way.

Oh how I love my nerdy kids!!

another school year - where did summer go?

Here we go again...another school year.  

I always have mixed emotions at this time of year.  In some ways I am anxious for my kids to head back to school (in hopes that I might actually be able to clean my house and keep it clean, at least for a few hours).  On the other hand...as my kids get older I dread having them gone for so many hours of the day when they could be home with me enjoying the last couple years they actually have at home.

I better stop before the tears begin.

Here we go with the kids pictures...

Megan is heading into her Junior year.  She is thrilled to be able to drive herself there and home (assuming she gets a coveted parking pass)

Emily is starting her high school career - Freshman year.  She has enjoyed the first few days of HS and seems to be adjusting well.  It helps to have a big sister to show you the ropes.  

Just a side note...every year when we take these school pictures, Emily's is always my favorite.  I love this shot!

Em is not the only one starting at a new school...Nate is a big middle schooler this year - 6th grade!  He enjoys going to different classes and having a locker.  

My last elementary aged kid.  Luke is in 4th grade this year and couldn't be more excited to have two of his good friends in his class.  He came home from the first day of school so excited about the year that he was literally bouncing around.

L.O.V.E these kiddos!  Here is to a great school year with limited homework drama, good grades, good friends and straight A's (it's possible, right?)