1st DAY of SCHOOL 2010-2011

Well, I loaded these in the backwards order so you'll get the last picture first :)

The morning started with Micah up at 5:30! He did go back to bed for almost another hour, thankfully! Eric ran out to the school at 5:30 this morning to quickly install a projector for a fellow teacher. He planned to do it last night, but when Micah cracked open the back of his head, our plans changed. He and I headed to the ER (where he got 2 staples put in) and Eric and the other 3 kids went home for dinner, baths, and bed. Eric was back home by just before 7 am and we all sat down to coffee cake and scrambled eggs at 7:30 am. I made up morning checklist charts for the kids and they enjoyed putting stickers or checking off what they'd done already. I'm hoping it will cut down on the "Did you ______", from me. I can just say, "Look at your checklist." :o)

So, here are pics.

Eric and the kids loaded up to go. JJ and I followed behind in my car. I walked all the kids to their classes. Noah and Carissa were quick drop offs and then JJ and I went in with Micah for a few minutes.

My little Nuttlings... all in a row. Micah's face (EYES) cracks me up here!!! HA HA

I can't believe Noah's in 3rd grade already!! Where's the time gone?!

Carissa is so excited for 1st grade and is eager to show Micah the ropes at school.

Micah is SOOOOOO excited. Can you tell?! He's been counting down the days for nearly a month and today finally came.

JJ and I are home now. It's raining and only supposed to be 67 today! Brrrrr!!!! We're headed to Costco later and cleaning house. We'll make chocolate chip cookies today too. That's our annual "first day of school" tradition.

Here's hoping it's a GREAT school year! :)

Anniversary Trip with the hubbers :)

Us and the mt

NO mischief in my eyes!!! :o) HA HA

Narada Falls. I loved the rainbow!

Us and the falls

Some pretty flower/mt pics

We hiked up past where we did last year. Last year we couldn't get this high/far b/c of the snow and the route we'd taken. This year we did a different route.

What you can't see is that there is a sign on the door. "CAUTION, low door frame. Please use caution and duck." YEAH, I didn't have to.. hee hee

Me on top of the world :)

We followed SKYLINE and did the High Skyline as well. Total of 5.5 miles.

About 1.5 miles in I started complaining that my heel's hurt. Here's why. OUCHIES!!!!! I wore the wrong socks with my hiking boots. It hurt!!!!

We had a great time though. The kids did great with Grandma Bombard and only watched 3 movies the WHOLE time we were gone. She kept them busy with the park and visiting their Auntie and lil cousin and visiting her house and the dogs.... :)

I'm off now to help Eric get his classroom ready for school to start.... NEXT TUESDAY!!!!

JJ hits the swimming pool!!

It used to be that we never had to worry about JJ around the pool. He was happy and content to keep his distance, walk around the pool, and snack on whatever anyone had handy. He'd just mind his own business and keep under the radar. He did NOT want to get in the water ever.... no amount of convincing or encouraging mattered.

Today, however, marked the end of JJ's contentment to watch the rest of the family splash around and have fun. (For which, I'm actually thrilled!!) It started with sitting on my lap while we sat on the top step of the pool. He splashed his feet in the water and got used to it on his legs. We G-R-A-D-U-A-L-L-Y eased deeper into the water until most of his legs were wet and up to almost his waist. He then got to where he liked to sit (and stand) on the step on his own. He did NOT want the arm floaties but he did love the little boogie board. I was just glad he was in the water and not showing the fear like he has before so I wasn't about to push it. It just meant either Eric or I had to stay close by at all times. The one time we both turned our backs he took the boogie board and jumped off the step!!! He went under but it was cute to see 5 people grab for him. No chance of him drowning with all of us 2 steps away. :o)

So, JJ was brave today. He took huge steps in being a big boy! He truly isn't a baby anymore! Now if only he'd just decide to poop in the toilet!

Park play days

We went to the park today. Eric is doing some extra work at the Jr. High near our house. He's putting in a few really long days installing projectors so the kids and I have been finding a few things to do. Today we went to the park after we dropped lunch off with Eric. They actually cooperated for the most part while I did a quick photo opportunity. :o) I made this collage of photo's. I think my favorite one is of Noah. He's laughing and it's such a great natural shot of him. And notice, Carissa is missing BOTH of her top teeth. She is so proud of herself! :)

Hope ya like the pics.
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Summer Swimming

Last summer was Noah's first summer to take off and start swimming. This summer it was Micah and Carissa's turn.

Micah took off first - naturally as he is the dare devil and will do anything to keep up with Noah.

Carissa had a HARD time gaining confidence w/o the water wings. But she was sort of forced into it as we lost a pair and the others ripped and went in the garbage.

She actually did much better once I got out of the pool and sat poolside with a friend. We are so thankful for our friends that let us use their pool whenever we like. I am NOT a public pool kinda person ... (wink)

So, here's a youtube link of the kids yesterday. It was Carissa and Micah's first day of "real" swimming in a big pool unassisted. I think they did great!

BEFORE and AFTER house pics

Here's the before and after of the WHOLE front of the house. I think it got a much needed face lift! :) The curb appeal just multiplied a BUNCH! :o) The cute little girl on the porch helps with that too!! HA HA!