New Beginnings

The school year has started! Tayden and Beckett rung in the new school year with there personalities fully intact.

Tayden woke up, got ready, ate his breakfast and packed his lunch. He was completely ready for third grade. He had a wonderful first day. He got Mr. Kennelly, the teacher that he had been hoping for, and loved spending the day with him.

While Beckett was just as excited as Tayden, his morning went a little different. There were lots of reminders to eat his breakfast. His shorts "looked funny" and his new pants "felt weird", so he ended up wearing the least holey jeans I could find. I had to wipe his face on the way out the oor to first grade. He had a good first day. He came home and asked me if damn was a bad word. I told him it was and asked him who said it. He said his teacher did. I explained she must have meant like a beaver dam and his reply... "No. She said, Put it in the damn bucket!" Oh, I laughed so so hard. Beckett got Mrs. Roberts, who is the best first grade teacher...if not the best in the school. I'm sure she said it under her breath or forgot to watch her tongue after a long summer vacation. I'm not anticipating it being a problem and it sure gave me a good chuckle.

The second day was a little rough for Beckett, but he made it. He isn't quite used to the long days and thought school should have been over about an hour before it was. Luckily, Tayden was at school to help. Story has it, our neighbor saw Beckett having a hard time and went to find Tayden. When big brother got there, little brother had a break down and needed a good hug. Tayden was more than happy to oblige and gave Beckett a little pep talk. I am so proud of them and grateful they have each other.

Fast forward to today, the third day of school. Beckett woke up willing to go, but not overly excited. When I asked him what he was wearing, he said what he had on...which happened to be the exact outfit from the previous day. I explained that to him and he said, "Well, I figured out if I wear the same clothes, I'll have less laundry to do." Over the summer they started putting their clean clothes away and he hates it. So wearing the same clothes is his solution. I laughed at his wit, but didn't want to tell him no and have a meltdown before school. Not a minute later Tayden came up the stairs in the exact same outfit. Mind you, I only bought them ONE pair of matching shirts. And Tayden had to wear it today. That cemented Becketts decision to wear the same clothes to match Tayden. So, mom of the year here, let Beckett wear the same clothes two days in a row. I'm sure his teacher got a chuckle from me.

Cache had his first day of preschool today. It was his dream come true. He has been waiting for this day all summer. His favorite part was getting a get to know you home work. Best day of his life, for sure.

Its fun having a fresh start. I am getting into a new school routine learning the ropes of having two full time students and only one child at home three mornings a week. It's going to be strange, and even Luna is feeling a little lonely and looking for extra cuddles. But it's so great having good quality time with the smaller boys and doing things like making cookies and going for walks. 

Lucky for Ky we have a sled dog when he gets too tired to pedal.

I am feeling so positive about this year and am sure its going to be great.

Fun Squeeze

The last weekend of summer and we squeezed every ounce of fun out of it that we could. On Friday, Scott woke everyone up and loaded us up for a trip to Yellowstone. I was so impressed with him. He took care of everything. He packed jackets, spare clothes, got snacks and even found someone to take care of the dogs. 

It was such a fun day. We left around 8:30am and didn't get home until about 11:00pm. It was a long day in the car, but I'll tell you what...those boys of ours were phenomenal. They had a couple of books and that was it. They didn't fight or argue or have any major meltdowns. Instead, we talked, played games and rocked out with the radio. It really was awesome. We went to the grizzly bear exhibit, Old Faithful, played at a small beach, tried to see some fish off the bridge, got stopped by buffalo and finished off the night with pizza and ice cream in West Yellowstone. It was the perfect way to send off summer. 

Mama wolf and her cubs in the den. 

Tayden found a moose track. 

Boys and bison. 

Even though I thought the fun was over. I was totally wrong. Scott surprised me with an overnighter in Utah for my birthday. It was wonderful to have a couple of hours alone. We went out to dinner and shopped a little. Then laid in bed and watch TV. Talk about relaxing. And so perfect. I love this man of mine. 

Now, back to real life. School starts tomorrow!! 

Great American Solar Eclipse 2017

We were so lucky to be in the path of totality for the Great American Solar  Eclipse 2017. Our backyard literally gave us 100% view of the totality eclipse. City officials had been warning us for weeks, if not months, about the influx of  people that Idaho Falls would be experiencing. So, when I thought of the eclipse I thought of mayhem and huge crowds and shrugged off the actual event. But this morning as I woke up and witnessed it starting to happen, my heart soared. I suddenly realized I was participating in an incredible piece of history. Everyone was set up on their front lawns and having parties. It was so neat. The boys were excited, and because of their nifty glasses, actually watched more than I thought they would. As the moon started to cover more and more of the moon, the temperature starting dropping and the day grew dark. We saw stars, night crawlers came to the surface, street lights turned on and I stood in awe at what I was witnessing. When totality hit and we could look at the celestial event without glasses, the neighborhood broke out in cheers. The eclipse connected us in a way I had not anticipated. 

To make the event extra special, Scott's family came to watch it with us. We ate dinner, roasted smores and stayed up too late playing farkle. Waking up with everyone in our home was delightful. I really lucked out with the family I married into. I love spending time with them. 

We couldn't see where we were supposed to look. 

Just a friendly game of solar eclipse Marco Polo. 

Scott's uncle and aunt, Brad and Donna Thomas. 

Grandma and Grandpa Packard.

We took advantage of the night crawlers and went worming after the eclipse. Aimslee and Cache were the only ones who stayed for pictures. 

It was such a great weekend. One that I had kind of dreaded, but ended up totally loving.  

Dallas Visitors

Wow! What a busy week and it all started off with a surprise! Justin, Echo and the kids were to show up on Wednesday evening or Thursday morning, but much to our delight, they came Tuesday evening. We were so excited! And very much surprised. I thought I had another day or two to finish up laundry and tie up some lose ends that had to be done so I could focus on their visit. But the unfinished chores didn't keep from enjoying every last drop of our Texas family. They were just delayed a week.

They stayed at my parents house in Blackfoot, so there was lots of in between driving. It was six full days of fun and soaking up our family. We hung out, played farkle, had BBQ's, did family pictures, enjoyed sleepovers, went to iJump, geo-cached, ate out, played catch, went for walks, jumped on the tramp, frisbeed, watched the Chukars and laughed and laughed. We crammed one year of missing out into one week of being together. It was honestly a great visit. I only got two pictures of their whole trip. That's how busy we were.

It was a blast and I can't wait to see them again! 

Rexburg Rapids

We spent Saturday with some good friends, the Snarrs, at Rexburg Rapids. They have boys that are the same age as Tayden and Beckett. 

Austin, Brody, Beckett and Tayden. 

It was so much fun! If you don't believe me, take Ky's word for it. 

We're so blessed to have such great friends. 

Camp Out

Sleeping outside was on the bucket list for this summer and tonight Scott made it happen. The boys had a blast and thought the tent was the coolest thing ever. And while I love Idaho summers, the daylight last forever. They went to sleep with the sun and woke up with it too, which made for some cranky kids this morning. But that's not anything a little nap can't handle. It was a fun experience for them and they loved every (short) minute. 

Just for reference, these pictures were taken at 9:15pm. 

The Past 10 Days

JULY 16 2017 

Luna got to play with her mama again. She was much braver this time and they played together wonderfully. 

JULY 17 2017 

We headed to my moms house for the day. Kyle was unusually cranky, so my dad built him a monster truck run for his trucks. This boys has a mad love for all things mechanical, but especially monster trucks. It keep him happy for awhile and since Scott was doing homework, we decided to stay the night. 

JULY 18 2017 

Shortly after waking up, we found out why Ky was so cranky. He had a touch of a stomach bug. We packed up fast and headed home. It was a rough day with lots of throwing up and one sad baby. 

JULY 19 2017 

The best day of the week. I got my braces off! Luckily, the bug was short lived and Kyle was healthy enough to head to the neighbors while I went to my appointment. (The story behind sick Ky. Earlier in the week Jodie's kids got sick with the bug and spent a day throwing up. Clay and Jodie ending up getting it and were too sick to watch their kids, so I had them over for the day. They passed it to Kyle. So since they had already had it and were the ones that gave it to us, Jodie was happy to watch my kids so I could get to the orthodontist.) 

JULY 20 2017-JULY 21 2017

Nothing but cleaning house and hanging out. 

JULY 22 2017

The Blue Thunder jet show came to Idaho Falls. As soon as Scott heard about it, he bought tickets. He and Tayden went early and enjoyed the whole show. The other boys and I showed up at the tail end for  the jet show. It was a fu. And different experience. 

I also decided to play groomer again. Lunas scissor cut was growing out pretty scraggly, so I took the clippers to her. It worked out loads better. 

JULY 23-JULY 24 2017 

Our friends the Turneys came to town and stayed the night with us. It was so wonderful having them here. Seriously, it was so great. The kids played awesome together and the adults stayed up way too late enjoying the company. It was so hard saying goodbye, but that only means the friendship is so good. I love these people. 

Our kids in numerical order. Tayden 8, Hannah 7, Beckett 6, Paige 5, Cache 4, Sam 3, Kyle 2, Jonathan 1. 

JULY 25 2017 

Looks like my prayers were answered. I prayed that nobody else would get sick until my braces were off, the air show was over and the Turneys had left. Beckett and I woke up sick.