school has started......ughh!

the kids started school august 15th (6th-graders) and 16th (everyone else). this year i just wasn't ready. we had a great summer that went by too stinkin' fast. the kids got a long great (i'm not sure how we lucked out there) and played well together. i also really enjoyed my free awesome babysitter. kaylee is the best big sister. andrew started 3rd grade. so far he is doing really well. i went in last week to talk to his teacher and she asked, "has he always been this good?" "i can always count on andrew to be attentive!" way to go andrew!

kaylee started middle school (sniff, sniff) i am excited for her and terribly sad at the same time. she is really loving it so far. (am i really old enough to have a kid in middle school?) now we just need will's school to start, everyday he wants to know when he gets to go the "little learners"!

Example

Dear Grandma,
I had a great childhood. Growing up next door to you and Grandpa was so much fun. I loved you even when you spanked Josh and me for being so naughty. I loved your chocolate cake. I loved doing dishes with you. I love that one time you raced Melanie and me (and I was shocked at how fast you were.) I loved sitting with you at church and getting tickled with a pen. You taught me how to tie my shoe. You always see the best in people. I loved looking in the stands and seeing you at my basketball games. I loved when you taught me how to make your chocolate frosting. I love your hands. I love you. Thanks for being one amazing woman and example to all of us.

cutest picture ever, taken by my neice briann

Durango Mountain

will and daddy going down the alpine slides, the kids LOVED it.the bungee tramp was a hit for kaylee and andrew. andrew even got brave enough to do some flips. kaylee surprised me, this is not usually her kind of thing.

kaylee climbed the rock wall. she is pretty good at it. those long arms and legs come in pretty handy.

it was a great 4th of july weekend, thanks nannie and poppie for taking us on another great adventure.

Silverton, Colorado

we went to silverton for the 4th this year, i was a little worried how will would do, he hadn't fully recovered yet. he was a trooper and did great.

the fireworks in silverton are amazing. i would recommend going some day. you could feel them, and they echoed through the canyon. way cool.

kids are amazing both sam and will fell asleep through the show. i am not sure how they were soooo loud.

i was grateful will was able to go. i used it as motivation for him to get better. and it worked, he would take his medication and drink lots for me.

they say it's your birthday.....

happy birthday sam! i can hardly believe this kid is already a year old.

we couldn't love him more.

this kid can pound the food.

he is a little fatso.

he loves his brothers and sister.

he thinks its hilarious to slap your head.

starting to walk, but prefers crawling.

he loves to give kisses.

says all gone, uh-oh, dadda, bubba.

loves balls.

loves his bed and blankeys.

cha cha cha

will has always been fascinated with birthdays, cake, candles, parties. it is his favorite holiday, even if it not his. but, it's even better when it is :) he got to celebrate his 5th birthday party in montana.

5 things i love about will:

1. i have never met a kid who loves to laugh as much as will. he has a great deep belly laugh. (he also has a really annoying fake one).

2. his imagination. he can entertain himself for hours with anything. seriously. just give him a packet of ketchup and a fork and watch for yourself. it's amazing.

3. he is so affectionate. he loves to cuddle and kiss. he's pretty darn sweet (when he's in the right mood).

4. he loves "bad" guys. he always wants to be the bad pirate, the joker, darth vador, or a mean guy. (wait.....maybe i should be worried?)

5. he loves his brothers and sister. he is (usually) really sweet with them.

andrew got baptized

on june 4th, 2011 andrew was baptized by his dad in belt montana. we had lots of family there, which we loved. we are really proud of andrew, he is such a good kid with a tender heart.

grandma peanut and grumpy

(we were happy grumpy was up to coming that day, he had shingles)

scott, janna and jordanne made the long trek to montana to be with andrew.

grandma and grandpa grapes

andrew sure loves his uncles matthew and michael. we were sure happy that their families were able to be there. it was a fun and crazy week.

we had some other families there with us too. it was fun to have aunt becky and uncle dave, elly and her family, auntie nae and zoie, and the uricks. we had pancakes after (andrew's choice) he loooooves grumpy's pancakes.