Back to School...For Mom, too!

We finally felt it was the right time for me to head back to the world of teaching.  With the boys attending school all day and Ryn wanting to go to school, it was a prayerful choice with all 4 of us heading to work/school together.  I was hired for a 4th grade position at the same school I taught 3rd at before and where the kids attend.  Jackson is in 3rd grade, Jacob is in 1st, and Ryn attends Pre-K.  We are still adjusting a bit to our "new life", but things are going well.

A bitter-sweet that our "first day" picture is at a new place!

She had no problem saying good-bye!  I miss her!

Moving for the Last Time!

It has been a crazy year!  We moved out of our loved Chestnut home of 9 years last Nov. 1.  We rented a house in a neighboring city, taking the risk of it being on the market.  It sold after 4 1/2 months and we could not find a place we loved enough to spend the next 20+ years.  We did discover we liked our new city, found a floor plan that was fantastic and a builder to build it on a great lot.  So off we packed again to a small condo for 5 months while our house was being built.  Finally, after 4 houses and 3 moves in 10 months, we were able to move in, not without stress and drama (like only being able to move into the garage for the weekend)!  But we are settled and very happy in our new home.  So thankful for our friends and family.  Especially our parents, the Phillips, and Erwins who helped us every step on this adventure!

Closing Down Summer

We took a day trip up to Silver Beach for the day and were pleasantly surprised with the arrival of frog season!  The kids were in heaven catching HUNDREDS of tadpoles and baby frogs, some still with tails.  It was a great wrap-up of "summer" before a BUSY August!

Italian Sodas...a little fun for a boring day.

Jacob lost his first tooth the day before our big move!

Summer Fun

We have had a busy summer already and hope things slow down a bit before we move to our new house in a few weeks.  The little bit we have been home is always interesting with little kids.  You'll notice Jacob is not in any pictures, as he is not loving the camera these days when I want a picture!

Singing Cowgirl with a "guitar"

Jackson went camping with a friend and brought home a snake!  "Striker" was not welcomed in our home, so he was more than happy to be released back into his natural surroundings!

It has been so hot that we have been inside a lot.  Loving pinterest for quick and easy ideas to occupy kids, I found a funny spaghetti post.  JJ helped make dinner and enjoyed the silliness!

Happy Birthday, Kathryn!

 This was the first time that one of my kids was away from us on their birthday.  They were all at my parents for the week, attending her VBS.  No traditional doughnut picture, but my mom did do cinnamon rolls for breakfast

 Thanks to the Gustafsons, Pinterest, and the Dollar Store, I was able to throw a quick birthday for Ryn the day my mom brought her back from Seattle.  My nieces from Florida were visiting, so it was great to have some extended family there, too.

Can't see the cupcakes, but they are Teddy Grahams in "inner-tubes" floating on water!

Thanks, Buddy, for doing my nails!

Although spunky and ACTIVE, this little girl has captured our hearts.  She loves her brothers, friends, family, and even strangers.  She is constantly on the go, can entertain herself, and gives great hugs.  A few "stats"...

3 feet 5 in

Weight..?  Maybe 40?

Sings the ABC, minus J, N, and TUV

Knows her letter sounds/names except N

(She must not like N!)

Loves all things princess

Such a girly-girly with a "don't mess with me" tomboy 'tude!

Likes to wrestle with her brothers

Sounds sassy even when not meaning to be (working on this!)

Loves going to "school" (daycare) when I teach

Constantly sings or talks to herself

Favorite song- "10,000 Reasons" (Bless the Lord)

Favorite movie- probably Little Rascals

Favorite Food- Fruit

Favorite Color- pink and purple

Currently not in gymnastics or dance, but starting again in fall

Fourth of July

We made an impromptu visit to Pullman for the Fourth so my pyro son could light fireworks.  It was fun to be with almost the whole family and the kids had a great time doing the traditional slip-n-slide, face painting, and eating homemade ice cream!

 

 

Three Amigos

 

 

JJ loves being with Davis!

House is looking Good

We are getting close!  Lights are in, some floors, I have painted a few rooms with the help of friends, and they should be filling in dirt soon!  Can't wait for the exterior paint and cabinets!

 

A visit from my parents, aunt and uncle from Nevada, and Nana

 

Kara helped keep me company painting a stripe in Ryn's room.  

 

Christun and I painted some "fun stuff" in the boys' rooms!

Kids to Camp and Camping

JJ went to Camp Ghormley again this summer and his classmates were all smiles.  He was so excited that day I had to literally hold him still to talk to him!

 

His cousin, Emma, joined him this year.  The girls' cabin is adorable and makes you feel like you are in Little House on the Praire!

 

Jen and I took the rest of the kids up camping on the same lake where Ghormley is located.  My new water boy can't stay out!

 

After we picked Emma and JJ up from camp we headed back to our campsite and a few friends joined us for the afternoon.

My sister's kids, Jackson, and I took a paddle boat out to a little island.  We discovered that you should not allow 5 people on a 2-person!  It took so long to paddle anywhere, we only spent about 5 minutes on the island before having to head back!  We finally made it straight across (only about 500ft), dumped most people off at the shore before Sarah and I took it the rest of the way to dock it!  It was a work out!



 

 

My nephew, Justin, who hates getting his picture taken!

Manzanita- Day 5

The last evening we had a great dinner in town at Big Wave's (great mac and cheese and Caesar salad!) and went to the farmer's market before hitting the beach once more.  Jacob was the only one to play in the water this time and I had to force him out before he turned into a popsicle!

 

Can just once get a good family pic???

A big thanks to the Gustafson's for sharing their home!